Communications Platoon
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In the USMC, a communications platoon, also known as the "S-6", is responsible for all related communications for the battalion. It is part of the Headquarters and Services Company and is responsible for supporting all companies within the battalion. At the regiment level, the communications platoon is responsible for providing support to the regiment as well as the battalion communication platoons. Within the communications platoon, there are four sections: Data, Wire, Radio, and Maintenance. Each of these sections have specialized individuals who have been trained to best understand their field.[1]
The communications platoon is headed by a 2nd or 1st lieutenant, called the communications officer or S-6, and a master sergeant, called the communications chief.[2] For regiment level communication platoons, it is typical to have a captain head the platoon and a master gunnery sergeant be the senior enlisted marine. Each section has a chief that is responsible for the work of the section. The rank of the section chief can vary from sergeant to master sergeant; however, to have a data chief, radio chief, wire chief, or maintenance chief MOS, the marine must be a staff non-commissioned officer (NCO).[1]
