主要任務(wu)是:運用(yong)各種通信(xin)(xin)裝備和(he)通信(xin)(xin)設(she)施,保障軍(jun)(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和(he)武器控制的通信(xin)(xin)聯絡,組織實施無線電通信(xin)(xin)對抗、航空兵導航和(he)野戰軍(jun)(jun)郵等(deng)。通信(xin)(xin)兵對保障軍(jun)(jun)隊指(zhi)揮和(he)完(wan)成各項任務(wu)具有重大作(zuo)用(yong)。自有戰爭起(qi),就有傳遞(di)軍(jun)(jun)情的活動(dong),并逐漸(jian)有了(le)專門負責(ze)傳遞(di)軍(jun)(jun)事信(xin)(xin)息的人(ren)員和(he)機構。
在中(zhong)國,商朝(chao)已有_(傳(chuan)車)傳(chuan)。西周,初期(qi)有驛站(zhan),后(hou)期(qi)出(chu)現了烽(feng)燧報(bao)警系統。春秋戰國時(shi)期(qi),有的諸侯國還(huan)把烽(feng)火臺改為邊亭。秦朝(chao),繼(ji)承了烽(feng)郵(you)共存的體制,中(zhong)央由丞相總管(guan),地(di)方(fang)由郡守、縣令兼管(guan)。
西漢,沿(yan)襲秦(qin)的郵(you)驛(yi)體制(zhi)。東漢,郵(you)驛(yi)由太尉府的法曹主管。唐(tang)朝,郵(you)驛(yi)由尚書省的兵(bing)(bing)部管理(li),各府、州、縣(xian)由兵(bing)(bing)曹參軍(jun)(jun)、司兵(bing)(bing)參軍(jun)(jun)和司兵(bing)(bing)分(fen)(fen)掌郵(you)驛(yi);全(quan)(quan)國要道(dao)設(she)郵(you)驛(yi),每驛(yi)設(she)驛(yi)長一人,驛(yi)夫數人;邊境設(she)烽火臺。北宋,建有一套健全(quan)(quan)的遞(di)鋪(pu)通信組織,分(fen)(fen)步遞(di)、馬(ma)遞(di)、急腳(jiao)遞(di)三種,驛(yi)卒由廂兵(bing)(bing)擔任。
元(yuan)朝(chao),郵驛由兵(bing)部和通政(zheng)院(yuan)管理(li);急遞鋪(pu)與驛站并(bing)行(xing),是專司傳送官方文書(shu)的通信組織。
明朝,中央管(guan)理(li)郵(you)驛的機(ji)關為兵部車駕清(qing)吏司和通政司;急遞鋪(pu)(pu)沿襲(xi)元制,每(mei)鋪(pu)(pu)設鋪(pu)(pu)長一名,鋪(pu)(pu)兵數名。
清朝(chao),郵驛由驛、站(zhan)、塘(tang)、臺、所(suo)、鋪六種組織形(xing)式構成(cheng),其中站(zhan)、塘(tang)、臺由軍(jun)卒充役(yi),以傳(chuan)遞軍(jun)情為首要任務(wu)。
隨著電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)的(de)發展,1905年(nian)(nian)新軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、海軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)分別在北(bei)京、天(tian)津、保定等行營(ying)及(ji)海圻、海容、海籌、海琛4艦建立(li)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)臺。1906年(nian)(nian)于天(tian)津小站舊營(ying)開(kai)辦(ban)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)學(xue)隊,繼之在北(bei)洋(yang)常備軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)編設(she)(she)(she)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)隊。1926年(nian)(nian),國(guo)民(min)革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)北(bei)伐(fa)時,獨立(li)旅和(he)師(shi)以上部隊編有(you)(you)(you)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)分隊。1927年(nian)(nian),國(guo)民(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊在團以上部隊編有(you)(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)隊。1928年(nian)(nian),國(guo)民(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊成(cheng)(cheng)立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)兵團,其中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)編有(you)(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)隊。至1935年(nian)(nian),通(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵成(cheng)(cheng)為兵種。中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)人民(min)解放(fang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵是在革命戰爭(zheng)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)誕生和(he)發展起來的(de)。1927年(nian)(nian)8月1日,南昌(chang)起義部隊中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)編有(you)(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)分隊。1928年(nian)(nian),中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)共產黨(dang)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)央軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)部設(she)(she)(she)立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)科,開(kai)始培訓(xun)(xun)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)人員,而后(hou)陸(lu)續派往各蘇(su)區。1929年(nian)(nian),中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)工農紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)第4軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)部及(ji)其下屬縱隊司令部設(she)(she)(she)立(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)大隊,擔負軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)和(he)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)任務。1931年(nian)(nian)1月,中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)工農紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)成(cheng)(cheng)立(li)第一個無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)隊,繼而開(kai)辦(ban)第一期無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)訓(xun)(xun)練班,后(hou)來發展成(cheng)(cheng)為包括(kuo)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)、有(you)(you)(you)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)號通(tong)(tong)信(xin)等專業的(de)紅(hong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)信(xin)學(xue)校。
