The rank of Brigadier General (BG) is today widespread in many countries. This is the lowest general rank between the colonel and the major general. Equal in rank to the military marines - Commodore. In some states, the rank of brigadier corresponded to or corresponds to this rank. Now in the Russian army there is no rank of Bg. There is a brigade commander (brigade commander), who, as you might guess from the name, manages the brigade - one of the army units.
History
For the first time, the rank of Bg replaced the rank of major general in the French royal army during and after the French Revolution (July 1789 - November 1799). It was also used by the French military during the reign of Napoleon. After the Bourbon Restoration in 1814, the French government returned the royal ranks and abolished the rank of brigadier general. After the February Revolution of 1848, the title of Major General was finally replaced by this more modern title. Over time, the French system of ranks moved to other countries, many of which are still used today.
France now
At present, the rank of Bg is used in France, and with the official address the word “brigade” is not pronounced - they say and write simply “general”, as is the case with other generals of France. Currently, a brigadier general controls a brigade or tactical unit of equal importance. The brigade is the largest unit of the French armed forces in peacetime.
Russian army units
To have an idea of what a brigade is, what is included in it and what it depends on, you need to get a little familiar with the main elements of the army.
The squad is the smallest tactical unit. Contains from 5 to 10 people. The squad commander (chest of drawers) is in charge of the squad - junior sergeant or sergeant.
A platoon consists of 3-6 squads (15-60 people). A platoon commander can be ranked from lieutenant to captain.
The company includes from 3 to 6 platoons, from 45 to 360 people. The company is commanded by a senior lieutenant or captain. (company).
The battalion is 3 or 4 companies. Includes headquarters and individual specialists (sniper, signalman, mechanic, etc.). Sometimes there is a mortar platoon, anti-aircraft and anti-tank troops. It includes from 145 to 500 people. The battalion is headed by the battalion commander or battalion commander. Usually this is an employee with the rank of lieutenant colonel, but captains and majors can also command.
The regiment contains from 3 to 6 battalions - from 500 to 2500 people. Includes headquarters, regimental artillery, air defense and anti-tank battery (PTB). The regiment is usually commanded by a colonel. Sometimes this duty can be performed by a lieutenant colonel.
The brigade consists of several battalions, sometimes the number reaches 2 or 3 regiments. In the brigade from 1000 to 4000 people. This unit is commanded by a colonel (brigade commander). In the Russian army he is not called a brigadier general, since this rank does not correspond to the current position of the brigade commander.
The division consists of several regiments, the rear services and sometimes aviation troops. The division is commanded by a colonel or major general. It contains from 500 to 22, 000 people.
The corps includes several divisions. About 100, 000 people. Major General commands them.
The army consists of 2-10 divisions of various arms. Also includes rear, various workshops, etc. The size of the army is 200, 000 - 1, 000, 000 people and above.
Analogs
In different countries, earlier and to this day, there are many posts similar to the rank of brigadier general. The brigadier, commodore, brigade commander are not the same in everything, but in many ways they are similar to the rank of Br.
In the Russian Empire until 1796, the rank of brigadier was a similar rank. It was established by Peter the Great in 1705, and canceled by Paul the First. It is believed that the king did not like the way the writer D.I. Fonvizin spoke about the position of foreman in his comedy of the same name, which was published in 1786. A military man in the rank of brigadier in the Russian Empire commanded a brigade or several regiments, as he stood above the colonel. In the civil service, the foreman was the rank of state adviser. Nowadays, the rank of brigadier is also used in the armies of the USA and Great Britain. But this rank is not equal to the rank of major general, but on the contrary, it is lower by one notch.
In Germany, the Third Reich, the rank of Brigadier General was Oberfuhrer. In 1935-1940, in the USSR, the brigade commander in the Red Army (Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army) performed similar duties. In the NKVD and the NKGB (People's Commissariat of State Security) was the rank of major of state security. After 1940, these titles were canceled.
Commodore
Commodore is the rank of officers of the Navy of various countries. The Commodore is above the rank of captain, but below Rear Admiral. Commodore epaulettes existed in the U.S. Navy until 1984. In 1984, the rank of rear admiral was divided into senior and junior ranks, respectively, the rank of Commodore was no longer needed by the armed forces of the United States.
The rank of Commodore is used to designate officers with a flagship rank. Commodore usually commands the connection of ships. Until 1827, the rank of captain-commander was used in the fleet of the Russian Empire.
The rank of brigadier general in the armies of different countries
This title is available in the ground forces of Argentina. The Argentine Air Force uses the rank of brigadier-general. Unlike the position in the hierarchy of other states, in the Argentine Air Force this rank is the highest general rank, which is only the chief of the Argentinean Air Force General Staff.
In the army of Bangladesh until 2001, the rank of brigadier existed. After 2001, the rank of brigadier general was introduced. In the country's fleet, there is now the rank of Commodore, and in the air force - Air Commodore.
In the air and ground forces of Spain, the rank of general brigade is the lowest rank of general. The Spanish Navy has a similar rank of rear admiral.
In Canada, there is currently a post of brigadier general, although the teams are commanded by colonels.
In Mexico, two corresponding BG ranks are used: the brigadier general (lower) and the brigade general. It turns out that in the Armed Forces of Mexico there are two ranks corresponding to the rank of Bg.
In the military forces of Germany, the rank of Bg appeared in 1982. Prior to this, in Germany, the rank of Bg corresponded to the rank of major general.
Also, at present, analogue titles of BG officially exist in the Armed Forces of Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Iran, Israel, Canada, China, Myanmar and many other countries.
