Which is larger, a battalion or a regiment? Number of companies, platoons, battalions, divisions and regiments

This will be my first blog post. It’s not a full-fledged article in terms of the number of words and information, but it’s a very important note, which can be read in one breath and has almost more benefits than many of my articles. So, what is a squad, platoon, company and other concepts known to us from books and films? And how many people do they contain?

What is a platoon, company, battalion, etc.

  • Branch
  • Platoon
  • Battalion
  • Brigade
  • Division
  • Frame
  • Army
  • Front (district)

These are all tactical units in the branches and types of troops. I have arranged them in order from least number of people to most to make it easier for you to remember them. During my service, I most often met with everyone up to the regiment.

From the brigade and above (in number of people) during the 11 months of service, we didn’t even say. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I do not serve in a military unit, but in educational institution.

How many people do they include?

Department. Numbers from 5 to 10 people. The squad is commanded by the squad leader. A squad leader is a sergeant's position, so commode (short for squad leader) is often a junior sergeant or sergeant.

Platoon. A platoon includes from 3 to 6 squads, that is, it can reach from 15 to 60 people. The platoon commander is in charge of the platoon. This is already an officer position. It is occupied by a minimum of a lieutenant and a maximum of a captain.

Company. A company includes from 3 to 6 platoons, that is, it can consist of from 45 to 360 people. The company is commanded by the company commander. This is a major position. In fact, the commander is a senior lieutenant or captain (in the army, a company commander is affectionately and abbreviated as a company commander).

Battalion. This is either 3 or 4 companies + headquarters and individual specialists (gunsmith, signalman, snipers, etc.), a mortar platoon (not always), sometimes air defense and tank destroyers (hereinafter referred to as PTB). The battalion includes from 145 to 500 people. The commander of the battalion (abbreviated as battalion commander) commands.

This is the position of lieutenant colonel. But in our country, both captains and majors command, who in the future can become lieutenant colonels, provided they retain this position.

Regiment. From 3 to 6 battalions, that is, from 500 to 2500+ people + headquarters + regimental artillery + air defense + fire-fighting tanks. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. But maybe also a lieutenant colonel.

Brigade. A brigade is several battalions, sometimes 2 or even 3 regiments. The brigade usually has from 1,000 to 4,000 people. It is commanded by a colonel. The abbreviated title for the position of brigade commander is brigade commander.

Division. These are several regiments, including artillery and, possibly, tank + rear service + sometimes aviation. Commanded by a colonel or major general. The number of divisions varies. From 4,500 to 22,000 people.

Frame. These are several divisions. That is, in the region of 100,000 people. The corps is commanded by a major general.

Army. From two to ten divisions of different types of troops + rear units + repair shops and so on. The number can be very different. On average, from 200,000 to 1,000,000 people and above. The army is commanded by a major general or lieutenant general.

Front. In peacetime - a military district. It's hard to give exact numbers here. They vary by region, military doctrine, political situation and similar things.

The front is already a self-sufficient structure with reserves, warehouses, training units, military schools, and so on. The front commander is in command. This is a lieutenant general or army general.

The composition of the front depends on the assigned tasks and the situation. Typically, the front includes:

  • control;
  • missile army (one - two);
  • army (five - six);
  • tank army (one - two);
  • air army (one - two);
  • air defense army;
  • separate formations and units of various types of troops and special troops front-line subordination;
  • formations, units and establishments of operational logistics.

The front can be strengthened by formations and units of other branches of the Armed Forces and the reserve of the Supreme High Command.

What other similar tactical terms exist?

Subdivision. This word refers to all military formations that are part of the unit. Squad, platoon, company, battalion - they are all united by one word “unit”. The word comes from the concept of division, to divide. That is, the part is divided into divisions.

Part. This is the main unit of the Armed Forces. The term “unit” most often means regiment and brigade. External signs units are: the presence of their own office work, military economy, bank account, postal and telegraph address, their own official seal, the commander’s right to give written orders, open (44 training tank division) and closed (military unit 08728) combined arms numbers. That is, the part has sufficient autonomy.

IMPORTANT! Please note that the terms military unit and military unit do not mean exactly the same thing. The term “military unit” is used as a general designation, without specifics. If we are talking about a specific regiment, brigade, etc., then the term “military unit” is used. Usually its number is also mentioned: “military unit 74292” (but you cannot use “military unit 74292”) or, for short, military unit 74292.

