Company (land forces): Difference between revisions
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz (New page: {{subpages}} In general military usage, a company is a small army or naval infantry unit. It is usually commanded by a captain or major; the latter is especia...) |
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz (Troops and batteries) |
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Combat arms companies are not intended to be able to conduct independent operations for any appreciable time; they have very limited [[logistics (military)|logistical support]]. They are typically subordinate to a [[battalion]], or, especially when specialized (e.g., [[combat engineer]], intelligence), to a [[brigade]]. | Combat arms companies are not intended to be able to conduct independent operations for any appreciable time; they have very limited [[logistics (military)|logistical support]]. They are typically subordinate to a [[battalion]], or, especially when specialized (e.g., [[combat engineer]], intelligence), to a [[brigade]]. | ||
Certain arms of service have different names for a company-sized unit. [[Cavalry]] units are called [[troop (cavalry)]]; the term is not consistently applied to the armored, mechanized, and helicopter-borne successors to horse cavalry. | |||
Company-sized units in [[artillery]] are called [[battery (artillery)|batteries]]. | |||
Revision as of 17:04, 9 October 2008
In general military usage, a company is a small army or naval infantry unit. It is usually commanded by a captain or major; the latter is especially common in Commonwealth countries and in U.S. special operations forces.
A typical combat arms company has 100-200 personnel at full strength. Combat support and combat service support companies may be of this size, although those composed of highly specialized technical personnel (e.g., medical, intelligence) may have a much smaller number of people.
Combat arms companies are not intended to be able to conduct independent operations for any appreciable time; they have very limited logistical support. They are typically subordinate to a battalion, or, especially when specialized (e.g., combat engineer, intelligence), to a brigade.
Certain arms of service have different names for a company-sized unit. Cavalry units are called troop (cavalry); the term is not consistently applied to the armored, mechanized, and helicopter-borne successors to horse cavalry.