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Corps division. Hierarchy of military formations

A motorized rifle company is a tactical unit that performs tasks, usually as part of a motorized rifle battalion, but sometimes independently.

Historically, a company was considered an infantry unit of maximum strength that could be effectively commanded in battle by voice, whistle, gesture, or personal action. This number at all times was approximately 100 fighters. The concept of “detachment” is close to the concept of “company” in function and tactical meaning.

According to his functions in battle, a company commander is one of the fighters capable of simultaneously leading a battle and commanding a unit. Unlike the company commander, the battalion commander, as a rule, does not participate directly in battle.

In defense, companies and platoons are assigned strong points, a battalion is assigned a defense area, and a regiment is assigned a defense area. In this case, the company occupies 1–1.5 km along the front, and up to 1 km in depth. In an offensive, the company occupies a line of responsibility 1 km wide, in the breakthrough area - up to 500 m.

To better understand the tactical meaning of the staff structure and armament of modern motorized rifle companies of the Russian army, it is necessary to trace the evolution of infantry and motorized rifle units since the end of the Second World War. Their appearance changed repeatedly depending on the views of the command on combat use motorized rifles, the development of weapons and military equipment, the practice of real armed conflicts. Each war left its mark on the appearance of motorized rifle units. However, there are features characteristic of motorized rifle companies of the Soviet Army (and the Russian Army, as its successor), which were developed precisely during the Great Patriotic War. It provided enormous experience in ground battles, allowing the effectiveness of pre-war concepts and regulations to be tested in practice. The Soviet infantry of the 1944 model was significantly superior in efficiency and combat power to its counterparts of the 1941 model, becoming the prototype of modern motorized rifle units.

The Soviet Union inherited the experience of infantry battles of 1941-1945. and created the most powerful ground forces weapons system in the world. This fully applies to infantry weapons.

Compared to the states of 1941, the following changes were approved:

the number of companies was reduced to 100 people without a noticeable loss of combat effectiveness. To reduce losses in battle formations, all companies not engaged in combat were removed from the company staff;
the intermediate cartridge of the 1943 model was established as ammunition for the rifle chain, and the AK assault rifle as an individual weapon;
Each department has been equipped with a close combat anti-tank weapon - the RPG-2 rocket-propelled anti-tank gun (grenade launcher);
mounted fire weapons (50-mm mortars) were removed from the company due to low firing efficiency in line-of-sight conditions;
In order to increase maneuverability and reduce vulnerability, heavy machine guns in companies were replaced with machine guns without a machine gun.

The structure of a Soviet motorized rifle company in 1946-1962. included:

Management department – 4 people. (commander, deputy commander, foreman, sniper with SV 891/30).
Three motorized rifle platoons of 28 people each. (22 AK, 3 RPD, 3 RPG-2);
Machine gun platoon (3 RP-46, 8 AK).

Total: 99 people, 77 AK, 9 RPD, 9 RPG-2, 3 RP-46, 1 SV.

The strength and armament of a rifle squad, platoon and company of motorized rifle troops Soviet army 1946-1960

In the Soviet Army, the post-war structure of a motorized rifle squad in terms of the quality and range of weapons resembled the structure of a Wehrmacht grenadier company squad. One soldier in the squad was armed with an RPG-2 grenade launcher, seven more with AK assault rifles, and a machine gunner with an RPD machine gun chambered for 7.62x39 (in terms of ballistics and accuracy, the RPD differed little from an assault rifle). There is an average of one sniper rifle left per company.

The machine gun platoon was equipped with company machine guns of the 1946 model, which combined the rate of fire of a heavy machine gun with the maneuverability of a manual machine gun. Company machine gun crews were located 200 m behind the attacking chain, quickly changed positions and provided the company with continuous fire support. The use of company machine guns on a bipod is a domestic structural and tactical technique, established during many fruitless attacks and bloody battles of 1941-1945. Creating a sample with the required properties was no longer difficult.

The introduction of an intermediate cartridge, corresponding weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers into the troops was borrowed from the Wehrmacht.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the post-war weapon system had exceptional firing efficiency, fire density and flexibility, especially at ranges up to 400 m.

The squad moved on foot or on trucks such as BTR-40, BTR-152. The driver of the armored personnel carrier, by analogy with the cavalry, performed the function of a horse guide in battle - he drove the vehicle to a safe place. The Goryunov SGMB machine gun, mounted on an armored personnel carrier, ready for battle and pointed forward, served as a means of combating the enemy who suddenly appeared along the way.

STRUCTURE OF A MOTORIZED COMPANY BY STATE IN THE 1960s – 1970s.

