What communication policy should the PSG follow with the platoon?

• A. Talk, talk, talk and listen, listen, listen; good communication does not happen by itself.
• B. Silence and avoid feedback.
• C. Communicate only through the PL.
• D. Rely exclusively on written reports.

Answer: (A)

Two-way, open communication between the platoon sergeant and the platoon is essential. The PSG should actively engage the platoon, clearly conveying tasks, standards, and safety measures, while also inviting questions and listening carefully to soldiers’ feedback and concerns. This ongoing exchange keeps everyone informed, helps catch misunderstandings early, and builds trust and readiness. Silence and avoiding feedback block the flow of information, increasing confusion and risk. Relying only on the platoon leader as the conduit creates a bottleneck and can leave soldiers unreached or hesitant to speak up. Relying exclusively on written reports removes the human element of communication, making it easy for messages to be misinterpreted or ignored and for important nuances to be missed. The best approach is direct, frequent, two-way dialogue between the PSG and the platoon.