I have little real knowledge of the military and it's composition. I know that armies are split up in Army, Navy and Airforce. They are in turn split in divisions. Then it becomes a bit fuzzy. Maybe regiments - battalions - squads and platoons? (wait aren't those the same?)

Can anyone give a rundown of the proper classifications?
I'm really at a loss.

Squad-
Platoon-
Company-
Battalion-
Regiment-
Brigade-
Division-
Corps-
Army-
Army Group-

I beleive thats it.

That's mighty useful, thanks a lot!

Can anyone confirm this?

Okay, I'll help you out here.
I'll start at the lowest level and work up from there. The descriptions I'm giving are for Army only. I am not certain of the structure of the other branches, so I won't post them.
The smallest element consists of a Section, which can consist of anywhere from 2 to 5 soldiers. From there you have a Squad, which can consist of anywhere from 6 to 15 soldiers. Next level up from a Squad is a Platoon, which consists of anywhere from 4 to 6 Squads. They are led by a Platoon Sergeant (usually an E-7) and sometimes a Platoon Leader (usually a first or second Lieutenant). At the next highest level is a Company. A Company (called a Troop in the Cav) is usually made up of 4 to 6 Platoons (typical size is roughly 200 soldiers). From there the next highest level is a Battalion (or Squadron for the Cav),which consists of 4 Companies. The next highest level is a Brigade (Regiment for Cav), which consists of 4 Battalions. After the Brigade the highest level is a Division. A Division is commanded by no less than a 2 Star General. A Division consists of 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Engineer Brigade, 1 Aviation Brigade, 1 Signal Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade and I think that's it. After Division the next highest level is Corps. Then the Army. Then Army Group.
I know that was a lot, but I hope it helps.

Don't think I can argue here. Very thorough I have to say.

Thanks a bunch!

After army group there is theater. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/intro.htm

My favorite Branch of the service has it a little simpler.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/intro.htm

Air force is a bit more complicated
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/intro.htm

The Navy is :crazyeye:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/intro.htm

That's getting it straight from the core!

There is a higher level than a division it's called a Core which I think it makes up 4 divisions and 3 cores i think is called an ARMY!!

MarineCorps could you post a big list out? like:
Army--4 divisions
and so on

"Core" in this sense is spelt "corps". Blame the French.

I meant "core" as in "center", not as in "corps" (not intended as a pun)

MarineCorps could you post a big list out? like:
Army--4 divisions
and so on
No as I do not know how many go into each other. Just look at the links I posted. Shoudl be something in those.

MarineCorps could you post a big list out? like:
Army--4 divisions
and so on

It varies army by army (e.g., WW2 Soviet "Corps" were approximately equal in size to Western "Divisions").

"Battalion" simply derives from "battle" and once referred to the smallest "organizational" (I put it in quotes as we're referring to a time before modern, standardized organizations) entities capable of carrying on a battle by itself (i.e., containing all the different arms). Alternately, it was also used to simply describe a grouping of, e.g., European knights.

Furthermore, "battalions" and "regiments" are often similar sized and equipped units, the difference being in the nomenclature of the army concerned, or the tradition (e.g., the modern British army remains organized around its Regiments, whereas the US tends to focus on Divisions or their equivalents like MEUs -- Marine Expeditionary Units).

And groups of Armies were in WW2 generally referred to as "Army Groups".

Nevertheless, a "generic" TOE would look something like:

Squad (5-10 soldiers)
Platoon (3-5 squads)
Company (3-5 platoons)
Battalion or Regiment (3-5 companies)
Division (almost any number up to 7 or 8 battalions / regiments)
Corps (typically 2-3 divisions)
Army (any number of Corps)
Army Group or "Theater Of Operations" (any number of armies).

There. Confused yet? :D

It gets even worse with ships and aircraft ...

But methinks that's enough for now --

-Oz

Another question, what do the "USS" "SSN" "HMS" "HMCS" and the like stand for?
(HMS - Her Majesty's Ship?)

Ozy thanks by the way!!!!!!!

Okay:
USS: United States ship (In Star Trek: United Space Ship ;) )
HMCS: His/ Her majesty Canadian ship
HMNZS: New Zealand
HMAS: Australia
SMS: Seiner Majestäts Schiff (Germany and Austria- Hungary before 1918)

Classes:
CV: Carrier
CVA: Attack carrier (not longer used)+
CVN: Nuclear powered carrier (if the third letter behind CG, SS and CV the vessel is nuclear powered)
BB: Battleship
BC: Battlecruiser
CG: Guided missile cruiser
CH: helicopter cruiser
CA: Heavy Cruiser
CAG: Guided missile heavy cruiser (no longer used; instead it is CA; the same with CLG)
CL: Light cruiser
CLAA: Flak cruiser (no longer used)
DG: Guidedmissile destroyer
DD: Fleet destroyer
DDH: Helicopter destroyer
DE: Destroyer escort (no longer used; Instead FF)
FG: Guided missile frigate
FF: Fast Frigate
FS: Corvette (might have guided missiles, also FSG)
PP: patrol boat
PG: guided missile fast craft
PF: normal fast craft (mostly armed with torpedoes)
PC: Sub chaser
SS: Submarine
SC: Coastal submarine
NB: big minelayer
NS: small minelayer
MH: minehunter
MC: minechaser
MB: big minesweeper
MS: Small minesweeper
LF: landing command ship
LH: landing helicopter carrier
LD: dock landing ship
LS: landing ship
LC: landing boat (U= utility; M= men; T= tank, also LST)

These are the NATO codes for the ships, partly also the US codes.

Adler

Thanks man!

Thank you Adler17 I didn't know their were all of those types of ships!!! Damn that is a long list

Thanks for the information.. it helps with unit HP. The Cherokee used a very similar military division names. Flyer->Party->Band->Platoon->Regiment->Division->Troop.. heh.. weird eh?

Now what about ranks? Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy..

That would take ages!
Especially the navy... lieutenant-at-sea etc.
I don't think we really need ranks, I mean how would you apply this to CIV3? I like to name my ships and elite troops, but applying rank to units?

Many thanks to the guys (gals if any) for your help!

The ranks aren't needed for units. I would just like to know.. Bah.. I'll look for it on the internet.

The ranks aren't needed for units. I would just like to know.. Bah.. I'll look for it on the internet.

Just be apprised that ranks vary not only from service to service (e.g., only the USMC among American forces has "Lance Corporals") but both from military to military (there are no American Field Marshalls) and, within each military, over time ...

Happy Hunting,

Oz