Livgardet
| Gardes du Corps | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 10 May 1492 - Present (107 years, 4 months) |
| Country |  Acrea |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Size | 1,653 personnel |
| Part of | Acrean Army |
| Headquarters | Joint Forces Base Königsbrück, Steiermark, Acrea |
| Motto(s) | Det er kominn (Old Acrean: The time has come) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant General Andreas von Kreuthier |
The Gardes du Corps, also referred to as the Liebgarde, is an elite infantry unit of the Acrean Army and its longest continuously operational military unit. Formed initially as the personal bodyguard of the Acrean Monarchy, the Gardes grew into an elite frontline infantry regiment, serving dual roles both as the royal guard and as an elite tactical reserve in battle. Today, the regiment serves ceremonial, protection, and operational roles. Composed entirely of veteran soldiers, it serves an important role as an elite light infantry regiment and is considered a part of Acrea's special operations forces. Despite this, it does not conduct clandestine operations. A separate unit of special infantry, the Jagdkommando, was created to fulfill such a role; the 1st Battalion of Jagdkommando is composed of Liebgarde. The Gardes du Corps maintains extremely strict standards related to a soldier's own performance and conduct.
History
The regiment was formed in 1492 to serve as the monarchy's bodyguard. This role was previously filled predominantly by Templars, a group with the regiment recruited extensively from. Although deliberately being created to serve the monarchy, soldiers of the regiment quickly adopted a clear public service function early in the regiment's history, and became a component of the guard at many key government buildings in Acrea including the Reichstag. Soldiers of the guard had to meet numerous requirements, and were generally handpicked by an officer appointed by the monarch as well as the regiment's commanding officer. Initial requirements included having at least 10 years of service, experience in battle facing the enemy, and being under the age of 35. Members of the regiment gained a reputation for physical stature, however there was never any official height requirement associated with being selected for the regiment, and only some evidence exists to support the idea that taller soldiers were deliberately sought after for recruitment. Veterancy and prowess were considered the most vital considerations when recruiting a soldier into the Gardes, and continue to be today.
In exchange for their service, Guards received special privileges including increased wages. Members of the regiment today likewise receive greater pay due to their service in the unit, which is persistent throughout their entire military career even if they eventually leave the unit. Since its formation, a certain prestige has been associated with serving in the regiment; this has spread into the formation of Guards-only veterans groups, as well as exclusive officers' clubs and taverns in their home garrisons. The regiment has served in almost all of Acrea's major wars since 1500, including recent conflicts such as the Zemplen War and Midsummer War.
Requirements and Training
Many of the original requirements stipulated in the creation of the Gardes du Corps are upheld in the modern day. The most important is experience; recruits are required to have either three years of service, or be a combat veteran, in order to be even considered for recruitment. Extremely high physical standards and mental aptitude requirements must also be met. Training for the regiment consists of an additional 15-week course, divided into two stages: the first stage consists of the first nine weeks and is devoted to combat, survival, and field skills training. This is followed by a week-long recovery period. Completion of this training is considered a "checkpoint"; soldiers receive a certification for successfully completing this combat training, which is considered to be like a "waiver" and makes them eligible for service within other certain units such as the Jagdkommando. The second stage is the subsequent five weeks, which are devoted to ceremony, drill, and protection training.
Members of the 9th Battalion of the Gardes du Corps, designated as Dragoons, undergo an additional several weeks of equestrian training.
Organisation
The Gardes du Corps is composed of several small battalions, each numbering approximately 300 soldiers. Although nominally considered as light infantry, the regiment additionally possesses attached motorised provided by Panserlehrbataillon 91, an elite armoured formation, and an attached aviation component. The regiment is capable of deploying individually without either component, but with full complement is supported by its light armour and airmobile capabilities.
- 1st Battalion Der Königsseigen
- 6th Battalion Fierté de Vannes
- 7th Battalion De Kalde
- 8th Battalion Den Vieille Garde
- 9th Battalion Dragoner der Königin
Uniforms and Equipment
Field Uniform and Equipment
As an elite combat unit, the Gardes du Corps have access to a wide variety of different uniform types, patterns, and equipment. Traditionally, regimental field dress consisted of standard Acrean olive-drab grey field uniforms until the mid 1980s, when the unit transitioned to the use of M/83 Waldflecktarnmuster and M/85 Nordtarnmuster uniforms. In the present, the regiment makes predominantly of M/15 Multitarnmuster and was one of the first units in the Acrean Army to transition to the new pattern. Soldiers of the regiment deployed during the Midsummer War in 2015 wore the pattern during combat operations. The regiment makes use of Army-standard small arms, with the Sturmgevär M6 as its standard rifle.
Despite being designated as light infantry, the regiment possesses organic light armour through the attachment of armoured fighting vehicles from the Panserlehrbataillon 91. Composed primarily of wheeled armoured vehicles, this attachment usually supports one battalion while the rest remain as light infantry. Additionally, the regiment can call upon an attached combat aviation squadron, which provides them with a combination of utility and combat rotorcraft including AH-8 Chimera attack helicopters.
Due to it being considered a special infantry unit and a part of Acrea's special operations community in its combat roles, the Gardes du Corps has historically had access to the Acrean military's premier equipment. Likewise, its input and feedback on emerging or existing equipment is highly valued. Historically this has been seen primarily in its adoption of new armaments, however in the present day this role has extended to the use of new devices and technology. The Gardes' 6th Battalion was considered vital in the development of Acrea's currently fielded soldier systems, as it was experimentally equipped with the systems for field trials while it was still during development. The extreme conditions which troops such as Guards are expected to face are considered an important benchmark to be met for any soldier-worn systems and equipment that the Acrean Army fields, and so they provide a valuable service as a testbed for developing technologies.