主要任務是:運用各種(zhong)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)裝備和(he)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)設施,保障(zhang)軍(jun)(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和(he)武(wu)器控制的通(tong)信(xin)(xin)聯絡,組織實施無線電通(tong)信(xin)(xin)對(dui)抗、航空兵導(dao)航和(he)野戰軍(jun)(jun)郵等。通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵對(dui)保障(zhang)軍(jun)(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和(he)完成各項任務具有重大作用。自有戰爭起,就(jiu)有傳遞軍(jun)(jun)情的活(huo)動,并逐漸有了專門負責傳遞軍(jun)(jun)事(shi)信(xin)(xin)息(xi)的人員和(he)機構(gou)。
在(zai)中國(guo),商朝已有_(傳車)傳。西周,初期有驛(yi)站,后(hou)期出(chu)現了烽燧報警系(xi)統(tong)。春秋戰(zhan)國(guo)時期,有的諸侯國(guo)還把烽火臺(tai)改為邊亭(ting)。秦朝,繼承了烽郵共存的體制,中央由(you)丞相總管,地(di)方由(you)郡守、縣令(ling)兼管。
西漢,沿襲秦的郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)體制。東漢,郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)由(you)太尉府的法(fa)曹主管。唐朝(chao),郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)由(you)尚書省的兵(bing)(bing)部管理,各(ge)府、州、縣由(you)兵(bing)(bing)曹參(can)軍、司(si)兵(bing)(bing)參(can)軍和司(si)兵(bing)(bing)分掌郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi);全國要道設(she)郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi),每驛(yi)(yi)(yi)設(she)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)長一人,驛(yi)(yi)(yi)夫數(shu)人;邊(bian)境設(she)烽火(huo)臺。北宋,建(jian)有一套健全的遞(di)鋪通信組織,分步遞(di)、馬遞(di)、急(ji)腳遞(di)三種,驛(yi)(yi)(yi)卒由(you)廂兵(bing)(bing)擔任。
元(yuan)朝,郵驛由兵(bing)部(bu)和通政院管理;急遞(di)鋪與驛站并(bing)行,是專司傳(chuan)送官方文書的通信(xin)組織。
明朝,中央管(guan)理郵(you)驛的機關為(wei)兵(bing)部車駕清吏司和通政司;急遞鋪沿襲元制,每鋪設鋪長一名,鋪兵(bing)數名。
清朝,郵驛(yi)由(you)驛(yi)、站、塘(tang)、臺(tai)、所、鋪(pu)六種組織形(xing)式構成,其中站、塘(tang)、臺(tai)由(you)軍卒(zu)充(chong)役,以(yi)傳遞軍情為首要(yao)任務。
隨著電(dian)信(xin)(xin)的(de)發展(zhan),1905年(nian)新(xin)軍、海(hai)軍分別在(zai)北(bei)京、天(tian)津(jin)、保定等行營(ying)(ying)及海(hai)圻、海(hai)容、海(hai)籌、海(hai)琛4艦建立(li)無(wu)(wu)線電(dian)臺。1906年(nian)于天(tian)津(jin)小站(zhan)舊營(ying)(ying)開(kai)辦電(dian)信(xin)(xin)學隊(dui)(dui)(dui),繼(ji)之在(zai)北(bei)洋常備(bei)軍中(zhong)編(bian)(bian)設電(dian)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1926年(nian),國(guo)(guo)民(min)(min)革命(ming)軍北(bei)伐(fa)時,獨立(li)旅和(he)師以上部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)(bian)有(you)(you)無(wu)(wu)線電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1927年(nian),國(guo)(guo)民(min)(min)黨軍隊(dui)(dui)(dui)在(zai)團以上部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)(bian)有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian),國(guo)(guo)民(min)(min)黨軍隊(dui)(dui)(dui)成立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)兵(bing)團,其(qi)中(zhong)編(bian)(bian)有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。至1935年(nian),通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)成為(wei)兵(bing)種。中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)人民(min)(min)解放軍通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)是(shi)在(zai)革命(ming)戰爭(zheng)中(zhong)誕生和(he)發展(zhan)起(qi)來的(de)。1927年(nian)8月1日,南昌起(qi)義部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)中(zhong)編(bian)(bian)有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian),中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)共產黨中(zhong)央(yang)軍事(shi)部(bu)設立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)科,開(kai)始(shi)培(pei)訓無(wu)(wu)線電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)人員,而后陸續派往各蘇區。1929年(nian),中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)軍第4軍軍部(bu)及其(qi)下屬縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)司(si)令(ling)部(bu)設立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)大隊(dui)(dui)(dui),擔負(fu)軍事(shi)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)和(he)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)任務。1931年(nian)1月,中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)軍成立(li)第一個無(wu)(wu)線電(dian)隊(dui)(dui)(dui),繼(ji)而開(kai)辦第一期無(wu)(wu)線電(dian)訓練班,后來發展(zhan)成為(wei)包括無(wu)(wu)線電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)、有(you)(you)線電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)等專業的(de)紅(hong)軍通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)學校。
1934年1月,中(zhong)華蘇(su)維(wei)埃共和(he)(he)國中(zhong)央(yang)革(ge)命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)委員會(hui)總參謀部(bu)(bu)(bu)成立(li)(li)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)局,主管(guan)紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)工(gong)作(zuo)。紅(hong)一方(fang)面軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)團(tuan)以上(shang)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)設(she)有通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)主任,紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)2、第(di)6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)團(tuan)設(she)有通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)科,紅(hong)四(si)方(fang)面軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)設(she)有電(dian)(dian)(dian)務(wu)處。各方(fang)面軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)都編有無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)大隊(dui)或分(fen)隊(dui)(電(dian)(dian)(dian)臺(tai))。