The armed forces of a state are its government sponsored defense and fighting forces and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body. In some countries paramilitary forces are included in a nation's armed forces. A state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. ... A paramilitary organization is a group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion. ...

In democracies and most other government types, the armed forces are typically linked to the government through a civilian government department. These may be known as a Department of Defense, Department of War, or Ministry of Defense. The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ... The United States Department of War was the military department of the United States governments executive branch from 1789 until 1949, when it became part of the United States Department of Defense. ... A defence minister (Commonwealth English) or defense minister (American English) is a cabinet portfolio (position) which regulates the armed forces in a sovereign nation. ...

Services

The military is divided into several services (also called branches). The three most common are armies, navies, and air forces. Some nations also organize their marines and their special forces as independent services. A nation's coast guard may also be an independent branch of its military (though in many nations the coast guard is actually a law enforcement or civil agency). The French military structure, which is copied in other nations, includes the three traditional services and a fourth service which is the Gendarmerie. An army comprises all of a nations land-based military forces or a specific large military force. ... Navy is also:- shorthand for Navy Blue the nickname of the United States Naval Academy A navy is the branch of the armed forces of a nation that operates primarily on water. ... An Air force is a military or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare. ... France Marines is the name of a commune in the département of Val dOise, France. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A coast guard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. ... For the band, see The Police. ... A gendarmerie (pronounced ) is a military body charged with police duties among civilian populations. ...

It is worthwhile to make mention of the term joint. In western militaries, a joint force is defined as a unit or formation comprising representation of combat power from two or more branches of the military. Joint warfare is a military doctrine which places priority on the integration of the various service branches of a states armed forces into one unified command. ... Joint warfare is a military doctrine which places priority on the integration of the various service branches of a states armed forces into one unified command. ...

Units, formations, and commands

It is common, at least in western militaries, to refer to the “building blocks” of a military as units and formations. Generally, the unit is the smallest independent operating element within a military. It may take on the form of a battalion or a ship. A typical unit is a homogeneous military organization (pure infantry, pure cavalry, all bombers, et cetera), and its administrative and command functions are organic (self-contained). Anything smaller than a unit is considered a "sub-unit" (or "minor unit" in some nations). Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga class cruiser. ...

A formation is a grouping of units or smaller formations under a command. Formations include brigades, divisions, wings, etc. In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... Wing is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. ...

However, different nations (and even different services within a nation) may use the same name to denote different types of organizations. An example is the title "squadron". In most navies this refers to a formation of several ships; in most air forces this refers to a unit; in the U.S. Army it refers to a battalion-sized cavalry unit; and in Commonwealth armies it refers to a company-sized armored sub-unit. A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ...

In a military context, a command is a collection of units and formations under the control of a single officer. A command is usually a very high level formation which is responsible to government or the national military headquarters. It is not uncommon for a nation's services to each consist of their own command (such as Land Forces Command, Air Command, and Maritime Command in Canada), but this does not preclude the existence of commands which are not service based. A command in military organization is a collection of units or a group of personnel under the control of a single officer. ...

Hierarchy of modern armies

This gives an overview of some of the terms used to describe army hierarchy in armed forces across the world. Whilst it is recognized that there will be differences between armies of different nations, it seems that a large proportion are modeled on the British and/or American models. Readers interested in the detailed specifics of a national army (including the British and American) should consult the relevant entry for that country.

Rungs may be skipped in this ladder: for example, typically NATO forces skip from battalion to brigade. Likewise, only large military powers may have organizations at the top levels. Look up Region in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In warfare, a theater or theatre is normally used to define a specific geographic area within which armed conflict occurs. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ... An army group is a military organization (formation) consisting of several armies, and is supposed to be self-sufficient for indefinite periods. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ... A corps (plural same as singular; a word that migrated from the French language, pronounced IPA: (cor), but originating in the Latin corpus, corporis meaning body) is either a large military unit or formation, an administrative grouping of troops within an army with a common function (such as artillery or... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Brigadier(BRIG-uh-DEER) is a military rank, the meaning of which has a considerable variation. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - - commanded by a colonel. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - - commanded by a colonel. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ... Remains of a battery of English cannon from Youghal, County Cork. ... A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... Platoon is a term from military science. ... A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. ... Two Bermuda Regiment Warrant Officers. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... In military tactics, to patrol, or conduct a patrol, is to conduct reconnaissance of a designated area or route. ... Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... In the fire service a Squad is a Engine Company with a compliment of rescue tools. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... A fireteam is a small military unit of infantry. ... Lance Corporal (LCpl or L/Cpl) is a military rank used by some elements of the British, Commonwealth, and U.S. armed forces. ... Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organisations around the world. ... A fireteam, in the United States Army, is one of two elements, normally consisting of 4-5 soldiers apiece, that constitute a squad. ...

