Brigade

Brigade is a term from military science which refers to a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support).

Related Topics:
Military science - Battalion - Artillery battery - Logistic support

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A brigade is smaller than a division and roughly equal to or a little larger than a regiment. Strength typically ranges between 1,500 and 3,500 personnel.

Related Topics:
Division - Regiment

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In the United States Marine Corps, brigades are only formed for certain missions. The Marines have intact regimental structures unlike the United States Army. A Marine brigade is formed only for special expeditionary duty where it is outfitted like a smaller Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). For example, TF TARAWA (2d MEB) during the Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign.

Related Topics:
United States Marine Corps - United States Army - TF - Operation Iraqi Freedom

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In the British Army, the brigade has been the smallest tactical formation for more than two centuries, since regiments are either administrative groupings of battalions (in the infantry) or battalion-sized units (in the cavalry).

Related Topics:
British Army - Formation

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A brigade is usually commanded by a brigadier general, brigadier or colonel. In colonial powers such as the British Empire, brigades frequently garrisoned isolated colonial posts, and their commanders had substantial discretion and local authority.

Related Topics:
Brigadier general - Brigadier - Colonel - British Empire

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The term derives from Italian "brigata" or Old French "brigare", for "company", which in turn derives from a Celtic root "briga", which means "strife".

Related Topics:
Italian - Old French - Celtic

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