Colonel how many men

Four soldiers make up a team — a noncommissioned officer and three junior enlisted soldiers. Teams with special functions may also include officers or warrant officers. An infantry fire team might include two riflemen, one of whom is the team leader; a grenadier and an automatic rifleman, who is used when small reconnaissance or special missions are required.

Teams can serve as a base-of-fire or as a maneuver element. Two teams make up a squad, which has four to 10 soldiers. In an infantry squad, the teams divide duties: one serves as a base-of-fire element, while the other serves as the maneuver element.

A staff sergeant is often in charge. A platoon consists of a few squads and up to a few dozen soldiers. An infantry platoon might include a weapons squad, which is divided into two M machine gun teams, and two close-combat missile teams armed with Javelin missiles.

A company has anywhere from a few dozen to soldiers. A company consists of three or four platoons and is generally commanded by a captain. It can also go by different names, depending on the function: Company-sized artillery units are called batteries, while in armor and air cavalry units, they are called troops. Battalions consist of four to six companies and can include up to about 1, soldiers.

Army officer ranks are in three tiers: company grade, field grade and general. Related Topics: Join the Military Army. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. You May Also Like. How the Extreme Athlete Prepares for the Military Hobbies like BMX, motocross, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding and others are now full-time sports for many young athletes.

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Army Special Operations. Major A major commands a company , squadron or battery , normally around men. Insignia: One crown. Captain A captain is in charge of a company or serves as its second-in-command.

Insignia: Three stars. Lieutenant A lieutenant commands a platoon or troop, but with additional responsibilities above those of a second lieutenant. Insignia: Two stars. Second Lieutenant The lowest commissioned officer rank in the British Army, commanding a platoon or troop. Insignia: One star. View this object. Other ranks. Warrant Officer Class 1 WO1 This is the senior non-commissioned rank, with specialist roles in the technical and non-combatant services; and in the combat and combat-support arms, responsible for discipline within the unit, and in war for its ammunition resupply and prisoner handling.

Insignia: Crown, sometimes surrounded by a wreath depending on appointment. When is an officer not an officer? Sergeant This is the senior enlisted soldier within a platoon or troop, acting as a second-in-command. Insignia: Three chevrons. Corporal In most units a corporal commands a section. Insignia: Two chevrons. Lance Corporal This is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer.

Insignia: One chevron. Private Private is the lowest rank of trained soldier. Insignia: None. Related topics Organisation. Explore further. Story British Army organisation Do you know your brigades from your battalions? Story Army mascots Since the 18th century, regiments have kept animals as mascots to work with them, bring luck and strengthen morale.

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Email address. In battle, an infantry major led the regimental attack, positioning himself at the front with the color guard.

If the colonel and the lieutenant colonel were killed or wounded, the major took command of the regiment. A captain had command of a company of infantry or cavalry, or an artillery battery of guns.

In addition to his administrative duties, an infantry captain led his company into battle by giving the proper commands for the movement and fighting of his troops, in concert with the other companies in the regiment.

Lieutenants were second in command of infantry and cavalry companies and artillery batteries. Infantry lieutenants assisted the company captain in their positions behind the line of battle by guiding the troops in their movements and firing. A sergeant major was a regimental staff member responsible for keeping reports for the regiment.

In battle, he advanced on the left, behind the line of battle, to help guide troop movement. Sergeants served either in the regimental color guard or in the individual companies of the regiment. There could be divisions, related to administrative duties, within the rank—for example, first sergeant, ordnance sergeant, and quartermaster sergeant.

Infantry sergeants advanced either in or behind the line of battle, depending on individual responsibilities. They helped guide troop movements and kept the men in their positions by example and force of command. Corporals served either in the regimental color guard or in the individual companies of the regiment.

During combat, infantry corporals who were not part of the color guard were positioned in the line of battle. They helped to keep a uniform line in the movement of the company. Privates looked to corporals to help guide them during combat.