Squad -- The smallest military unit, it usually consists of 10 to 11 soldiers.Platoon -- A platoon is usually four squads. Platoons are usually led by lieutenants, with sergeants serving as their second-in-command.Company -- Companies consist of four platoons, a headquarters and some logistical staff. They are normally commanded by captains.Battalion -- A battalion is usually made up of four to five companies, including a support company and a headquarters company.Brigade -- A brigade is a collection of battalions, usually 2,000 to 3,000 troops. Brigades are most often commanded by a colonel.Division -- There are at least three brigades in a division. They are usually commanded by a major general.Corps -- Made up of two to five divisions, corps are the largest tactical units in the U.S. Army.
The Marine Corps, a branch of the Navy, has some unit classifications that are unique.Marine Expeditionary Force -- An expeditionary force is made up of two or three divisions of Marines. The force is usually deployed on helicopter carriers or amphibious assault ships. Its equipment and weaponry includes tanks, artillery, Harrier jump jets and attack helicopters. Marine Expeditionary Unit -- Each marine division is known separately as a Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit usually includes a battalion landing team, helicopter squadron and support unit.
APC -- Armored personnel carrier, a tanklike vehicle that carries troopsBDUs -- Battle Dress Uniforms, what soldiers and marines wear on the battlefieldCO -- Commanding OfficerFrag, Fragging -- To murder a fellow soldier. From 'fragmentation grenade.'GPS -- Global Positioning System. A satellite triangulated 'compass' that gives the GPS's locationHumvee -- High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, the military's current version of the Jeep. Also called a 'hummer.'Kevlar -- Protective material capable of stopping small caliber bullets and shrapnel. Troops wear Kevlar vests with a ceramic front plate capable of stopping larger caliber rifle rounds. Military helmets are also lined with Kevlar.LZ -- Landing zone, where troops are deposited by helicopter or land after parachuting from a plane.MRE -- Meals Ready to Eat, packaged food carried by troops for their own consumption.NBC -- Nuclear, Biological, Chemical. Often used to describe equipment and training related to those battlefield threats.NCO -- Non-Commissioned Officer, usually refers to sergeants.OPSEC -- Operational Security.POW -- Prisoner Of War.PsyOps -- Psychological Operations. The production and distribution of media in native languages with the intent of informing the locals of American actions, desires and views, usually with the hope of producing a desired action.RPG -- Rocket-Propelled Grenade.SAW -- Squad Automatic Weapon, a light machine gunSOP -- Standard Operating ProcedureTOW -- A heavy antitank missile. Its name is derived from its description as a Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile.XO -- Executive Officer. The second-highest ranking soldier in a unit.
regular Army = heavy contact combat, nobody on earth does it better.
regular Marines = shock combat, seaborne RDF.
Airborne Army = rapidly deployable speed bumps
Army Rangers = the most expensive real estate agents in the world, nobody makes a piece of land most costly to obtain per soldier than any other force on the planet. The Ranger Mission is to get there quicker and die slower.
Force Recon = long range and long term surveillance, limited clandestine raids
Army Special Forces = indigenous force multiplication, limited covert operations
Navy SEALS = covert and clandestine operations, specifically anything involving the wet stuff
SEAL Team 6, they no longer exist. The unit is known as Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU), they do alot of Counter-Terrorism, Hostage Rescue, Takedowns, etc. Of course famous for the infamous Red Cell operations
Army Delta Force = covert and clandestine operations, counterterrorist intelligence ops, hostage rescue specialists
