Guards of the Veltrian Republic
| Guards of the Apostolic Succession Gardes de la Succession Apostolique | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the Apostolic Guard | |
| Active | 222 B.C.E. (claimed) - Present |
| Country |  Veltria |
| Allegiance | Astąhvist Unity Party |
| Role | Regime Security Force, Capital Region Defense, Prophet's Guard (two battalions), Ceremonial Affairs (one battalion) |
| Size | 15 Divisions |
| Nickname(s) | "Les immortels" |
| Motto(s) | Pendant que nous respirons, nous défendrons (While we breathe, we shall defend) |
| Colors | |
| Anniversaries | 1 October - Anniversary of the Battle of Amláis |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Gen. Alvas Kazmar |
| Notable commanders | Gen. Suram Edansku Gen. Goran Nilstoros Gen. Perro Coskal |
| Insignia | |
| GSA Vehicle Insignia |  |
The Apostolic Guard - officially the Guards of the Apostolic Succession (Veltrian: Gardes de la Succession Apostolique, abbreviated GSA) - is the oldest existing branch of the Veltrian Armed Forces, tracing an allegedly “unbroken” lineage back to the personal soldiers of Prophet Alvarin the Great during the formation of the Veltrid Kritarchy in 317 B.C.E. (known in the 4th century as the “Immortal Guard”). Charged with the protection of Veltria's Astąhvist political system, as well as its institutions and leadership, the Apostolic Guard functions distinctly from the rest of the national armed forces - which primarily defend Veltria's borders and overseas territories. The oath of the Guard calls inductees to swear undying fealty to the sacred Magisterium and its High Prophet - promising to lay down all other loyalties, and life if need be, should their protection demand it. Recruiting troops from only the most devout among Veltrian society, the Guard operates as the Magisterium's most trusted internal security force – safeguarding the integrity of Veltria's theocratic system from external and internal threats, and overseeing the security of the Prophet himself.
The Apostolic Guard's field strength is roughly estimated around 187,000 troops - spread across 15 divisions, various independent brigades, and an undisclosed number of specialized units. Undergoing rigorous physical and psychological training, troops of the Guard have gained an internationally recognized reputation as some of the most ruthlessly efficient and zealous warfighters of Veltria's elite forces. Operating as a combined arms force - the GSA boasts not only its sizable ground contingent, but also a small naval battlegroup, air force, logistics branch, and special forces command. In wartime, the militarized wing of the Citizens Vigilant, composed of 158,000 volunteer militiamen, can be mobilized by consular authorization and placed under the command of the Guard. While at peace however, the militant component of the Citizens Vigilant (in addition to its civilian membership) remain at the disposal of the State Inspections Agency.
Driven by its origin as the personal army of the Veltrid Prophets, the Guard has grown in size and evolved in ideology to assert a powerful presence in Veltrian media, politics, and society. Generally, the GSA's main role is to secure the longevity and stability of Veltria's Astąhvist institutions - existing as a potent armed counterbalance to the comparatively more secular military. While represented on the Joint Security Committee by its acting Commander, the Guard is not bound to the Committee's decisions in the event the Prophet (or Apostolic Assembly during Daršāi Vulaikir) invokes Prophetic Privilege. Elements of the Guard are geared specifically towards carrying out asymmetric warfare operations against threats posed to Veltria's political system (most commonly - forms of criminality, smuggling of arms, human trafficking along the Veltrian-Kythiran border, etc.), while other units are tasked with protecting high-ranking personnel within the national government and Magisterium. The Old Guard, the Consul's household security force, composes part of the Division Immortelle (also known as the Special Apostolic Guard) - a unit of roughly 15,000 GSA troops that oversees the security of the Amlaís National Capital Region.