步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing),陸軍(jun)(jun)中(zhong)徒步(bu)(bu)或(huo)乘(cheng)裝(zhuang)甲輸送車(che)(che)(che)、步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)戰(zhan)車(che)(che)(che)作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan)的(de)兵(bing)(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。包括徒步(bu)(bu)步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)、摩托化步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)、機械(xie)化步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)、山地(di)步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)和重裝(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)、輕裝(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)等。主要(yao)(yao)裝(zhuang)備有步(bu)(bu)槍(qiang)、機槍(qiang)、火(huo)箭(jian)筒、輕型火(huo)炮、反(fan)坦克(ke)導(dao)彈、防空火(huo)器、汽車(che)(che)(che)、裝(zhuang)甲輸送車(che)(che)(che)和步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)戰(zhan)車(che)(che)(che)等。能獨立或(huo)在其他兵(bing)(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、軍(jun)(jun)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)協(xie)同下作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan)。主要(yao)(yao)擔負近戰(zhan)中(zhong)殲(jian)滅(mie)敵人,奪(duo)取或(huo)扼(e)守(shou)地(di)區、陣地(di)的(de)任務。可搭乘(cheng)直(zhi)升機、登陸工具(ju),遂行機降、登陸作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan)任務。步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)是陸軍(jun)(jun)中(zhong)人數較多的(de)兵(bing)(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),在地(di)面(mian)作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan)中(zhong)具(ju)有重要(yao)(yao)作(zuo)(zuo)用(yong)。
中國古代步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)有(you)徒(tu)(tu)、卒(zu)、徒(tu)(tu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)、徒(tu)(tu)卒(zu)、武卒(zu)、銳士(shi)、技擊、帶(dai)甲等(deng)(deng)稱呼。漢以后通稱步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)。夏朝,主要(yao)是徒(tu)(tu)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)作(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)戰的徒(tu)(tu)、卒(zu),使用(yong)石(shi)、骨、竹、木(mu)質的刀、戈、鏃、矛、斧、鏟(chan)、棒等(deng)(deng)原始兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi),并開(kai)(kai)始使用(yong)青銅(tong)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi)和(he)護身(shen)裝具。商、西周(zhou)、春(chun)秋時期(qi),以車(che)(che)戰為主要(yao)作(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)戰形(xing)式,步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)主要(yao)隨車(che)(che)作(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)戰,車(che)(che)、步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)合(he)成編組,并大(da)量(liang)使用(yong)青銅(tong)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi)。春(chun)秋時期(qi)出現鐵兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi),弓弩、短(duan)劍和(he)戟(ji)用(yong)于作(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)戰,金屬頭(tou)盔(kui)、鎧甲和(he)皮革制甲胄已配備部(bu)隊。《周(zhou)禮?夏官(guan)》記載有(you)軍、師(shi)、旅、卒(zu)、兩、伍(wu)的編制序列(lie)。公元前541年(nian),晉(jin)國大(da)夫魏舒(shu)率軍與狄人(ren)交戰,“毀車(che)(che)以為行(xing)”(《左傳?昭公元年(nian)》),改車(che)(che)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)為步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)。隨后,中原諸侯國紛紛效仿(fang),獨(du)立(li)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)逐漸崛起。戰國時期(qi),隨著封建經濟的發(fa)展(zhan)(zhan),鋼鐵兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi)和(he)拋射(she)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi)大(da)量(liang)使用(yong),特別是郡縣征兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)制的興(xing)起,大(da)量(liang)農民被征召入伍(wu),步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)迅速(su)發(fa)展(zhan)(zhan)成為規模最(zui)大(da)、人(ren)數最(zui)多(duo)、作(zuo)(zuo)(zuo)戰靈活的獨(du)立(li)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)種。宋初(chu),開(kai)(kai)始配備火器(qi),進(jin)入火器(qi)與冷兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器(qi)并用(yong)時期(qi)。
明朝(chao)始(shi)建專配火器的(de)步兵。19世紀60年代(dai)后,清政府開(kai)始(shi)仿造、購(gou)買西方近代(dai)槍炮,步兵逐漸(jian)進入(ru)主要裝備火器的(de)時代(dai)。步兵主要按武器裝備、作(zuo)戰(zhan)方式(shi)編(bian)制(zhi),便于管(guan)理(li)編(bian)組。編(bian)制(zhi)規模和(he)名稱各朝(chao)不盡相同。清后期,新軍(jun)按鎮(zhen)、協、標、營、隊、排(pai)、棚的(de)序列編(bian)制(zhi)。
中華民國時期,步兵的(de)規(gui)模和裝備(bei)有較(jiao)大發展(zhan),配備(bei)大量(liang)仿造和購(gou)買的(de)西式武(wu)器(qi),確立(li)軍、師、旅(lv)、團、營、連、排、班的(de)基本編制序列,仍然保留軍隊主力的(de)地位。
中(zhong)國(guo)人(ren)(ren)民(min)解(jie)放軍步(bu)(bu)兵,在革命戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)爭(zheng)年代(dai),規模(mo)不斷擴大,一(yi)直是作(zuo)戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)主(zhu)力。初(chu)創時(shi)只有6個(ge)師,中(zhong)華人(ren)(ren)民(min)共和(he)國(guo)成立前夕已發展到200多(duo)個(ge)師。但不同(tong)時(shi)期、不同(tong)地區差異較大,有時(shi)還與地方(fang)武裝和(he)游擊(ji)隊(dui)混合(he)編(bian)組,機構設置和(he)人(ren)(ren)員(yuan)數額因時(shi)而變。1948年11月(yue)1日,中(zhong)央軍事委(wei)員(yuan)會發布《關于統(tong)(tong)一(yi)全(quan)軍組織及部隊(dui)番(fan)(fan)號的規定》,全(quan)軍步(bu)(bu)兵的組織編(bian)制(zhi)和(he)番(fan)(fan)號得(de)到統(tong)(tong)一(yi)。一(yi)般(ban)按軍、師(旅)、團、營、連、排、班序列(lie),采用(yong)(yong)“三(san)(san)三(san)(san)制(zhi)”編(bian)組。裝備(bei)在戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)爭(zheng)年代(dai)主(zhu)要靠(kao)繳獲而來,初(chu)期部分(fen)步(bu)(bu)兵還使用(yong)(yong)冷兵器作(zuo)戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan),解(jie)放戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)爭(zheng)后期有了較大改(gai)善,主(zhu)要裝備(bei)有步(bu)(bu)槍、機槍、火箭筒(tong)和(he)迫擊(ji)炮等,但仍處于以劣勢裝備(bei)同(tong)敵人(ren)(ren)作(zuo)戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)的狀態。
