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Structure of Army

Dec-13-2003 » Filed Under: General Military

In the comments to another entry Mike asked how the Army units are organized. I have to admit that I'm confused about this as well, but there are some good resources that explain it. About.com provides the following information:

The basic building block of all Army organizations is the individual soldier. A small group of soldiers organized to maneuver and fire is called a squad. As elements of the Army's organizational structure become larger units, they contain more and more subordinate elements from combat arms, combat support and combat service support units.

A company is typically the smallest Army element to be given a designation and affiliation with higher headquarters at battalion and brigade level. This alphanumeric and branch designation causes an "element" to become a "unit."

Squad - 9 to 10 soldiers. Typically commanded by a sergeant or staff sergeant, a squad or section is the smallest element in the Army structure, and its size is dependent on its function.

Platoon - 16 to 44 soldiers. A platoon is led by a lieutenant with an NCO as second in command, and consists of two to four squads or sections.

Company or Troop - 62 to 190 soldiers. Three to five platoons form a company, which is commanded by a captain with a first sergeant as the commander's principle NCO assistant. An artillery unit of equivalent size is called a battery, and a comparable armored or air cavalry unit is called a troop.

Battalion or Squadron - 300 to 1,000 soldiers. Four to six companies make up a battalion, which is normally commanded by a lieutenant colonel with a command sergeant major as principle NCO assistant. A battalion is capable of independent operations of limited duration and scope. An armored or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is called a squadron.

Brigade - 3,000 to 5,000 solders. A brigade headquarters commands the tactical operation of two to five organic or attached combat battalions. Normally commanded by a colonel with a command sergeant major as senior NCO, brigades are employed on independent or semi-independent operations. Armored cavalry, ranger and special forces units this size are categorized as regiments or groups.

Division - 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers. Usually consisting of three brigade-sized elements and commanded by a major general, divisions are numbered and assigned missions based on their structures. The division performs major tactical operations for the corps and can conduct sustained battles and engagements.

Corps - 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers. Two to five divisions constitute a corps, which is typically commanded by a lieutenant general. As the deployable level of command required to synchronize and sustain combat operations, the corps provides the framework for multi-national operations.

Army - 50,000 + soliders. Typically commanded by a lieutenant general or higher, an army combines two or more corps. A theater army is the ranking Army component in a unified command, and it has operational and support responsibilities that are assigned by the theater commander in chief. The commander in chief and theater army commander may order formation of a field army to direct operations of assigned corps and divisions. An army group plans and directs campaigns in a theater, and is composed of two or more field armies under a designated commander. Army groups have not been employed by the Army since World War II.

He said his friend is in Charlie Company, 1-23INF 3/2 SBCT. All of the soldiers with the SBCT are part of the same division and brigade, but below that level there are numerous squadrons and battalions, each of which are broken down into companies or troops, then platoons (someone please correct me if I screw this up). Here are the units involved:

Division:

2nd Infantry Division

Brigade:

3rd Brigade, or Stryker Infantry Brigade

Squadrons & Battalions:

2-3 Infantry
1-23 Infantry
1-32 Armor
1-37 Field Artillery
168 Engineer
296 Forward Support
Charlie 5/5 Air Defense Artillery
1 / 14 Cav
5-20 Infantry
334th Signal Co.
18th EN Co.

So if I put this together right, your friend is in Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion-23rd Regiment (1-23) in the 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division. Whew!

You can always visit the Brigade's homepage if you want to explore further.

UPDATE: I'm sure there are probably other units attached to the SBCT for this mission, I just don't know which ones.

MORE: Here's the web page that displays all the units involved, attached units included.


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