A company and a battalion that is more. Units in the army

branch

In the Russian army, a branch is the smallest military formation with a full-time commander. The squad is commanded by a junior sergeant or sergeant. Usually in a motorized rifle department there are 9-13 people. In the branches of other branches of the military, the number personnel departments from 3 to 15 people. In some military branches, the branch is called differently.
In artillery - calculation, in tank troops- 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 it is also possible large quantity. The platoon is led by a commander with an officer's rank. In the Russian army, this is a junior lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant. On average, the number of personnel in a platoon ranges from 9 to 45 people. Usually in all branches of the military the name is the same - a platoon. As a rule, a platoon is part of a company, but can also exist independently.

Company

Several platoons make up a company. Usually a company consists of 2-4 platoons, sometimes even more platoons. A company is the smallest formation of tactical value*, 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 the company is part of the battalion, but often the existence of companies as independent formations. In artillery, this type of formation is called a battery.

Battalion

It consists of several companies (usually 2-4) and several platoons that are not included in any of the companies. The battalion is one of the main tactical formations*. A battalion, like a company, platoon, squad, is named according to its type of troops (tank, motorized rifle, engineer-sapper, 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 material support platoon, and a communications platoon. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel. The battalion already has its 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 the 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 branches of the military, 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, a reconnaissance company, an engineer company, a communications company, an anti-tank battery, a chemical protection platoon, a repair company, a material support company, orchestra, medical center. The number of personnel of the regiment is from 900 to 2000 people.

brigade

As well as the regiment is the main tactical formation*. Actually, the brigade occupies an intermediate position between the regiment and the division. The structure of the brigade is most often the same as that of the regiment, however, there are much more battalions and other units in the 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 may also consist of two regiments, plus auxiliary battalions and companies. On average, there are from 2,000 to 8,000 people in a brigade. The brigade commander is a colonel.

Division

The 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. The motorized rifle and tank divisions are identical in structure, with the only difference being that in motorized rifle division two or three motorized rifle regiments and one tank regiment, and in a tank division, on the contrary, two or three tank regiments, and one motorized rifle regiment. In addition to these main regiments, the division has one or two artillery regiments, one anti-aircraft missile regiment, a jet battalion, a missile battalion, a helicopter squadron, an engineer battalion, a communications battalion, an automobile battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an electronic warfare battalion, and a material support battalion. a repair and restoration battalion, a medical battalion, a chemical protection company, and several different support companies and platoons. In the modern Russian Army, there are or may be tank, motorized rifle, artillery, airborne, missile and aviation divisions. In other military branches, 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. At present, after the reorganization of the Russian army, divisions are being reduced and formed on their basis - the so-called reinforced brigades of a new look.

Army

The army is a large military formation of operational purpose*. The army includes divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. Usually, armies are no longer subdivided according to the types of troops, although there may be tank armies, 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 how many armies exist or have existed, so many structures existed. The soldier at the head of the army is no longer called "commander", but "army commander". Usually the staff rank of the army commander is Colonel General.

county

This is the highest military formation of the strategic type*. Larger formations do not exist. On the basis of the district in wartime, a front is formed. The district includes several armies, corps, divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. The composition and size of the district may be different. The districts are never subdivided according to the types of troops (i.e. there cannot be a tank district, an artillery district, etc.). At the head of the district is the commander of the district with the rank of general of the army.

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

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

Subdivision

This word denotes all the military formations that make up the unit. Squad, platoon, company, battalion - they are all combined in one word "unit". The word comes from the concept of division, divide. Those. part is divided into divisions.

Part

This is the main unit of the armed forces. The term "unit" most often refers to a regiment and a 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 stamp seal, the commander’s right to give written orders, open (44 educational tank division) and closed (military unit 08728) combined arms numbers. That is, the part has sufficient autonomy. The presence of the Battle Banner for the part is optional. In addition to the regiment and brigade, division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations are also parts.
* 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 next: "military unit 74292" (but you can not use "military unit 74292") or in short - military unit 74292.

The structure of the army is clear and understandable, but only for those who have served in it. For most civilians, a link, company and division is a certain part, which is understood as a certain number of soldiers, but how many? Let's try to understand the units of the army, to determine what is larger: a regiment or a division, an army or a front.

