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Concept
Regiment
Summary
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted in one geographical area, by a leader who was often also the feudal lord in capite of the soldiers. Lesser barons of knightly rank could be expected to muster or hire a company or battalion from their manorial estate.
By the end of the 17th century, infantry regiments in most European armies were permanent units, with approximately 800 men and commanded by a colonel.
During the modern era, the word "regiment" – much like "corps" – may have two somewhat divergent meanings, which refer to two distinct roles:
a front-line military formation; or
an administrative or ceremonial unit.
In many armies, the first role has been assumed by independent battalions, battlegroups, task forces, brigades and other, similarly sized operational units. However, these non-regimental units tend to be short-lived; and regiments have tended to retain their traditional responsibilities for ceremonial duties, the recruitment of volunteers, induction of new recruits, individual morale and esprit de corps, and administrative roles (such as pay).
A regiment may consequently be a variety of sizes:
smaller than a standard battalion, e.g. Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment;
a battalion equivalent, e.g. 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment;
a brigade equivalent, e.g. 8th Marine Regiment (United States);
several battalions, e.g.
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and
Royal Regiment of Scotland; or
an entire arm of service, e.g.
the Royal Australian Regiment includes all of the Australian Army's regular infantry (other than reserve and special forces units), and
the artillery units of the British Army are known collectively as the Royal Regiment of Artillery, which is sub-divided for operation purposes into field regiments.
Official source
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