主要任務是:運(yun)用各種通信(xin)裝備和通信(xin)設(she)施(shi),保障軍(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和武器控制的(de)(de)通信(xin)聯絡,組織實施(shi)無線電通信(xin)對(dui)抗、航(hang)空兵導航(hang)和野戰(zhan)軍(jun)郵等。通信(xin)兵對(dui)保障軍(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和完成各項任務具有(you)重大作(zuo)用。自(zi)有(you)戰(zhan)爭起,就(jiu)有(you)傳遞(di)軍(jun)情的(de)(de)活動,并逐漸有(you)了專門負責傳遞(di)軍(jun)事信(xin)息的(de)(de)人員和機構。
在(zai)中(zhong)國,商(shang)朝已有_(傳(chuan)車)傳(chuan)。西周,初期有驛站,后期出現了(le)(le)烽(feng)燧報警系統(tong)。春秋戰國時(shi)期,有的諸侯國還(huan)把烽(feng)火(huo)臺改(gai)為邊亭。秦朝,繼承了(le)(le)烽(feng)郵(you)共存的體制(zhi),中(zhong)央由丞相總管,地(di)方(fang)由郡守、縣令兼管。
西(xi)漢(han)(han),沿襲秦的郵驛(yi)(yi)體制。東漢(han)(han),郵驛(yi)(yi)由(you)太(tai)尉(wei)府(fu)的法(fa)曹主管。唐朝,郵驛(yi)(yi)由(you)尚書省的兵(bing)(bing)部管理,各(ge)府(fu)、州、縣由(you)兵(bing)(bing)曹參(can)軍、司兵(bing)(bing)參(can)軍和司兵(bing)(bing)分掌郵驛(yi)(yi);全(quan)國要道(dao)設郵驛(yi)(yi),每(mei)驛(yi)(yi)設驛(yi)(yi)長一(yi)人(ren),驛(yi)(yi)夫(fu)數人(ren);邊境設烽火(huo)臺(tai)。北宋,建(jian)有一(yi)套健全(quan)的遞鋪通信組(zu)織,分步(bu)遞、馬(ma)遞、急腳遞三種(zhong),驛(yi)(yi)卒由(you)廂(xiang)兵(bing)(bing)擔(dan)任(ren)。
元朝,郵驛(yi)由兵(bing)部和通(tong)政院(yuan)管理;急遞鋪與驛(yi)站并行,是專司傳(chuan)送官方文書(shu)的通(tong)信組織(zhi)。
明朝,中央管(guan)理郵驛的機關為(wei)兵部車駕清吏司和通(tong)政司;急遞鋪(pu)(pu)沿襲(xi)元(yuan)制,每鋪(pu)(pu)設(she)鋪(pu)(pu)長(chang)一名,鋪(pu)(pu)兵數名。
清(qing)朝(chao),郵驛由驛、站(zhan)、塘(tang)、臺、所、鋪六(liu)種(zhong)組(zu)織形式(shi)構(gou)成,其(qi)中站(zhan)、塘(tang)、臺由軍(jun)卒充(chong)役,以(yi)傳遞軍(jun)情為首要(yao)任務(wu)。
隨著電(dian)(dian)信(xin)(xin)的(de)(de)發展(zhan)(zhan),1905年(nian)新(xin)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、海(hai)(hai)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)分別在(zai)北(bei)京、天津(jin)、保定等(deng)(deng)行營(ying)及海(hai)(hai)圻、海(hai)(hai)容(rong)、海(hai)(hai)籌、海(hai)(hai)琛4艦建立(li)無線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)臺。1906年(nian)于天津(jin)小(xiao)站舊營(ying)開(kai)辦電(dian)(dian)信(xin)(xin)學隊(dui)(dui)(dui),繼之在(zai)北(bei)洋常備軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)設電(dian)(dian)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1926年(nian),國(guo)(guo)(guo)民革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)北(bei)伐時,獨立(li)旅和師以上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)有無線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1927年(nian),國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨(dang)(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)在(zai)團(tuan)以上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)有通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian),國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨(dang)(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)成(cheng)立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)兵(bing)團(tuan),其中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)有通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。至1935年(nian),通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)成(cheng)為(wei)兵(bing)種(zhong)。中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)人民解放(fang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)是(shi)在(zai)革命戰爭中(zhong)(zhong)誕生(sheng)和發展(zhan)(zhan)起來的(de)(de)。1927年(nian)8月1日,南昌起義部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)有通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian),中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)共產黨(dang)(dang)中(zhong)(zhong)央軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)部(bu)(bu)設立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)科,開(kai)始培訓無線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)人員,而后(hou)陸(lu)續派往各蘇(su)區。