From small to big

The whole variety of military personnel representing the Russian army is divided into parts, which are also divided and so on sequentially to the minimum unit - a squad of 4-10 people. Its number is related to the type of troops and the task being performed.

So, in tank troops, a squad is a tank crew, including 3-4 people, and in an artillery unit, a calculation of 6 people. A unit may be referred to as a fireteam or flight. It performs a specific task, managing with small forces.

Employees in the link, as a rule, communicate closely with each other and can coordinate joint actions well. In modern warfare tactics, a well-trained link can play a significant role in the battle, carrying out reconnaissance activities, penetrating behind enemy lines, and so on.

Two or three fireteams cooperate to form a detachment led by a commander. The effectiveness of the work of such a detachment greatly depends on the quality military training each of its members, as well as the consistency of the actions of the soldiers. A well-organized infrastructure and the direct leadership of the detachment determines a lot.

Such associations give good results, provided that among them are professional soldiers with combat experience. They are maneuverable, hardly detected by the enemy, highly qualified and able to cope with various tasks.

• platoon;
• company;
• battalion;
• regiment;
• division and brigade;
• frame;
• army;
• front or army corps.

From Lieutenant to Colonel

A platoon is a structure that includes several squads. The number of people in it can be in the range from 15 to 60, depending on the type of troops. It is led by a military man with the rank of lieutenant, including junior or senior.

Initially, a platoon is a rifle unit, the army included 3 platoons that fired “in turn”, so while some were reloading, others were aimed fire. Today, the diversity of this unit is much wider, and they are united by an approximate number of people.

A separate type of platoon has a name in accordance with the combat mission, it can be:

• tank;
• anti-aircraft missile;
• medical;
• motorized rifle;
• engineer-sapper;
• reconnaissance and so on.

The next unit is the company. This is a tactical structure. It can operate both in the structure of the battalion and independently. For example, the third reconnaissance company or the first air force communications company. In some branches of the RF troops, a company has a special name: a battery - in artillery, a squadron - in cavalry, a link - in aviation. This structure is commanded by a captain, less often by a major.

How many in the mouth Russian army Human? Since it includes 2-4 platoons, respectively, it has from 30 to 150 servicemen. Two to four companies form a battalion of more than 250 men.

This structure is quite numerous and can independently carry out many military tasks, which are coordinated by the battalion headquarters headed by a major or captain, less often a lieutenant colonel. All information and sources of resources are concentrated in the headquarters, it is from here that command, communications, coordination of actions, and the organizational part are carried out.

The manager must have an assistant, whose functions include fixing and correcting ongoing actions, as well as assistance in developing future operations. For the battalion, it is important to have a source of replenishment that allows you to perform the assigned tasks. Since his soldiers are limited in material support only by what they can carry themselves or transport on available vehicles, they are constantly in need of additional equipment.

Officers with the rank of lieutenant colonel often command regiments, where they deserve the next rank - colonels. The regiment consists of 3 to 6 battalions, with a total strength of no more than 2 thousand people. This unit is completely autonomous and independently performs combat missions.

The regiment includes not only firing units, but also repair departments, medical stations, communications platoons, and so on. Due to which the regiment fully coordinates its activities and ensures viability. Resources must be supplied regularly, so warehouses and workshops are assigned to the regiment, producing the necessary funds.

Privates are the main active force of the army, it is from them that battalions, companies and regiments are formed.

Commanding Thousands

Even more massive elements are brigades and divisions. The first includes a number of battalions and auxiliary companies, maybe a couple of regiments. It is equivalent to a reinforced battalion. The total number can reach up to 8 thousand people. It is led by a brigade commander with the rank of colonel.

In addition to combat units, brigades include combat support structures: engineers, artillery, medical unit, logistics. Brigades are divided into general and specialized. The latter include battalions of only one type: armored, cavalry, anti-aircraft, and so on.

As necessary, other units can join the brigade at the time of the assignment, then they become subordinate to former management. The brigade is led through the headquarters, which, in addition to the brigade commander, includes staff officers.

How many people are in a division of the Russian armed forces? Today it is from 1 to 2 tens of thousands of soldiers. During the Great Patriotic War, the strength of the division was more scattered: from 8 to 30 thousand. Therefore, a division is sometimes equated with a brigade, but this is a larger structure, which includes regiments in small numbers and auxiliary units.

