types:
trip wire
a small military force that serves as a first line of defense; if they become engaged in hostilities it will trigger the intervention of stronger military forces
command
a military unit or region under the control of a single officer
enemy
an opposing military force
task force
a temporary military unit formed to accomplish a particular objective
army unit
a military unit that is part of an army
air unit
a military unit that is part of the airforce
armor,
armour
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
guard
a military unit serving to protect some place or person
echelon
a body of troops arranged in a line
phalanx
a body of troops in close array
Republican Guard
formerly Iraq's elite military unit whose primary role was to protect the government in Baghdad
Haganah
the clandestine military wing of the Jewish leadership during the British rule over the mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948; became the basis for the Israeli defense force
militia,
reserves
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
commando
an amphibious military unit trained for raids into enemy territory
headquarters
(plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff
spearhead
the leading military unit in an attack
ACLANT,
Allied Command Atlantic
a major strategic headquarters of NATO located in the United States; is under the authority of the North Atlantic Council
ACC,
Air Combat Command
a command that is the primary provider of air combat weapon systems to the United States Air Force; operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and rescue aircraft
AFSPC,
Air Force Space Command
a command of the United States Air Force that is responsible for defending the United States through its space and intercontinental ballistic missile operations
army corps,
corps
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
division
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
battle group
an army unit usually consisting of five companies
regiment
army unit smaller than a division
brigade
army unit smaller than a division
battalion
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
company
small military unit; usually two or three platoons
platoon
a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant
detachment
a small unit of troops of special composition
van,
vanguard
the leading units moving at the head of an army
bodyguard
a group of men who escort and protect some important person
section
a small army unit usually having a special function
squad
the smallest army unit
wing
a unit of military aircraft
air group
a unit of the United States Air Force larger than a squadron and smaller than a wing
squadron
an air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group
squadron
a naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task
flight
an air force unit smaller than a squadron
foreign legion
a military unit composed of foreign volunteers who serve the state
troop
a group of soldiers
troop
a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company
trainband
a company of militia in England or America from the 16th century to the 18th century
SAS,
Special Air Service
a specialist regiment of the British army that is trained in commando techniques of warfare and used in clandestine operations (especially against terrorist groups)
musketry
musketeers and their muskets collectively
foot,
infantry
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
home guard
a volunteer unit formed to defend the homeland while the regular army is fighting elsewhere