Battalion

Battalion
SFMC symbol for a Light Infantry Battalion
Affiliation	SFMC
Larger Unit	Regiment
Smaller Unit	Company
Commanded by	Lieutenant Colonel

[Source]

A battalion is comprised of 416 Marines, three full companies as well as a headquarters, support and service platoon. Battations are commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel and assisted by a Sergeant Major.

Generally speaking battalions are only serve as detachments aboard space stations. Approximately 8% of Obsidian Fleet shipborne detachments are considered to be battalion strength.

Battalions will almost always have a designated Executive Officer, usually the senior most Company Commander or, in the case of a multiple battalion detachment, the next junior battalion commander.

Naming convention

Battalions use a numeric designation which is almost always linked with the battalion's parent regiment. In the examples below the battalions would be referred to as 1/7, 2/22, 4/95 and 3/316 respectively. Nicknames for battalions is almost unheard of although, of course, exceptions exist. Examples include:

Command Squad, 1st Platoon, A "Howard's" Company, 1 Battalion, SFMC 7 Regiment, The 7th Cav

Squad One, 2nd "Blue" Platoon, B "Bravo" Company, 2 Battalion, SFMC 22 Regiment, The Royal 22e

Sniper Squad, 3rd "Recon" Platoon, E "Easy" Company, 4 Battalion, SFMC 95 Regiment, The Rifles

Organization

The textbook distribution of a battalion is three equal 128-man companies plus a 32-man headquarters, support and service (HQ, S&S) platoon. The battalion commander does not directly command a unit, although on paper it appears he commands the HQ, S&S platoon.

Each company is commanded by a captain or major while the day to day running of the HQ, S&S would fall to the platoon's next senior officer, usually a Captain. The staff positions within a HQ, S&S are considered invaluable training for junior officers who wish to become general officers.

Generally speaking battalion commanders are not expected to lead their troops into battle, instead remaining as an overall commander to better evaluate intelligence, positions and thereby continually adapt strategy and tactics and give orders accordingly.

Although rank and role might vary slight a sample battalion would be organized along the following lines:

Rifle company.

HQ, S&S Platoon

1 Lieutenant Colonel

1 Captain (Platoon Commander)

30 staff officers, support NCOs

A Company

1 Major (battalion MXO)

3 Lieutenants (platoon commanders)

124 Marines

B Company

1 Captain (battalion 2XO)