主要任務是:運用各(ge)種(zhong)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信裝(zhuang)備和通(tong)(tong)(tong)信設施(shi),保障(zhang)軍隊指揮(hui)和武器控制(zhi)的(de)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信聯絡,組織實施(shi)無線電通(tong)(tong)(tong)信對抗(kang)、航空(kong)兵導航和野戰(zhan)軍郵等。通(tong)(tong)(tong)信兵對保障(zhang)軍隊指揮(hui)和完成各(ge)項任務具有重大作用。自有戰(zhan)爭起,就有傳(chuan)遞軍情的(de)活(huo)動,并逐漸有了(le)專門(men)負責傳(chuan)遞軍事信息的(de)人員和機(ji)構。
在中國,商(shang)朝(chao)已有(you)_(傳(chuan)車)傳(chuan)。西周,初(chu)期有(you)驛站,后期出現了(le)烽(feng)燧報警系統。春秋戰國時期,有(you)的諸(zhu)侯國還把烽(feng)火臺改為邊亭。秦朝(chao),繼承了(le)烽(feng)郵共存的體制(zhi),中央由(you)丞(cheng)相總(zong)管,地方由(you)郡守、縣令(ling)兼管。
西漢,沿襲(xi)秦的郵(you)(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)體制(zhi)。東(dong)漢,郵(you)(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)由太(tai)尉府(fu)的法(fa)曹(cao)(cao)主管。唐朝,郵(you)(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)由尚書省的兵(bing)部(bu)管理(li),各(ge)府(fu)、州、縣由兵(bing)曹(cao)(cao)參軍(jun)、司(si)(si)兵(bing)參軍(jun)和司(si)(si)兵(bing)分掌郵(you)(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi);全國(guo)要道設郵(you)(you)驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi),每驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)設驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)長一(yi)人,驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)夫(fu)數人;邊(bian)境設烽火臺(tai)。北宋,建有一(yi)套(tao)健全的遞鋪通信組(zu)織,分步(bu)遞、馬遞、急腳遞三種,驛(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)卒由廂兵(bing)擔任(ren)。
元朝,郵驛由兵(bing)部和(he)通(tong)(tong)政院管理;急遞鋪與驛站(zhan)并行,是(shi)專司傳送官方文(wen)書(shu)的通(tong)(tong)信組織。
明朝,中(zhong)央管(guan)理(li)郵驛的機關為兵(bing)部(bu)車駕清(qing)吏司(si)和通政司(si);急(ji)遞鋪沿襲元制,每鋪設(she)鋪長一名,鋪兵(bing)數名。
清朝,郵(you)驛由驛、站、塘、臺(tai)、所、鋪(pu)六種(zhong)組織(zhi)形式構成,其中站、塘、臺(tai)由軍(jun)卒(zu)充役,以傳(chuan)遞軍(jun)情為首(shou)要(yao)任務(wu)。
隨(sui)著(zhu)電(dian)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)的(de)發(fa)(fa)展(zhan)(zhan),1905年新軍(jun)(jun)(jun)、海(hai)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)分別在北(bei)京、天津(jin)、保定(ding)等行營(ying)及(ji)海(hai)圻、海(hai)容、海(hai)籌(chou)、海(hai)琛4艦建立(li)(li)無線(xian)(xian)電(dian)臺。1906年于天津(jin)小站舊營(ying)開辦(ban)電(dian)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)學隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),繼之在北(bei)洋常備軍(jun)(jun)(jun)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)設電(dian)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。1926年,國(guo)(guo)(guo)民(min)革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)北(bei)伐時(shi),獨(du)立(li)(li)旅和(he)師以上部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)有(you)無線(xian)(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。1927年,國(guo)(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)在團(tuan)以上部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年,國(guo)(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)成立(li)(li)交通(tong)(tong)(tong)兵團(tuan),其中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。至1935年,通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵成為兵種。中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)人(ren)民(min)解(jie)放軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵是在革命戰(zhan)爭中(zhong)(zhong)誕生(sheng)和(he)發(fa)(fa)展(zhan)(zhan)起來的(de)。1927年8月1日(ri),南(nan)昌起義部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)中(zhong)(zhong)編(bian)有(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。1928年,中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)共產黨中(zhong)(zhong)央軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事部(bu)(bu)(bu)設立(li)(li)交通(tong)(tong)(tong)科,開始培(pei)訓(xun)無線(xian)(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)人(ren)員,而后陸續(xu)派往各蘇區(qu)。