In 1996, the National Institute of Standards and Technology defined electronic data interchange as the computer-to-computer interchange of strictly formatted messages that represent documents other than monetary instruments.
A battalion is a military unit with 300 to 1,200 soldiers that usually consists of two to seven companies and is commanded by either a lieutenant colonel or a colonel. Several battalions form a regiment or brigade. The nomenclature varies by nationality and by branch of arms, for instance, some armies organize their infantry into battalions, but call battalion-sized cavalry, reconnaissance, or tank units a squadron or a regiment instead.
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.