主(zhu)要任務是:運用各種通(tong)信(xin)(xin)裝備(bei)和(he)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)設施,保障(zhang)軍隊指揮(hui)和(he)武(wu)器控制(zhi)的通(tong)信(xin)(xin)聯絡,組織實施無線電通(tong)信(xin)(xin)對抗(kang)、航(hang)空兵導航(hang)和(he)野戰軍郵等。通(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵對保障(zhang)軍隊指揮(hui)和(he)完成各項任務具有重大作(zuo)用。自有戰爭起(qi),就(jiu)有傳遞(di)軍情的活(huo)動,并(bing)逐漸有了專門(men)負責(ze)傳遞(di)軍事信(xin)(xin)息的人員和(he)機構。
在(zai)中國(guo)(guo),商朝已有_(傳(chuan)車)傳(chuan)。西(xi)周,初期有驛站,后期出現(xian)了(le)(le)烽(feng)燧報警系統(tong)。春秋戰國(guo)(guo)時期,有的諸侯國(guo)(guo)還(huan)把烽(feng)火臺改為邊(bian)亭。秦朝,繼承(cheng)了(le)(le)烽(feng)郵(you)共(gong)存的體制,中央由丞相總管(guan),地方由郡守、縣令兼管(guan)。
西漢(han),沿襲秦的(de)郵(you)(you)驛(yi)體制。東(dong)漢(han),郵(you)(you)驛(yi)由(you)太(tai)尉府的(de)法曹主管(guan)(guan)。唐(tang)朝,郵(you)(you)驛(yi)由(you)尚書省的(de)兵(bing)部管(guan)(guan)理(li),各府、州(zhou)、縣由(you)兵(bing)曹參軍、司兵(bing)參軍和司兵(bing)分掌(zhang)郵(you)(you)驛(yi);全(quan)國要道設(she)郵(you)(you)驛(yi),每(mei)驛(yi)設(she)驛(yi)長一人(ren),驛(yi)夫(fu)數人(ren);邊(bian)境(jing)設(she)烽火臺(tai)。北(bei)宋(song),建有一套健全(quan)的(de)遞(di)鋪通(tong)信組織,分步遞(di)、馬遞(di)、急腳遞(di)三種(zhong),驛(yi)卒由(you)廂(xiang)兵(bing)擔(dan)任。
元朝,郵驛(yi)由兵部和通政院(yuan)管(guan)理(li);急遞鋪與驛(yi)站并行,是專司傳(chuan)送官方文書的通信組(zu)織。
明朝,中央管(guan)理(li)郵驛的(de)機關為(wei)兵部車(che)駕清吏司和通政(zheng)司;急遞鋪(pu)沿襲元制,每鋪(pu)設(she)鋪(pu)長(chang)一名,鋪(pu)兵數(shu)名。
清(qing)朝,郵驛由驛、站、塘、臺(tai)、所、鋪六種組(zu)織(zhi)形式構成(cheng),其中(zhong)站、塘、臺(tai)由軍(jun)卒(zu)充役,以(yi)傳遞軍(jun)情為首要任務。
隨著電(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)的發(fa)展(zhan),1905年(nian)(nian)新軍(jun)、海(hai)(hai)(hai)軍(jun)分(fen)別在(zai)北京、天津、保(bao)定等(deng)行營及(ji)海(hai)(hai)(hai)圻、海(hai)(hai)(hai)容、海(hai)(hai)(hai)籌、海(hai)(hai)(hai)琛4艦建立(li)(li)(li)無(wu)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)臺(tai)。1906年(nian)(nian)于天津小站(zhan)舊營開辦電(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)學(xue)隊(dui)(dui),繼(ji)之(zhi)在(zai)北洋常(chang)備軍(jun)中(zhong)編(bian)設電(dian)(dian)(dian)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)。1926年(nian)(nian),國(guo)(guo)(guo)民革命軍(jun)北伐時,獨立(li)(li)(li)旅和(he)師以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)編(bian)有(you)(you)無(wu)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)分(fen)隊(dui)(dui)。1927年(nian)(nian),國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨(dang)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)在(zai)團以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)編(bian)有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian)(nian),國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨(dang)軍(jun)隊(dui)(dui)成(cheng)立(li)(li)(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)兵團,其(qi)中(zhong)編(bian)有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)。至1935年(nian)(nian),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵成(cheng)為(wei)兵種。中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)人民解放軍(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)兵是在(zai)革命戰(zhan)爭中(zhong)誕生和(he)發(fa)展(zhan)起(qi)來(lai)的。1927年(nian)(nian)8月1日,南昌起(qi)義部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)中(zhong)編(bian)有(you)(you)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)分(fen)隊(dui)(dui)。1928年(nian)(nian),中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)共產黨(dang)中(zhong)央軍(jun)事部(bu)(bu)設立(li)(li)(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)科,開始培(pei)訓無(wu)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)人員,而后陸續派往各(ge)蘇區。