Does anyone know how the Squad Leader number system worked? The reason I ask is because my Grandfather's discharge paper (from 1946) indicates he was Squad Leader 653. I'm wondering if there is any way to use this number to figure out what Platoon and Squad he was in. (BTW: He served in Co B of the 17th Infantry Regiment).
653 was the MOS code for a squad leader. It was a general code and it wouldn't tell you anything about squad or platoon. It is rare to get below Company level.My father's discharge paper indicates that he was a squad leader, but his MOS code was 745 as a Rifleman. See here ARMY MOS Code Index
Thank you for clearing that up. I appreciate everyone's willingness to give of their time to answer questions. I appreciate it very much.
Another question.... Was it normal for a Squad Leader to be a regular Sargent or would they have to be a Staff Sargent?
My limited understanding is that usually it is a Staff Sgt, but if there is a shortage of Staff Sgt.s , the leader could be a Sgt. or even a corporal. (If there is also a shortage of Sgt.s)
Have you posted his separation papers some where yet? There are some really sharp folks on here that can help decipher.
I think usually a Staff Sergeant. See here In 1942, the Army had a massive restructuring of its Tables of Organization & Equipment (TO&Es) and increased the rank of the squad leader and assistant squad leader to staff sergeant and sergeant, respectively. Squad - Wikipedia