Section (military unit)
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A section is an infantry unit in the British Army consisting of eight soldiers, including a Corporal as section commander, a Lance-Corporal as second-in-command, and six privates. The section is split into two four-man fire teams (charlie and delta), commanded respectively by the corporal and lance-corporal. Three sections together form a platoon. Sections, with varying organisations, are also found in some other corps.
The Canadian Army also uses the section, which is roughly the same as its British counterpart, except that it is led by a Sergeant, with a Master Corporal as second-in-command.
A section is roughly equivalent to a squad in the United States Army. Some corps, such as Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery, use the term section to denote a squad-sized unit in which the fire teams may act independently of each other in the larger platoon formation. The section is used as an administrative formation overseen by a staff sergeant.