Structure and armament of a motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier

Further rearmament and motorization led to the emergence of a motorized rifle company in 1962, in which the number of squads was reduced by armored personnel carrier crews. The vehicle was an armored personnel carrier BTR-60PB, armed with a 14.5-mm KPV machine gun.

The grenade launcher and machine gun were replaced by next-generation models that were equivalent in purpose (but not in properties). One of the machine gunners served as an assistant machine gunner, but was not the number two on staff. A sniper appeared in the squad as an assistant commander, acting on his instructions.

The strength and armament of a rifle squad, platoon and company of motorized rifle troops of the Soviet Army in 1962.

The advantage of this state was high mobility within the road network. The ability of infantry to appear unexpectedly in areas of terrain weakly defended by the enemy and occupy them almost without a fight began to be considered more valuable. This state still exists in a slightly modified form.

The new composition of the motorized rifle company provided better mobility, but it came at the cost of firepower and numbers.

The shortcomings of the structure and armament of the state motorized rifle company in 1962 were:

the RPK light machine gun has practically ceased to differ from the machine gun in terms of combat properties;
the sniper, being in the front line, could not provide accurate fire due to large aiming errors and the inability to prepare data for shooting;
a sniper rifle in battle turned into an ordinary self-loading rifle of the SVT or FN/FAL type;
the crew of the armored personnel carrier (two people) was excluded from the rifle chain and combat on the ground.

The BTR-60PB armored personnel carrier (and BTR-70, BTR-80) was a truck covered in thin armor and served as a vehicle, not a combat vehicle. The armored personnel carrier could support the squad only from distances where it remained invulnerable to enemy machine-gun fire (1000...1500 m), for which it was used heavy machine gun 14.5 mm KPVT.

The combat order of a motorized rifle platoon during an offensive is: a) without dismounting; b) on foot; c) panorama of the battle.

The fatal shortcoming of the staff of the motorized rifle company in 1960-1970. It turned out that the armored personnel carrier was unable to advance in the chain of its squad. Upon closer contact with the enemy, armored personnel carriers were hit in the wheels by riflemen and grenade launcher fire. This is evidenced by the experience of fighting on the Damansky Peninsula. The works devoted to this conflict describe in detail the battles of March 2 and 15, 1969, during which the BTR-60 was revealed to be unsuitable for combat, even in the absence of artillery from the enemy.

Structure and armament of a motorized rifle company on the BMP-1

In the 1960s, motorized rifle troops received combat vehicles infantry (BMP-1). In view of the likely use of tactical nuclear weapons, a technique has emerged for advancing behind tanks without dismounting from combat vehicles. The tactical method of attacking on foot was also preserved in the regulations.

The staff of the rifle squad on the BMP-1 included eight people. Motorized rifle units on the BMP-1 are even more specialized in tank escort and rely mainly on the power of the 73-mm 2A28 gun (grenade launcher) of the BMP-1 and the combat training of the gunner-operator.

Structure and armament of a motorized rifle company on the BMP-2

Fighting in the Middle East in 1970-1980. showed the weakness of the ammunition of the BMP-1 gun (both cumulative and fragmentation action). It turned out that the squad countered in most cases dispersed manpower and enemy firing points. It was necessary to use the destructive potential more flexibly artillery weapons. The infantry fighting vehicles were re-equipped with automatic weapons.

The strength of the BMP-2 squad was the new BMP artillery weapon - the 2A42 cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition. It was the BMP that began to solve the vast majority of problems on the battlefield. The presence of a large ammunition load and the “machine gun” method of firing made the infantry fighting vehicle a means of threat and deterrence. Like a heavy machine gun from the Second World War, the BMP-2 can influence the enemy without firing, only by presence. To others positive factor The adopted system is a potentially large ammunition load of 5.45 mm cartridges.

Disadvantages new system weapons have become common disadvantages of the 5.45 mm caliber - low penetration and blocking effect of bullets. A bullet from a 7N6, 7N10 cartridge from an AK74 assault rifle does not penetrate half a red brick (120 mm) and a 400 mm earthen barrier at a distance of 100 m. The RPK74 machine gun differs even less from an assault rifle in terms of practical rate of fire than its predecessor RPK. A common drawback of the staff of a motorized rifle company on an infantry fighting vehicle is the small number and weakness of the fire of the rifle chain.

Features of the regular structure of motorized rifle companies of the 60s - 70s.