1934年1月,中華蘇(su)維埃共和(he)國中央(yang)革命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)委員會總參謀(mou)部(bu)(bu)(bu)成立(li)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)局,主管(guan)紅軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)工作。紅一方面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)團(tuan)以(yi)上部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)設(she)有(you)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)主任(ren),紅軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第2、第6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)團(tuan)設(she)有(you)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)科(ke),紅四方面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)設(she)有(you)電(dian)(dian)務(wu)處(chu)。各方面(mian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)都編(bian)有(you)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)大隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)或分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(電(dian)(dian)臺(tai))。抗日(ri)戰(zhan)爭(zheng)(zheng)時期,八(ba)路軍(jun)(jun)(jun)、新四軍(jun)(jun)(jun)的(de)營以(yi)上部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)編(bian)有(you)運動通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)和(he)簡(jian)易信(xin)(xin)(xin)號通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),旅以(yi)上部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)和(he)部(bu)(bu)(bu)分團(tuan)建(jian)立(li)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)業務(wu)部(bu)(bu)(bu)門及有(you)線電(dian)(dian)、無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。解放戰(zhan)爭(zheng)(zheng)時期,軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)和(he)野(ye)戰(zhan)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)以(yi)下(xia)各級司令部(bu)(bu)(bu)分別(bie)設(she)立(li)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)處(chu)(分局)、科(ke)、股,團(tuan)以(yi)上部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)普遍建(jian)立(li)有(you)線電(dian)(dian)、無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。
中(zhong)(zhong)華人民(min)(min)共和(he)國成立(li)(li)后(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)進(jin)入(ru)一個新的發(fa)展(zhan)階段,健(jian)全了各級(ji)領導機構,擴(kuo)建(jian)了部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊。1950年(nian)5月(yue),中(zhong)(zhong)央人民(min)(min)政府人民(min)(min)革(ge)命軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事委員會設(she)(she)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu),各軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)、軍(jun)(jun)(jun)種(zhong)(zhong)、兵(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)司令部(bu)(bu)(bu)設(she)(she)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)處。同(tong)年(nian)10月(yue),組建(jian)華北軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)團(tuan)。至1953年(nian),各軍(jun)(jun)(jun)區(qu)和(he)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)委通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)先后(hou)組建(jian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)團(tuan)。1954年(nian)3月(yue),統(tong)一了全軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)隊的編(bian)制。同(tong)時,擴(kuo)建(jian)了通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)院(yuan)校,設(she)(she)立(li)(li)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)科學研究、技(ji)術保障(zhang)以及通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)工生產(chan)管(guan)理機構等(deng)。1956年(nian)4月(yue),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)改為(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)國人民(min)(min)解放軍(jun)(jun)(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)部(bu)(bu)(bu),成為(wei)獨立(li)(li)的兵(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)。此(ci)后(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)的體制編(bian)制幾經調整。1975年(nian),兵(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)領導機關改稱總(zong)參謀部(bu)(bu)(bu)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)(bu)(bu)。
