Battalion

A battalion is a military unit of around 500-1500 men often made up of from two to seven companies and often commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. More than one battalions often make up a regiment or a brigade.

Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols

A battalion is often the smallest military unit able to do movement on their own without being part of a larger unit. The battalion is often part of a regiment, group or a brigade.

Important people in a battalion headquarters include:

• Commanding Officer (CO) (always a Lieutenant Colonel or even a full Colonel)
• Second-in-Command (2i/c) (often a Major or a lieutenant Colonel if the battalion is commanded by a full Colonel)
• Adjutant (a Captain or a Major)
• Quartermaster (QM) (a Captain or a Major)
• Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) (Army Medical Services a Captain or a Major)
• Regimental Administrative Officer (RAO) (Adjutant General's Corps a Captain or a Major)
• Padre (Royal Army Chaplains Department a Chaplain)
• Regimental Intelligence Officer (RIO) (a Lieutenant or a Captain)
• Regimental Signals Officer (RSO) (Royal Corps of Signals a Lieutenant or a Captain)
• Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) (a Warrant Officer Class 1)
• Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS) (a Warrant Officer Class 2)