Company, in Military Organisation, is that part of a Battalion (q.v.) which constitutes a captain's command. In the British service there are 8 companies in an infantry battalion on the war establishment, each consisting of 3 officers—Captain (q.v.), lieutenant, and sub-lieutenant—5 sergeants, 2 drummers and buglers, 5 corporals, 108 privates, and 1 driver with 2 horses for the company general service wagon. The men of the Army Service Corps are also grouped in similar companies (see COMMISSARIAT). The company is both a tactical and administrative unit, and is divided into two subdivisions of two sections each.
Each company has its own arm and accoutrement chests, and keeps its own books.
In the Engineers the field company is commanded by a major, with a captain and 4 lieutenants under him, and a surgeon, all mounted. It also has 2 sergeants, 1 artificer, 1 trumpeter, and 26 drivers, who are mounted, and 154 dismounted non-commissioned officers and men. In a cavalry regiment a captain's command is a Troop (q.v.); but the corresponding artillery unit is a Battery (q.v.). In the United States service an infantry battalion consists of 2 or more companies, each officered by a captain, a first and a second lieutenant, 5 sergeants, and 4 corporals. On a war footing a full company of infantry consists of 101 officers and men; in time of peace of 3 commissioned officers and 54 men. In the German army a company comprises 249 combatants and 3 non-combatants, under a captain, who is a mounted officer, and 3 subalterns. There are 4 such companies in each battalion. The French, Russian, Austrian, and Italian companies are similar in strength to the German. See also BEARER COMPANY.