Upside down Chevrons on Unit Counters

[The Red Baron]

What do these represent? They seem to correspond to the number of elements within a division or brigade but how many elements does each chevron represent? I have 2 divs with 17 elements each (this includes the commander and support elements like artillery), and both divs display 8 chevrons on their unit counter. I have one brigade with 3 elements that displays 2 chevrons. Does each chevron correspond to 1 element or 2? Sometimes the chevrons are gray instead of black. What is the distinction?

[Ebbingford]

If they are grey/white then it means that there are elements missing from that unit.

[The Red Baron]

Thank you.