They are commanded by a major general or a higher rank. Today, divisions are smaller and can be formed according to the intended task, including a very small number of soldiers, but at the same time, the presence of headquarters and resource points remains.

The special position of the division in the structure of the navy. Here it is smaller in number of people and includes several ships or a squadron, a couple of aircraft sections subordinate to the head of the unit.

The corps can include up to one hundred thousand people, uniting a group of divisions. This is a combined arms formation that does not have a specialization and is managed by a major general or an officer with a higher rank. The corps are numbered, as a rule, in Roman numerals, but the formations subordinate to them are in Arabic.

A group of corps unites into an army, which includes a minimum of 100 thousand people, and the upper limit is limited to a million. In the domestic armed forces, such a number is not found, which is associated with the total population in the country.

During military conflicts, its composition can grow significantly due to the mobilization of the population. The command of the army rests on the shoulders of a major general or lieutenant general. The army may have geographical name either numeric or a combination of both.

The army corps includes many units with a variety of functions.

The structure of the army is represented by a wide range of battalions and divisions, individual structures may not belong to the army in accordance with its territorial location. The most numerous structure of the army is the military district, which during the fighting is called the front.

The number of soldiers and officers included in its composition is difficult to determine. It varies depending on the military doctrine of the state, the political situation in the world and other factors, including from 400 thousand soldiers to 1 million. Sometimes they unite national formations.

The command of this structure is entrusted to a lieutenant general or army general, who is primarily responsible for the results of the military campaign and determines the tactics of military operations. There are other names in military terminology: connection, military unit, association. But they mainly act as special cases, differing in the given type of troops in their specifics and the military task being implemented.

Understanding the intricacies of military terms is not easy, in order to understand what is bigger and how this or that unit is formed, you need to serve for more than one year, getting acquainted with the structure and historical past of the national army.

After all, often the names are rooted in the past and persist to this day, although the structure could already have changed. The size of the armed forces is also changing, which is associated with demographic issues, as well as the improvement of weapons and tactics of warfare, which no longer require a large contingent.

In 2009, during the reform of the Russian army, the main ideologists of the reforms informed the military personnel, and indeed all citizens of the country, that the military doctrine had undergone serious changes and that the army needed significant internal restructuring. At the same time, the main threat to Russia was identified, to counter which it was supposedly not necessary to conduct large-scale military operations, but could be limited to solving local combat missions. Like, it’s no longer worth waiting for great aggression from outside against Russia, but attacks by bearded men with grenade launchers and Kalash should be expected.

Due to the metamorphosis of military doctrine, it was decided to switch to the use of brigades, almost completely abandoning such a concept as a division. The main argument in favor of the transition to the brigade composition of the army was as follows: the brigade has a smaller staff and, therefore, may turn out to be better organized than the division. This was supposed to give the entire Russian army greater mobility and flexibility, which met new challenges in terms of security.

However, after the divisions urgently began to be cut and shrink, it turned out that the brigade version of the formation had its own significant drawbacks. One of these disadvantages can be considered the fact that it was not always possible to achieve full interaction between the individual components of the same brigade. Considering that the brigade was conceived as a kind of middle line between the regiment and the division, which was supposed to absorb all the best from both sides: the power of the division and the mobility of the regiment, then the result of such an idea turned out to be clearly blurry. Numerous exercises in which the renewed military formations took part showed that the brigades did not absorb divisional power and at the same time failed to accumulate regimental coherence and mobility. It turned out that the brigades were organizationally stuck between the regiment and the division, not realizing all the positive things that they actually wanted from them.

Another undoubted minus of the brigades can be called the fact that, unlike the same divisions, if they were forced to take part in combat (combat training) operations, then in full force. A situation emerged in which a brigade, consisting of a couple of regiments, several separate battalions, including a battalion (company) of logistics, was removed from its place of deployment to perform combat missions, leaving this very place virtually empty and completely unprotected. In the divisional version for conducting active hostilities, there was always special group servicemen, which was determined to solve practical military tasks to counter the attacking side. This group could be larger, could be smaller, depending on the conditions and scale of hostilities. In any case, the rear remained covered. In the case of a brigade, to strengthen the rear, you need to use either another brigade (and this is nonsense), or somehow isolate separate units from it, which in itself is a contradiction in using the brigade as a single and mobile unit.

