Army Structure

Ver 1.0

Original 2020

Brigade

A Brigade typically consists of three to four battalions under the command of a BGen. Brigades lack sufficient resources to conduct independent operations. They must operate within a division and they are dependant on division troops for support.

In Canada we have Brigade Groups, which are slightly larger than brigades and include brigade troops (reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, signals, aviation, medical and logistics (including military police)). The term "Brigade Group" is often used to designate a combined arms Brigade. These formations are not dependant on divisional troops for support, and can be fought independent of a higher formation.

Battalion

The Battalion is the standard sized "unit" of the Army. The Artillery, Armoured, Engineers, and Signals refer to their units as Regiments. Tactical Aviation refers to its units as squadrons. Units are commanded by a commanding officer (typically a LCol). In some rare cases, smaller organizations may be given the designation of "unit" (but they would still use the map designator of their smaller size).

As for the Infantry Battalion structure, it is comprised of three rifle companies, a combat support company, a combat service support company and a battalion headquarters. Two rifle companies are mechanized while the third is light, and in one battalion per regiment, parachute. The combat support company is comprised of a reconnaissance platoon, a sniper platoon and a signals platoon. The combat service support company is comprised of a maintenance platoon, a transport platoon and other logistical elements. The headquarters is comprised of the Commanding Officer and his staff.

The Infantry Battalion is the standard unit within Canadian infantry. The doctrinal Canadian infantry battalion is divided into three rifle companies, a combat support company, and an administration company. However, most reserve infantry regiments consist of only one battalion with only one rifle company and no combat support nor administration company.

Through the last decade, regular force infantry battalions have been either mechanized infantry battalions or light infantry battalions. This has changed to a common infantry battalion with two mechanized rifle companies and one light company. In the third battalions of the regular army, the third company is parachute.

Company

A company is considered a sub-unit and is the building block of "unit" sized organizations. They are commanded by Majors (referred to as Officer Commanding, or OC) and consist of a headquarters and 2 to 4 platoons (or troops). An Artillery sub-unit is referred to as a Battery, and the Armoured, Engineers and Signals refer to their sub-units as squadrons.

All rifle companies consist of a headquarters, which includes the echelons, and a number of platoons. In light and parachute companies, there are three rifle platoons and a fire support platoon. In a mechanised company, there are three rifle platoons. Companies are typically commanded by a major who is assisted by a second in command (Captain) and in a mechanized company by a LAV Captain and in light and parachute companies by an operations officer (Captain). A sergeant major (master warrant officer) is the company commander's "right hand man". Unlike in other sub-units, where the sergeant major will command the echelon, the infantry sergeant major (CSM) stays with the company commander (OC) in the "F" echelon.

Platoon

A platoon is a basic building block of sub-unit organizations. They are headed by a junior officer (2Lt to Capt) and number about 30 to 45 members. They consist of 3 or 4 sections (depending on the Arm) plus additional detachments as necessary (ie an infantry platoon Weapons Det). A Tank Troop would consist of 4 battle tanks.

Section

A section normally numbers about 8-10 men and is commanded by a Sgt with a MCpl as second in command.

Detachment, Crew or fireteam

Two to four soldiers. This could be a vehicle crew, a sniper team, an engineer firing party, or something else which is tiny.

Armour

The Armoured Regiment is the standard unit within Canadian armour. A regiment is broken down into tank squadrons, recce squadrons, and a headquarters squadron.

Artillery

A unit of artillery is called a Regiment, and is composed of subunits called Batteries. Each artillery regiment identifies with the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

Units are generally identified by a number, though some also have historic titles in parentheses.

Independent subunits also exist (batteries not belonging to a specific regiment).

Engineers

A unit of Engineers is called a Regiment, and is composed of subunits called Squadrons. Each Engineer regiment identifies with the Canadian Military Engineers.

Units are generally identified by a number; independent subunits also exist (squadrons not assigned to a specific regiment).

Combat Engineer Regiment

The Combat Engineer Regiment (CER) is the standard engineer unit within Canadian brigades. Traditionally these units have been organized along the lines of two field squadrons (of two field troops each), a support squadron, and an administration squadron. Recent changes are changing the regiments to four field squadrons (of one field troop and one support troop) and an administration squadron. The intent of this change is to ensure there is one field squadron affiliated to each of the brigades manouvre units (armour and infantry).

Field Engineer Regiment

The Field Engineer Regiment (FER) was a divisional close support engineering unit. These units were formed shortly after the Second World War but when 1 FER was disbanded in 1958 the only remaining FERs were in the reserve force. Today many of these units are choosing to re-name themselves as CERs in order to better resemble the regular force.

Engineer Support Regiment

The Engineer Support Regiment (ESR) is a divisional general support engineering unit. While Canada does not have any divisions, it still retains an ESR in order to provide higher level engineering capabilities which cannot be provided by the CERs.