Military unit: Difference between revisions
put table back in - i think the table is needed and the preamble gives a good compromise between generality and useful information |
m corrected some of the sizes and commanding officers |
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<caption>Typical military units in an army</caption> |
<caption>Typical military units in an army</caption> |
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<Th align="Center">Name</th><th align="center">Number of personnel</th><Th>Number of subordinate units</th><th>Officer in charge</th> |
<Th align="Center">Name</th><th align="center">Number of personnel</th><Th>Number of subordinate units</th><th>Officer in charge</th> |
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<Tr><Td>[[Corps]]</td><td>30,000+</td><td> |
<Tr><Td>[[Corps]]</td><td>30,000+</td><td>Varies</td><td>[[Lieutenant General]]</td></tr> |
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<Tr><Td>[[Division (military)|Division]]</td><td>10,000–20,000</td><td> |
<Tr><Td>[[Division (military)|Division]]</td><td>10,000–20,000</td><td>3/4 brigades</td><td>[[Major General]]</td></tr> |
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<tr><td |
<tr><td>[[Brigade]]</td><td>2000–5000</td><td>2+ regiments</td><td>[[Brigadier]]</td></tr> |
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<tr><td>[[Regiment]] (UK)</td><td>650+</tr><td>1+ battalions</td><td>[[Brigadier]]</td></tr> |
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<Tr><td>[[Battalion]]</td><td>300–1000</td><td>2–6 companies</td><td>[[Colonel]]</td></tr> |
<Tr><td>[[Battalion]]</td><td>300–1000</td><td>2–6 companies</td><td>[[Colonel]]</td></tr> |
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<tr><td>[[Company (military unit)|Company]]</td><td>150–300</td><td>3–6 platoons</td><td>[[Major]]</td></tr> |
<tr><td>[[Company (military unit)|Company]]</td><td>150–300</td><td>3–6 platoons</td><td>[[Major]] (US)<br>[[Captain]] (UK)</td></tr> |
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<tr><td>[[Platoon]]</td><td>30–40</td><td>2+ squads</td><td>First [[lieutenant]] or [[captain]]</td></tr> |
<tr><td>[[Platoon]]</td><td>30–40</td><td>2+ squads</td><td>First [[lieutenant]] or [[captain]]</td></tr> |
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<Tr><td>[[Squad]]</td><td>8–12</td><td>2+ fireteams</td><td>[[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] ([[Sergeant]])</td></tr> |
<Tr><td>[[Squad]]</td><td>8–12</td><td>2+ fireteams</td><td>[[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] ([[Sergeant]])</td></tr> |
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Revision as of 10:03, 26 March 2003
The term military unit is used to refer to any group of 2 or more soldiers. Armies are divided into groups of various sizes according to function and for tactical and adminstrative purposes. This article gives an overview of some of the terms used to describe military units in armed forces across the world. Whilst it is recognised that there will be differences between armies of different nations, it seems that a large proportion are modelled on the British and/or American models. Readers interested in the detailed specifics of a national army (including the British and American) should consult the relevant entry for that country.
| Name | Number of personnel | Number of subordinate units | Officer in charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corps | 30,000+ | Varies | Lieutenant General | |
| Division | 10,000–20,000 | 3/4 brigades | Major General | |
| Brigade | 2000–5000 | 2+ regiments | Brigadier | |
| Regiment (UK) | 650+ | |||
| 1+ battalions | Brigadier | |||
| Battalion | 300–1000 | 2–6 companies | Colonel | |
| Company | 150–300 | 3–6 platoons | Major (US) Captain (UK) | |
| Platoon | 30–40 | 2+ squads | First lieutenant or captain | |
| Squad | 8–12 | 2+ fireteams | NCO (Sergeant) | |
| Fireteam (Mostly USA) | 4–5 | n/a | NCO |
In addition to these, further units include Section and Squadron. Army, Army group and Theater are all large units which vary significantly between armed forces in size and hierarchy position.