An additional headache was added (added) by the fact that a hypothetically probable military confrontation may not always fit into the framework of local opposition, where it would be appropriate to use a brigade. After all, on the same Far East one cannot exclude the possibility of a collision between the Russian army and the armies of its neighbors (with all due respect to China, Japan and other states of the region). If, God forbid, such a military clash occurs, then it is hardly worth harboring illusions that it will be limited to some limited area (very small) territory ... There were a sufficient number of examples in the country of how even the most seemingly insignificant border conflict, turned into a large-scale military confrontation. And it is in the case of large-scale confrontations that brigades can hardly be considered effective.

Despite this, all segments of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, with the exception of the Strategic Missile Forces and Airborne Troops. At the same time, none of the major military powers decided on such a large-scale transition to the brigade principle of formation of the Armed Forces. In particular, the armies of the USA, Germany, China and other countries use brigades only as additions to existing divisions, which form the basis of the army. At the same time, in the United States, brigades are generally parts of divisions in the vast majority of cases. It turns out that only Russia, among the countries with significant military power, relies exclusively on brigades and takes into account the option of military conflicts only at the level of local skirmishes. Potential adversaries do not discount the scenario of a full-scale war with the use of solid formations.

Numerous military experts, who began to increasingly raise the issue of the inexpediency of an almost 100% transfer of the RF Armed Forces to a brigade version, seem to have been heard by the new leaders of the Ministry of Defense. Despite the fact that not so long ago, President Putin announced that the reform was almost completed and that it was time to abandon the “shit” from side to side, information appeared that in the near future several divisions that had been lost could be recreated in Russia at once. this status is about 3-4 years ago. In particular, information appeared that in less than a couple of months, namely, at the Victory Parade (May 9, 2013), soldiers of the Taman and Kantemirovskaya divisions will march across Red Square. Namely divisions, since this status will be returned to the famous military formation of the Moscow region, along with red banners, which the divisions were once awarded for the military exploits of soldiers and officers.

In addition to the restoration of the Taman and Kantemirovskaya divisions, the Ministry of Defense plans to start creating several divisions in the Far East at once, which indirectly confirms the concern shared by military experts in terms of the need to cover Russia's distant borders. It is possible that the division may again be reborn in Tajikistan - on the basis of the 201st military base of the Russian Federation. Indeed, in this region, after the withdrawal of the NATO contingent from Afghanistan, another large-scale armed conflict may break out, which, not even an hour, can spread to the whole of Central Asia.

But if the Ministry of Defense decided to turn again to the divisional variant of manning the army, then what will happen to the created brigades? There is no definite answer to this question yet, but, most likely, brigades will be left as the main combat units where their use is really more effective than the use of divisions. The regions where brigades can remain in the current version include, for example, North Caucasus. It is simply pointless to use large divisions here to conduct counter-terrorist operations. In this district, mobile groups are needed that could fight with bandit formations with maximum efficiency.

It turns out that the leadership of the Ministry of Defense is revising the military doctrine, pointing out that local wars are certainly dangerous for Russia, but it is also necessary to insure against more significant external aggression. To hope that we do not have major enemies is naive, how naive it is to believe that if there are big enemies, then they will not provoke Russia into an armed conflict. Reasonable restoration of divisions is good insurance.

Hierarchy of military formations

(Subdivision, unit, connection, ... What is it?)

In literature, military documents, in the mass media, in conversations, in official documents on military issues, the terms are constantly encountered - formation, regiment, unit, military unit, company, battalion, army, etc. For military people, everything is clear, simple and clearly. They immediately understand what is at stake, how many soldiers these names hide under themselves, what this or that formation can do on the battlefield. For civilians, all these names mean little. Very often they get confused in these terms. Moreover, if in civilian structures "department" often means a large part of the company, plant, then in the army "department" is the smallest formation of several people. And vice versa, the "brigade" at the plant is only a few dozen people or even a few people, and in the army a brigade is a large military formation, numbering several thousand people. This article was written so that civilians could navigate the military hierarchy.

To understand the terms of general, grouping types of formations - subdivision, part, connection, association, first we will understand the specific names.