Army, army group, region, and theatre are all large formations that vary significantly between armed forces in size and hierarchy position. Divisions were the traditional level at which support elements (field artillery, hospital, logistics and maintenance, etc.) were added to the unit structure. For example, regiments and battalions did not have such support assets. Since World War II brigades are having such support units added, and now (since the 1980s) regiments have been receiving support elements. A regiment with such support elements is called a Regimental Combat Team in US military parlance but also known as a Battle Group in other forces eg the UK. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... An army group is a military organization (formation) consisting of several armies, and is supposed to be self-sufficient for indefinite periods. ... Look up Region in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Theater in military terms, is a geographic location used for military operations. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... A regimental combat team was a provisional major infantry unit of the United States Army during the Second World War and Korean War. ... The battlegroup is the basic building block of an armys fighting formation. ...

Different armies and countries may also use traditional names, creating considerable confusion: for example, a British or Canadian armored regiment (battalion) is divided into squadrons (companies) and troops (platoons), whereas an American cavalry squadron (battalion) is divided into troops (companies) and platoons. A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. ...

The Red Army used the same basic organizational structure. However, in the beginning of World War II many units were greatly underpowered and their size was actually one level below on the ladder than usually used elsewhere - for example, a division in the Red Army would be about the size of most nations' regiments or brigades. [1] [2] At the top of the ladder, what other nations would call an army group, the Red Army called Fronts. Red Army flag The Workers and Peasants Red Army (Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия, Raboche-Krestyanskaya Krasnaya Armiya; RKKA or usually simply the Red Army) were the armed forces first organized by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War in 1918 and that in 1922 became the army of the Soviet Union. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

Hierarchy of modern navies

Naval organization at the flotilla level up is less commonly abided by as ships operate in smaller or larger groups in various situations that may change at a moment's notice. However there is some common terminology used throughout navies to communicate the general concept of how many vessels might be in a unit.

Navies are generally organized into groups for a specific purpose, usually strategic, and these organizational groupings appear and disappear frequently based on the conditions and demands placed upon a navy. This contrasts with army organization where units remain static (i.e: with the same men and equipment) over long periods of time.

