The platoon leader moves where he can best control the platoon. The platoon sergeant travels with the trailing squad, though he is free to move throughout the formation to enforce security, noise and light discipline, and distances bewteen squads. Bounding overwatch is used when contact is expected. One squad bounds forward to a chosen position, then it becomes the overwatching element unless contact is made en route. One squad overwatches the bounding squad from covered positions from which it can see and supress likely enemy positions.
Soldiers use scanning techniques to view their assigned sector.
The platoon leader remains with the overwaching squad. Normally, the platoon's machine guns are located with the overwatching squad also. One squad is uncommited and ready for employment as directed by the platoon leader. The platoon sergeant and the platoon leader of the squad awaiting orders position themselves close to the platoon leader. The requirement of the mission.