隨著通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)技術的發(fa)展和(he)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)任務的加重,70年代組建軍用衛星通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)地球站(zhan),80年代組建指揮自動化(hua)工作站(zhan)。之后(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵不斷加強通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)用信(xin)(xin)息傳輸平(ping)臺、處(chu)理平(ping)臺和(he)指揮控制系(xi)統(tong)(tong)、頻譜(pu)管理系(xi)統(tong)(tong)建設,基本(ben)形(xing)成平(ping)戰結合(he)(he)(he)、軍民結合(he)(he)(he)、有(you)(you)線(xian)電(dian)與(yu)無線(xian)電(dian)結合(he)(he)(he)、機動與(yu)固定結合(he)(he)(he)的綜合(he)(he)(he)軍事(shi)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)系(xi)統(tong)(tong),保(bao)障了軍隊平(ping)時活動和(he)戰時指揮控制的通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)聯絡。世界其他國(guo)家軍隊都編有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵。
俄國(guo)(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)1851年(nian)(nian)建(jian)立通信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1890年(nian)(nian)有(you)了電(dian)(dian)報(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1894年(nian)(nian)電(dian)(dian)報(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)改組(zu)成集團軍(jun)和軍(jun)的電(dian)(dian)報(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)連(lian),1899年(nian)(nian)組(zu)建(jian)無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通信(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。美國(guo)(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)19世紀60年(nian)(nian)代建(jian)立通信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)。法(fa)國(guo)(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)(yu)19世紀中葉組(zu)建(jian)用于(yu)(yu)信(xin)(xin)差(cha)勤務的步兵(bing)(bing)(bing)與騎兵(bing)(bing)(bing)聯隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1870年(nian)(nian)組(zu)建(jian)一個電(dian)(dian)報(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)連(lian),后來建(jian)立電(dian)(dian)報(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1917年(nian)(nian)起師(shi)以上各級部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)都(dou)設有(you)電(dian)(dian)報(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)和無(wu)線電(dian)(dian)通信(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。英(ying)國(guo)(guo)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)的通信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)原屬工程(cheng)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)建(jian)制(zhi),1920年(nian)(nian)成為獨立的兵(bing)(bing)(bing)種。
隨(sui)著戰(zhan)(zhan)爭的(de)發(fa)展(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、軍(jun)(jun)隊規模的(de)擴大,各國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊不(bu)斷加(jia)強(qiang)(qiang)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵建設,其(qi)體制(zhi)編制(zhi)日(ri)益完善,通(tong)信(xin)(xin)保障能力(li)(li)不(bu)斷提高。隨(sui)著裝(zhuang)備(bei)和(he)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)技(ji)(ji)術的(de)發(fa)展(zhan)(zhan)(zhan),許多國(guo)家軍(jun)(jun)隊將根據本國(guo)實際情(qing)況(kuang),不(bu)斷更新通(tong)信(xin)(xin)技(ji)(ji)術裝(zhuang)備(bei),調整通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵體制(zhi)編制(zhi),發(fa)展(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)軍(jun)(jun)隊指(zhi)揮信(xin)(xin)息系統,以提高快(kuai)速反應(ying)能力(li)(li)、協同通(tong)信(xin)(xin)能力(li)(li)、戰(zhan)(zhan)場生存能力(li)(li)、通(tong)信(xin)(xin)對(dui)抗(kang)能力(li)(li)、通(tong)信(xin)(xin)保密能力(li)(li),增強(qiang)(qiang)軍(jun)(jun)事通(tong)信(xin)(xin)系統與裝(zhuang)備(bei)、作(zuo)戰(zhan)(zhan)指(zhi)揮、情(qing)報處理(li)、電子對(dui)抗(kang)系統的(de)有機結合,以適應(ying)信(xin)(xin)息化局部戰(zhan)(zhan)爭對(dui)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)保障的(de)要求(qiu)。