Compound. As a standard, only a division fits this term. The word “connection” itself means to connect parts. The division headquarters has the status of a unit. Other units (regiments) are subordinate to this unit (headquarters). All together there is a division. However, in some cases, a brigade may also have the status of a connection. This happens if the brigade includes separate battalions and companies, each of which has the status of a unit in itself.

An association. This term combines corps, army, army group and front (district). The headquarters of the association is also the part to which various formations and units are subordinated.

Bottom line

Other specific and grouping concepts in military hierarchy does not exist. At least in the Ground Forces. In this article we did not touch upon the hierarchy of military formations of the aviation and navy. However, an attentive reader can now quite simply and with minor errors imagine the naval and aviation hierarchy.

Now it will be easier for us to dialogue, friends! After all, every day we are getting closer to starting to speak the same language. You are learning more and more military terms and meanings, and I am getting closer and closer to civilian life!))

I wish everyone to find in this article what they were looking for,

Division, regiment, company, brigade, battalion - all these designations of units are something unknown for people far from military service. It will take a lot of time to describe their main features. Let's talk about the difference between a division and a brigade, because these military formations have many common features.

Definition

Division- a tactical or operational-tactical formation in various branches of the military and branches of the armed forces of the world, consisting of units, subunits and headquarters.

Brigade- a tactical military formation in all branches of the armed forces and branches of the armed forces, which is an intermediate link between a division and a regiment.

Comparison

In some countries, a brigade, along with a regiment, is classified as the main tactical formation. Serves as a kind of intermediate link between the regiment and the division. It has a structure similar to a regiment, but at the same time has a larger number of battalions and other units. It may well include two regiments, as well as auxiliary companies and battalions. The number of people in a brigade varies from two to eight thousand, and its commander, like a regiment, is a colonel.

A division is a larger military formation consisting of a headquarters, subunits and units. It includes a large number of regiments, divisions, battalions, companies and platoons. The strength of the division averages from twelve to twenty-four thousand people, and its commander bears the rank of major general.

Simplified organizational structure and a smaller staff makes a brigade a much more flexible unit than a division. However, the structure of logistics and combat support, unlike a brigade, is duplicated in a division, which gives the latter an advantage in the reliability of the functioning of units in combat conditions. It is logical that the maintenance of divisions, characterized by a more complex staff, implies much larger investments than the maintenance of brigade structures. This is what caused the Russian Armed Forces to abandon divisions and switch to a more mobile and flexible brigade structure. The only exceptions are Rocket Forces strategic purpose And Airborne troops. In NATO countries, divisions still remain one of the main types of military formations.

Conclusions website

  1. The brigade serves as an intermediate link between the regiment and the division.
  2. The division is a larger military formation, its strength on average ranges from twelve to twenty-four thousand people. The brigade's personnel range from two to eight thousand people.
  3. The division commander bears the rank of major general, the brigade commander - colonel.
  4. A brigade is considered a much more flexible and mobile unit than a division.
  5. The division has an advantage in the reliability of the functioning of units in combat conditions.
  6. The maintenance of divisions implies much larger investments than the maintenance of brigade structures.
  7. To date, the Russian Armed Forces (unlike NATO countries) have abandoned divisions, with the only exceptions being the Strategic Missile Forces and the Airborne Forces.

Branch

In the Russian Army, a squad is the smallest military formation that has a full-time commander. The squad is commanded by a junior sergeant or sergeant. Usually there are 9-13 people in a motorized rifle squad. In departments of other branches of the military, the number of personnel in the department ranges from 3 to 15 people. In some branches of the military the branch is called differently.
In artillery - crew, in tank forces - crew. Typically a squad is part of a platoon.

Platoon

Several squads make up a platoon. Usually there are from 2 to 4 squads in a platoon, but more are possible. The platoon is headed by a commander with the rank of officer. In the Russian army this is junior lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant. On average, the number of platoon personnel ranges from 9 to 45 people. Usually in all branches of the military the name is the same - platoon. As a rule, a platoon is part of a company, but can exist independently.