The infantry fighting vehicle has become a fire weapon for the rifle chain on a par with the infantry line. Its cross-country ability is comparable to that of a walking person, and its speed on the highway is equal to the speed of a car.
Formally, a squad on an infantry fighting vehicle has become weaker than a squad on an armored personnel carrier due to its small numbers, but in reality the opposite is true, since the infantry fighting vehicle is not a means of support, but a means of combat, which solves most of the tasks of the infantry chain and, in addition, the task of fighting tanks.
A motorized rifle squad on an infantry fighting vehicle follows group tactics to a greater extent, reminiscent of a machine gun group from the First World War. The "machine gun" in the group became self-propelled and received artillery caliber. The BMP crew - gunner-operator and driver - turned out to be numerically smaller than the machine gun crew.
The squad's penchant for group tactics weakened the rifle chain. In combat, the rifle chain performs to a greater extent the function of protecting infantry fighting vehicles from being hit by enemy infantry and, to a lesser extent, is occupied with fire impact on the enemy. In the event of the loss of an infantry fighting vehicle, the department becomes unable to carry out statutory tasks.
In the evolution of the squad, platoon and company, there is a tendency towards a decrease in the human component. Infantry combat is gradually being reduced to a fight between weapons, armored vehicles and other inanimate material means of the battlefield.

COMPOSITION AND ARMAMENT OF A MOTORIZED RIFLE COMPANY WITH A MODERN ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFF STRUCTURE

States motorized rifle companies of limited contingent in Afghanistan

Afghan war 1979-1989 became one of the wars of modern times. It was distinguished by limited tasks, disproportionate capabilities of the parties and the almost complete absence of battles, as defined by the regulations. In accordance with the tasks and features of the landscape, the staffing of the units of the limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan was approved.

In the armored personnel carrier companies, each squad (six people, on the BTR-70) consisted of a machine gunner with an RPK and a sniper with an SVD. The KPVT machine gun gunner simultaneously served as a grenade launcher (RPG-7). The motorized rifle platoon consisted of 20 people, three BTR-70s. The machine-gun and grenade launcher platoon (20 people, two BTR-70s) was armed with three PKM machine guns on a bipod and three AGS grenade launchers. In total, the company consisted of 80 (81 - from August 1985) people on 12 armored personnel carriers. Since May 1985, one AGS was replaced with an NSV-12.7 machine gun, capable of destroying fortifications made of rocky soil and rocks.

In BMP companies, each squad (six people per BMP-2D) included a sniper with an SVD and a grenade launcher with an RPG. A machine gunner with an RPK relied on every third squad. The motorized rifle platoon consisted of 20 people (three BMP-2D). The machine-gun and grenade launcher platoon (15 people, two BMP-2D) was armed with three AGS grenade launchers and two NSV-12.7 machine guns. PKM machine guns were transferred to platoons. In total, the company consisted of 82 people and 12 infantry fighting vehicles.

The positive aspects of the above-described composition of a motorized rifle company are obvious: the companies are small in number, the number of weapons exceeds the number of soldiers and officers. In the mountainous landscape, artillery and mortars could not provide full support to the infantry, so the machine-gun and grenade launcher platoon was the artillery unit of the company commander and was distinguished by a variety of fire capabilities: mounted (AGS), penetrating (NSV-12.7), dense fire (PKM).

In the plain theater of operations, companies had a more conventional structure, which did not include large-caliber weapons, but included ATGMs.

States of motorized rifle companies 1980-1990s

In the 1980-1990s, squads on armored personnel carriers and BMP-1 and -2 consisted of nine people, but without a sniper.

The company on the BTR-80 (110 people) consisted of a control group (five people), three platoons (30 people each) and a fourth anti-tank machine-gun platoon (15 people). In service were 66 machine guns, 9 RPGs, 9 RPKs, 3 SVDs, 3 PCs, 3 ATGMs, 12 armored personnel carriers.

The company on the BMP had a similar structure and strength. The fourth platoon was entirely machine gun. In service were 63 assault rifles, 9 RPGs, 9 RPKs, 3 SVDs, 6 PCs, 12 infantry fighting vehicles.

Composition of motorized rifle companies of the RF Armed Forces in 2005-2010.

In the Russian Armed Forces in 2005-2010. In parallel, there were several staff structures of the same type of units. Motorized rifle troop units were built according to three organizational options:

Motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier.
A motorized rifle company on a BMP-2 from a regiment subordinate to the division.
A motorized rifle company on a BMP-2 from a battalion subordinate to the brigade.

We do not consider the organizational structure and armament of motorized rifle units on the BMP-3 due to the small number of vehicles that entered service with the troops.

A motorized rifle squad on an armored personnel carrier can contain eight or nine people, while a squad on a BMP-2 consists of eight people. At the same time, the sniper from the squad was transferred to larger units.

A motorized rifle platoon on an armored personnel carrier contains a control group, two squads of nine people and one squad of 8 people. All personnel are housed in three armored personnel carriers.

