Sub-subunit

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Sub-subunit or sub-sub-unit is a subordinated element below platoon level of company-sized units or sub-units which normally might not be separately identified in authorization documents by name, number, or letter. Fireteams, squads, crews, sections and patrols are typically sub-subunits.

Types of sub-units

Sub-subunits (de: Teileinheit; ru: подразделение/podrazdelenie) in various languages and armed forces
Flag of NATO.svg
NATO symbol
Bundeswehr EnglishFrenchRussianPolish
IconDescriptionDesignationStructureCommander/leader
Military Map Symbol - Unit Size - Dark Blue - 010 -Detachment or Squad.svg
Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Monochrome Dark 1.5x1 Frame)- Unspecified or Composite All-Arms (NATO APP-6).svg
one dot over framed unit iconTrupp [1] 2–7 men,
Tank crew
UnteroffizierHauptgefreiter Squad Equipe [2]
Equipage [3]
Группа (gruppa) [4]
Звено (zveno) [5]
Расчёт (raschot) [6]
Drużyna [7]
Military Map Symbol - Unit Size - Dark Blue - 020 - Section.svg
Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Monochrome Dark 1.5x1 Frame)- Unspecified or Composite All-Arms (NATO APP-6).svg
Two dots over framed unit iconGruppe [8] ,
Halbzug
8–12 men,
2 tank crews
Oberfeldwebel ⇒ Unteroffizier Section Groupe [9] [10]
Patrouille [11]
Отделе́ние (otdelenie)
Экипаж (ekipazh) [12]
Расчёт (raschot) [13]
Drużyna [14]
Załoga [15]
Działon [16]
Rotte [17] 2 aircraftTwo-ship flight/PairPatrouille légèreПара (para)N.N.
Military Map Symbol - Unit Size - Dark Blue - 030 - Platoon or Troop.svg
Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Monochrome Dark 1.5x1 Frame)- Unspecified or Composite All-Arms (NATO APP-6).svg
Three dots over framed unit iconZug,
Hörsaal
ca. 40 men [18] HauptmannHauptfeldwebel Platoon Section [19] Взвод (vzvod)Pluton
Schwarm/Kette3–4 aircraft Flight Patrouille [20]
Peloton [21]
Звено (zveno)Klucz
Military Map Symbol - Unit Size - Dark Blue - 040 - Echelon or Staffel.svg
Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Monochrome Dark 1.5x1 Frame)- Unspecified or Composite All-Arms (NATO APP-6).svg
four dots over framed unit icon Staffel [22] HauptmannHauptfeldwebel Echelon [23]
Escadrille Eskadra
Legend

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battalion</span> Military unit size designation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platoon</span> Military unit size, usually composed of two or more squads or equivalent units

A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 20–50 troops, although specific platoons may range from 10 to 100 people. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer. The platoon leader is usually a junior officer—a second or first lieutenant or an equivalent rank. The officer is usually assisted by a platoon sergeant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squad</span> Military unit size designation

In military terminology, a squad is among the smallest of military organizations and is led by a non-commissioned officer. NATO and U.S. doctrine define a squad as an organization "larger than a team, but smaller than a section." while U.S. Army doctrine further defines a squad as a "small military unit typically containing two or more fire teams." In American usage, a squad consists of eight to fourteen soldiers, and may be further subdivided into fireteams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fireteam</span> Small military unit of infantry

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troop</span> Military formation size

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artillery battery</span> Artillery unit size designation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Section (military unit)</span> Military unit size designation

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References

  1. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-8.
  2. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-13.
  3. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-13.
  4. Usually as a translation, rarely used in post-WWII Soviet and Russian infantry tactics due to small squad size
  5. In historical context, e.g. 1930s Red Army teams
  6. When referring to infantry teams crewing collective weapons: HMGs, grenade launchers, ATGMs etc.
  7. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-25.
  8. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-8.
  9. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-8.
  10. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-13.
  11. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-13.
  12. Crew in most military branches, e.g. aviation, armour, automobile troops etc.
  13. Crew in artillery and all kinds of missile troops
  14. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-25.
  15. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-25.
  16. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-25.
  17. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-8.
  18. The personal strength, e.g. of self-contained platoons, training platoons, technical platoons, or Bundeswehr sub-subunits with platoon structure, might contain different staff.[ citation needed ]
  19. A section with group-structure (e.g.: US Marine Corps, 8–12 soldiers) may contain, in opposite to a "Section" in France armed forces, decisive less personal strength.[ citation needed ]
  20. In fighter aviation
  21. In bomber and military transport aviation
  22. APP-6D NATO Joint Military Symbology. NATO Standardization Office. October 2017. p. B-8.
  23. APP-6 Military Symbols for Land Based Systems. NATO. July 1986. pp. B8.