Company

Several platoons make up a company. Usually a company consists of 2-4 platoons, sometimes more platoons. A company is the smallest formation of tactical importance*, i.e. a formation capable of independently performing small tactical tasks on the battlefield. The company commander is a captain. On average, the size of a company can be from 18 to 200 people. Motorized rifle companies are usually about 130-150 people, tank companies 30-35 people. Usually a company is part of a battalion, but it is not uncommon for companies to exist as independent formations. In artillery, this type of formation is called a battery.

Battalion

Consists of several companies (usually 2-4) and several platoons that are not part of any of the companies. The battalion is one of the main tactical formations*. A battalion, like a company, platoon, or squad, is named after its branch of service (tank, motorized rifle, engineer, communications). But the battalion already includes formations of other types of weapons. For example, in motorized rifle battalion, in addition to motorized rifle companies there is a mortar battery, a platoon material support, communications platoon. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel. The battalion already has its own headquarters. Usually, on average, a battalion, depending on the type of troops, can number from 250 to 950 people. However, there are battalions of about 100 people. In artillery, this type of formation is called a division.

Regiment

In the Russian army this is the main tactical formation* and a completely autonomous formation in the economic sense. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. Although regiments are named according to the types of troops (tank, motorized rifle, communications, pontoon-bridge, etc.), in fact this is a formation consisting of units of many types of troops, and the name is given according to the predominant type of troops. For example, in a motorized rifle regiment there are two or three motorized rifle battalions, one tank battalion, one artillery battalion, one anti-aircraft missile battalion, reconnaissance company, engineer company, communications company, anti-tank battery, chemical defense platoon, repair company, logistics company, orchestra, medical center. The number of personnel in the regiment ranges from 900 to 2000 people.

Brigade

Just like a regiment, it is the main tactical formation*. Actually, the brigade occupies an intermediate position between a regiment and a division. The structure of a brigade is most often the same as a regiment, but there are significantly more battalions and other units in a brigade. So in a motorized rifle brigade there are one and a half to two times more motorized rifle and tank battalions than in a regiment. A brigade can also consist of two regiments, plus battalions and auxiliary companies. On average, there are from 2,000 to 8,000 people in a brigade. The brigade commander is a colonel.

Division

Main operational-tactical formation*. As well as the regiment is named after the type of troops prevailing in it. However, the predominance of one or another type of troops is much less than in the regiment. A motorized rifle division and a tank division are identical in structure, with the only difference being that in a motorized rifle division there are two or three motorized rifle regiments and one tank, and in a tank division, on the contrary, there are two or three tank regiments and one motorized rifle. In addition to these main regiments, the division has one or two artillery regiments, one anti-aircraft missile regiment, a rocket battalion, a missile battalion, a helicopter squadron, an engineer battalion, a communications battalion, an automobile battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, a battalion electronic warfare, logistics battalion. a repair and restoration battalion, a medical battalion, a chemical defense company, and several different support companies and platoons. In the modern Russian Army, there are or may be divisions of tank, motorized rifle, artillery, airborne, missile and aviation divisions. In other branches of the military, as a rule, the highest formation is a regiment or brigade. On average, there are 12-24 thousand people in a division. Division Commander Major General. Currently, after the reorganization of the Russian army, divisions are being reduced and so-called reinforced brigades of a new look are being formed on their basis.

Army

An army is a large military formation operational purpose*. The army includes divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. Usually armies are no longer divided by types of troops, although they may exist tank armies, where they predominate tank divisions. An army may also include one or more corps. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the army, because as many armies exist or existed, so many of their structures existed. The soldier at the head of the army is no longer called “commander”, but “commander of the army.” Usually the regular rank of army commander is colonel general.

District

This is the highest military formation strategic type*. There are no larger formations. Based on county in war time a front is forming. The district includes several armies, corps, divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. The composition and size of the district may vary. Districts are never subdivided by types of troops (i.e. there cannot be a tank district, an artillery district, etc.). The district is headed by a district commander with the rank of army general.

Above in the text there are the concepts “tactical formation”, “operational-tactical formation”, “strategic..”, etc. These terms indicate the range of tasks solved by this formation in the light of military art. The art of war is divided into three levels:

1. Tactics (the art of combat). A squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment solve tactical problems, i.e. are fighting.
2. Operational art (the art of fighting, battle). A division, corps, army solve operational problems, i.e. are fighting.
3. Strategy (the art of warfare in general). The front solves both operational and strategic tasks, i.e. leads major battles, as a result of which the strategic situation changes and the outcome of the war can be decided

Subdivision

This word refers to all military formations that are part of the unit. A squad, platoon, company, battalion - they are all united by one word "unit". The word comes from the concept of division, to divide. Those. part is divided into divisions.