The means of qualitatively strengthening the platoon is a PKM machine gun with a crew of two soldiers and a sniper with an SVD rifle subordinate to the platoon commander.

Composition of a motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier of the state 2000-2010:

Company management – 8 people. (commander, assistant commander for l/s, foreman, senior driver, machine gunner, senior technician, medical instructor, RBU operator; weapons: AK74 - 7, PKM - 1, BTR -1, KPV - 1, PKT - 1).
3 motorized rifle platoons of 32 people each. (each has a control of 6 people, including a commander, a deputy, a PKM machine gun crew of 2 people, a sniper with an SVD and a medic; two squads of 9 and one squad of 8 people; platoon weapons: AK74 - 21, PKM - 1 , SVD – 4, RPK74 – 3, RPG-7 – 3, BTR – 3, KPV – 3, PKT – 3).
Anti-tank squad of 9 people. (ATGM "Metis" - 3, AK74 - 6, armored personnel carrier - 1, KPV - 1, PKT - 1).

Total: 113 people, PKM - 4, SVD - 12, RPK74 - 9, AK74 - 76, RPG-7 - 9, ATGM - 6, BTR - 11, KPV - 11, PKT - 11.

Composition and armament of a motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier in 2000-2010.

A company on an infantry fighting vehicle can have two structures depending on its subordination. In regiments of rifle divisions, companies with infantry fighting vehicles have smaller numbers and an emphasis on small arms, since they are supported by the division's artillery regiment.

Structure of a motorized rifle company on an infantry fighting vehicle from a regiment:

Company management – 10 people. (commander, deputy commander for l/s, foreman, medical instructor, SBR radar operator, infantry fighting vehicle commander, 2 senior driver mechanics, 2 gunner-operators; weapons: AK74 - 10, BMP-2 - 2, 2A42 - 2 , PKT – 2, ATGM – 2).
3 motorized rifle platoons of 30 people each. (each has a control of 6 people, including a commander, a deputy, a PKM machine gun crew of 2 people, a sniper with an SVD and a medic; three sections of 8 people each; platoon weapons: PKM - 1, SVD - 1, RPK74 - 3 , AK74 – 22, RPG-7 – 3, BMP – 3, 2A42 – 3, PKT – 3, ATGM – 3).

Total: 100 people, PKM - 3, SVD - 3, RPK74 - 9, AK74 - 76, RPG-7 - 9, BMP - 11, 2A42 - 11, PKT - 11, ATGM - 11.

In brigades with battalion subordination, poor in artillery, companies largely provide themselves with fire support through their own grenade launcher platoon.

Motorized rifle companies on infantry fighting vehicles from brigades have the following structure:

Company management – 10 people. (staff and weapons are the same as in the command of a motorized rifle company on an infantry fighting vehicle from the regiment).
3 motorized rifle platoons of 30 people each. (in terms of personnel and weapons, they are similar to platoons of motorized rifle companies from the regiment).
Grenade launcher platoon of 26 people. (each - commander, deputy commander and three squads of 8 people; weapons: AK74 - 20, AGS-17 - 6, BMP - 3, 2A42 - 3, PKT - 3, ATGM - 3).

Total: 126 people, PKM - 3, SVD - 3, RPK74 - 9, AK74 - 96, RPG-7 - 9, AGS-17 - 6, BMP - 14, 2A42 - 14, PKT - 14, ATGM - 14.

The numerical composition and armament of a motorized rifle company on infantry fighting vehicles from motorized rifle brigades in 2000-2010.

General comments on the composition and armament of motorized rifle units in 2000-2010.

1. Platoon commanders have their own means of high-quality reinforcement: PKM machine guns (not quite company-level in terms of fire capabilities) and sniper rifles.

2. In a company with infantry fighting vehicles from the regiments, for reinforcement there is a full-fledged department from the company management.

3. In a company with an infantry fighting vehicle from the brigade, for reinforcement there is a full-fledged platoon capable of fighting without easel grenade launchers, like an ordinary infantry. Under other conditions, it is used for support by means of anti-aircraft guns, both from closed positions and direct fire.

4. Weapons of 5.45 caliber do not have sufficient penetration, and machine guns of this caliber are not capable of maintaining the required fire regime.

5. Weapons chambered for a rifle cartridge have established themselves as a means of strengthening a platoon (PKM, SVD). PKT machine guns on infantry fighting vehicles in the first line have insufficient target detection capabilities.

6. 12.7 caliber weapons are not represented in any state.

7. Weapons of 14.5 caliber are used on armored personnel carriers for shooting from safe distances (1000... 1500 m).

8. Automatic grenade launchers are rarely used and, in fact, are analogues of company mortars and machine guns of earlier organizational structures.

