Detachement

Detachment is the act of removing or separating something from a larger whole, or a unit assigned to perform tasks away from its parent organization. The noun has military, police, naval, civil, and psychological senses. Etymology traces to Middle French détachement, from détacher, with roots in Latin detachare.

In a military context, a detachment is a small unit assigned temporarily to carry out specific missions or operations, often with greater independence or for purposes such as escort, reconnaissance, or establishing an outpost. Size varies, from platoon-sized units to smaller detachments; they can be drawn from any branch of service and are commanded by an officer appropriate to the unit's size. Detachments operate under the control of their parent formation or a higher command.

In law enforcement and public security, a detachment refers to a subunit temporarily assigned to handle tasks away from the main force, such as a police detachment deployed to rural areas or to international missions. In naval usage, detachments denote personnel assigned to shipboard divisions or to operate away from the home ship, including mission-specific crews.

In psychology, detachment describes a state of emotional disengagement or a defense mechanism involving limited affect and reduced interpersonal involvement. It can appear in various clinical contexts and may affect social functioning and relationships. The term is often contrasted with engagement or attachment in affective and behavioral studies.

See also: detach, detachment (military), détachement.