US Army designations
From Wikileaks
Efficiency and clarity in communications require the use of simple and consistent unit designations. The designation of a unit usually consists of a number, a branch or function, and a level of command. Where the designation includes a parenthetical identification, that portion not in parentheses is the official designation. Redesignation of a unit is not required when a change is made in the parenthetical identification. When further identification of the type of unit is desirable, additional descriptive words may be added parenthetically.
Armies are numbered in series beginning with "First." Examples: First United States Army, Fifth United States Army. Corps are numbered in series beginning with Roman numeral Examples: I Corps, XVIII Airborne Corps. Divisions; brigades (except those organic to divisions); regiments; groups; battalions; squadrons; separate companies, troops, batteries, platoons, and detachments; and other separate units are numbered in series within a branch, beginning with " 1st. " Examples: 1st Infantry Division, 2d Field Artillery, 3d Transportation Battalion, 4th Medical Detachment.
Brigades that are organic to divisions will normally be numbered in series within the division beginning with "1st." Example: 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Parent regiments organized under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) or U.S. Army Regimental System (USARS) consist of a variable number of active elements, depending upon Army force structure requirements. The word" regiment " is usually understood and not included in a unit's official designation. Examples: 1st Battalion, 3d Infantry; 3d Battalion, 3d Infantry.
Within battalions and squadrons the headquarters element is designated headquarters company, detachment, battery, or troop, as appropriate. Other elements of the battalion or squadron is ordinarily be lettered alphabetically, beginning with " A. " Separate lettered companies, batteries, or troops may be organized within parent regiments. These units are considered to be separate elements of the parent regiment. Examples: Battery A, 94th Field Artillery; Company E, 51st Infantry; Troop D, 5th Cavalry.
Units organized containing separate platoons or higher headquarters cells are designated according to the highest cell used. Examples: 39th Transportation Battalion and 28th Transportation Platoon, both organized under TOE 55-500H. When no headquarters cell is used and the unit consists of one or more cells, it will be designated as a detachment. Words descriptive of the unit's predominant functions may be added parenthetically. Where no function predominates in a service-type unit, the word " service "may be used parenthetically in lieu of a specific function. Example: 65th Military Police Platoon (Service).
When elements of a unit are split, that is, operating independently or away from the parent unit, the elements will be numbered consecutively beginning with " 1. "Examples: Detachment 1, 169th Engineer Company; Detachment 2, 169th Engineer Company.
A Major Army Command (MACOM) is a command directly subordinate to, established by authority of, and specifically designated by Headquarters, Department of the Army. Army component commands of Unified and Specified Commands are major Army commands.
A Major Army Sub-command (Sub-MACOM) is a command directly subordinate to a major Army command, which has been assigned direct line responsibility and authority for a prescribed Army mission, and which has been designated by the parent MACOM as a major Army Sub-command.
An Activity is a separate organization under the direct supervision of a major Army command or lower level of command. An activity can be functionally described as having either a staff support or field operating mission.
A Staff Support Activity (SSA) is an organization which exists primarily to assist the Headquarters to which it reports. Staff support activities assist in the formation of policies and procedures or provide the necessary administrative and/or logistical support.
A Field Operating Activity (FOA) is an organization which is an extension of a major Army command. It may participate in policy development and may still be required in the absence of the headquarters to which it reports.
A Center is a specifically designated group of functionally correlated organizations which are collocated in order to facilitate coordination and/or cooperation of effort.
A Functional Center is a center authorized and specifically designated by HQDA to serve as the focal point for the correlation of combat developments and the integration of doctrine, education, and training within a broad general functional area.
A School Center is a center authorized and designated by HQDA to accomplish combat developments and to accomplish and/or provide guidance for education and training within a clearly delineated branch or specialty area within the Army.
A Training Center is a center authorized and designated by HQDA to conduct basic training, advanced individual training, and/or other training.
A Host is the installation that has management control of facilities and provides services and facilities to an activity or unit under the command of HQDA, a MACOM, or a field operating agency.
A Tenant is a unit or activity of one Government agency, military department, or command which occupies facilities on an installation of another military department or command, and receives supplies or other support services from that installation. A Satellite is a unit or activity of a Government agency, military department, or command which is not a tenant but which is dependent upon a designated installation for specified support, either as assigned by higher authority or through a mutually developed written support agreement.