9. SPG-9 grenade launchers are not used at company level.

Disadvantages of the staff of motorized rifle companies of the RF Armed Forces (2000-2010):

1) companies with armored personnel carriers have lower combat capabilities than companies with infantry fighting vehicles: due to the lack of combat vehicles, they cannot perform the same tasks as companies with infantry fighting vehicles;

2) the sniper in the squad on the armored personnel carrier in the first line is not able to fully realize the capabilities of his weapon;

3) there are almost no reinforcement means subordinate to the commander (a machine gun and one armored personnel carrier that does not belong to the platoons); the anti-tank squad rather fills a gap in the meager range of fire weapons than serves as a means of reinforcement even in defense;

4) the number of weapons is small and its range is poor.

Advantages of motorized rifle companies of the RF Armed Forces (2000-2010):

1) squads consist of eight to nine people - fewer people are involved in combat operations, which helps reduce losses;

2) the sniper was excluded from the squads on the BMP;

3) the platoon commander has his own means of reinforcement;

4) the presence of a fourth platoon in a company from a brigade significantly expands the company commander’s ability to maneuver forces and fire.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFF WAYS OF INCREASING THE COMBAT CAPABILITIES OF MOTORIZED RIFLE SECTIONS, PLATOONS AND COMPANIES

At the squad level, strengthening the rifle chain is achieved by increasing the practical rate of fire light machine gun. The low penetrating effect of 5.45 and 7.62 caliber bullets of the 1943 model requires equipping the squad with a second rifle-caliber machine gun weighing up to 7.5 kg with dispersion at the RPD level and rate of fire at the DP level, with magazine feed. In addition, the rifle chain can be strengthened by introducing multi-channel fire weapons, adding one shooter to the chain, at least at the expense of the operator or driver of the infantry fighting vehicle, using remote control weapons, equipping the BMP driver with a weapon - a PK type machine gun.

At the platoon level, reinforcement is possible by using a fourth vehicle with fundamentally different weapons and armor, at least without increasing the size of the platoon, introducing supernumerary weapons (mine, grenade launcher) and assigning two weapons to one soldier.

At the company level, reinforcement is achieved by introducing a full-fledged fourth platoon of heavy weapons (guided intelligent weapons), which is capable of fighting as a fourth infantry platoon, and, if necessary, being a support or assault weapon (like a grenade launcher platoon of brigade structures). At the same time, the platoon must carry out engineering support combat, combat work with controlled and intelligent weapons.

It is undesirable to increase the number of personnel in units due to a possible increase in losses. A company numbering over 100-115 people. handles worse in battle. It is possible to increase the fire capabilities of units due to the dual armament of some specialists who own different types weapons.

Thus, an increase in the number of weapons, combat vehicles, and equipment, even if not all of these assets will be used in combat at the same time, increases the effectiveness of the units’ actions.

The content of this page was prepared for the portal " Modern army» based on the book by A.N. Lebedinets “Organization, armament and combat capabilities of small-scale motorized rifle units.” When copying content, please remember to include a link to the original page.

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.). Smallest division is a department, it includes from four to ten people, and the largest formation is the 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. In army jargon it is abbreviated as “Chest of Drawers”. 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 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 to 4 platoons. Thus, the strength of a tank company is 31–40 people, and the number of military personnel in a motorized rifle company fluctuates between 150 people. The company is also a formation of tactical importance, which means that the servicemen who are part of the company, in the event of combat operations, can perform tactical tasks independently, without being part of the battalion. Often the company is commanded by an officer with the rank of captain, and only in some units this position is held 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 previously there was also a cavalry company, which was called a squadron.

In the example we have a tank and motorized rifle companies, 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 quite an impressive number, and therefore is considered the main tactical formation, capable of acting independently.

Many have heard the song of the group “Lube” 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. A battalion commander is the position of a lieutenant colonel, but most often battalion commanders are captains and majors, who have the opportunity to advance 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).

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

Regiment and its composition

The regiment consists of three to six battalions. The strength of the regiment does not exceed two thousand people. The regiment itself is a directly key tactical formation that 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 forming 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:

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".
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.

Compound. In fact, this term can only describe a division. The word “connection” itself implies the union of several parts. If the composition of a 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.
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 number of individual structural units of the army is not constant. The number of people serving in a particular battalion or division depends on the effectiveness of the conscription campaign and the type of troops. Let's figure out how many people each army unit can accommodate.

Personnel of the division and its units: average values

Thanks to a large number military-patriotic films, almost everyone knows that the largest structural unit in the Russian army is the division. However, there is a much larger unit - the body. It is headed by a lieutenant general, and this unit can consist of two to four divisions. The average number of people in the corps is from 30 to 50 thousand.

