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The structure of the British Army is complex, due to the
different origins of its various constituent parts.
In terms of the nature of its servicemen, it is divided into the Regular Army (full-time professional soldiers) and the Territorial Army (part-time paid soldiers). In terms of its military structure it is divided into corps (administrative groupings by common function), and divisions and brigades (large formations, somewhat fluid in nature).
The regiment is in some respects the most important unit of the British
Army. It is the largest "permanent" tactical unit in most corps, although it is only an administrative grouping in the infantry. Typically, it consists of around 700 soldiers and is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. A battalion is the equivalent sized unit in the infantry and some of the corps.
A typical battalion or regiment follows a structure similar to the
following:
Sections can be subdivided into two fire teams for tactical purposes.
Divisions and Brigades
Divisions and Brigades are the next smallest groupings after a Corps. The British Army comprises two active divisions and seven active manoeuvre brigades. The three remaining divisional headquarters act as regional commands in the UK itself, and would only become field formations in the event of a general war. Beyond the manoeuvre brigades, there are also a number of active brigades which have air defence, logistics and engineering functions. Finally, there are also a number of reserve manoeuvre brigades which command smaller regions than the reserve divisions. The numbering of the various brigades is not sequential, reflecting the rise and fall of various brigades over the years. The reserve brigades have often been divisions in times past, such as 51 (Scottish) Brigade being the direct descendant of the famous 51st (Highland) Division.
Divisions
Brigades
Units of the Regular Army
Cavalry
In the modern British Army, the regiments classed as cavalry operate armoured vehicles. The majority of these units are grouped together in the Royal Armoured Corps; outside this is the Household Cavalry Regiment. As well as the old cavalry regiments, there are also the 1st and 2nd Royal Tank Regiments, which were formed during the First World War. In their current roles, they either operate as armoured regiments with main battle tanks, or force reconnaissance regiments.
1st Royal Tank Regiment operates in a dual role; one squadron serves in the NBC role as part of the Joint NBC Regiment, while the other is a main battle tank training squadron as part of the Combined Arms Training Centre.
Infantry
For administrative purposes, the Infantry is divided into six administrative 'divisions'. These are not the same as the divisions that are sent into combat, which are a mixture of infantry, armoured and support units.
There are two further units in the army that are classed as infantry, but are not grouped in the various infantry divisions:
Brigade of Gurkhas
Also considered part of the infantry is the Royal Gurkha Rifles. However, the RGR is the largest part of the Brigade of Gurkhas, which also has its own support arms. These units are affiliated to the equivalent British units:
Combat Support Arms
There are six corps in the army that are classed as providing combat support and are known (along with the cavalry and infantry) as the 'Arms':
Services
The remaining corps of the British Army are classed as the 'Services'. While they are all trained soldiers and can fight as infantry if necessary, they provide the essential services that keep the army running.
Units of the Territorial Army
Cavalry
Infantry
A further infantry unit, not officially on the British Army list but still technically a British unit, is The Bermuda Regiment. This is a territorial infantry battalion which is responsible for the internal security of Bermuda.
Royal Artillery
Though not part of the Royal Artillery, the Honourable Artillery Company is a further artillery unit within the Territorial Army
Royal Engineers
Royal Signals
Services
In addition to the combat units, there are Territorial Army units in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Intelligence Corps and Army Medical Services.
Ceremonial Units
Although the majority of the British Army performs both operational and ceremonial roles, there are some units that are purely ceremonial. These are manned by fully trained soldiers who are periodically transferred from operational units.
The following are units of the regular army that most regularly mount the guard at Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards and Windsor Castle:
The following are units that provide gun salutes in various parts of London:
The following are not part of the army, but perform the ceremonial role of 'Sovereign's Bodyguard'. They tend to be made up of retired officers and NCOs:
One of the significant duties that all of the above units (with the exception of Honourable Artillery Company) perform is to guard the catafalque upon which the coffin of a state funeral rests in Westminster Hall.
Others
- Atholl Highlanders: A further ceremonial unit is the Atholl Highlanders. This is unique in that it is the only legal private army in Europe; instead of being in the service of the Crown, it is in the service of the Duke of Atholl.
Restructuring
In July 2004, the Government announced its proposals for restructuring of the armed forces. the main points concerning the army included:
- Cutting four infantry battalions (three English and one Scottish) with the remaining single battalion regiments of the Scottish Division, King's Division and Prince of Wales's Division amalgamating.
- One armoured regiment being re-roled as force reconnaissance, with seven Challenger 2 squadrons being cut.
- One heavy artillery regiment being re-roled as light artillery, with six AS-90 batteries being cut.
- A reduction in the number of Ground Based Air Defence units, with the disbandment of the RAF Regiment squadrons, and a reduction in the size of the Royal Artillery batteries.
See Also
Other Corps of the British Armed Forces
British Army Restructuring
The British Army
Traditions
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