1929年(nian)(nian),中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)軍(jun)第4軍(jun)軍(jun)部(bu)(bu)及(ji)其(qi)下屬(shu)縱隊(dui)(dui)司(si)令部(bu)(bu)設立(li)(li)(li)交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)大(da)隊(dui)(dui),擔負軍(jun)事交(jiao)通(tong)(tong)(tong)和(he)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)任務(wu)。1931年(nian)(nian)1月,中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)工農紅(hong)軍(jun)成(cheng)立(li)(li)(li)第一個(ge)無(wu)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)隊(dui)(dui),繼(ji)而開辦第一期無(wu)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)訓練班,后來(lai)發(fa)展(zhan)成(cheng)為(wei)包括無(wu)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)、有(you)(you)線(xian)(xian)(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)號通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)等(deng)專業的紅(hong)軍(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)(xin)學(xue)校。
1934年1月,中華蘇(su)維埃共和(he)國中央革(ge)命軍(jun)事(shi)委員會總參(can)謀部(bu)(bu)成立(li)通(tong)信(xin)局,主(zhu)管紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)通(tong)信(xin)工作。紅(hong)(hong)一方(fang)面(mian)軍(jun)團(tuan)以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)設有(you)通(tong)信(xin)主(zhu)任,紅(hong)(hong)軍(jun)第2、第6軍(jun)團(tuan)設有(you)通(tong)信(xin)科(ke)(ke),紅(hong)(hong)四方(fang)面(mian)軍(jun)設有(you)電(dian)務處(chu)。各(ge)方(fang)面(mian)軍(jun)都編有(you)無線(xian)電(dian)大隊(dui)(dui)或分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)(電(dian)臺)。抗(kang)日戰(zhan)爭時期,八路軍(jun)、新四軍(jun)的營以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)編有(you)運(yun)動通(tong)信(xin)和(he)簡易信(xin)號通(tong)信(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui),旅(lv)以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)和(he)部(bu)(bu)分(fen)(fen)團(tuan)建(jian)立(li)通(tong)信(xin)業務部(bu)(bu)門及(ji)有(you)線(xian)電(dian)、無線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)信(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)。解放戰(zhan)爭時期,軍(jun)區(qu)和(he)野戰(zhan)軍(jun)以(yi)下(xia)各(ge)級司令部(bu)(bu)分(fen)(fen)別設立(li)通(tong)信(xin)處(chu)(分(fen)(fen)局)、科(ke)(ke)、股,團(tuan)以(yi)上(shang)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)(dui)普遍建(jian)立(li)有(you)線(xian)電(dian)、無線(xian)電(dian)通(tong)信(xin)分(fen)(fen)隊(dui)(dui)。
中華人民共(gong)和國(guo)(guo)成(cheng)立(li)后(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)(bing)進(jin)入一個新的發展階段,健全了各級領導機(ji)構,擴(kuo)建(jian)(jian)了部(bu)隊。1950年5月(yue)(yue),中央人民政府(fu)人民革命軍(jun)事委員會設通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu),各軍(jun)區(qu)(qu)、軍(jun)種、兵(bing)(bing)種司令部(bu)設通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)處。同年10月(yue)(yue),組建(jian)(jian)華北(bei)軍(jun)區(qu)(qu)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)團。至1953年,各軍(jun)區(qu)(qu)和軍(jun)委通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)先(xian)后(hou)組建(jian)(jian)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)團。1954年3月(yue)(yue),統(tong)一了全軍(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)隊的編(bian)制。同時,擴(kuo)建(jian)(jian)了通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)院校,設立(li)軍(jun)事通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)科學(xue)研究、技術保障以(yi)及通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)軍(jun)工生(sheng)產管理機(ji)構等。1956年4月(yue)(yue),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)改為中國(guo)(guo)人民解放軍(jun)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)(bing)部(bu),成(cheng)為獨立(li)的兵(bing)(bing)種。此后(hou),通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)(bing)的體制編(bian)制幾經調整。1975年,兵(bing)(bing)種領導機(ji)關改稱總參謀部(bu)通(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)部(bu)。