Branch. In the Soviet and Russian armies, a branch is the smallest military formation with a full-time commander. The squad is commanded by a junior sergeant or sergeant. Usually in a motorized rifle department there are 9-13 people. In the departments of other branches of the armed forces, the number of personnel of the department is from 3 to 15 people. In some military branches, the branch is called differently. In artillery - crew, in tank troops - crew. In some other armies, the branch is not the most shallow formation. For example, in the US Army, the smallest formation is a group, and a squad consists of two groups. But in general, in most armies, a squad is the smallest formation. Typically, a squad is part of a platoon, but may also exist outside of a platoon. For example, the reconnaissance and diving section of the engineering battalion is not included in any of the platoons of the battalion, but is directly subordinate to the battalion chief of staff.

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

Company. Several platoons make up a company. In addition, a company may include several independent branches not included in any of the platoons. For example, in a motorized rifle company there are three motorized rifle platoons, a machine-gun squad, and an anti-tank squad. Usually a company consists of 2-4 platoons, sometimes even 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 the company is part of the battalion, but often the existence of companies as independent formations. In artillery, this type of formation is called a battery; in cavalry, a squadron.

Battalion. It consists of several companies (usually 2-4) and several platoons that are not included in any of the companies. The battalion is one of the main tactical formations. A battalion, like a company, platoon, squad, is named according to its type of troops (tank, motorized rifle, engineer-sapper, 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 material support platoon, and a communications platoon. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel. The battalion already has its headquarters. Usually, on average, a battalion, depending on the type of troops, can number from 250 to 950 people. However, there are battles numbering about 100 people. In artillery, this type of formation is called a division.

Note1: Formation name - squad, platoon, company, etc. depends not on the number of personnel, but on the type of troops and those tactical tasks that are assigned to the formation of this type. Hence such a spread in the number of personnel in formations that have the same name.

Regiment. In the Soviet and Russian armies, this is the main (I would say - the key) tactical formation and a completely autonomous formation in the economic sense. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. Although the regiments are named according to the types of troops (tank, motorized rifle, communications, pontoon-bridge, etc.), but in fact this is a formation consisting of units of many branches of the military, 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 (read battalion), one anti-aircraft missile battalion, reconnaissance company, engineer company, communications company, anti-tank battery, chemical protection platoon, repair company, material support company, orchestra, medical center. The number of personnel of the regiment is from 900 to 2000 people.

Brigade. As well as the regiment is the main tactical formation. Actually, the brigade occupies an intermediate position between the regiment and the division. The structure of the brigade is most often the same as that of the regiment, however, there are much more battalions and other units in the 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 may also consist of two regiments, plus auxiliary battalions and companies. On average, there are from 2 to 8 thousand people in a brigade. The brigade commander, as well as in the regiment, is a colonel.

Division. The 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 regiment, while in a tank division, on the contrary, there are two or three tank regiments, and one motorized rifle regiment. In addition to these main regiments, the division has one or two artillery regiments, one anti-aircraft missile regiment, a jet battalion, a missile battalion, a helicopter squadron, an engineer battalion, a communications battalion, an automobile battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an electronic warfare battalion, and a material support battalion. a repair and restoration battalion, a medical battalion, a chemical protection company, and several different support companies and platoons. In the modern Russian Army, there are or may be tank, motorized rifle, artillery, airborne, missile and aviation divisions. In other military branches, 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.

Frame. Just as a brigade is an intermediate formation between a regiment and a division, so a corps is an intermediate formation between a division and an army. The corps is already a combined arms formation, i.e. usually it is deprived of the sign of one type of troops, although tank or artillery corps may also exist, i.e. corps with a complete predominance of tank or artillery divisions in them. The combined arms corps is usually referred to as the "army corps". There is no single corps structure. Each time a corps is formed on the basis of a specific military or military-political situation and may consist of two or three divisions and different quantity formations of other military branches. Usually a corps is created where it is impractical to create an army. IN Peaceful time there were literally three to five corps in the Soviet Army. During the years of the Great Patriotic War corps were usually created either for an offensive in a secondary direction, an offensive in a zone where it was impossible to deploy an army, or vice versa, to concentrate forces in the main direction (tank corps). Very often then the corps existed for a few weeks or months and was disbanded upon completion of the task. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the corps, because how many corps exist or existed, so many of their structures existed. Corps Commander Lieutenant General.

