# How are larger American military units constituted and where do they get their numbers?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-larger-american-military-units-constituted-and-where-do-they-get-their-numbers/498868>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 5, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-larger-american-military-units-constituted-and-where-do-they-get-their-numbers/498868 "2009-06-05T19:22:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-larger-american-military-units-constituted-and-where-do-they-get-their-numbers/498868/1 "2009-06-05T19:22:49Z")

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I gather that there have been changes in the force structure of the American military in that divisions are constituted as needed from standing battalions, brigades and/or regiments. Is this accurate? Also, how are their numbers assigned?

Thanks,  
Rob