Final answer:
Members and associates in organized crime syndicates are structured into independent units called crews, usually led by a Caporegime, Capodecina, street boss, or soldier. The Sicilian Mafia and other transnational organized crime groups typically employ this structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Members and associates are organized into crews, semi-independent units nominally headed by a Caporegime, a Capodecina, a street boss, or even a soldier. These organizational structures are characteristic of the Sicilian Mafia and various transnational organized crime syndicates, which are known for their complex and hierarchical nature. The term refers to a grouping within a larger criminal organization, often seen in the context of the traditional Italian-American Mafia, where each crew is assigned particular activities or geographic areas to control. These crews are built upon a foundation of loyalty and trust, often composed of family members and close associates. These units mirror the structured and disciplined organization of a military force.