Army. This word is used in three main meanings: 1. Army - the armed forces of the state as a whole; 2. Army - ground forces of the armed forces of the state (as opposed to the fleet and military aviation); 3. Army - military formation. Here we are talking about the army as a military formation. The army is a large military formation of operational purpose. The army includes divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. Usually, armies are no longer subdivided according to the types of troops, although there may be tank armies, 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 how many armies exist or have existed, so many structures existed. The soldier at the head of the army is no longer called "commander", but "army commander". Usually the staff rank of the army commander is Colonel General. In peacetime, armies are rarely organized as military formations. Usually divisions, regiments, battalions are directly part of the district.

Front (district). This is the highest military formation of a strategic type. Larger formations do not exist. The name "front" is used only in wartime for a formation conducting combat operations. For such formations in peacetime, or those 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 be different. Fronts are never subdivided according to the types of troops (that is, 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.

Note 2: Above in the text there are the concepts of "tactical formation", "operational-tactical formation", "strategic ..", etc. These terms indicate the range of tasks solved by this formation in the light of military art. Military art is divided into three levels:
1. Tactics (the art of combat). Squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment solve tactical tasks, i.e. are fighting.
2. Operational art (the art of conducting battles, battles). The division, corps, army solve operational tasks, i.e. are fighting.
3. Strategy (the art of warfare in general). The front solves both operational and strategic tasks, i.e. conducts major battles, as a result of which the strategic situation changes and the outcome of the war can be decided.

There is also such a name as "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 sector or a secondary direction and, accordingly, are much smaller and weaker than such a formation as the front, but stronger than the army. In peacetime, this was the name in the Soviet Army of formations stationed abroad (Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, Central group of troops, northern group troops, 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.

In the literature, in military documents, there are also such names as "team" And "squad". The term "team" is now out of use. Used to designate formations special forces(sappers, signalmen, scouts, etc.) who are part of general military formations. Usually, in terms of numbers and combat missions, something in between a platoon and a company. The term "detachment" was used to designate such formations in terms of tasks and numbers as an average between a company and a battalion. Occasionally, as a designation for a permanently existing formation, it is also used now. For example, a drilling team is an engineering formation designed to drill wells for water production in areas where there are no surface water sources. The term "detachment" is also used to designate, temporarily for the period of a battle, an organized grouping of subunits (forward detachment, outflanking detachment, cover detachment).

Above in the text, I specifically did not use the concepts - division, part, connection, association, replacing these words with the faceless "formation". I did this to avoid confusion. Now that we have dealt with specific names, we can move on to unifying, grouping names.

Subdivision. This word denotes all the military formations that make up the unit. Squad, platoon, company, battalion - they are all combined in one word "unit". The word comes from the concept of division, divide. Those. part is divided into divisions.

Part. This is the main unit of the armed forces. The term "unit" most often refers to a regiment and a brigade. The external features of the unit are: the presence of its own office work, military economy, a bank account, a postal and telegraph address, its own stamp 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. The presence of the Battle Banner for the part is optional. In addition to the regiment and brigade, division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations (military department, army hospital, garrison clinic, district food depot, district song and dance ensemble, garrison house of officers, garrison household complex services, the central school of junior socialists, military school, military institute, etc.). In a number of cases, the status of a part, with all its outward signs may have formations, which we have referred to as subdivisions above. Parts can be a battalion, a company, and even occasionally a platoon. Such formations are not part of regiments or brigades, but directly as an independent military unit on the rights of a regiment or brigade can be part of both a division and a corps, an army, a front (district) and even directly report to the General Staff. Such formations also have their open and closed numbers. For example, 650 separate airborne battalion, 1257 separate communications company, 65 separate electronic intelligence platoon. characteristic feature such parts is the word "separate", standing after the numbers before the name. However, the regiment may have the word "separate" in its name. This is the case if the regiment is not part of the division, but is directly part of the army (corps, district, front). For example, 120 separate regiment of guards mortars.

Note 3: 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 next: "military unit 74292" (but you can not use "military unit 74292") or abbreviated - military unit 74292.

