主(zhu)要任(ren)務是:運用各(ge)種通(tong)信(xin)(xin)裝(zhuang)備和(he)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)設施,保障軍(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和(he)武器控制的通(tong)信(xin)(xin)聯絡,組織實施無線電通(tong)信(xin)(xin)對抗、航空兵導航和(he)野戰軍(jun)郵等。通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵對保障軍(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和(he)完成各(ge)項任(ren)務具有重(zhong)大(da)作用。自有戰爭起(qi),就有傳(chuan)(chuan)遞(di)軍(jun)情的活動,并逐(zhu)漸有了專門負責傳(chuan)(chuan)遞(di)軍(jun)事信(xin)(xin)息的人員和(he)機構。
在(zai)中國,商朝(chao)(chao)已有_(傳車)傳。西周,初期(qi)(qi)有驛站,后(hou)期(qi)(qi)出現了(le)烽(feng)(feng)燧報警系統。春秋戰國時期(qi)(qi),有的諸侯國還把烽(feng)(feng)火臺改為邊亭。秦朝(chao)(chao),繼(ji)承(cheng)了(le)烽(feng)(feng)郵共存的體制,中央由丞相總管,地(di)方(fang)由郡守(shou)、縣(xian)令(ling)兼管。
西漢,沿襲秦(qin)的郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)體制。東漢,郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)由(you)太(tai)尉府的法曹主管。唐(tang)朝,郵(you)驛(yi)(yi)由(you)尚書省的兵部管理,各府、州、縣(xian)由(you)兵曹參(can)軍(jun)、司兵參(can)軍(jun)和司兵分掌(zhang)郵(you)驛(yi)(yi);全國要道設(she)郵(you)驛(yi)(yi),每驛(yi)(yi)設(she)驛(yi)(yi)長一人,驛(yi)(yi)夫數人;邊境設(she)烽(feng)火臺。北宋(song),建有一套健全的遞鋪通信(xin)組織,分步遞、馬遞、急(ji)腳遞三種,驛(yi)(yi)卒(zu)由(you)廂兵擔任。
元朝,郵驛(yi)由兵(bing)部(bu)和通政院管理(li);急遞鋪與驛(yi)站并行,是專司傳送官(guan)方文書(shu)的通信組織(zhi)。
明朝(chao),中央管理郵驛的機關為兵(bing)部車駕清吏司和(he)通政司;急(ji)遞鋪(pu)(pu)沿襲(xi)元制(zhi),每鋪(pu)(pu)設鋪(pu)(pu)長一名(ming),鋪(pu)(pu)兵(bing)數名(ming)。
清朝,郵驛(yi)(yi)由驛(yi)(yi)、站、塘、臺、所、鋪六種組織形式構(gou)成,其中(zhong)站、塘、臺由軍卒充役(yi),以傳遞軍情為首要(yao)任(ren)務。
隨著(zhu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)的(de)發展,1905年(nian)(nian)新軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、海(hai)(hai)(hai)(hai)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)分別在(zai)北(bei)京、天津(jin)、保定等行營及海(hai)(hai)(hai)(hai)圻(qi)、海(hai)(hai)(hai)(hai)容、海(hai)(hai)(hai)(hai)籌(chou)、海(hai)(hai)(hai)(hai)琛4艦建立無(wu)(wu)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)臺。1906年(nian)(nian)于天津(jin)小(xiao)站舊營開辦電(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)學隊(dui)(dui)(dui),繼之在(zai)北(bei)洋常(chang)備(bei)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)(bian)設(she)(she)電(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1926年(nian)(nian),國(guo)民(min)革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)北(bei)伐時,獨立旅和(he)(he)師以上部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)(bian)有(you)無(wu)(wu)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1927年(nian)(nian),國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)在(zai)團以上部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian)(nian),國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)成(cheng)立交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)兵團,其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。至1935年(nian)(nian),通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵成(cheng)為兵種。中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)人民(min)解放(fang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵是在(zai)革命戰爭中(zhong)(zhong)誕生和(he)(he)發展起來的(de)。1927年(nian)(nian)8月(yue)1日(ri),南昌起義部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian)(nian),中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)共產黨中(zhong)(zhong)央軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事部(bu)(bu)設(she)(she)立交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)科(ke),開始培訓無(wu)(wu)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)人員,而(er)后陸續(xu)派往各蘇區。1929年(nian)(nian),中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)工農(nong)紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)第4軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)部(bu)(bu)及其(qi)下屬縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)司令部(bu)(bu)設(she)(she)立交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)大隊(dui)(dui)(dui),擔負軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)和(he)(he)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)任務。1931年(nian)(nian)1月(yue),中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)工農(nong)紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)成(cheng)立第一個無(wu)(wu)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)隊(dui)(dui)(dui),繼而(er)開辦第一期無(wu)(wu)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)訓練班,后來發展成(cheng)為包括無(wu)(wu)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)、有(you)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)和(he)(he)簡易信(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)等專(zhuan)業的(de)紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)學校。
1934年1月,中(zhong)華蘇維(wei)埃共和國(guo)中(zhong)央革命(ming)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)委員(yuan)會總參謀部(bu)成立(li)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)局,主(zhu)管紅軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)工作。紅一(yi)方(fang)(fang)面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)團(tuan)以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)設有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)主(zhu)任(ren),紅軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第2、第6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)團(tuan)設有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)科,紅四(si)方(fang)(fang)面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)設有(you)電(dian)務(wu)處。各方(fang)(fang)面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)都(dou)編有(you)無線(xian)電(dian)大隊(dui)(dui)(dui)或分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(電(dian)臺)。