中華人(ren)民(min)共(gong)和(he)國成立后(hou),抽調(diao)大(da)量(liang)步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)建制(zhi)單(dan)位組建、發展特(te)種兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing),同(tong)時(shi)在步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)內部(bu)(bu)增編(bian)(bian)(bian)特(te)種專(zhuan)業部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)、分隊(dui),步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)所(suo)占的比(bi)例逐漸縮小。經過多(duo)次精簡整編(bian)(bian)(bian),步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)編(bian)(bian)(bian)制(zhi)趨于統一(yi),結構更(geng)加合理(li),訓練更(geng)加正規,素(su)質不斷提高(gao)。1955年(nian)(nian)、1960年(nian)(nian)、1969年(nian)(nian),先后(hou)將一(yi)批步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)師(shi)改為摩托(tuo)化(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)師(shi)。1983年(nian)(nian),開始組建機(ji)械化(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)師(shi),其編(bian)(bian)(bian)制(zhi)內有機(ji)械化(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)團(tuan)、坦克團(tuan)、炮(pao)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)團(tuan)、高(gao)炮(pao)團(tuan)和(he)專(zhuan)業兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)分隊(dui),步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)編(bian)(bian)(bian)配裝甲(jia)輸送(song)車、步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)戰(zhan)車。1985年(nian)(nian),根據(ju)地理(li)、氣候和(he)任務,確定了不同(tong)類(lei)型步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)的編(bian)(bian)(bian)制(zhi)。隨著裝備的更(geng)新和(he)作戰(zhan)需求,步(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)的編(bian)(bian)(bian)制(zhi)結構將不斷調(diao)整變(bian)化(hua)。
公(gong)元前(qian)第4千紀,古埃及就有步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)。前(qian)6世紀后,古希臘、古羅馬、古波斯等(deng)國(guo)(guo)以步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)為(wei)(wei)主要作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan)力(li)量,區(qu)分為(wei)(wei)重裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)和(he)輕裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)。重裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)是主力(li),配(pei)備有矛、劍、匕首和(he)護具。輕裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)協助重裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan),使用投擲兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)器而(er)無(wu)護具。公(gong)元4~10世紀,歐(ou)洲國(guo)(guo)家的(de)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)開(kai)始衰落,只(zhi)起輔助作(zuo)(zuo)用。14世紀后,步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)陸續配(pei)備火槍、火炮(pao),戰(zhan)斗力(li)大(da)(da)為(wei)(wei)提高,逐漸恢(hui)復成為(wei)(wei)軍(jun)(jun)隊主力(li)。15~16世紀,出現步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)連(lian)、營、團、旅。18世紀,有了步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)師的(de)編(bian)制。18~19世紀,歐(ou)洲各(ge)國(guo)(guo)又出現輕步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing),配(pei)備短步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)槍和(he)輕便裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)具,以火力(li)支(zhi)援(yuan)重步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)戰(zhan)斗。進入20世紀,輕、重步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)的(de)區(qu)別消失(shi)。第一次世界大(da)(da)戰(zhan)中(zhong),開(kai)始用汽(qi)車(che)、裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)甲車(che)輸(shu)送步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)部(bu)隊。第二次世界大(da)(da)戰(zhan)中(zhong),組建大(da)(da)量機(ji)械(xie)化(hua)(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)部(bu)隊。戰(zhan)后,美、英等(deng)國(guo)(guo)主要發展(zhan)機(ji)械(xie)化(hua)(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing);蘇(su)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)隊將所有的(de)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)都稱為(wei)(wei)摩托化(hua)(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing);德意(yi)志(zhi)聯(lian)邦共和(he)國(guo)(guo)稱機(ji)械(xie)化(hua)(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)為(wei)(wei)裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)甲步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)。進入21世紀,許(xu)多國(guo)(guo)家增(zeng)加(jia)機(ji)械(xie)化(hua)(hua)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)的(de)比例,增(zeng)編(bian)隸屬(shu)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)的(de)武裝(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)直升(sheng)機(ji)和(he)運輸(shu)直升(sheng)機(ji),配(pei)備射程遠(yuan)、精度高、射速快(kuai)、體積小、全天(tian)候的(de)步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)武器,改進指(zhi)揮、控制、通(tong)信、情(qing)報系統和(he)作(zuo)(zuo)戰(zhan)保障系統,加(jia)強各(ge)種條(tiao)件下的(de)戰(zhan)備訓練(lian),力(li)求(qiu)從多方面(mian)加(jia)速步(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)建設,以適(shi)應信息化(hua)(hua)局部(bu)戰(zhan)爭的(de)需要。