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A squad is the smallest organized group within a military unit, typically comprising 7 to 14 soldiers led by a sergeant. These small tactical units are designed for easy direction in the field. Squads form the building blocks of larger military structures, with three or four squads making up a platoon. The term "squad" can also refer to any small group engaged in a common effort or occupation. Historically, the term evolved from words related to square formations, with "squadron" initially referring to a body of soldiers arranged in a square.123

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