Clancy uses these terms and others like them frequently, but I have only the vaguest idea of what, exactly, they mean. Someone, please, HELP!
Daryus, you know this kind of stuff, right?
------------------ "Still one thing more fellow-citizens--A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government..." -Thomas Jefferson
posted
A squad is made up of 8-12 infantry, and is commanded by a sergeant.
A platoon is made up of around 4 squads, and is commanded by a lieutenant.
A company is made up of 3-4 platoons, and is commanded by a captain or major.
A battalion is made up of around 4 companies, and is commanded by a lieutenant-colonel.
A division is made up of several battalions, and is commanded by a colonel.
A brigade is made up of several divisions, and is commanded by a brigadier general.
An army is made up of several divisions, and is commanded by a major general, lieutenant-general, or general.
Of course, real-world armies usually aren't this rigid...I did this from memory anyway, so I may have gotten some of it wrong.
------------------ Frank's Home Page "I remember my mum telling me 'don't wear that jacket, it doesn't go with your top.' And I said 'Screw you mum, I'll wear what I'll like'. And then I went and changed tops." - Liam Ka--thingy
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Squad - sizes vary, but usually no larger than 12. Lead by an E-4 or E-5
Section - is a group of, usually, 4 squads. Lead by an E-5 or E-6 This element is normally found in Specialty units.
Platoon - is a group of 2 to 6 Squads, or 2 to 4 Sections. Lead by an E-6, E-7, or E-8. Commanded by an O-1, O-2, or 0-3.
Company - is a group of 2 to 6 Platoons. Lead by an E-7 or E-8 Commanded by an O-2, O-3, or O-4.
Battalion - is a group of 4 to 6 Companies. Lead by an E-8 or E-9 Commanded by an O-4, O-5, or O-6
Brigade - is a group of 2 to 6 Battalions. Lead by an E-9. Commanded by an O-6 or O-7. A Brigade that is part of a Division is usually commanded by an O-6. An Independant Bridge, which is like an Armored Cavalry Regiment, is attached to a Corps or Army, and is commanded by an O-7.
Division - is a group of 2 to 6 Brigades. Lead by an E-9. Commanded by an O-8
Corps - is a group of 2 or more Divisions, with supporting Independant Brigades, Battalions, and Companies. Lead by an E-9 Commanded by an O-9
Army - is a combined unit of all of the above, but usually consisting of at least 2 Corps. Lead by an E-9 Commanded by an O-9 or O-10.
The variations are endless, with Seperate units that are attached to Divisions, Corps, and Armies. This Seperate units can be anything from a 12 man Special Forces A Team to an entire Corps with its supporting units. Units size and mission determine what the grade is of its commander, and availability in that area of that grade.
------------------ "Karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world." - Dave Barry
E = Enlisted Army Only, since I don't know the others, for the most part. E-1 Private, no insignia E-2 Private, 1 stripe E-3 Private First Class E-4 Specialist/Corporal E-5 Sergeant E-6 Staff Sgt. E-7 Sgt. First Class E-8 Master Sgt. and 1st Sgt E-9 Sgt. Major's/Command Sgt. Majs
By lead I ment that in most cases it's the NCOs that lead the men, while the officers command the men. Subtle difference, but most troops will follow their NCOs to hell and back.
------------------ "Still one thing more fellow-citizens--A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government..." -Thomas Jefferson
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Technicians mainly, specialty officers of a sort. Pilots also. WO-1 to CWO-5 equivilant to O-1 to O-5 The don't get federal commission papers, but are warranted to be officers. They go through an OCS course after completing basic training and AIT, then they go to their specialty schools. To get to be a WO you apply for it while in Basic or AIT (Advanced Individual Training).
Ever hear the say, "Don't call me Sir, I work for a living!" Well a WO is an Officer that works for a living.
Technicaly an O-1 outranks a Chief Warrant Officer - 5. But pity the poor Lt that tries it.
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My Dad used to be a Warrant Officer in the Canadian Air Force, before he retired. He just fixed stuff there I guess.
------------------ "Karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world." - Dave Barry
posted
Omega, here is a link to the III Corps that shows a good make up of a Corps, with its seperate Divisions, Brigades, Groups, and Battalions. Several units have breakdowns here.
Meanwhile, Sol continues to be the most hilarious human being in Washington state.
------------------ Frank's Home Page "I remember my mum telling me 'don't wear that jacket, it doesn't go with your top.' And I said 'Screw you mum, I'll wear what I'll like'. And then I went and changed tops." - Liam Ka--thingy
* I think the Navy may have gotten rid of that tank by now ** I'm not sure if there is a Warrant Officer 5 in the Navy or not. If there isn't then the CWO is W-5.
------------------ [Bart's looking for his dog.] Groundskeeper Willy: Yeah, I bought your mutt - and I 'ate 'im! [Bart gasps.] I 'ate 'is little face, I 'ate 'is guts, and I 'ate the way 'e's always barkin'! So I gave 'im to the church. Bart: Ohhh, I see... you HATE him, so you gave him to the church. Groundskeeper Willy: Aye. I also 'ate the mess he left on me rug. [Bart stares.] Ya heard me!
[This message has been edited by PopMaze (edited December 20, 2000).]
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