1929年,中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第4軍(jun)(jun)(jun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)部(bu)(bu)(bu)及(ji)其下屬縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)司令部(bu)(bu)(bu)設立(li)(li)交通(tong)(tong)(tong)大隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),擔(dan)負軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事交通(tong)(tong)(tong)和(he)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)任(ren)務(wu)。1931年1月,中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)成立(li)(li)第一(yi)(yi)個無線(xian)(xian)電(dian)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),繼而開辦(ban)第一(yi)(yi)期無線(xian)(xian)電(dian)訓(xun)練班,后來發(fa)(fa)展(zhan)(zhan)成為包括無線(xian)(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)、有(you)線(xian)(xian)電(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)等專業的(de)紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)學校。
1934年1月,中(zhong)華蘇維(wei)埃共和(he)國中(zhong)央(yang)革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)委員會總參(can)謀部(bu)成(cheng)立(li)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)局,主管紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)工作。紅(hong)一方面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)團以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)設有(you)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)主任,紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第2、第6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)團設有(you)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)科(ke),紅(hong)四(si)方面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)設有(you)電(dian)(dian)務(wu)處。各(ge)方面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)都編(bian)有(you)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)大隊(dui)或分(fen)隊(dui)(電(dian)(dian)臺)。抗日戰爭(zheng)時期(qi),八路軍(jun)(jun)(jun)、新四(si)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)的營以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)編(bian)有(you)運(yun)動通(tong)(tong)信(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)號通(tong)(tong)信(xin)分(fen)隊(dui),旅以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)和(he)部(bu)分(fen)團建立(li)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)業務(wu)部(bu)門及有(you)線電(dian)(dian)、無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)分(fen)隊(dui)。解放戰爭(zheng)時期(qi),軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區和(he)野(ye)戰軍(jun)(jun)(jun)以(yi)下(xia)各(ge)級司(si)令部(bu)分(fen)別(bie)設立(li)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)處(分(fen)局)、科(ke)、股,團以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)隊(dui)普遍(bian)建立(li)有(you)線電(dian)(dian)、無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)分(fen)隊(dui)。
中華人(ren)民(min)共和國(guo)成立后(hou)(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)進入一個新的發展(zhan)階段,健全了各級(ji)領導機構,擴建了部(bu)隊。1950年(nian)(nian)5月,中央人(ren)民(min)政(zheng)府人(ren)民(min)革(ge)命軍(jun)(jun)事委員(yuan)會設通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu),各軍(jun)(jun)區、軍(jun)(jun)種、兵(bing)種司(si)令(ling)部(bu)設通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)處。同年(nian)(nian)10月,組(zu)建華北軍(jun)(jun)區通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)團。至1953年(nian)(nian),各軍(jun)(jun)區和軍(jun)(jun)委通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)先后(hou)(hou)組(zu)建通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)團。1954年(nian)(nian)3月,統(tong)一了全軍(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)隊的編制。同時,擴建了通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)院校,設立軍(jun)(jun)事通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)科學(xue)研究、技術保障以及通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)軍(jun)(jun)工生(sheng)產管理機構等(deng)。1956年(nian)(nian)4月,通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)改為(wei)中國(guo)人(ren)民(min)解放軍(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)部(bu),成為(wei)獨(du)立的兵(bing)種。此(ci)后(hou)(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)的體制編制幾(ji)經調整。1975年(nian)(nian),兵(bing)種領導機關(guan)改稱(cheng)總參(can)謀部(bu)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)部(bu)。
