What unit is the lowest level to have a METL?

The correct answer is that the company is the lowest level to have a Mission Essential Task List (METL). This stems from the organizational structure of the Army and how responsibilities for operations are delineated.

The company level functions as a key operational unit within the Army and is generally responsible for executing missions that contribute to the overall objectives of its higher command, often at the battalion or brigade level. A METL provides a framework for the company to identify and prioritize its essential tasks to fulfill its mission effectively. This level is critical as it supports the development of the individual soldiers within the company, as training and readiness are informed by the specific tasks outlined in the METL.

Platoons and squads, while they are functional units, do not typically have a METL of their own. Instead, they derive their tasks from the company's METL, which means they operate under the broader objectives and mission tasks defined at the company level or higher. The brigade, on the other hand, operates at a much higher organizational level and has its own METL that encompasses the overall objectives and mission capabilities for a larger set of units. Thus, the company is the correct level at which a METL is established to guide training and operational readiness.