Regiment

A regiment is a military unit, larger than a company and smaller than a division. Depending on mission, country of origin, and makeup, a modern regiment is similar to a brigade in size in that both range from a few hundred soldiers up to 2,000-3,000, depending on branch of service and method of organization. The modern unit varies in size, scope, administrative role from nation to nation, and within the armed forces of some nations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term came into use in Europe around the end of the 16th century, when armies evolved from a collection of retinues following knights to a more formally organized structure.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The number of soldiers in a regiment fluctuates, generally depending on casualties and the manpower of the associated army. At its creation, for example, the typical Civil War-era American infantry regiment numbered around 1000 men, organized in 10 Companies of 100 men each. Infantry Companies were identified by letters "A" through "K", excluding "J". Cavalry and heavy artillery regiments were authorized 12 Companies for as many as 1,200 troops per Regiment. Few units ever fielded that many men in combat, however, due to all manner of attrition. Veteran Federal regiments commonly experienced a steady decline in strength as the federal (unlike the Confederate) practice was to organize new regiments rather than rebuild old units. At Gettysburg (July 1863) the average Federal Regiment had 375 men, Confederates somewhat fewer. By the end of the war (April 1865), Confederate regiments sometimes had less than 100 troops (barely company-sized).(Boatner, 1987, pg. 612; also quoted online)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the post-Civil War years, American regiments rarely served as intact units. The practice was to scatter companies throughout western posts and forts. Company strength for a 10 company infantry regiment or a 12 company (troop after 1882) cavalry regiment hovered around 50 men, well below authorized levels.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Military unit: A military unit is an organisation within an armed force. It may consist of any number of soldiers, ships, vehicles, or aircraft. Armies, navies, and air forces, are organised hierarchically into groups of various sizes for functional, tactical and administrative purposes....

Company: A company in the broadest sense is an aggregation of people who stay together for a common purpose. Such usage includes people assembled...

Division: Division may refer to:...

Regiment related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Big Lebowski Strict Drug Regimen T-Shirt	3rd Gurkha Regiment	Gomei Kwaisha Yokohama Regiment Flag Chop	Remember Your Regiment Mexican-American War
Regiment des Dromadaires During Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign	A Hussar of the 9th Regiment Light Cavalry Dress 1835-48	Last Man Standing The 1st Marine Regiment on Peleliu, September 15-21, 1944 (Hardcover) Book	Soldiers from the Prussian Infantry Regiment von Below in 1757 c.1890
124th Cavalry Regiment 5 332nd Brigade on Their Journey from Ramgarh Training Center to Myitkyina	The 59th Foot Regiment Under Attack by Burmese Troops at the Battle of Bhurtpoor	Soldiers of the Dromedary Regiment 1839	Cheers for the 5th Regiment