隨著通(tong)信(xin)技(ji)術的(de)(de)發展和(he)通(tong)信(xin)任務的(de)(de)加重,70年(nian)代(dai)組建(jian)軍用衛星通(tong)信(xin)地(di)球站,80年(nian)代(dai)組建(jian)指(zhi)揮自(zi)動化工作站。之后(hou),通(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)(bing)不斷加強(qiang)通(tong)用信(xin)息傳輸平(ping)(ping)臺(tai)、處(chu)理(li)平(ping)(ping)臺(tai)和(he)指(zhi)揮控制系統、頻譜管理(li)系統建(jian)設(she),基本形成(cheng)平(ping)(ping)戰結合(he)(he)、軍民結合(he)(he)、有線(xian)電與無線(xian)電結合(he)(he)、機動與固定(ding)結合(he)(he)的(de)(de)綜合(he)(he)軍事通(tong)信(xin)系統,保障了軍隊(dui)平(ping)(ping)時活動和(he)戰時指(zhi)揮控制的(de)(de)通(tong)信(xin)聯(lian)絡。世界其他國家(jia)軍隊(dui)都編有通(tong)信(xin)兵(bing)(bing)。
俄(e)國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)1851年(nian)(nian)(nian)建立(li)(li)(li)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1890年(nian)(nian)(nian)有了電(dian)報(bao)縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1894年(nian)(nian)(nian)電(dian)報(bao)縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)改組成(cheng)集團(tuan)軍(jun)(jun)和軍(jun)(jun)的(de)電(dian)報(bao)連,1899年(nian)(nian)(nian)組建無線電(dian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。美國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)19世紀60年(nian)(nian)(nian)代建立(li)(li)(li)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)。法國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)于(yu)19世紀中葉組建用于(yu)信(xin)(xin)(xin)差勤務(wu)的(de)步兵(bing)與騎兵(bing)聯隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1870年(nian)(nian)(nian)組建一個電(dian)報(bao)連,后來建立(li)(li)(li)電(dian)報(bao)縱隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui),1917年(nian)(nian)(nian)起師以上各(ge)級部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)都(dou)設有電(dian)報(bao)和無線電(dian)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)分隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)。英國(guo)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)的(de)通(tong)信(xin)(xin)(xin)兵(bing)部隊(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)(dui)原屬工程(cheng)兵(bing)建制(zhi),1920年(nian)(nian)(nian)成(cheng)為獨立(li)(li)(li)的(de)兵(bing)種(zhong)。
隨著戰爭的發展(zhan)、軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)規模(mo)的擴大,各(ge)國軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)不(bu)斷加強通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)建設,其(qi)體制(zhi)編(bian)(bian)制(zhi)日益完善,通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)保障能力(li)(li)不(bu)斷提高(gao)。隨著裝(zhuang)備(bei)和通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)技術(shu)的發展(zhan),許(xu)多(duo)國家軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)將根據本國實際情況(kuang),不(bu)斷更新(xin)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)技術(shu)裝(zhuang)備(bei),調整通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)兵(bing)體制(zhi)編(bian)(bian)制(zhi),發展(zhan)軍(jun)(jun)隊(dui)指(zhi)揮信(xin)(xin)息系統,以(yi)(yi)提高(gao)快速反(fan)應能力(li)(li)、協同通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)能力(li)(li)、戰場生存能力(li)(li)、通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)對(dui)(dui)抗能力(li)(li)、通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)保密能力(li)(li),增強軍(jun)(jun)事通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)系統與裝(zhuang)備(bei)、作戰指(zhi)揮、情報處理、電(dian)子對(dui)(dui)抗系統的有機結合,以(yi)(yi)適(shi)應信(xin)(xin)息化局部(bu)戰爭對(dui)(dui)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)信(xin)(xin)保障的要求。