What is the difference between battalions and regiments

Each has its own long history, traditions and insignia. To its soldiers, the regiment is a military family that provides comradeship and a unique identity. The Black Watch can trace its origins back to the early 18th century. It went on to fight in nearly all the British Army's campaigns and is now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be the first to hear about our latest events, exhibitions and offers. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter. To find out more about how we collect, store and use your personal information, read our Privacy Policy. National Army Museum 10am - 5. Toggle navigation. Organisation British Army organisation Do you know your brigades from your battalions, and your sections from your squadrons?

View this object. That's quite a mouthful. So what exactly do all these different terms mean? Section A section usually consists of 7 to 12 men, and is part of a platoon. Platoon A platoon is a part of an infantry company and is further divided into three or four sections.

A troop of cavalry cantering along a track, North West Frontier of India, c Troop Part of a squadron of cavalry or a battery of artillery, a troop is equivalent to an infantry platoon. Company A company is part of a battalion and usually consists of between and men.

Squadron A squadron is a sub-unit of a cavalry, engineer or armoured regiment. Battery A battery is an artillery unit equivalent to an infantry company. Battalion A battalion is a regimental sub-unit of infantry amounting to between and 1, soldiers. Brigade This is a formation consisting of three infantry battalions or three cavalry or armoured regiments. A Mark I tank surrounded by troops of nd Brigade, 17 September Formation badge of 4th Armoured Brigade, c Division A division is made up of three infantry, cavalry or armoured brigades.

Corps This is a tactical formation made up of two or three divisions and commanded by a lieutenant-general. Formation badge of XXX 30 Corps, c Formation badge of 14th Army, c The last use of a field army was in during Operation Desert Storm, which took place in Iraq, Kuwait, and outlying areas of Saudi Arabia. A four-star general commands a field army.

The five-star rank of general has only been issued in times of war and the last to hold it was General Omar Bradley, who died in The other five-star generals in the history of the U. The corps is treated as an operational unit of employment by the U. Army and can be comprised of 20,, soldiers. Both field forces were deactivated in The number of modular units in an Army division is flexible and the total number of soldiers is 10,, A two-star major general commands a division.

The 82nd Airborne Division, an elite infantry division specializing in parachute assault operations, entered Vietnam in Both airborne divisions were called to duty within the U. Brigades are made up of 2,, soldiers, normally split among three to five battalions. The armed cavalry and ranger forces of this size are called regiments or groups, not brigades. Commanders of brigades or regiments are one-star brigadier generals or colonels.

Paratrooper from the st Airborne Brigade applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to an injured soldier who was airlifted by helicopter to the medical clearing station near Kontum, Vietnam. The rd Airborne Brigade was the first major United States Army ground formation deployed in Vietnam, serving from to and losing nearly 1, soldiers. The rd is best known for the Battle of Dak To , where along with the Marines, it suffered heavy casualties against the North Vietnamese.

They are a mixture of different powers such as infantry, artillery, and tank. Despite this clear cut distinction, there have been great differences between regiments and brigades in different national armies. In Indian Army for example, brigade is a permanent feature. In the Australian Army, a brigade consists of around men, while the number of men in a brigade in the US Army is around While a brigade is a permanent unit in Australia, it is formed only for missions in the US.

Both regiment and brigade are tactical units in a military. For example, if you take a tank regiment, it has three tank battalions. It is a mixed type of unit. So, if we think of a Tank brigade that brigade can have two tank battalions, one artillery battalion, one motorized infantry battalion and several company size units that provide transport, engineering and such. That is because it only contains several of the same battalion.

This is because it contains different types of battalions. Your email address will not be published. Comments I found very clear and useful.