Infantry Battalion

A unit of infantry is a Battalion, and is composed of subunits called Companies. Each infantry battalion identifies first with its regiment, and secondly with the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps.

Infantry regiments are a unique case in that each battalion of the regiment is a seperate unit. They are distinguished by a number prefix, and then by their historic title, for example - 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry for example, or 1 PPCLI in short form.

Independent subunits do not exist in the current Army structure.

General

The Infantry Battalion is the standard unit within Canadian infantry. The doctrinal Canadian infantry battalion is divided into three rifle companies, a combat support company, and an administation company. However, most reserve infantry regiments consist of only one battalion with only one rifle company and no combat support nor administration company.

Through the last dedcade, regular force infantry battalions have been either mechanized infantry battalions or light infantry battalions. This has changed to a common infantry battalion with two mechanized rifle companies and one light company. In the third battalions of the regular army, the third company is parachute.

Rifle Company

All rifle companies consist of a headquarters, which includes the echelons, and a number of platoons. In light and parachute companies, there are three rifle platoons and a fire support platoon. In a mechanised company, there are three rifle platoons. Companies are typically commanded by a major who is assisted by a second in command (Captain) and in a mechanised company by a LAV Captain and in light and parachute companies by an operations officer (Captain). A sergeant major (master warrant officer) is the company commander's "right hand man". Unlike in other sub-units, where the sergeant major will command the echelon, the infantry sergeant major (CSM) stays with the company commander (OC) in the "F" echelon.