Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!rutgers!bellcore!att!cbnews!military From: ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Unit designations Message-ID: <10266@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 16 Oct 89 01:37:53 GMT References: <9938@cbnews.ATT.COM> <10009@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Organization: The Boeing Co., BAC MMST, Seattle, WA Lines: 84 Approved: military@att.att.com From: ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt) In article <10009@cbnews.ATT.COM>, howard@cos.com (Howard C. Berkowitz) writes: > > > From: howard@cos.com (Howard C. Berkowitz) > > > My question is: what determines the numeric unit desgnators for Army > > units, and how are they chosen? I've looked in a couple books I have of > > '50's vintage -- The Officers Guide and The Army Almanac -- and they > > don't explicitly answer the query. The Almanac does have some tables of > > units that appear to begin to address the subject, though. > > > > Can anyone post a summary explanation of all this? What does determine > > that this unit is the "3rd Whatsit Division" and that unit is the > > "404th Something Brigade"? And, if these numbers are all from some > > arrangement that has been set up for 70+ years, what has determined, > > during all the build-ups and wind-downs in the intervening years, that > > this particular unit has continued and still exists today, while these > > others have been eliminated and no longer exist? Let's see if I can help here: All active Army regiments are organized under the US Army Regimental System. Their historical records are maintained by the Army Center of Military History. Thier Coat of Arms, Lineage & Honors are maintained by the Army Institute of Heraldry. These are 'color bearing' regiments (about 195 of 'em). Which means they carry distinct Regimental Colors (flags) with their own campaign streamers. While there is no "Regiment Headquarters and Staff" the battalions that 'belong' to these regiments are active (or inactive) and can be stationed with a variaty of Divisions. Example: 28th Infantry Regiment (Black Lions) formed in 1917, Cantigny France as a part of the 1st Infantry Division. Today, the 1st Battalion/28th Inf is stationed with the 1st Inf Div at Fort Riley, Kansas. The 2/28 Inf is with the 8th Inf Div in Europe, and the 3/28 Inf is with the 1st Inf Div Forward in Germany (my info may be dated). 1st Cavalry Regiment (Dragoons) was organized in 1833 as the 1st Regiment of Dragoons. It fought in the Mexican War earning five battle streamers. Redesignated the 1st Cavalry Regiment in 1862 it fought in the Peninsula, Antietam, chancellorsville, Gettybburg, Petersburg, and Shendoah campaigns. Then the regiment returned to the Western Frontier. It fought in Cuba, participating in the assault on San Juan Hill and remained in Cuba until 1900 when it was shipped to the Phillipines. Then returned to patrol the US-Mexican border. In 1932 it became mechanized. In 1940 it became part of the 1st Armored Division. It fought in North Africa and Italy. The regiment was on occupation duty in Germany until 1948. It returned to Fort Hood and the 1st Armored Division. During Vietnam the 1st Squadron/1st Cavalry with the 23rd Infantry Division and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for Tam Ky and Hoi an (1968). The 1st Squadron is now with the 1st Armored Division in Germany. The 2nd Squadron serves with the 2nd Armored Division. The 3rd and 6th Squadrons are inactive. The 4th Squadron serves at West Point. Now, I include all this lengthy dialogue to show that every unit in the US Army is rich with history and that the pride and esprit' of its soldiers come with the awareness of this history. To say that you are serving with a unit that traces its history all the way back to the Revolutionary War (1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Regiment) has got to be exciting indeed. The oldest unit on continious active duty is D Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery (Hamilton's Own), currently serving with the 1st Infantry Division, Ft Riley. It traces its lineage all the way back to 1781 when it was the only unit left on active duty (after the Revolutionary War) to guard West Point. So, designations of military units have everything to do with history. A lot of pride and loyalty is attached to these units by soldiers past and present. Societies of former members have organized to preserve the history and memories of these units. Well, I've gotten off the track on unit designations - and this is quite long. So - any more questions on the Regimental System? Major Mike 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) 3rd Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne) 7th Infantry Division (Bayonet)