隨著通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)技術的發展和通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)任務的加重(zhong),70年代(dai)組(zu)(zu)建軍用衛星通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)地球站(zhan)(zhan),80年代(dai)組(zu)(zu)建指揮自動化工作站(zhan)(zhan)。之后,通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)不斷(duan)加強通(tong)(tong)用信(xin)(xin)息傳輸(shu)平(ping)臺(tai)(tai)、處理(li)平(ping)臺(tai)(tai)和指揮控(kong)制系統、頻譜(pu)管理(li)系統建設,基本形成平(ping)戰(zhan)(zhan)結(jie)合(he)、軍民(min)結(jie)合(he)、有線(xian)電與無線(xian)電結(jie)合(he)、機動與固(gu)定(ding)結(jie)合(he)的綜合(he)軍事(shi)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)系統,保障了(le)軍隊平(ping)時(shi)活動和戰(zhan)(zhan)時(shi)指揮控(kong)制的通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)聯絡。世界其(qi)他國(guo)家軍隊都編有通(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)。
俄國(guo)(guo)軍隊(dui)(dui)(dui)于1851年(nian)(nian)(nian)建(jian)立(li)通信(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui),1890年(nian)(nian)(nian)有(you)了電(dian)報(bao)(bao)縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui),1894年(nian)(nian)(nian)電(dian)報(bao)(bao)縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)改組(zu)成集團軍和(he)軍的(de)(de)電(dian)報(bao)(bao)連(lian),1899年(nian)(nian)(nian)組(zu)建(jian)無線電(dian)通信(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。美國(guo)(guo)軍隊(dui)(dui)(dui)于19世紀(ji)(ji)60年(nian)(nian)(nian)代建(jian)立(li)通信(xin)兵(bing)。法(fa)國(guo)(guo)軍隊(dui)(dui)(dui)于19世紀(ji)(ji)中葉組(zu)建(jian)用(yong)于信(xin)差勤務的(de)(de)步兵(bing)與騎兵(bing)聯隊(dui)(dui)(dui),1870年(nian)(nian)(nian)組(zu)建(jian)一個(ge)電(dian)報(bao)(bao)連(lian),后來建(jian)立(li)電(dian)報(bao)(bao)縱(zong)隊(dui)(dui)(dui),1917年(nian)(nian)(nian)起師(shi)以(yi)上各(ge)級部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)都設有(you)電(dian)報(bao)(bao)和(he)無線電(dian)通信(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)。英國(guo)(guo)軍隊(dui)(dui)(dui)的(de)(de)通信(xin)兵(bing)部(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)原屬(shu)工程兵(bing)建(jian)制,1920年(nian)(nian)(nian)成為獨立(li)的(de)(de)兵(bing)種。
隨著(zhu)戰爭(zheng)的(de)(de)發展(zhan)、軍隊規模(mo)的(de)(de)擴大,各國軍隊不斷(duan)加強(qiang)(qiang)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵建設,其體制(zhi)(zhi)編(bian)制(zhi)(zhi)日益完善,通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)保障(zhang)能(neng)力(li)(li)不斷(duan)提高。隨著(zhu)裝(zhuang)(zhuang)備(bei)和通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)技術的(de)(de)發展(zhan),許多國家軍隊將根據本國實(shi)際情(qing)況,不斷(duan)更新(xin)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)技術裝(zhuang)(zhuang)備(bei),調整(zheng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵體制(zhi)(zhi)編(bian)制(zhi)(zhi),發展(zhan)軍隊指(zhi)(zhi)揮(hui)(hui)信(xin)息系統,以(yi)提高快速反應(ying)能(neng)力(li)(li)、協同通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)能(neng)力(li)(li)、戰場生存能(neng)力(li)(li)、通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)對抗(kang)能(neng)力(li)(li)、通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)保密(mi)能(neng)力(li)(li),增強(qiang)(qiang)軍事通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)系統與裝(zhuang)(zhuang)備(bei)、作戰指(zhi)(zhi)揮(hui)(hui)、情(qing)報處理、電子對抗(kang)系統的(de)(de)有機(ji)結合,以(yi)適應(ying)信(xin)息化(hua)局部戰爭(zheng)對通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)保障(zhang)的(de)(de)要求(qiu)。