Part

It is the basic unit of the armed forces. The term “unit” most often means regiment and brigade. The external features of the unit are: the presence of its own office work, military economy, bank account, postal and telegraph address, its own official seal, the commander’s right to give written orders, open (44 tank training division) and closed (military unit 08728) combined arms numbers. That is, the part has sufficient autonomy. The presence of a Battle Banner is not necessary for a unit. In addition to the regiment and brigade, the units also include division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations.
*the terms military unit and military unit do not mean exactly the same thing. The term "military unit" is used as a general designation, without specifics. If we are talking about a specific regiment, brigade, etc., then the term “military unit” is used. Usually its number is also mentioned: “military unit 74292” (but you cannot use “military unit 74292”) or, for short, military unit 74292.

For many civilians, words such as squad, platoon, company, regiment and others are known. However, most of them have never thought about the difference between, for example, a squad from a regiment, and a platoon from a company. Actually the structure military units is formed based on the number of military personnel. In this article we will look at the size of each military unit and understand in detail the structure of military formations.

Brief description of units and number of military personnel

In order to clearly control military personnel, military units have a specific structure, each unit of which has its own commander or chief. Each unit has a different number of troops, and is part of a larger unit (a squad is part of a platoon, a platoon is part of a company, etc.). The smallest unit is the department, it includes from four to ten people, and largest formation– front (district), the number of which is difficult to name, since it depends on a number of factors. To have a clearer idea of ​​the size of a military unit, it is necessary to consider each of them, which we will do next.

What is a department and how many people are there?

As noted above, the smallest military unit is a squad that is directly part of a platoon. The squad commander is the direct superior of the squad personnel. On army jargon it is called “Chest of Drawers” ​​for short. Most often, the squad leader has the rank of junior sergeant or sergeant, and the squad itself may consist of ordinary soldiers and corporals. Depending on the type of troops, a department may have a different number of people. Interestingly, the equivalent of a squad in tank units is the tank crew, and in artillery units it is the crew. The picture below shows several examples of differences between the squad, crew and crew

The picture shows a motorized rifle squad, but in fact battalions have various departments, for example: the battalion commander’s control department (4 people), the reconnaissance department of the control platoon (4 people), the weapons repair department of the repair platoon (3 people), the communications department (8 people) and others.

What is a platoon and how many people are in it?

The next largest number of personnel is the platoon. Most often it includes from three to six departments, respectively, its number ranges from fifteen to sixty people. As a rule, a platoon is commanded by junior officers - junior lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant.
On the infographic you can see examples of motorized rifle and tank platoons, as well as a fire platoon of a mortar battery


Thus, we see that a motorized rifle platoon consists of a platoon command (platoon commander and deputy) and 3 squads (we looked at the composition of the squads above in the picture). That is, only 29 people.
A tank platoon consists of 3 tank crews. It is important that the commander of a tank platoon is also the commander of the first tank, so there are only 9 people in a tank platoon.
A fire platoon consists of 3-4 crews, each crew consists of 7 people, so the platoon size is 21-28 people.

Also, in addition to the units presented in the example, there are many different platoons in various brigades and regiments. As an example, let's list just a few of them:

  • Platoon control
  • Communications platoon
  • Reconnaissance Platoon
  • Engineer platoon
  • grenade launcher platoon
  • Logistics Platoon
  • Medical platoon
  • Anti-aircraft missile platoon
  • Repair platoon, etc.

Company and number of people in it

The third largest military formation is the company. Depending on the type of troops, the size of a company can be from 30 to 150 soldiers, who are part of 2-4 platoons. Thus, the strength of a tank company is 31-40 people, and the number of servicemen of a motorized rifle company ranges from 150 people. A company is also a formation of tactical importance, which means that the military personnel who are part of the company, in the event of combat operations, can perform tactical tasks on their own, without being part of the battalion. Often a company is commanded by an officer with the rank of captain, and only in some units this position is occupied by a major. Also, depending on the type of troops, a company may have a different name. For example, an artillery company is called a battery, an aviation company is called an aviation unit, and there was also a cavalry company, which was called a squadron.

