Ground element naming: What does (+) and (-) mean?

[mhgasa]

Hej,

Im sure the answer to the topic is extremely simple and probably obvious. But after playing for more than 2000 hours i still cant figure it out and its driving me crazy every time i play

Motorized Rifle Squad (+) and Motorized Rifle Squad (-) are just two examples. Cavalry seems to only have the (-) and not a (+) version. I could go on but you guys surely get the point.

Oh and lastly it seems there are some TOE(OB) suffixes that also contain the same strangeness. (41 Flieger division (-) )

Im looking forward to feeling extremely stupid once someone explains this to me, but it will be for ever greatful

[Denniss]

those often designate a weaker or stronger version of the standard squad.
in TOE a (-) often designates an incomplete unit (parts of it elsewhere)

[mhgasa]

Hej Denniss,

Thx alot for the reply. Makes sense now that you explained it.

Happy Easter!

[Wiedrock]

I like to relate it to the LMGs for Squad "existing" during the same period.
(+) -> additional LMG
-> a normal squad [normally has 1] has 2 now
-> a SMG Squad [normally has 0] has 1 now
(-) -> missing LMG