# Military Unit Heirarchy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-unit-heirarchy/488721>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 8, 2009, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-unit-heirarchy/488721 "2009-03-08T09:06:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-unit-heirarchy/488721/21 "2009-03-11T07:10:10Z")

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Thanks guys! This helps 🙂

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**Author:** ![Bluffcityguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ebca7d/32.png) [@Bluffcityguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluffcityguy)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-unit-heirarchy/488721/22 "2009-03-11T12:36:31Z")

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> [@Jman](#):
>
> Not any more…While I’m sure some BGs still command some larger brigades, the vast majority of brigades are commanded by full colonels (O-6). Every brigade I was ever in (and those around us) were commanded by colonels. Divisions are usually commanded by MGs though. (though I’ve definitely seen my share of 1 star commanders in that position.)

I think (at least in US Army practice, that I’ve seen), though you can say that “a [unit] is commanded by a(n) [officer rank]”, there is in practice a range of ranks that could command a particular unit. E.g., while a company is usually commanded by a captain, I’ve heard of companies commanded by first lieutenants (usually ones on the cusp of promotion to captain), and I’ve heard of companies commanded by majors (usually very junior ones just promoted to captain and almost due to be transferred to their next job).

So your 1 stars commanding divisions may well be on the cusp of getting their second stars, and have been given the division command in anticipation of that promotion.

Cheers,

bcg

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