Unit organization
If you’re in the military, it’s a pretty safe bet that you know how your service branch is organized. But each service is different, and if you work in a joint-service atmosphere, it might help you to know each branch’s chain of command. So if you’re not sure what the unit organization is for each Department of Defense service, here’s a cheat sheet for you.
The Army is composed of an active duty component and a reserve component that comprises the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. The operational Army conducts full-spectrum operations around the world, supported by institutional units. Without the institutional Army, the operational side can’t function. Without the operational Army, the institutional side has no purpose.
The U.S. Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy; however its command structure is similar to the Army’s, except it follows the “rule of three” and includes Marine expeditionary forces and aircraft wings. The Marines are divided into four groups: the operating forces that do the actual fighting, the headquarters for leadership, the supporting establishment that provides logistical support, and the Marine Corps Reserve.
The Navy’s structure is not as straightforward as the other Military Defences — it’s pretty complex. There are two chains of command: operational and administrative. These sometimes overlap, and depending on assignment, a sailor can be part of both.
The Air Force structure is a bit of a mix of the Army and Marine Corps structures. The elements of command might change based on the type of unit, but the basic elements remain constant..