An army unit is a standardized group of soldiers, structured and organized for efficient functionality and command in military operations.
Army unit structures are essential in enhancing the division of tasks, operational command, and unit cohesion in carrying out missions.
With military terminology, you may sometimes hear terms for groups of soldiers such as platoon, company, brigade, or others.
In today’s post, we’ll take a look at an army unit’s organizational structure and simplify each term for you.
Throughout this post, we will utilize NATO military map markers. These are standardized tools for showing unit formations. These formations will only be accurate to the NATO standard and may not be accurate for every army.
Each army unit size has a leader who controls and commands the unit, they are also responsible for the welfare, training, and discipline of soldiers within it.
Table of Contents
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Smallest Unit Size Formations
- Fire Team or Crew
- Squad
- Section
- Platoon or Troop
Fire Team or Crew
- Starting from the smallest formation, we have the fire team or crew.
- This will typically have three to four soldiers within it and be under the command of a corporal, Lance Corporal, or Sergeant, depending on the army.
| How many soldiers are in a Fire Team | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | Corporal, Lance Corporal, or Sergeant | The smallest foundational unit |
Squad
- Next is a squad. This will have 8 to 12 soldiers and be made up of 2 to 3 fire teams.
- They will be under the command of a Corporal or Sergeant.
| How many soldiers in a squad | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 12 | Corporal or Sergeant | Consists of 2 to 3 fire teams |
Section
- A section will have anywhere between 8 to 25 soldiers, made up of two or more squads.
- A Staff Sergeant or Sergeant may take command.
| How many soldiers in a section | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 25 | Staff Sergeant or Sergeant | Contains two or more squads |
Platoon or Troop
- A platoon or troop will have anywhere from 26 to 55 soldiers, made up of two or more sections.
- A First or Second Lieutenant or Warrant Officer may be in charge.
| How many soldiers in a platoon | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 26 to 55 | First or Second Lieutenant or Warrant Officer | Made up of two or more sections |
Larger Army Unit Formations
- Staffel or Echelon
- Company
- Battalion
- Regiment or Group
- Brigade
- Division
- Corps
Staffel or Echelon
- A Staffel or Echelon is made up of 50 to 90 soldiers, divided into two platoons or 6 to 10 sections.
- A Captain or Warrant officer can assume command.
| How many soldiers in a Staffel or Echelon | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50 to 90 | Captain or Warrant officer | Divided into two platoons or 6 to 10 sections |
Company
- As we grow bigger, a company is next that will be anywhere from 80 to 250 soldiers, made up of two to eight platoons.
- A Major, Captain, or Chief warrant officer will be the commander in this case.
| How many soldiers in a company | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 80 to 250 | Major, Captain, or Chief warrant officer | Consists of two to eight platoons |
Battalion
- A battalion is made up of 300 to 1,000 soldiers, or two to six companies worth.
- A Lieutenant Colonel may assume command.
| How many soldiers in a Battalion | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 300 to 1,000 | Lieutenant Colonel | Contains two to six companies |
Regiment or Group
- A regiment or group is next, which consists of 1,000 to 3,000 soldiers, which is two or more battalions.
- A Colonel in charge.
| How many soldiers in a Regiment | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 to 3,000 | Colonel | Made up of two or more battalions |
Brigade
- A brigade follows that, which has 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers.
- This is two or more regiments or three to eight battalions.
- A Major General, Brigadier General, or Colonel, in some cases, will take command.
| How many soldiers in a Brigade | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 to 5,000 | Major General, Brigadier General, or Colonel | Contains two or more regiments or three to eight battalions |
Division
- A division is next, which has 6,000 to 25,000 soldiers.
- This is two to four brigades’ worth.
- A Lieutenant General or Major General can be in charge here.
| How many soldiers in a Division | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6,000 to 25,000 | Lieutenant General or Major General | Comprises two to four brigades |
Corps
- A Corps is made up of 20,000 to 50,000 soldiers, which is the equivalent of two or more divisions.
- An Army General, Corps General, or Lieutenant General may lead this one.
| How many soldiers in a Corps | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 20,000 to 50,000 | Army General, Corps General, or Lieutenant General | Consists of two or more divisions |
High-Level Army Unit Size Formations
- Field Army
- Army Group or Front
- Combatant Command
Field Army
- A field army has anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 soldiers, with two to four corps.
- A Field Marshal or General will likely assume command.
| How many soldiers in a Field Army | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 to 200,000 | Field Marshal or General | Contains two to four corps |
Army Group or Front
- An army group or front is the second highest and has anywhere up to 500,000 soldiers.
- This will be made up of several field armies, with a Field Marshal or General of the army in charge.
| How many soldiers in an Army Group or Front | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 500,000 | Field Marshal or General of the army | Constitutes several field armies |
Combatant Command
- Finally, we have the Combatant Command.
- This and the previous formation are rarely seen at all during peacetime, but they can be anywhere from 500,000 to millions of soldiers.
- Again, a Field Marshal or General of the army will assume command.
| How many soldiers in a Combatant Command | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 500,000 to millions | Field Marshal or General of the army | Largest formation, seldom seen in peacetime |
Which formation or unit would you like to take charge of? Or perhaps you have? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
Army Unit List 2025
| Army Unit | Soldier Count | Consists Of | Commanded By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Team or Crew | 3 to 4 | N/A | Corporal, Lance Corporal, or Sergeant |
| Squad | 8 to 12 | 2 to 3 Fire Teams | Corporal or Sergeant |
| Section | 8 to 25 | 2 or more Squads | Staff Sergeant or Sergeant |
| Platoon or Troop | 26 to 55 | 2 or more Sections | First or Second Lieutenant or Warrant Officer |
| Staffel or Echelon | 50 to 90 | 2 Platoons or 6 to 10 Sections | Captain or Warrant officer |
| Company | 80 to 250 | 2 to 8 Platoons | Major, Captain, or Chief Warrant Officer |
| Battalion | 300 to 1,000 | 2 to 6 Companies | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Regiment or Group | 1,000 to 3,000 | 2 or more Battalions | Colonel |
| Brigade | 3,000 to 5,000 | 2 or more Regiments or 3 to 8 Battalions | Major General, Brigadier General, or Colonel |
| Division | 6,000 to 25,000 | 2 to 4 Brigades | Lieutenant General or Major General |
| Corps | 20,000 to 50,000 | 2 or more Divisions | Army General, Corps General, or Lieutenant General |
| Field Army | 100,000 to 200,000 | 2 to 4 Corps | Field Marshal or General |
| Army Group or Front | Up to 500,000 | Several Field Armies | Field Marshal or General of the Army |
| Combatant Command | 500,000 to Millions | N/A | Field Marshal or General of the Army |
Army Unit List
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Joint_Military_Symbology
George N. is the founder of ArmyPRT.com. While he never actually served in the United States Army, he has a passion for writing about military-related topics.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.
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