The armies of modern states, as a rule, are built on the principles of one-man command and strict hierarchy. At the same time, the composition of the troops, the name of the formations and their numbers are determined by the country's top military leadership. The regiment is one of the main structural military units that is present in almost all armed forces.
The structure of military formations
To understand what constitutes the size of a regiment, it is necessary to understand the standard structure of military formations. The primary unit of the combined arms army structure is a squad, the number of which can reach 10-16 fighters. Usually three squads make up a platoon. As part of a motorized rifle company there are three or four platoons, as well as a machine-gun crew and a squad that solves the problem of protecting against enemy tanks.
The company is intended for solving most of the tactical tasks in combat conditions; its number reaches 150 people.
Several companies are organizationally part of the battalion. This structural unit is followed by the regiment. It is an autonomous and key military formation designed to solve tactical tasks, as well as take part in operations and strategic maneuvers of troops. The regiment is usually headed by an officer of a fairly high rank - major, lieutenant colonel or colonel.
The composition of the regiment and its armament are not homogeneous. Subdivisions of various types can be represented here. The name of the regiment usually includes the name of the dominant branch of the armed forces. It should be borne in mind that the structure and total number of the regiment is largely determined by the peculiarities of the tasks being solved. In conditions of hostilities, the number of units can be increased.
Regiment as an independent combat unit
A motorized rifle regiment includes two or three battalions of motorized riflemen, a tank, artillery and anti-aircraft missile battalions, and a medical and sanitary unit. Additionally, a regiment can have several auxiliary companies, for example, reconnaissance, sapper, repair, and so on. The composition of the regiment in the armies of different countries is determined by the charter and the needs of wartime. As a rule, the size of the regiment ranges from 900 to 1500 people, and sometimes even more.
The regiment differs from other units in that it is an organizationally independent combat, economic and administrative unit. Any regiment has in its composition a department called the headquarters.
Above the regiment in the military hierarchy is the division commanded by the general. The composition of the division, as well as its name, depends on the goals and objectives of this formation. For example, a division can be rocket, tank, airborne, aviation. The size of a division is determined by the number of its regiments and other auxiliary units.