Compound. By default, only a division is suitable for this term. The very word "connection" means - to connect the parts. The division headquarters has the status of a unit. Other units (regiments) are subordinate to this unit (headquarters). That's all together and there is a division. However, in some cases, the brigade can also have the status of a connection. This happens if the brigade includes separate battalions and companies, each of which in itself has the status of a unit. The brigade headquarters in this case, like the division headquarters, has the status of a unit, and battalions and companies, as independent units, are subordinate to the brigade headquarters. By the way, at the same time, battalions and companies can exist as part of the headquarters of a brigade (division). So at the same time there can be battalions and companies as subdivisions, and battalions and companies as units in the formation.

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

There are no other specific and grouping concepts in the military hierarchy. In any case, in ground forces Oh. In this article, we did not touch on the hierarchy of military formations of aviation and navy. However, an attentive reader can now quite simply and with minor errors imagine the naval and aviation hierarchy. As far as the author knows: in aviation - a flight, squadron, regiment, division, corps, air army. In the fleet - a ship (crew), division, brigade, division, flotilla, fleet. However, this is all inaccurate, experts in aviation and the navy will correct me.

Literature.

1. Combat Charter of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR (Division - brigade - regiment). Military publishing house of the USSR Ministry of Defense. Moscow. 1985
2. Regulations on the passage of military service by officers of the Soviet Army and Navy. Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 200-67.
3. Reference book of an officer of the Soviet Army and Navy. Moscow. Military publishing house 1970
4. Reference book of an officer of the Soviet army and Navy on legislation. Moscow. Military publishing house 1976
5. Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 105-77 "Regulations on the military economy of the Armed Forces of the USSR".
6. Charter internal service USSR Armed Forces. Moscow. Military publishing house 1965
7. Textbook. Operational art. Military publishing house of the USSR Ministry of Defense. Moscow. 1965
8. I.M. Andrusenko, R.G. Dunov, Yu.R. Fomin. Motorized rifle (tank) platoon in battle. Moscow. Military publishing house 1989

References to military terms are often found in news reports, movies, or literary works. But not everyone knows how many people are in a company, platoon, battalion, division and other parts of various branches of the military. Let us consider the general principles by which military formations are composed, taking into account the number of military personnel, command and assigned tasks, the meaning of other frequently used military terms.

In the proposed description of how many people make up a company, platoon, battalion or regiment, one should start with the smallest unit in the army hierarchy, not so often found in everyday life - the squad.

Branch organization

For the Russian army, a branch is the smallest formation, in contrast to the organization system of the armies of other countries. The number of squad soldiers fluctuates between five and ten. Operated by a "dresser" (a slang soldier's nickname, consonant with the name of the position) - a sergeant or junior sergeant.

Some parts of the troops use the name instead of the separation:

• crew - in tank formations or aviation, with the number of personnel from two or more;
• calculation - gun, etc. (for artillery).

Squads are formed into platoons. In the fleet, the ship's crew consists of departments of representatives of various specialties. In this situation, the term "department" can be replaced by a "group" (of acousticians, deckhands, etc.).

Platoon

Tactical units of the Russian troops

The number of servicemen in a platoon (three to six squads) is from fifteen to sixty. Platoon command - for an officer in the rank of lieutenant to captain.

Squads in a platoon may differ in quantitative composition, armament, orientation. The repair platoon is formed by departments responsible for carrying out the repair of weapons, wheeled, tracked vehicles, etc. The material supply platoon consists of departments for economic and maintenance, automobile.

Each of the platoon components can be responsible for separately assigned tasks, but the opposite situation also occurs - with the unification of formations of similar functionality and equal strength.

Company

By combining from three to six platoon formations, they get a company, with the number of people in it - from forty-five to three hundred and sixty. The rank of command position is Major. But the approval of a military man in a lower rank is possible at this post. Sometimes such a rank is commonly called a company rank.

A company temporarily formed for specific purposes dictated by military necessity is called a consolidated company.

Instead of a company in some troops, formations similar in scale are designated under the name:

• artillery battery;
• cavalry squadron;
• aviation branch.

The frontier post (analogous to a company) is formed directly from squads, bypassing platoon groups.