1929年(nian),中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)第4軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)部(bu)(bu)及其下屬縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)司令部(bu)(bu)設立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)大隊(dui)(dui)(dui),擔負軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)和通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)任務。1931年(nian)1月,中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)成(cheng)立(li)第一個無線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)隊(dui)(dui)(dui),繼而開(kai)辦第一期(qi)無線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)訓練班,后(hou)來發展(zhan)(zhan)成(cheng)為(wei)包括無線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)、有線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)和簡(jian)易信(xin)(xin)號通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)等(deng)(deng)專業的(de)(de)紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)學校(xiao)。
1934年1月(yue),中華(hua)蘇維埃共(gong)和(he)國中央革命軍(jun)事委員會總參謀(mou)部成立通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)局,主管紅(hong)軍(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)工作。紅(hong)一(yi)方面軍(jun)團(tuan)以(yi)上(shang)(shang)部隊(dui)(dui)設有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)主任,紅(hong)軍(jun)第2、第6軍(jun)團(tuan)設有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)科,紅(hong)四(si)方面軍(jun)設有(you)電(dian)務處(chu)(chu)。各方面軍(jun)都編(bian)有(you)無(wu)線(xian)電(dian)大隊(dui)(dui)或分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)(電(dian)臺)。抗日戰(zhan)爭時期,八路軍(jun)、新(xin)四(si)軍(jun)的營以(yi)上(shang)(shang)部隊(dui)(dui)編(bian)有(you)運(yun)動通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui),旅(lv)以(yi)上(shang)(shang)部隊(dui)(dui)和(he)部分(fen)(fen)團(tuan)建(jian)立通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)業務部門及(ji)有(you)線(xian)電(dian)、無(wu)線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)。解放戰(zhan)爭時期,軍(jun)區和(he)野戰(zhan)軍(jun)以(yi)下(xia)各級司令部分(fen)(fen)別設立通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)處(chu)(chu)(分(fen)(fen)局)、科、股,團(tuan)以(yi)上(shang)(shang)部隊(dui)(dui)普遍(bian)建(jian)立有(you)線(xian)電(dian)、無(wu)線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)。
中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)人(ren)(ren)民(min)共和國(guo)(guo)成立后(hou),通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)進入一個(ge)新的(de)(de)發展階(jie)段,健全了(le)各(ge)級領導(dao)(dao)機構(gou),擴建了(le)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)。1950年(nian)5月,中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)央人(ren)(ren)民(min)政府(fu)人(ren)(ren)民(min)革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)(shi)委員會設通(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu),各(ge)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)、軍(jun)(jun)(jun)種(zhong)、兵(bing)種(zhong)司令部(bu)(bu)設通(tong)信(xin)(xin)處。同年(nian)10月,組(zu)建華(hua)北軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)團。至(zhi)1953年(nian),各(ge)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)和軍(jun)(jun)(jun)委通(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)先(xian)后(hou)組(zu)建通(tong)信(xin)(xin)團。1954年(nian)3月,統一了(le)全軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)的(de)(de)編制。同時,擴建了(le)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)院校,設立軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)(shi)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)科學(xue)研(yan)究、技術(shu)保障以及通(tong)信(xin)(xin)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)工生產管理機構(gou)等。1956年(nian)4月,通(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)改為中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)人(ren)(ren)民(min)解放軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)部(bu)(bu),成為獨(du)立的(de)(de)兵(bing)種(zhong)。此后(hou),通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)的(de)(de)體制編制幾(ji)經調整(zheng)。1975年(nian),兵(bing)種(zhong)領導(dao)(dao)機關改稱(cheng)總參謀部(bu)(bu)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)。
