Company (military unit) Facts for Kids

Company B of the 113th Infantry, part of the American Expeditionary Force, France, 1919.

A company is a group of soldiers in an army. It's a type of military unit. A company usually has about 80 to 250 soldiers. A major or a captain is typically in charge of a company.

Most companies are made up of three to six smaller groups called platoons. The exact number can change. It depends on the country, the type of unit, and how it is set up.

Several companies often join together to form a larger group. These larger groups are called a battalion or a regiment. Sometimes, a regiment is made of several battalions.

Sometimes, companies are "independent" or "separate." This means they don't belong to a battalion or regiment. They are set up for special jobs. For example, the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company is one such unit. These companies report directly to a higher command.

History of Military Companies
Images for kids
See also

History of Military Companies

Early Military Units

For a very long time, armies have used groups of about 100 men. The ancient Romans had a famous unit called the century. It was meant to have 100 men. Later, it had about 60 to 80 men.

Using groups of 100 men made sense. It was easy to count and organize. People often count using their ten fingers. A group of 100 was big enough to be useful. But it was also small enough for one leader to control. Leaders could use their voice, drums, or flags to give orders.

Modern Company Structure

The modern military company became popular in 1631. This happened when King Gustav II Adolph reorganized the Swedish Army. He divided the foot soldiers into companies. Each company had 150 men. Eight companies formed a regiment.

These companies were also used in battles. They were grouped with cavalry and artillery. This formed larger units called brigades.

Why 100-250 Soldiers?

Studies show that people work best in groups of 100 to 250 members. About 150 members is a common number. This idea is sometimes called Dunbar’s number.

A military unit of about 100 men works well. It helps leaders control their soldiers. This is important during a battle. Battles can be very stressful and confusing. Until the late 1800s, soldiers often fought shoulder-to-shoulder. Companies stayed around 100 men or fewer.

Companies in Modern Warfare

New weapons changed how soldiers fought. Accurate, long-range rifles became common. Repeating rifles and machine guns also appeared. This meant soldiers had to spread out more.

Radio communication also helped. Smaller groups of soldiers could have more firepower. They could also be more effective. Even with these changes, companies still have about 100 to 250 members. This shows that groups of about 150 people still work best.

Independent Companies in History

Historically, companies were usually part of battalions or regiments. But some "independent" companies existed. They did not belong to a specific battalion or regiment. For example, some local militia companies in the Confederate States of America were independent.

When these companies joined the main army, they often grouped together. Two to five companies might form a battalion. Six to twelve companies might form a regiment.