Starting in the late 1970s and. continuing for decades, an increasing amount of the. protective layer of stratospheric ozone above Antarctica. would disappear during late September and October, cre-. ating what is popularly known as the ozone hole.
A battalion is a military unit. The use of the term battalion varies by nationality and branch of service. Typically a battalion consists of 300 to 800 soldiers and is divided into a number of companies. A battalion is typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. In some countries the word battalion is associated with the infantry. The term was first used in Italian as battaglione no later than the 16th century.
The Marine Corps organizes itself in infantry battalions, which are its basic combat unit. A battalion has about 900 Marines and includes three rifle companies, a weapons company, and a headquarters and service company. The overall reductions in end strength left the USMC with 25 infantry battalions in FY 2014. By FY 2015, the Corps will have 23 infantry battalions. Under full sequestration, USMC end strength will be able to support only 21 infantry battalions. In 2010, the USMC determined that its ideal force size would be 186,800.