Pataljon

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Pataljon


caption= Standard Estonian military map symbol for afor a battalion.
dates= present
country= EST
branch= Estonian Ground Force
type= infantry
size= 1250
equipment= small firearms
grenade launchers
mortars
tactical transport vehicles
portable missile launchers
current_commander= Lieutenant Colonel
current_commander_label=Commander

Pataljon, ( _en. battalion) is an averagemilitary unit led by a senior officer that is subordinate to an infantry brigade. "Pataljon" is bigger than a kompanii ("company") but smaller than a brigaad ("brigade"). It is one of the most basic military formation among the Estonian Ground Force infantry units. [http://www.mil.ee/kevadtorm/?s=kasulik Estonian Defence Forces formations]

Leadership

It usually consists 900 to 1250 soldiers, and is further subdivided into companies. "Pataljon" is composed of five companies of 180 to 250 soldiers each, as well as a company leader ("kompaniiülem") who is usually a lieutenant colonel ("kolonelleitnant"). His second in command is colonel as an assistant of the battalion ("pataljoniülema abi"). [http://www.kaitseliit.ee/index.php?op=body&cat_id=100 Eesti relvajõudude ametikohtade tunnused]

Organization

One single "pataljon" is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other "pataljon's" on a landscale not creator than 1500 x 3000 metres. The is a logistical support element in the structure of a "pataljon" which is based on a reserv company. The formation transport is usually made up by 200 tactical transport vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 435 [http://sodur.com/?id=412&sid=10 Transport vehicles of the Estonian Ground Forces] .

Other military uses

A battalion is generally the smallest military unit capable of independent operations (i.e. not attached to a higher command), although many armies have smaller units that are self-sustaining. The nomenclature varies by nationality and by branch of arms, for instance, some armies organize their infantry into battalions, but call battalion-sized cavalry, reconnaissance, or tank units a squadron or a regiment instead. There may even be subtle distinctions within a nation's branches of arms, such as a distinction between a tank battalion and an armored squadron, depending on how the unit's operational role is perceived to fit into the army's historical organization.

ee also

*Military science
*Lahingpaar ( _en. Fire and maneuver team)
*Salk ( _en. Fireteam)
*Jagu ( _en. Squad)
*Rühm ( _en. Platoon)
*Kompanii ( _en. Company)
*Malev
*Brigaad ( _en. Brigade)
*Diviis ( _en. Division)
*Maavägi ( _en. Estonian Ground Force)

Notes and references