According to the regulations, a division can be headed by a person whose rank is no lower than major general. Under his command there are from 12 to 24 thousand people. Each division includes:

from two to four brigades;
from four regiments;
from eight battalions.

How many people serve in these army units? You can only tell the exact figure if you find out about a specific division. The fact is that numbers are not constant. One year a division may consist of only eight battalions, while in others it may reach twelve.

Typically a brigade consists of three to five thousand people. It contains two or three regiments, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel. By the way, a colonel also has the right to command a brigade, but most often a major general is placed at the head of this unit.

One regiment can contain up to three battalions. This unit is often called a division, which causes confusion among civilians. How many people does the regiment contain? The answer to this question depends on the type of troops and the characteristics of the hierarchy within them.

What is a battalion

For several years now, the largest units of the army have been named according to the number of employees in them. IN modern Russia most often one unit includes a regiment, whereas in the Soviet Union this unit was larger and consisted of a brigade.

It is quite easy to get confused in the military hierarchy, since depending on the type of troops or country, the names may have different meanings. Let’s say the word “squadron” is used in the navy to designate an association of several ships, while in aviation this is the name given to a unit. In the US Army, the concept of “squadron” is used to designate a battalion of cavalry, and in England it hides a company of tank troops.

The concept of “battalion” comes from the literal decoding - a quarter of a battle (this was the name of a special type of infantry formation used to reduce damage during artillery shelling). How many people were there in that formation? The battle included a thousand people who lined up in a large square, inside divided into four smaller ones. In the Middle Ages, the battalion numbered exactly 250 people. With the advent small arms this type of army building has ceased to be relevant, but the name has taken root all over the world.

In Russia, a battalion is a structural unit that can:

be part of a regiment;
to be a temporary meeting of military personnel;
be apart military unit as part of an association, corps, fleet or army.

If a regiment includes several battalions of the same type, they are given serial numbers. The name of this structural unit may contain the word “consolidated,” which means the collection of military personnel from different units and units. How many people will serve in this association depends on the tactical task assigned to it.

What types of battalions are there?

It is impossible to answer exactly how many people should serve in a particular army unit due to the different numbers of units and types of troops. Almost 85% of Russian military units are staffed with reduced strength, and the remaining ones are primarily replenished with conscripts and officers, since they are in constant combat readiness.

Interestingly, the number of military personnel in a battalion may vary depending on the equipment used in it. A motorized rifle unit armed with the BTR-80 usually includes 530 people, but if it uses the BMP-2, the personnel becomes smaller and amounts to only 498 military personnel.

Concerning airborne troops, then the quantity depends on the features vocational training divisions:

the parachute battalion includes from 360 to 400 people;
air assault consists of 450-530;
separate divisions Marine Corps and air assault have the highest numbers - from 650 to 700 troops.

Tank battalions are not large in number; if they are armed with T-72s, they will consist of 174 individuals. Some branches of the army are formed out of necessity and do not have a clear staffing table. These include:

chemical forces;
repair units;
commandant's office;
building structures;
battalions involved in airfield maintenance.

At the same time, tank forces, in addition to military personnel, include 31 units of equipment, but if they are attached to motorized rifle troops, then the number of vehicles increases to forty vehicles.

Smallest units

In modern Russia, work is underway to transition the army structure to a ternary composition. This can be seen very clearly in the infantry. There, the battalion consists of three companies and several small structural units, for example, a communications platoon. Due to changes in the hierarchy, personnel changes and reductions in officer corps are taking place in the army. This is precisely what is associated with fluctuations in the number of battalions and other army units.

Companies appeared back in the time of Peter I. Then it became the main tactical unit of the infantry. The number of military personnel in a company has changed over time, as troops are constantly evolving. At the end of the Imperial period, some companies were called machine gun crews, they consisted of 99 people. At this time the number of soldiers was fixed.

How many companies and small units can be included in a battalion? It is permissible for this unit to include up to six companies, headed by a senior lieutenant or captain. One company can include up to eight platoons, which in turn are divided into sections and units.

In literature, military documents, in the media of propaganda, in conversations, in official documents devoted to military issues, the terms are constantly encountered - formation, regiment, unit, military unit, company, battalion, army, etc. For military people, everything here is clear, simple and unambiguous. They immediately understand what we mean we're talking about, what number of soldiers these names hide, what this or that formation can do on the battlefield. For civilians, all these names mean little. Very often they are confused about these terms. Moreover, if in civil structures“department” often denotes a large part of a company or plant, while in the army a “department” is the smallest formation of several people. And vice versa, a “brigade” at a factory is only a few dozen people or even a few people, but in the army a brigade is a large military formation numbering several thousand people. So that civilians can navigate military hierarchy and this article was written.