抗日(ri)戰(zhan)爭時(shi)期,八路軍(jun)(jun)(jun)、新四(si)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)的營以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)編有(you)運(yun)動(dong)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)和簡易(yi)信(xin)(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)(dui),旅(lv)以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)和部(bu)分(fen)(fen)團(tuan)建立(li)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)業務(wu)部(bu)門及(ji)有(you)線(xian)電(dian)、無線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。解放戰(zhan)爭時(shi)期,軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)和野戰(zhan)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)以(yi)下各級司令部(bu)分(fen)(fen)別設立(li)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)處(分(fen)(fen)局)、科、股,團(tuan)以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)普遍建立(li)有(you)線(xian)電(dian)、無線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。
中華(hua)人民共(gong)和國成立(li)(li)后,通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)進入(ru)一(yi)個新的發展階(jie)段,健全(quan)了(le)各級(ji)領導(dao)(dao)機構,擴建了(le)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊。1950年(nian)5月(yue),中央人民政府(fu)人民革命(ming)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事委員會設通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu),各軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)區、軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)種、兵(bing)種司令(ling)部(bu)(bu)(bu)設通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)處。同年(nian)10月(yue),組(zu)建華(hua)北軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)區通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)團。至1953年(nian),各軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)區和軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)委通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)先后組(zu)建通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)團。1954年(nian)3月(yue),統一(yi)了(le)全(quan)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊的編制(zhi)。同時(shi),擴建了(le)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)院校,設立(li)(li)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)科學研究(jiu)、技術保障以及(ji)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)工生產管(guan)理機構等。1956年(nian)4月(yue),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)改為中國人民解放軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)部(bu)(bu)(bu),成為獨立(li)(li)的兵(bing)種。此后,通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)的體制(zhi)編制(zhi)幾(ji)經調(diao)整。1975年(nian),兵(bing)種領導(dao)(dao)機關改稱總參謀部(bu)(bu)(bu)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)。
隨著(zhu)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)技術的發展和通(tong)(tong)信(xin)任(ren)務的加(jia)重,70年代組(zu)建軍(jun)(jun)(jun)用(yong)衛星通(tong)(tong)信(xin)地球站,80年代組(zu)建指揮(hui)自動化工作(zuo)站。之后,通(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵不(bu)斷加(jia)強通(tong)(tong)用(yong)信(xin)息(xi)傳輸平(ping)臺、處理(li)平(ping)臺和指揮(hui)控制系統(tong)、頻譜管理(li)系統(tong)建設,基(ji)本形成平(ping)戰(zhan)結合(he)(he)、軍(jun)(jun)(jun)民結合(he)(he)、有(you)線(xian)電與無線(xian)電結合(he)(he)、機動與固(gu)定結合(he)(he)的綜合(he)(he)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)系統(tong),保障了軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊平(ping)時活動和戰(zhan)時指揮(hui)控制的通(tong)(tong)信(xin)聯絡。世界其他(ta)國家軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊都(dou)編(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵。
俄國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)1851年建(jian)(jian)立通信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1890年有了電(dian)(dian)報縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1894年電(dian)(dian)報縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)改組成(cheng)集(ji)團軍(jun)(jun)和軍(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)報連,1899年組建(jian)(jian)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通信(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。美國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)19世紀60年代建(jian)(jian)立通信(xin)(xin)(xin)兵。法國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)19世紀中葉組建(jian)(jian)用于(yu)(yu)信(xin)(xin)(xin)差勤務的(de)(de)步(bu)兵與(yu)騎兵聯隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1870年組建(jian)(jian)一個電(dian)(dian)報連,后來建(jian)(jian)立電(dian)(dian)報縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1917年起師以上各級(ji)部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)都設有電(dian)(dian)報和無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。英(ying)國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)的(de)(de)通信(xin)(xin)(xin)兵部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)原屬工程兵建(jian)(jian)制,1920年成(cheng)為獨立的(de)(de)兵種(zhong)。
隨著戰(zhan)爭(zheng)的發展、軍(jun)隊(dui)規模(mo)的擴大,各國(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)不(bu)斷加強通(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)建設,其體制(zhi)(zhi)編制(zhi)(zhi)日(ri)益(yi)完善,通(tong)(tong)信(xin)保(bao)障能力不(bu)斷提(ti)高。隨著裝(zhuang)備和通(tong)(tong)信(xin)技(ji)術的發展,許多國(guo)家(jia)軍(jun)隊(dui)將根(gen)據本國(guo)實際情(qing)況,不(bu)斷更新通(tong)(tong)信(xin)技(ji)術裝(zhuang)備,調整(zheng)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)體制(zhi)(zhi)編制(zhi)(zhi),發展軍(jun)隊(dui)指(zhi)揮信(xin)息系統(tong),以提(ti)高快速(su)反應能力、協同(tong)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)能力、戰(zhan)場生(sheng)存能力、通(tong)(tong)信(xin)對抗能力、通(tong)(tong)信(xin)保(bao)密能力,增(zeng)強軍(jun)事通(tong)(tong)信(xin)系統(tong)與裝(zhuang)備、作戰(zhan)指(zhi)揮、情(qing)報處理、電子對抗系統(tong)的有機結(jie)合,以適應信(xin)息化(hua)局(ju)部(bu)戰(zhan)爭(zheng)對通(tong)(tong)信(xin)保(bao)障的要求。