Which statement accurately describes the relationship between a rifle squad and its fire teams?

• A. Three fire teams make up a rifle squad, and the squad is led by a squad leader.
• B. Two fire teams make up a rifle squad.
• C. A rifle squad operates with no dedicated squad leader.
• D. Each fire team consists of five Marines.

Answer: (A)

A rifle squad is built around three fire teams under a squad leader. The squad leader coordinates and directs the entire squad, ensuring all teams work together to achieve the objective. Each fire team is a four-Marine unit led by a fire team leader, consisting of an automatic rifleman, a grenadier, and a rifleman. This setup gives the squad flexibility in fire and maneuver: one team can pin the enemy, another can maneuver to a better position, and the third can provide security or follow through on the assault.

Having three fire teams rather than two or one provides redundancy and sustained firepower, and there is a dedicated squad leader to keep the action synchronized. Also, a fire team is not five Marines; the standard team size is four.