Platoons, Brigades, Divisions Oh My!
Here is a general descriptor of how the army is structured. Don't get too caught in the numbers though. Sections will vary in size. Platoons may be short sections (or may have extra sections). Regular Force infantry battalions only have three rifle companies these days (as opposed to the traditional four) and many reserve regiments only have one company.
Note that generally the "rule of three" gives you a rough estimate of what an element can be broken down in to (ie: 3 sections to a platoon, 3 platoons to a company, 3 companies to a battalion, etc, etc). However, that rule of three typically breaks down when you try to apply it to support elements or combined arms groups.
The dot/line/x system is the NATO standard designation used in conjuction with map symbols.
. - Detachment, Crew or fireteam
Two to four soldiers. This could be a vehicle crew, a sniper team, an engineer firing party, or something else which is tiny.
.. - Section
A section normally numbers about 8-10 men and is commanded by a Sgt with a MCpl as second in command.
... - Platoon or Troop
A platoon is a basic building block of sub-unit organizations. They are headed by a junior officer (2Lt to Capt) and number about 30 to 45 members. They consist of 3 or 4 sections (depending on the Arm) plus additional detachments as necessary (ie an infantry platoon Weapons Det). A Tank Troop would consist of 4 battle tanks.
l - Company
A company is considered a sub-unit and is the building block of "unit" sized organizations. They are commanded by Majors (referred to as Officer Commanding, or OC) and consist of a headquarters and 2 to 4 platoons (or troops). An Artillery sub-unit is refered to as a Battery, and the Armoured, Engineers and Signals refer to their sub-units as squadrons.
ll - Batallion
The Battalion is the standard sized "unit" of the Army. The Artillery, Armoured, Engineers, and Signals refer to thier units as Regiments. Tactical Aviation refers to its units as squadrons. Units are commanded by a commanding officer (typically a LCol). In some rare cases, smaller organizations may be given the designation of "unit" (but they would still use the map designator of their smaller size).
As for the Infantry Battalion structure, it's usually 3 to 4 rifle companies in addition to combat support company which used to comprise of 1 x mortar platoon, 1x Recce Platoon, 1 x Anti-Armour Platoon, 1 x Pioneer Platoon (things like mortars and pioneers have been phased out of the current structure). There's also a HQ company which has a Battalion CP, Int Detachment, MP Detachment and a Sigs Platoon. There's a Logistical Company comprising of Battalion stores, payroll, maintenance, cooks and the like.
lll - Regiment
Common for Soviet and WWII German forces in which a Regiment was a fighting formation. A Regiment typically consists of three to four battalions under the command of a Col.
(This should not be confused with the term "regiment" as it is used in commonwealth armies. Those Canadian regiments which are larger than one unit are still not formations. PPCLI, RCR, R22R, RNBR, etc will never deploy under a regimental headquarters. They will always be battalions as part of a Bde. For this reason you won't see Canadian units marked as Regiments on a map. The same is true of most of our allies.)
x - Brigade
A Brigade typically consists of three to four battalions under the command of a BGen. Brigades lack sufficient resources to conduct independent operations. They must operate within a division and they are dependant on division troops for support.
In Canada we have Brigade Groups, which are slightly larger than brigades and include brigade troops (reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, signals, aviation, medical and logistics (including military police)). The term "Brigade Group" is often used to designate a combined arms Brigade. These formations are not dependant on divisional troops for support, and can be fought independent of a higher formation.
Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups are typically composed of the following:
- 1x Headquarters / Signal Squadron
- 2 x Mechanized Infantry Battalions
- 1 x Light Infantry Battalion
- 1x Armoured Regiment (including a reconnaisance squadron)
- 1x Field Artillery Regiment
- 1x Engineer Regiment
- 1x Service Battalion (but it is technically not part of the CMBG)
- 1x Field Ambulance unit (but it is technically not part of the CMBG)
- 1x Military Police platoon
Canadian Brigade Groups (the title given to the reserve brigades) have no fixed organization and are primarily trainining organizations with a certain domestic operations capabilities (although this is changing too...). For example, one Res CBG may consists of a headquarters, two Armoured units, three Artillery units, five Infantry units, one Engineer sub-unit and three combat service support units. Other CBGs are totally different: it is really a geographic and administrative grouping rather than an operational one.
xx - Division
A division consists of 2 to 3 brigades (or 2 to 3 Regiments), plus division troops (reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, signals, aviation, medical and logistics (including military police)) commanded by a Major General.
There are currently no Divisions within the Canadian Army.
xxx - Corps
2+ divisions, plus corps troops (reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, signals, information/electronic warfare, aviation, medical and logistics (including military police))commanded by a Lieutenant General
xxxx - Army
2+ corps
xxxxx - Army Group or Theater Command
2+ Armies
