[libertylover]

"There is now almost an entire armored brigade from the U.S. Third Infantry Division in the middle of Baghdad," Maj. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal said at the Pentagon today.

Can one of you Army-types please explain some of the Army's organizational terms. I understand sqad, platoon, and company, at least for an infantry outfit, and I think of a Division as a base-sized(fort) unit (~10,000 troops, correct?), but I haven't got a clue about a brigade or a regiment. Please help this former Air Force weenie.

[cookcounty]

"Can one of you Army-types please explain some of the Army's organizational terms. I understand sqad, platoon, and company, at least for an infantry outfit, and I think of a Division as a base-sized(fort) unit (~10,000 troops, correct?), but I haven't got a clue about a brigade or a regiment. Please help this former Air Force weenie."

Generally speaking, 4 companies make up a battalion, 3 (or 4) battalions make up a Brigade, and 3 brigades make up a Division.

From large to small:

Division
Brigade
Battalion
Company
Platoon
Squad

----Phil, 3rd Infantry Division, 1971-73

[cookcounty]

"Division" is not "fort-based." It's a large, complete fighting unit with all the tools, including Artillery Batteries, Support Units of all kinds, Transport, Supply, Engineering, Medical, etc. Currently, 3rd ID has 2 brigades assigned to Fort Stewart Georgia, while the Therd Brigade is based in Fort Benning. Most Forts don't have any Divisions, or only portions of Divisions.

[LTCJ]

I haven't got a clue about a brigade or a regiment. Please help this former Air Force weenie.

Well, as a green-suit liaison to an Air Force unit, perhaps I can help.

A regiment is roughly equivalent to a group and a brigade is roughly equivalent to a wing.

Speaking as a home-town boy, I'm proud to say the newest resident's of the main palace in downtown Baghdad are the fine Georgia troopers of 2d Brigade Combat Team, 3d ID(M). Couldn't ask for greater neighbors and friends.

God bless 'em all.

[FirstFlaBn]

According to globalsecurity.org, the 2nd Brigade of the 3ID is the 'heavy' brigade of the division with 116 M1 Abrams tanks and 58 Bradleys. The other two brigades each have half as many tanks and twice as many Bradleys. Manpower estimated at around 5,000 per brigade (not including attached units and Div HQ).

Globalsecurity.org has tons of links to hardware with pics and specs. The site is hard to navigate, so good luck. Just 'X' out the opening page which is a fundraising appeal.