To understand the general terms that group types of formations - subdivision, unit, formation, association, we will first understand the specific names.

Department. In the Soviet and Russian armies, a squad is the smallest military formation with a full-time commander. The squad is commanded by Lance 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. In some other armies, the squad is not the smallest formation. For example, in the US Army, the smallest formation is a group, and a squad consists of two groups. But basically, in most armies, the squad is the smallest formation. Typically, a squad is part of a platoon, but can exist outside of a platoon. For example, the reconnaissance diving section of an engineer battalion is not part of any of the battalion’s platoons, but is directly subordinate to the battalion chief of staff.

Platoon. Several squads make up a platoon. Usually there are from 2 to 4 sections in a platoon, but it is possible large quantity. The platoon is headed by a commander with the rank of officer. In the Soviet and Russian armies 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. 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, a motorized rifle company has three motorized rifle platoons, a machine gun squad, and an anti-tank squad. Typically 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 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.

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. Usually, on average, a battalion, depending on the type of troops, can number from 250 to 950 people. However, there are battles of about 100 people. In artillery, this type of formation is called a division.

Note1: Name of formation - squad, platoon, company, etc. depends not on the number of personnel, but on the type of troops and the tactical tasks assigned to the formation of this type. Hence the dispersion 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 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.), 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 motorized rifle regiment two or three motorized rifle battalions, one tank battalion, one artillery division (read battalion), one anti-aircraft missile division, 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, a brigade has from 2 to 8 thousand people. The commander of a brigade, as well as a regiment, is a colonel.

Division. The main operational-tactical formation. Just like a regiment, it is named after the predominant branch of troops 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 motorized rifle division 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 modern Russian Army divisions are or may be 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.

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 devoid of the characteristic of one type of military force, although tank or artillery corps may also exist, i.e. corps with a complete predominance of tank or artillery divisions. The combined arms corps is usually referred to as the "army corps". There is no single structure of buildings. Each time a corps is formed based on a specific military or military-political situation and may consist of two or three divisions and a varying number of formations of other branches of the military. Usually a corps is created where it is not practical to create an army. In peacetime, there were literally three to five corps in the Soviet Army. During 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, conversely, for concentrating 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 strength of the corps, because as 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 for operational purposes. 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 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 are rarely organized as military formations. Usually divisions, regiments, and battalions are directly included in the district.

Front (district). This is the highest military formation of the strategic type. There are no larger formations. The name "front" is used only in war time for a formation conducting combat operations. 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.

Note 2: 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.

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 area or a secondary direction and, accordingly, are significantly 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 for associations of formations stationed abroad (Group Soviet troops 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.

In the literature and in military documents one also encounters such names as “team” and “detachment”. The term "team" has now fallen out of use. Used to designate formations special troops(sappers, signalmen, reconnaissance officers, etc.) who are part of general military formations. Usually, in terms of numbers and combat missions solved, it is something between a platoon and a company. The term "detachment" was used to designate similar formations in terms of tasks and numbers as the average between a company and a battalion. It is still occasionally used to designate a permanently existing formation. For example, a drilling squad is an engineering formation designed to drill wells for water extraction in areas where there are no surface water sources. The term “detachment” is also used to designate a group of units organized temporarily for the period of battle (advanced detachment, encircling detachment, covering 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 in order to avoid confusion. Now that we have dealt with specific names, we can move on to unifying and grouping names.

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 include division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations (voentorg, army hospital, garrison clinic, district food warehouse, district song and dance ensemble, garrison officers' house, garrison household goods services, central school of junior specialists, military school, military institute, etc.). In some cases, the status of a part with all its external signs may have formations that we classified above as divisions. Units can be a battalion, a company, and sometimes even a platoon. Such formations are not included in regiments or brigades, but directly as an independent military unit with the rights of a regiment or brigade can be part of both a division and a corps, army, front (district) and even directly subordinate General Staff. Such formations also have their own open and closed numbers. For example, the 650th separate airborne transport battalion, the 1257th separate communications company, the 65th separate radio reconnaissance platoon. A characteristic feature such parts is the word “separate”, which appears after the numbers before the name. However, a regiment can also 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 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: “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. In this case, the brigade headquarters, 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 within the headquarters of a brigade (division). So at the same time, a formation can have battalions and companies as subunits, and battalions and companies as units.

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.

There are no other specific and grouping concepts in the military hierarchy. 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, the attentive reader can now imagine the naval and aviation hierarchy quite simply and with minor errors. As far as the author knows: in aviation - a unit, a squadron, a regiment, a division, a corps, an air army. In the fleet - ship (crew), division, brigade, division, flotilla, fleet. However, this is all inaccurate; aviation and naval experts will correct me.

