Insignia, symbols and flags of the M.V.S.N

The M.V.S.N and its branches use a (relatively) coherent iconographic system in order to distinguish between different units and formations.

Army Corps-level Commands

Army Corps-level Commands are fairly uncommon within the M.V.S.N. As of 2020, there are 20 Army Corps-level Commands across the whole organisation of the M.V.S.N. and of its branches. Of these 20 commands, however, only three have operational duties: the Internal Defence Command and the Legionary Corps of the Italian National Royal Guard, and the Operational Forces Command of the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard.

Coats of arms of the Army Corps-level Commands follow the Italian Army pattern: a French eschuteon with a golden (or) bordure. At the base of the eschuteon there are three golden stars, signalling the rank of the command (and of its commander). The Legionary Corps has as the main charge a gladius in gold (or). All other commands display a gladius of reduced size and contained between two bars in gold (or). While the field is always black (sable), the large fess is of a different heraldic colour. In case of territorial commands, a golden (or) script in chief may be present.

Italian National Royal Guard

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  Internal Defence Command

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  Legionary Corps

M.V.S.N.

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  1st Command "Rome and Centre"

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  2nd Command "Padua and North-East"

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  3rd Command "Milan and North-West"

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  4th Command "Naples and South"

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  5th Command "Palermo and Isles"

Ethiopian National Imperial Guard

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  Operational Forces Command

Brigades

Brigades are the premier combat formations of the M.V.S.N. and of its branches in the Italian Empire. Under the overall command of the Commandant-General of the M.V.S.N. there are 34 Brigades or Brigade-level formations, with varying degrees of capability or autonomy, alongside several other one-star commands with other support tasks. Brigade-level (territorial) Militia Commands are also present.

The Italian National Royal Guard and the M.V.S.N. deploy a total of 13 separate Brigades; the Libyan National Royal Guard has 8 Brigade-level formations, with varying degrees of autonomous combat capability; the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard deploys 6 separate Brigades; the Eritrean National Princely Guar deploys 3 Brigade-level commands (including the Coast Guard); the Somali National Republican Guard has a Brigade and a Brigade-level Coast Guard command; Albania and Montenegro have a single Brigade each.

Coats of arms of the Brigades follow Italian Army conventions: an Heather eschuteon shape with three curved sides. The field has a golden (or) bordure, while the tincture varies according the Realm of the Italian Empire: green (vert) for the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard, red for Albania, black (sable) for all other Realms, including Italy. However, due to long-standing history, the 5th Bersaglieri Brigade "Italia" has a parted per pale field. All charges are in gold (or).

Italian National Royal Guard

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  1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio"

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  5th Bersaglieri Brigade "Italia"

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  Brigade "Etna"

Ethiopian National Imperial Guard

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  1st Brigade "Yebireti Yebut’ī"

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  2nd Brigade "Isati Diragoni"

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  3rd Brigade "Ye’igizī’ābiḥēri Anibesa"

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  5th Brigade "Imipērīyali Bale’āderawochi"

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  Anti-Insurgency Brigade "Agazi"

Regiments

While the Italian National Royal Guard does not use the Regimental level for its combat units and formations (save for few exceptions), the other Guard forces of the Realms of the Italian Empire do use such military units for elite and separate specialities. Eschuteon shapes vary according the individual Realm, and every coat of arms is surmounted by the heraldic Crown of the relevant Realm of the Italian Empire.

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  1st Airborne Regiment "Berari Neber"

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  1st Cavalry Regiment "San Giorgio"

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  2nd Paratroopers Regiment "Al-Saiqa"

Legions

Legions are the territorial units of the Militia forces of each Realm of the Italian Empire. They are usually raised and maintained at the Provincial level and are considered to be a type of Regiment. While line Regiments have different coats of arms, those of the Provincial Legions are more standardised. Each coat of arms presents a black bordure, while the field colour varies according the relevant Realm of the Italian Empire. The inescutcheon is carried by an Eagle (which becomes a double-headed eagle for Albanian Legions) and takes inspiration from local traditions.

Albanian Fascist Militia

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  1st Albanian Legion

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  2nd Albanian Legion

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  3rd Albanian Legion

Eritrean Militia for Internal Security

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  1st Provicial Legion

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  2nd Provincial Legion

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  3rd Provincial Legion

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  4th Provincial Legion

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  5th Provincial Legion

Battalions

5th Bersaglieri Brigade "Italia"

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  1st G.N.R. Bersaglieri Battalion "Aldo Resega"

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  2nd G.N.R. Bersaglieri Battalion "Igino Ghisellini"

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  3rd G.N.R. Bersaglieri Battalion “Goffredo Mameli”

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  4th G.N.R. Bersaglieri Battalion "Enrico Toti"

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  5th G.N.R. Bersaglieri Battalion "Gorizia"

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  7th Reconnaissance Squadrons Group "Dux"

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  8th Tank Squadron Group

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  13th Self-propelled Heavy Artillery Group "Enzo Savorgnan di Brazzà"

Brigade "Etna"

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  12th "M" Battalion "Lucania"

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  13th "M" Battalion "Etruria"

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  6th "M" Battalion "Fulgor"

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  7th "M" Battalion "Lupo"

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  14th "M" Battalion "Histria"

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  15th "M" Battalion "Coraggio"

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  16th "M" Battalion "Valore"

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  17th "M" Battalion "Audacia"

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  18th "M" Battalion "Fascismo"

Officers rank insignia

' Officers

Shoulder insignia

M.V.S.N. rank

Comandante Generale della Milizia Commandant General M.V.S.N.

Capo di Stato Maggiore della Milizia Chief of M.V.S.N. Staff

Luogotenente Generale Lieutenant General

Console Generale Consul General

Console Consul

Seniore

Primo Tribuno Prime Tribune

Tribuno Tribune

Capomanipolo Maniple Chief

Centurione Centurion

Vice-Centurione Deputy Centurion

G.N.R. and O.V.R.A. rank

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Comandante Generale G.N.R./Direttore Generale O.V.R.A. Commandant General G.N.R./Director General O.V.R.A.

Luogotenente Generale Lieutenant General

Maggior Generale Major General

Brigadier Generale Brigadier General

Colonnello Colonel

Luogotenente Colonnello Lieutenant Colonel

Maggiore Major

Capitano Captain

Luogotenente Lieutenant

Sotto-Luogotenente Under-Lieutenant

British Army equivalent rank

Chief of Defence Staff

Chief of Service Staff

Lieutenant General

Major General

Brigadier

Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel

Major

Captain

Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

See also

• M.V.S.N. (Kingdom of Italy)