In the example, we have a tank and motorized rifle company, as well as a mortar battery

Battalion and number of military personnel in it

As in other military units, the size of the battalion depends on the type of troops. The battalion consists of 2 - 4 companies, and has from 250 to 1000 people. As you can see, this military unit already has a fairly impressive number, and therefore it is considered the main tactical formation capable of acting independently.

Many have heard the song of the Lyube group called "Combat", but not everyone knows what it means. So, the battalion is commanded by the battalion commander, which is abbreviated as "battalion commander", in whose honor this composition of the same name was written. The battalion commander is the position of a lieutenant colonel, but most often the battalion commanders are captains and majors, who have the opportunity to curry favor in their rank and receive the stars of a lieutenant colonel.

The battalion's activities are coordinated at battalion headquarters. Just like a company, a battalion, depending on the type of troops, may be called differently. For example, in the artillery and anti-aircraft missile forces they are called divisions (artillery division, air defense division).

In battalions and divisions, there are many more specific units that were mentioned above. Therefore, we will present the structure in the form of separate infographics



The regiment and its composition

The regiment consists of three to six battalions. The strength of the regiment does not exceed two thousand people. By itself, the regiment is directly a key tactical formation, which is completely autonomous. To command such a formation, you must have the rank of colonel, but in practice, lieutenant colonels are more often appointed as regiment commanders. A regiment may contain several different units. For example, if a regiment has three tank battalions and one motorized rifle battalion, then the regiment will have the name tank. Also, depending on the type of troops, a regiment can perform different tasks: combined arms, anti-aircraft, logistics.

There are also more numerous units that were heard by civilians much less often than the above-mentioned formations. We will try to briefly talk about them in the next part of the article.

Brigade, division, corps, army, front

After the regiment, the next largest in size is the brigade, which usually numbers from two to eight thousand troops. The brigade consists of several battalions (divisions), several auxiliary companies, and sometimes two or even three regiments. An officer with the rank of colonel is appointed brigade commander (abbreviated as brigade commander).

The main operational-tactical formation is a division. It includes several regiments, as well as many auxiliary units of various types of troops. The highest officers with the rank of major general and above are allowed to command the division, since the strength of the division is an impressive 12 - 24 thousand people.

The next military formation is the army corps. It is formed from several divisions, which can reach one hundred thousand people. There is no predominance of any military branches when creating an army corps, since it is a combined arms formation. The corps commander can be a senior military officer - major general and above.

The army as a military unit consists of several corps. The exact number of military personnel can range from two hundred thousand to a million, depending on the structure. The army is commanded by a major general or lieutenant general.

The front, and in peacetime the military district, is the largest unit of all existing in armed forces. It is very difficult to name its number, since it can change depending on the political situation, military doctrine, region, etc. The position of front commander can be held by a lieutenant general or an army general.

General principles for the formation of the number of units

From the above, you can build a certain chain that will help to finally clarify general principles formation of the number of units:

  • 5 – 10 people form a department;
  • 3 – 6 squads form a platoon;
  • 3 - 6 platoons create a company;
  • 3 – 4 companies form a battalion;
  • 3 – 6 battalions create a regiment;
  • 2 – 3 battalions form a brigade;
  • several brigades and auxiliary units form a division;
  • 3 – 4 divisions create an army corps;
  • 2 – 10 divisions are capable of forming an army

You also need to remember that the number of military units may depend directly on the type of troops. For example, tank units are always significantly inferior in number to motorized rifle units.

Other tactical terms

In addition to the above-mentioned terms of the number of military units, the following concepts can also be distinguished:

  1. Unit – all military formations that are part of the unit. In other words, military terms such as squad, platoon, company, etc. can be expressed by the word "unit".
  2. A military unit is the main independent unit of the Armed Forces. Most often, the unit consists of a regiment or brigade. Also, individual companies and battalions can be military units. The main features of the part are:
  • availability of open and closed military numbers;
  • military economy;
  • bank account;
  • postal and telegraph address;
  • own office work;
  • official seal of the part;
  • the commander's right to issue written orders.

All these signs indicate that the unit has the autonomy it needs.

  1. Compound. In fact, this term can only describe a division. The word “connection” itself implies the union of several parts. If the composition of the brigade is formed from separate battalions and companies that have the status of units, then in this case the brigade can also be called a formation.
  2. An association. Unites units such as corps, army, front or district.

