Battalion

In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. The nomenclature varies by nationality and by branch of arms, e.g. some armies organize their infantry into battalions, but call battalion-sized cavalry, reconnaissance, or tank units a squadron or a regiment instead. There may even be subtle distinctions within a nation's branches of arms, such a distinction between a tank battalion and an armored squadron, depending on how the unit's operational role is perceived to fit into the army's historical organization.

United States Army

A battalion in the U.S. Army or Marine Corps is the smallest self-sustaining unit that can be deployed.

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An American battalion has between 300 to 1000 Soldiers or Marines, and consists of several companies. It is commanded by a lieutenant colonel, with majors serving as the executive officer and the Operations Officer (S-3). The Adjutant (S-1), Intelligence (S-2), and Supply (S-4) officers are captains.

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Three to four battalions form a brigade.

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In the 1960s to the present day, a typical infantry battalion has five companies: Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), which includes the battalion staff; A, B, and C Companies, and a Combat Support Company, which includes scouts, anti-tank, and mortar sections or platoons.

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American Army mechanized infantry battalions and tank battalions, for tactical purposes, will cross-post companies to each other, forming a battalion-sized task force (TF).

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During the American Civil War, an infantry or cavalry battalion was an ad hoc grouping of companies from the parent regiment (which had ten companies, A through K), except for certain regular infantry regiments, which were formally organized into three battalions of six companies each. After 1882, cavalry battalions were renamed squadrons and cavalry companies were renamed troops.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - 1882

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