What is Battalion?
{{more sources}} [[File:Taktisches zeichen PzBtl 14.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in [[APP-6a|NATO military graphic symbols]]]] A Battalion is a Military Unit. It is composed of around 500-1500 men. It is often made up of two to seven companies and is under the command of a Lieutenant Colonel or another officer. More than one Battalion often makes up a regiment or a brigade. In the United States Army,Battalions are made up of a Headquarters Company (Or Headquarters Troops for Cavalry Squadrons and Headquarters Batteries for Artillery Battalions) and several support Companies (Or Support Troops/Support Batteries). In a United States Marine Corps Battalion there is a Headquarters and Service Company and several Support Companies assigned to it. There are several types of Battalions in the United States Army. They include Intelligence Battalions,Engineer Battalions,Artillery Battalions,Aviation Battalions,Etc. 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. Depending on the Region and Country/Service in which the Battalion is assigned to,there are several important people in a Battalion Headquarters and they include the following: * Commanding Officer (CO) The Commanding Officer of a Battalion is always a Lieutenant Colonel or even a full Colonel * Second-in-command (2i/c) The Second-In-Command is often a Major or a lieutenant Colonel if the Battalion is commanded by a full Colonel * Adjutant The Adjutant is either a Captain or a Major * Quartermaster (QM) The Quartermaster is either a Captain or a Major * Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) Army Medical Services usually employs either a Captain or a Major as the Regimental Medical Officer * Regimental Administrative Officer (RAO) Adjutant General's Corps employs either a Captain or a Major as the Regimental Administrative Officer * Padre Royal Army Chaplains Department employs a Chaplain to prov