---
name: "faction"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Object Manipulation", "Sides"]
arma3_since: "0.50"
locality: {"argument": "global", "effect": null, "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/faction
revid: 370764
updated: 2025-02-10T08:05:51Z
---

# faction

*Command · Object Manipulation, Sides · Arma 3 v0.50 · introduced in Arma 2 v1.00*

Locality: arguments **global**

## Description

Gets unit faction. Factions were introduced in Arma 2 and are defined under *CfgFactionClasses*.

| Side | Arma 2 v1.00 | Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead v1.50 | Arma 3 v1.96 |
|---|---|---|---|
| [west](../commands/west.md)/[blufor](../commands/blufor.md) | - `USMC`<br>- `CDF` | - `BIS_US`<br>- `BIS_CZ`<br>- `BIS_GER`<br>- `BIS_BAF` (BAF DLC) | - `BLU_F` (NATO)<br>- `BLU_G_F` (FIA)<br>- `BLU_T_F` (Pacific NATO, Apex Expansion)<br>- `BLU_CTRG_F` (Pacific CTRG, Apex Expansion)<br>- `BLU_GEN_F` (Gendarmerie, Apex Expansion)<br>- `BLU_W_F` (Woodland NATO, Contact Expansion) |
| [east](../commands/east.md)/[opfor](../commands/opfor.md) | - `INS` (ChDKZ)<br>- `RU` (Russia) | - `BIS_TK` (Takistan army)<br>- `BIS_TK_INS` (TK insurgents) | - `OPF_F` (Iranian CSAT)<br>- `OPF_G_F` (FIA)<br>- `OPF_T_F` (Chinese CSAT, Apex Expansion)<br>- `OPF_R_F` (Spetznatz, Contact Expansion) |
| [resistance](../commands/resistance.md)/<br>[independent](../commands/independent.md) | - `GUE` (Guerilla) | - `BIS_TK_GUE`<br>- `BIS_UN` (United Nations)<br>- `PMC_BAF` (PMC DLC) | - `IND_F` (AAF)<br>- `IND_G_F` (FIA)<br>- `IND_C_F` (Syndikat, Apex Expansion)<br>- `IND_E_F` (LDF, Contact Expansion)<br>- `IND_L_F` (Looters, Contact Expansion) |
| [civilian](../commands/civilian.md) | - `CIV`<br>- `CIV_RU` | - `BIS_TK_CIV`<br>- `BIS_CIV_special` | - `CIV_F`<br>- `CIV_IDAP_F` (Laws of War DLC) |

> [!NOTE]
> If a unit's faction is not defined in its config, an empty string is returned.

## Syntax

```sqf
faction unitName
```

**Parameters:**

- `unitName`: [Object](../topics/Object.md)

**Returns:** [String](../topics/String.md)

## Examples

### Example 1

```sqf
private _playerFaction = faction player;
```

## See also

[side](../commands/side.md) · [Side](../topics/Side.md)

## Community notes

**Tankbuster** — 2010-03-19

Faction behaves slightly differently to [side](../commands/side.md). Side can refer to the pilot or commander of a vehicle, but faction never changes. It always returns the 'country of manufacture'.

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — faction](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/faction) (revision 370764).</sub>