Hierarchy of military formations (Division, unit, formation,...What is it?)

In literature, military documents, in the media of propaganda, in conversations, in official documents devoted to military issues, terms are constantly encountered - formation, regiment, unit, military unit, company, battalion, army, etc. For military people, everything here is clear, simple and definitely. They immediately understand what we are talking about, what number of soldiers these names hide, what this or that formation can do on the battlefield. For civilians, all these names mean little. Very often they are confused about these terms. Moreover, if in civilian structures a “department” often means a large part of a company or plant, then in the army a “department” is the smallest formation of several people. And vice versa, a “brigade” at a factory is only a few dozen people or even a few people, but in the army a brigade is a large military formation numbering several thousand people. It is so that civilians can navigate the military hierarchy and this article was written.

To understand the general terms that group types of formations - subdivision, unit, formation, association, we will first understand the specific names.

Department. 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. In some other armies, the squad is not the smallest formation. For example, in the US Army, the smallest formation is a group, and a squad consists of two groups. But basically, in most armies, the squad is the smallest formation. Typically, a squad is part of a platoon, but can exist outside of a platoon. For example, the reconnaissance diving section of an engineer battalion is not part of any of the battalion’s platoons, but is directly subordinate to the battalion chief of staff.

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 ml. lieutenant, lieutenant or first 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. 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, a motorized rifle company has three motorized rifle platoons, a machine gun squad, and an anti-tank squad. Typically 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. 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.

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. 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 Soviet and Russian armies, this is the main (I would say 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.), 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 (read battalion), one anti-aircraft missile battalion, a reconnaissance company, an engineer company, a communications company, an anti-tank battery, a chemical defense platoon, a 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, the brigade has from 2 to 8 thousand people. The brigade commander, as well as the regiment, is a colonel.

Division. The main operational-tactical formation. Just like a regiment, it is named after the predominant branch of troops 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, an electronic warfare battalion, and a 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.

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 devoid of the characteristic of one type of military force, although tank or artillery corps may also exist, i.e. corps with a complete predominance of tank or artillery divisions. The combined arms corps is usually referred to as the "army corps". There is no single structure of buildings. Each time a corps is formed based on a specific military or military-political situation and may consist of two or three divisions and a varying number of formations of other branches of the military. Usually a corps is created where it is not practical to create an army. In peacetime, there were literally three to five corps in the Soviet Army. During 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, conversely, for concentrating 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 strength of the corps, because as 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 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 are rarely organized as military formations. Usually divisions, regiments, and battalions are directly included in the district.

Front (district). This is the highest military formation of the strategic type. There are no larger formations. The name "front" is used only in wartime for a formation conducting combat operations. 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.

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.

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 area or a secondary direction and, accordingly, are significantly 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 for 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.

In the literature and in military documents there are also such names as “team” and “detachment”. The term "team" has now fallen out of use. It was used to designate formations of special troops (sappers, signalmen, reconnaissance officers, etc.) that are part of general military formations. Usually, in terms of numbers and combat missions solved, it is something between a platoon and a company. The term "detachment" was used to designate similar formations in terms of tasks and numbers as the average between a company and a battalion. It is still occasionally used to designate a permanently existing formation. For example, a drilling squad is an engineering formation designed to drill wells for water extraction in areas where there are no surface water sources. The term “detachment” is also used to designate a group of units organized temporarily for the period of battle (advanced detachment, encircling detachment, covering detachment).

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 include division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations (voentorg, army hospital, garrison clinic, district food warehouse, district song and dance ensemble, garrison officers' house, garrison household goods services, central school for junior specialists, military school, military institute, etc.). In a number of cases, the status of a unit with all its external signs may be the formations that we classified above as subdivisions. Units can be a battalion, a company, and sometimes even a platoon. Such formations are not part of regiments or brigades, but directly as an independent military unit with the rights of a regiment or brigade can be part of both a division and a corps, army, front (district) and even directly subordinate to the General Staff. Such formations also have their own open and closed numbers. For example, the 650th separate airborne transport battalion, the 1257th separate communications company, the 65th separate radio reconnaissance platoon. A characteristic feature of such parts is the word “separate” after the numbers before the name. However, a regiment can also 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, the 120th separate regiment of guards mortars.

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.

Literature.

1.Combat Regulations 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 passage military service officers of the Soviet Army and Navy. Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 200-67.
3. Directory of an officer of the Soviet army and Navy. Moscow. Military publishing house 1970
4. Directory 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 of the internal service of the 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

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