Auxiliary ships are usually commanded by officers below the rank of Captain. These vessels include Corvettes, Gunboats, Minesweepers, Patrol Boats, military riverine craft, Tenders and Torpedo Boats. Some destroyers, particularly smaller destroyers such as Frigates (formerly known as Destroyer Escorts) are commanded by officers below the rank of Captain as well. Usually, the smaller the vessel the lower the rank of the ship's commander. For example, patrol boats are often commanded by Ensigns, while Frigates are rarely commanded by an officer below the rank of Commander. The multinational Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) The British Grand Fleet, the supreme naval force of World War I A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. ... Flag of the Lord High Admiral The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the United Kingdom responsible for the command of the Royal Navy. ... A Fleet Admiral or a Admiral Of The Fleet, as it was first coined, is a military officer of very high rank and is a generic term for a senior admiral in command of a large group of ships, comprising a fleet or, in some cases, a group of fleets. ... Admiral of the Fleet is a supreme naval position that has existed in historical navies and still exists in several modern-day navies. ... German Grand Admiral Sleeve Insignia Grand Admiral Shoulder Insignia In the German Navy the rank of Grand Admiral (Großadmiral) was considered the highest Naval rank. ... // Look up fleet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The United States Battle Fleet or Battle Force was part of the organization of the United States Navy from 1922 to 1941. ... A task force (TF) is a temporary unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. ... Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. ... The United States Battle Fleet or Battle Force was part of the organization of the United States Navy from 1922 to 1941. ... A task force (TF) is a temporary unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. ... In sociology and anthropology, an action group or task group is a group of people joined temporarily to accomplish some task or take part in some organised collective action. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... In sociology and anthropology, an action group or task group is a group of people joined temporarily to accomplish some task or take part in some organised collective action. ... A task force or task group is a temporary organization formed to work on a single defined task or activity. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... A task force or task group is a temporary organization formed to work on a single defined task or activity. ... The capital ships of a navy are its important warships; the ones with the heaviest firepower and armor. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Commodore has several meanings: Commodore International is a computer company Commodore 64 and Amiga were home computers Commodore (rank) is a naval rank Commodore (yacht club) is the senior officer of a yacht club The Holden Commodore is a type of car The Opel Commodore is a type of car... Flotilla Admiral is a rank above Captain in the modern navies of Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. ... A flotilla (from Spanish, meaning a flota of small ships, and this from French flotte), or naval flotilla, is a formation of small warships that may be part of a larger fleet. ... A task force or task group is a temporary organization formed to work on a single defined task or activity. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Commodore has several meanings: Commodore International is a computer company Commodore 64 and Amiga were home computers Commodore (rank) is a naval rank Commodore (yacht club) is the senior officer of a yacht club The Holden Commodore is a type of car The Opel Commodore is a type of car... Flotilla Admiral is a rank above Captain in the modern navies of Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... Commander is a military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. ... French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate but larger than a coastal patrol craft. ... A gunboat is literally a boat carrying one or more guns. ... Minesweeper can refer to: One who performs demining, or the removal of landmines in minefields. ... Categories: Ship types ... A first class tourist riverboat High speed planing riverboat High speed hydrofoil riverboat Local passenger transport craft Riverboat specialized for cargo truck transport Self propelled gravel barge M.V. Splendid China layout A riverboat is a specialized watercraft (vessel) designed for operating on inland waterways. ... Tender may mean: In finance: A process by which one can seek prices and terms for a particular project (such as a construction job) to be carried out under a contract. ... A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval ship designed to launch torpedoes at larger surface ships. ... For the bird, see Frigatebird. ... A Destroyer Escort (DE) is classification for a small, comparatively slower warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Navy in WWII. It is usually employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also some protection against aircraft and smaller attack vessels... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

Historical navies were far more rigid in structure. Ships were collected in divisions, which in turn were collected in numbered squadrons, which comprised a numbered fleet. Permission for a vessel to leave one unit and join another would have to be approved on paper.

Hierarchy of air forces

The organization structures of air forces vary between nations: some air forces (such as the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force) are divided into commands, groups and squadrons; others (such as the Soviet Air Force) have an Army-style organizational structure. The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы (Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily), formed the official designation of the air force of the Soviet Union. ...

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... An Air force is a military or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... A command in military organization is a collection of units or a group of personnel under the control of a single officer. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Marshal of the RAF sleeve/shoulder insignia Marshal of the Royal Air Force was the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... An Air Chief Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Chief Marshal is the most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force (RAF) today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ... This is a list of Numbered Air Forces (NAF) of the United States Air Force Historically, a NAF is a level of command below a MAJCOM (Major Command), and above one or more Wings or independent Groups. ... A command in military organization is a collection of units or a group of personnel under the control of a single officer. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... An Air Vice Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia An Air Vice Marshals command flag Air Vice Marshal is the third most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts... Wing is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. ... For some other uses of the word group please see Group Group is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. ... An RAF station is a Royal Air Force military base. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... A Group Captains sleeve/shoulder insignia A Group Captains command flag Group Captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ... For some other uses of the word group please see Group Group is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. ... Wing is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Wing Commander (rank) is a rank in the Royal Air Force, equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in most Armies, the Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ... A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... A Flight Lieutenants sleeve/shoulder insignia Flight Lieutenant (abbreviated as Flt Lt and pronounced as flight lef-tenant, see Lieutenant) is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... A Flying Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Flying Officer (Fg Off in the RAF; FLGOFF in the RAAF; FGOFF in the RNZAF; F/O in the former RCAF) is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ...

See also

• APP-6a military symbols
• Task Force
• Comparative military ranks
• Command (military formation)
• Detachment
• Military rank
• Structure of the British Army
• Structure of the Canadian Army
• Structure of the United States Armed Forces