Having analyzed all the above concepts, you can understand on what principles the numerical classification of military units is built. Now, watching films on military topics, or communicating with a military man, having heard most military terms, you will have a clear idea of ​​them. It is worth noting that this article does not pay due attention to the structure of aviation and naval formations, since they do not differ significantly from military ones.

The topic is interesting. But complicated. Especially for those who did not serve in the army and armchair analysts. Yes Yes! Information about the structure, hierarchy and number of military units of the army in peacetime - information classified as “OO” is top secret! It is available only to district military commissars and more senior commanders.

Why is it secret?

The explanation for this is extremely simple. Knowing the numbers of the units, their location and the number of soldiers in the structural unit, which a drunken demobilizer can tell a fellow passenger on the train, it doesn’t cost agent 007 anything to figure out which gang of “horror is in bear skins"could fall on peacefully grazing Dutch, Danish or French soldiers guarding democracy in Europe.

In 1941, history taught Adi G. a cruel lesson! The vaunted “Abwehr” & Canaris were unable to accurately determine the number of Red Army soldiers and were confused about the names and numbers of units. As a result, the 4 weeks allotted for the “blitzkrieg” stretched out to 6 months. And the error in assessment was commemorated in the 45th with a victorious salute over the Reichstag.

Jokes aside. Let's consider the traditional structure, which to one degree or another remains in the hierarchy of the Russian armed forces, without mentioning the number of soldiers serving in a squad, regiment or division.

Tradition and modernity

Traditionally, two number systems have developed: classical formations and separate ones.

Classic structures is a military formation, the basis and name of which was laid in the ancient times of the formation of the Russian army during the Romanov dynasty: 1613-1917. The hierarchy of subordination was almost completely adopted by the Red Army by 1941.

Separate military formation - evolved based on the conditions of development and transformation of the troop structure. The cavalry disappeared into oblivion, the Strategic Missile Forces and Submarine fleet. The army did not stand aside from these changes. Being a labile (inactive) structure, within the framework of existing units (divisions) it enlarged or reduced them. Depending on the tasks solved by the unit. Thus, intermediate links appeared, which began to be called “individual”: companies, battalions, regiments, divisions.

IN modern army military formations include:

1) divisions;

2) military units;

3) connections;

4) associations.

  1. Any military formation has the status legal entity. Military formations conclude and execute civil contracts and agreements.
  2. Each military formation has a name: real or conditional.
  3. The conventional name consists of the inscription “military formation” and a combination of numbers. Also, a “No” sign is placed. As a result, the entire conventional name looks like this: “military unit No. NNNN.”
  4. The official name includes a peacetime combined arms number, a staff name, an honorary name (if any) and the name of state awards (if the military formation is awarded orders). For example: 1234 Guards Arkharinsky Order of Lenin Red Banner separate tank regiment.
  5. For military formations starting from separate company, in order to ensure their activities, buildings, structures, premises, equipment, machinery, weapons, inventory and material resources necessary for carrying out activities are assigned.

HIERARCHY of the 1945-1991 model

The main hierarchical structures of troops that have retained their historical names:

Branch

In the Soviet and Russian armies, a squad is the smallest military formation with a full-time commander. The squad is commanded by a junior sergeant or sergeant. Usually there are 9-13 people in a motorized rifle squad. In departments of other branches of the military, the number of personnel in the department ranges from 3 to 15 people. In some branches of the military the branch is called differently. In artillery - crew, in tank forces - crew.

Platoon

Several squads make up a platoon. Usually there are from 2 to 4 squads in a platoon, but more are possible. The platoon is headed by a commander with the rank of officer. In the Soviet and Russian armies this is a junior lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant. On average, the number of platoon personnel ranges from 9 to 45 people. Usually in all companies of troops the name is the same - platoon. Usually a platoon is part of a company, but can exist independently.

Company

Several platoons make up a company. In addition, a company may also include several independent squads not included in any of the platoons. For example, in a motorized rifle company there are three motorized rifle platoons, machine gun compartment, anti-tank squad. Typically a company consists of 2-4 platoons, sometimes more platoons. A company is the smallest formation of tactical importance, that is, a formation capable of independently performing small tactical tasks on the battlefield. Company commander captain. On average, the size of a company can be from 18 to 200 people.