抗日戰(zhan)爭(zheng)時期(qi),八(ba)路軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、新(xin)四(si)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)的營以上(shang)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)編有運(yun)動通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)和(he)(he)簡易信(xin)(xin)(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分(fen)隊(dui),旅以上(shang)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)和(he)(he)部(bu)(bu)(bu)分(fen)團(tuan)建立(li)(li)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)業務(wu)部(bu)(bu)(bu)門及有線電(dian)(dian)(dian)、無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分(fen)隊(dui)。解(jie)放戰(zhan)爭(zheng)時期(qi),軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)區和(he)(he)野戰(zhan)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)以下各級司令部(bu)(bu)(bu)分(fen)別(bie)設(she)立(li)(li)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)處(分(fen)局)、科、股(gu),團(tuan)以上(shang)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)普遍建立(li)(li)有線電(dian)(dian)(dian)、無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分(fen)隊(dui)。
中華人(ren)民(min)共和(he)國(guo)成立(li)后,通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)進(jin)入一(yi)個新的發(fa)展階段,健全了各(ge)級領導機(ji)構,擴(kuo)建(jian)了部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)。1950年(nian)(nian)5月(yue),中央人(ren)民(min)政府(fu)人(ren)民(min)革命軍(jun)事委(wei)員會設(she)(she)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu),各(ge)軍(jun)區、軍(jun)種、兵(bing)種司令(ling)部(bu)(bu)(bu)設(she)(she)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)處。同年(nian)(nian)10月(yue),組建(jian)華北軍(jun)區通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)團(tuan)。至1953年(nian)(nian),各(ge)軍(jun)區和(he)軍(jun)委(wei)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)先后組建(jian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)團(tuan)。1954年(nian)(nian)3月(yue),統一(yi)了全軍(jun)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)的編(bian)制(zhi)。同時,擴(kuo)建(jian)了通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)院(yuan)校,設(she)(she)立(li)軍(jun)事通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)科學研究、技(ji)術保障以及(ji)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)軍(jun)工生(sheng)產管理機(ji)構等(deng)。1956年(nian)(nian)4月(yue),通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)改(gai)(gai)為中國(guo)人(ren)民(min)解(jie)放軍(jun)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)部(bu)(bu)(bu),成為獨立(li)的兵(bing)種。此后,通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)的體制(zhi)編(bian)制(zhi)幾經調整。1975年(nian)(nian),兵(bing)種領導機(ji)關(guan)改(gai)(gai)稱(cheng)總參(can)謀部(bu)(bu)(bu)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)。
隨著通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)技術的發展和通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)任(ren)務的加重,70年(nian)代組建(jian)軍用衛星通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)地球站(zhan),80年(nian)代組建(jian)指揮(hui)自動化(hua)工作站(zhan)。之后,通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵不斷加強通(tong)(tong)用信(xin)(xin)息傳(chuan)輸平(ping)臺、處理平(ping)臺和指揮(hui)控制系統、頻譜管理系統建(jian)設,基(ji)本形成平(ping)戰(zhan)結合(he)、軍民結合(he)、有線(xian)電與(yu)無(wu)線(xian)電結合(he)、機動與(yu)固定結合(he)的綜(zong)合(he)軍事通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)系統,保障了軍隊(dui)平(ping)時活動和戰(zhan)時指揮(hui)控制的通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)聯絡(luo)。世界其他國家軍隊(dui)都(dou)編有通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵。
俄國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)(yu)1851年(nian)建立通(tong)信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1890年(nian)有了電(dian)報縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1894年(nian)電(dian)報縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)改(gai)組(zu)(zu)成(cheng)集團(tuan)軍(jun)和軍(jun)的(de)電(dian)報連(lian),1899年(nian)組(zu)(zu)建無線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。美國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)(yu)19世紀60年(nian)代(dai)建立通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵。法國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)(yu)19世紀中葉組(zu)(zu)建用于(yu)(yu)(yu)信(xin)(xin)差勤(qin)務(wu)的(de)步兵與騎兵聯隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1870年(nian)組(zu)(zu)建一個電(dian)報連(lian),后(hou)來建立電(dian)報縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1917年(nian)起(qi)師以(yi)上各(ge)級部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)都設有電(dian)報和無線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。英國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)的(de)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)原屬工程兵建制,1920年(nian)成(cheng)為獨立的(de)兵種(zhong)。
隨(sui)(sui)著戰(zhan)爭的發展(zhan)、軍隊(dui)(dui)規(gui)模的擴大,各(ge)國軍隊(dui)(dui)不(bu)斷(duan)加強通(tong)信兵建設,其(qi)體(ti)制編(bian)(bian)制日益完(wan)善,通(tong)信保障能(neng)力(li)不(bu)斷(duan)提(ti)高。隨(sui)(sui)著裝備(bei)和通(tong)信技術的發展(zhan),許(xu)多(duo)國家軍隊(dui)(dui)將(jiang)根據本國實際情(qing)況,不(bu)斷(duan)更新通(tong)信技術裝備(bei),調整(zheng)通(tong)信兵體(ti)制編(bian)(bian)制,發展(zhan)軍隊(dui)(dui)指揮(hui)信息系統,以提(ti)高快速反(fan)應(ying)能(neng)力(li)、協同(tong)通(tong)信能(neng)力(li)、戰(zhan)場生存能(neng)力(li)、通(tong)信對(dui)抗(kang)能(neng)力(li)、通(tong)信保密能(neng)力(li),增強軍事通(tong)信系統與裝備(bei)、作(zuo)戰(zhan)指揮(hui)、情(qing)報(bao)處理、電(dian)子對(dui)抗(kang)系統的有機結合(he),以適(shi)應(ying)信息化局部戰(zhan)爭對(dui)通(tong)信保障的要求。