[lit-ideas] Re: military question
- From: JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 18:15:09 EDT
Wow. More layers than I realized. Complicated structure. Thank you for
the clear summary!
Julie Krueger
========Original Message======== Subj: [lit-ideas] Re: military question
Date: 9/3/05 4:28:48 P.M. Central Daylight Time From:
_robert.paul@xxxxxxxxx (mailto:robert.paul@xxxxxxxx) To:
_lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Sent on:
JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx wrote:
> I know *nothing* about military jargon (as is evidenced
> here). Trying to get a picture of the number of military involved in
> the Hurricane mess, what, exactly, is a battalion? I mean, I know what
> a battalion is, but is there a set number? What kind of number are we
> talking about?
>
> <<We have -- two battalions from Fort Hood arrived yesterday that's in
> that effort. >>
Army Formations
â Squad: The smallest groupings in the army structure, squads are made
up of 8 to 11 soldiers and are normally led by a sergeant.
â Platoon: Usually consisting of two to four squads, platoons are
typically led by a lieutenant, with a senior sergeant second in command.
â Company (in the infantry), battery (in the artillery) or troop (in the
cavalry): The company, battery or troop is made up of three to five
platoons and is typically commanded by a captain. It usually has a first
lieutenant as the second in command and a first sergeant as the senior
non-commissioned officer.
â Battalion: The primary combat maneuver element of the Army, the
battalion or squadron is composed of four to six companies and is
commanded by a lieutenant colonel with a sergeant major as the senior
non-commissioned adviser. A major acts as the executive officer and
second in command. The battalion is tactically and administratively
self-sufficient and can conduct independent operations of a limited
scope. An armored or air cavalry unit of similar size to a battalion is
called a squadron.
â Brigade: The brigade or regiment is made up of two to five battalions
under the command of a colonel with a sergeant major as the senior
non-commissioned officer. Armored calvary and ranger units of similar
size to a brigade are called regiments, while special forces units are
known as groups.
â Division: Typically made up of three maneuver brigades, as well combat
support brigades, they are commanded by a major general. The division
performs major tactical operations for the corps and is capable of
sustained operations.
â Corps: A corps is made of two or more divisions commanded by a
lieutenant general. At this level, national intelligence assets are
analyzed and command and control of the whole theater operations are
coordinated.
â Army: Armies can be identified as theater armies, field armies, or
army groups.
---------------------
Note that although a battalion is self-sufficient, there are
specializations within a battalion so that not everyone is trained in
every kind of work. Also (as I would expect is the case here) a
battalion (as might a regiment or division) could be under-strength.
Robert Paul
The Reed Institute
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