Motorized rifle companies usually have about 130-150 people, tank companies 30-35 people. Usually a company is part of a battalion, but it is not uncommon for companies to exist as independent formations. In artillery, a formation of this type is called a battery; in cavalry, a squadron.

Companies began to be created for the first time in Western Europe at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries. The number of companies in peacetime reached 100-150, and in wartime - 200-250 people.

Battalion

Consists of several companies (usually 2-4) and several platoons that are not part of any of the companies. The battalion is one of the main tactical formations. A battalion, like a company, platoon, or squad, is named after its branch of service (tank, motorized rifle, engineer, communications). But the battalion already includes formations of other types of weapons. For example, in a motorized rifle battalion, in addition to motorized rifle companies, there is a mortar battery, a logistics platoon, and a communications platoon. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel. The battalion already has its own headquarters. Typically, an average battalion, depending on the type of troops, can number from 250 to 950 people. However, there are battalions of about 100 people. In artillery, this type of formation is called a division.

Initially, the term “battalion” meant “order of battle,” but then began to be used as the name of a military unit. In the Russian army, battalions were first created by Peter I. They consisted of four companies of the same type and were part of a regiment. The battalion's strength is up to 500 people.

Regiment

In the Soviet and Russian armies, this is the main tactical formation and a completely autonomous formation in the economic sense. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. Although regiments are named according to the branches of the military, in fact this is a formation consisting of units of many branches of the military, and the name is given according to the predominant branch of the military. The number of personnel in the regiment ranges from 900 to 2000 people.

Brigade

Just like a regiment, it is the main tactical formation. Actually, the brigade occupies an intermediate position between a regiment and a division. A brigade can also consist of two regiments, plus battalions and auxiliary companies. On average, there are from 2,000 to 8,000 people in a brigade. The brigade commander, just like in the regiment, is a colonel.

Division

A division is the main tactical unit in various branches of the armed forces. Divisions are designed to conduct combat as part of larger formations: an army, a corps, a squadron. A division usually consists of several regiments or brigades, units or units. Divisions first appeared in the sailing fleets of a number of states in the 17th century, as component squadrons of ships.

According to the staff - major general, in reality - usually colonel.

Frame

The corps is an intermediate formation between the division and the army. The corps is already a combined arms formation, that is, it is usually deprived of the characteristic of one type of military force. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the corps. As many buildings existed or exist, so many of their structures exist. Corps commander, Lieutenant General.

Army

This term is used in three main meanings:

A. Army - the armed forces of the state as a whole;

b. Army - ground troops armed forces of the state (as opposed to the navy and military aviation);

V. Army is a military formation.

In this article we are talking about the army as a military formation. The army is a large-scale military formation for operational purposes. The army includes divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. Armies are usually no longer divided by branch of service, although tank armies may exist where tank divisions predominate. An army may also include one or more corps. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the army, because as many armies exist or existed, so many of their structures existed. The soldier at the head of the army is no longer called “commander”, but “commander of the army.” Usually the regular rank of army commander is colonel general. In peacetime, armies, as military formations, are rarely organized. Usually divisions, regiments, and battalions are directly included in the district.

Front (district)

This is the highest military formation of a strategic type in wartime. There are no larger formations. The name "front" is used only in wartime for the formation leading fighting. For such formations in peacetime, or located in the rear, the name “okrug” (military district) is used. The front includes several armies, corps, divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. The composition and strength of the front may vary. Fronts are never subdivided by types of troops (i.e. there cannot be a tank front, an artillery front, etc.). At the head of the front (district) is the commander of the front (district) with the rank of army general.

Group of troops

In wartime, this is the name given to military formations that solve operational tasks inherent in the front, but operate in a narrower area or a secondary direction and, accordingly, are significantly smaller in number and weaker than such a formation as the front, but stronger than the army. In peacetime this was what they called Soviet army associations of formations stationed abroad (Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, Central Group of Forces, Northern Group of Forces, Southern Group of Forces). In Germany, this group of troops included several armies and divisions. In Czechoslovakia, the Central Group of Forces consisted of five divisions, three of which were combined into a corps. In Poland the group of troops consisted of two divisions, and in Hungary of three divisions.

As part of the named divisions Russian army ready to repel any attack and solve any tactical and strategic problems. No one doubts this!

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