Brigade echelon mark

A single X above a unit frame, marking a brigade.

Also known as: Brigade size mark, Single X echelon

Maps & navigationMilitaryStandard profile

Meanings

In NATO joint military symbology a single letter X placed above a unit frame indicates that the unit is a brigade, the first echelon in the X series.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Indicates that the framed unit is a brigade, marked by a single X above the frame.
Contexts: Maps
Common modern usageVerified fact
Opens the third and last counting series, which runs from brigade through division and corps to army group.
Contexts: Maps

A single letter X standing centrally above the top edge of the unit frame.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Military organization and echelon marks
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-24
Tertiary reference. Used for the echelon marks that indicate unit size and the names those levels carry. Not used for any claim about the structure, strength or deployment of a real force.
APP-6 — NATO Joint Military Symbology
NATO Standardization Office · retrieved 2026-08-20
The NATO standard for military map symbology. Authoritative for member and partner nations using it; the promulgated edition changes periodically and records describe the framework rather than a specific edition's every detail.

Last reviewed 2026-08-24

Meanings

In NATO joint military symbology a single letter X placed above a unit frame indicates that the unit is a brigade, the first echelon in the X series.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Indicates that the framed unit is a brigade, marked by a single X above the frame.

Contexts: Maps

Common modern usageVerified fact

Opens the third and last counting series, which runs from brigade through division and corps to army group.

Contexts: Maps

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Military organization and echelon marks
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-24
Tertiary reference. Used for the echelon marks that indicate unit size and the names those levels carry. Not used for any claim about the structure, strength or deployment of a real force.
APP-6 — NATO Joint Military Symbology
NATO Standardization Office · retrieved 2026-08-20
The NATO standard for military map symbology. Authoritative for member and partner nations using it; the promulgated edition changes periodically and records describe the framework rather than a specific edition's every detail.

Last reviewed 2026-08-24