The next level has been a brigade, commanded by a brigadier general, and containing two or more regiments or three to eight battalions. In the U.S. Army, a brigade is roughly equal to or a little larger than a regiment, consisting of three to seven battalions. Strength typically ranges from 1,500 to 3,500 personnel. In the U.S. Marines, brigades are only formed for certain missions. In size and nature they are larger and more varied collections of battalions than is common for a regiment, fitting them for their traditional role as the smallest formation able to operate independently on a battlefield without external logistical tactical support. Brigades are usually numbered (e.g., 2nd Brigade).
the nExT level hAs been a brigade, cOmManded By a bRigaDier gENeral, ANd coNTaininG two or MorE RegimEnTs or thRee to EIght batTAlionS. iN the u.s. armY, a BRIGAde is rouGhLy eqUal tO OR a lITtle LARGEr ThaN a REgimEnT, coNsisTinG of Three TO seven BattAlions. strEnGth tYPIcalLy ranges fRom 1,500 tO 3,500 pErsonNel. in the u.s. mariNes, brigades aRe onLy FoRmed fOr cErtaIN miSSIoNS. in size and nAtUre They arE laRger and MorE variEd coLlectiONS oF BAttaliOns thAn iS COMmon fOR a regimEnt, FiTtInG theM FOR TheiR tRadiTional role as the sMalLest foRmAtIon able to opErate inDependenTly on a baTTlEfield WithouT EXternaL logisTIcAl tactiCal supPORt. briGaDES arE usUalLY numbereD (e.g., 2nd BriGadE).