Posted on Feb 3, 2021
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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?
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Responses: 11
MAJ Ken Landgren
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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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MSG Signal Support Systems Specialist
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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 Staff Officer
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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
SSG Bill McCoy
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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.
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LTC John Griscom
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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.
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