Posted on Feb 3, 2021
What’s the difference between a Company and a Detachment?
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I’ve noticed that some units are designated as Companies and other are Detachments. From what I’ve seen, there seems to be a lot more detachments in MP and Aviation units than the rest of the Army. Do Detachment Commanders hold UCMJ authority, and what are the differences between the two organization types?
Posted in these groups: 
Company Commander
Detachment Commander
First SergeantDetachment NCOICDetachment OIC
Company Commander Detachment Commander First SergeantDetachment NCOICDetachment OIC
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 11
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A detachment can be a slice from a larger unit or a unit that has a specific function like Finance. Commanders have UCMJ authority.
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A detachment is a part of a company. Some portion of their personnel and equipment are separated and they meet and train semi-independently of the parent company. The company commander retains responsibility and authority, but his people are located somewhere else. There are lots.of reasons for this, from budget, facility capacity, need to have a capability in various places,....
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CPT (Join to see)
For example, my Company command essentially had four individual platoons each with their own individual UIC so they could peel off as a detachment if needed (maintenance, field cooks, and warehouse operations, then Company HQ). They all had their own property book and were not dependent on each other to execute their primary MOS nor had to swap or share any equipment across UIC's.
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SSG Bill McCoy
I was in the 236th MP Detachment at Walter Reed (the original in D.C.). When I first got there, we had a CPT as a Detachment Commander, and a LTC as Provost Marshal. When the CPT left for the FBI, we got a 1LT as Commander. To the best of my recollection, we were not part of any parent organization. The LTC had UCMJ authority for NJP, etc.
They've since disbanded and started using DOD Police.
They've since disbanded and started using DOD Police.
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A lot depends on the branch. Detachments may be pieces of units or standalone organizations.
I was HQ Detachment command for an evacuation hospital responsible for 200+ personnel.
It was larger than most company-size units. Some detachments vary from around five personnel and up.
I was HQ Detachment command for an evacuation hospital responsible for 200+ personnel.
It was larger than most company-size units. Some detachments vary from around five personnel and up.
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