Division is a unit in a nation’s armed forces that is larger than a brigade and smaller than a corps. The term division usually refers to a ground force consisting of two or more brigades or regiments, plus supporting units. In the United States Army, a division has about 15,000 soldiers. In other countries, divisions are smaller and may operate in a group with many other divisions. In still other countries, a division is an administrative headquarters to which brigades are attached.
Divisions are generally classified by the combat arm they contain. In the United States Army, there are five kinds of divisions: (1) airborne, (2) air assault, (3) armored (tank), (4) mechanized infantry, and (5) infantry, which includes light infantry. A division has from 6 to 15 battalions organized into 3 brigades, plus artillery, control, engineer, reconnaissance (information gathering), and supply units. A United States Marine Corps division has about 19,000 marines. Marine divisions are organized into three regiments and combat and service support units. A U.S. Air Force air division includes two or more wings. A wing is a mobile unit that can operate independently.
See also Army (The organization of armies); Army, United States (table: Army levels of command).