Features of the organization of the battalion

Having considered how many people are in the company, let's turn to the battalion. The total number is from one hundred forty-five to five hundred. Includes three or four companies. Additionally, representatives of certain specialties are provided - messengers, gunsmiths, sniper groups, etc. Management is carried out by the headquarters. Sometimes supplemented by an anti-tank platoon or other specialized groups. The position of commander (battalion commander) is for an officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel, but in fact this place is completed with less significant ranks, applying for a subsequent promotion.

The structure of the motorized rifle battalion

Structure of a tank battalion

Regiment

The main grouping capable of performing separate serious tasks is the regiment. Formed by several battalions (three to six). Knowing how many people are in the company and battalion, we can calculate that the total number of servicemen in the regiment, starting from five hundred and ending with two and a half thousand. The military rank of regiment commander must be in the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel. It is additionally equipped with an air defense unit, a headquarters department, artillery, and an anti-tank unit.

Brigade organization

The brigade provides for the formation of two or three regiments (in some cases - several less significant groupings) with a strength of one to four thousand military personnel. The rank of commander is similar to the regiment, in everyday use - brigade commander.

Division

This association consists of several separate units - regiments, including various types of troops - artillery, tanks and aircraft, with a rear support service. The rank of commander (commander) is colonel or major general. The total number of people in the division (taking into account the number of regiments, battalions and companies) - from four and a half to twenty thousand.

An example of the organization of a mechanized division

Frame

A corps is a formation that includes about a hundred thousand military personnel, including several divisions. The corps is commanded by a rank from the highest officers - Major General.

Army

It includes the number of divisions from two to ten of various directions with rear groups, units for the repair of equipment and other necessary infrastructure. Borders total strength- starting with two hundred thousand and ending with a million people. Commander - not lower than the rank of major general or lieutenant general.

front group

The largest formation, including several armies of various military orientations, in the following proportions:

• motorized rifles - five or six;
• missile, air and armored vehicles - one or two of each of these;
• one - anti-aircraft weapons defense;
• special groups;
• formation of logistic support;
• operational reserve.

An example of a front group during WWII

The numerical and technical composition of the front grouping (in peacetime - districts) varies, depending on the upcoming goals and the characteristics of the assigned territory. It is possible to strengthen the front at the expense of reserve forces of general purpose or to attach other units.

Subdivision

The wording "unit" applies to all military formations that make up a separate part - squads, platoons, etc. (from the word "divide" - one of the components of a single whole).

Parts

Parts are called regimental or brigade groups - the main structural components of the army. By analogy with civil terms - organizations with their own bank account. They are assigned an individual number, postal address. The head is authorized to sign his own orders with an open and closed combined arms stamp, except for the signature, approving these documents with the wet seal of the formation.

Note! It is necessary to separate the concepts of military and military units. In the first case, this indicates a general designation, in the second, a specific formation, followed by a number.

Connections

This concept refers to a divisional or brigade grouping of troops. The divisional headquarters department is endowed with the status of a separate unit that controls subordinate regiments. A brigade is called a formation when it consists of several separate battalion formations or companies that have the status of a unit.

Associations

This designation indicates a larger and more status grouping in the form of a corps, several armies, up to the fronts. Subordinate formations are controlled by their own headquarters.

What are the general principles for the formation of the number of units

Military units are formed based on the assigned tasks. General principles imply the appointment of a common command for small groups with consolidation into larger ones and the acquisition of units of various directions to ensure complete autonomy.

Motorized rifle units within a division are additionally equipped with subunits of related branches of service and auxiliary groupings in order to avoid one-sided orientation of capabilities. This also applies to parts of other branches of the military.

Therefore, the total number of people in a company, battalion or regiment may vary, depending on the configuration.

A Few Other Tactical Concepts

Having considered how many people are in a company, battalion, division and larger formations, a little about other tactical terms:

• battery - a concept from artillery, an analogue of a combined arms company;
• squadron - an aviation unit that forms a regiment;
• squadron - a similar designation for a grouping of military watercraft;
• division - the name of a battalion in artillery or air defense units.

Knowing how many people are in a company of soldiers, and general rules creation of units, it is easy to calculate the strength of more than large parts, including divisional and army groupings.

The structure of a single part, association or connection can be represented in a graphical representation. The scheme will more clearly tell about the relationship and configuration of army groups. To find out how many people are in a company, platoon or battalion, it is enough to study the graphic diagram of the regiment that includes these units.