隨著通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)技術的發展(zhan)和通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)任務的加重,70年(nian)代(dai)(dai)組建(jian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)用衛星通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)地球站,80年(nian)代(dai)(dai)組建(jian)指(zhi)揮(hui)自(zi)動(dong)化工作站。之(zhi)后,通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵不斷加強通(tong)用信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)息傳輸(shu)平(ping)臺、處理(li)平(ping)臺和指(zhi)揮(hui)控制(zhi)系(xi)統、頻譜(pu)管理(li)系(xi)統建(jian)設,基(ji)本形(xing)成平(ping)戰(zhan)結合(he)、軍(jun)(jun)(jun)民結合(he)、有(you)線電(dian)與無線電(dian)結合(he)、機動(dong)與固定結合(he)的綜合(he)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)系(xi)統,保障了軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊平(ping)時(shi)活(huo)動(dong)和戰(zhan)時(shi)指(zhi)揮(hui)控制(zhi)的通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)聯絡。世界其他(ta)國(guo)家軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊都編有(you)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵。
俄國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于1851年(nian)(nian)(nian)建(jian)(jian)立通(tong)信分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1890年(nian)(nian)(nian)有了電(dian)報縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1894年(nian)(nian)(nian)電(dian)報縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)改組(zu)(zu)成(cheng)(cheng)集團軍(jun)和(he)軍(jun)的(de)電(dian)報連(lian),1899年(nian)(nian)(nian)組(zu)(zu)建(jian)(jian)無(wu)線電(dian)通(tong)信隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。美國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于19世(shi)紀60年(nian)(nian)(nian)代建(jian)(jian)立通(tong)信兵(bing)。法國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于19世(shi)紀中葉組(zu)(zu)建(jian)(jian)用于信差勤務的(de)步兵(bing)與(yu)騎兵(bing)聯隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1870年(nian)(nian)(nian)組(zu)(zu)建(jian)(jian)一個電(dian)報連(lian),后來建(jian)(jian)立電(dian)報縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1917年(nian)(nian)(nian)起師(shi)以上各級(ji)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)都(dou)設(she)有電(dian)報和(he)無(wu)線電(dian)通(tong)信分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。英國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)的(de)通(tong)信兵(bing)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)原(yuan)屬工程兵(bing)建(jian)(jian)制,1920年(nian)(nian)(nian)成(cheng)(cheng)為獨立的(de)兵(bing)種。
隨著戰(zhan)(zhan)爭的(de)(de)發展、軍隊(dui)規模的(de)(de)擴大(da),各國(guo)軍隊(dui)不斷(duan)加強(qiang)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)建設,其體制(zhi)(zhi)編制(zhi)(zhi)日(ri)益完(wan)善,通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)保(bao)障能力不斷(duan)提(ti)(ti)高。隨著裝備(bei)和通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)技術(shu)的(de)(de)發展,許多國(guo)家軍隊(dui)將根(gen)據本國(guo)實(shi)際情況,不斷(duan)更新通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)技術(shu)裝備(bei),調(diao)整通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)體制(zhi)(zhi)編制(zhi)(zhi),發展軍隊(dui)指揮信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)息系(xi)統,以提(ti)(ti)高快速(su)反應(ying)能力、協同通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)能力、戰(zhan)(zhan)場(chang)生存(cun)能力、通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)對(dui)抗能力、通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)保(bao)密能力,增(zeng)強(qiang)軍事通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)系(xi)統與裝備(bei)、作戰(zhan)(zhan)指揮、情報處理(li)、電子對(dui)抗系(xi)統的(de)(de)有機結合,以適應(ying)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)息化局部戰(zhan)(zhan)爭對(dui)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)保(bao)障的(de)(de)要求。