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image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024See also:
The Sammarinese Armed Forces (Forze Armate Sammarinesi) refers to
the national military defence forces of San Marino. It is one of the smallest
military forces in the world, with its different branches having varied
functions including: performing ceremonial duties; patrolling borders; mounting
guard at government buildings; and assisting police in major criminal cases.
There is also a military Gendarmerie which is part of the military forces. The
entire military corps of San Marino depends upon the co-operation of full-time
forces and their retained (volunteer) colleagues, known as the Corpi
Militari Volontari, or Voluntary Military Force.
The component parts
of the military (other than the purely historical Crossbow Corps) are
distinguished (as in many nations) by distinctive cap badges, one each for the
Fortress Guard (uniformed), Fortress Guard (artillery), Guard of the Council,
Uniformed Militia, Military Ensemble (band), and Gendarmerie. There is no
compulsory service, however under special circumstances citizens aged 16 to 55
may be drafted for the defence of the state.
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
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image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
The Armed Forces has its own coat of arms, which is based on the state coat of
arms, but national flags, trumpet, drum, axe and sword are added to it.
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
The arms are placed on a flag, with the inscription “CORPI ARMATE” placed
under the arms.
Image of flag:
https://www.tribunapoliticaweb.sm.
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
Guard of the Rock (Fortress Guard) is a front-line military unit in the San
Marino armed forces. Its precise origin is difficult to pinpoint due to
amalgamations. Its role was last redefined by statute in 1987, and it probably
came into being as a military branch in 1754; however, the unit also uses the
name "Fortress Guards" which may be traced back to much earlier units of
Sammarinese military. The Guard of the Rock is the state border patrol, with
responsibility for patrolling borders and defending them.
Image of flag:
https://giornalesm.com
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
Most members of the Guard of the Rock are full-time soldiers, but there is
also a single Company of volunteers called the "Fortress Guard, Artillery
Company" which exists for the now purely ceremonial duty of firing the cannon of
the Palazzo Pubblico on ceremonial occasions. This volunteer unit maintains the
original artillery function of the Fortress Guard. Although both units are part
of the same Guard Corps, and wear the same uniform, the Artillery Unit has a
totally different military cap badge, as a reminder of its historical origins.
Image of flag:
https://www.esteri.sm
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
This unit, formed in 1740, is composed almost entirely of volunteers, and its
duties are largely ceremonial, although members undergo full military training.
Due to its striking uniform, it is arguably the best-known part of the
Sammarinese military, and appears on countless postcard views of the republic.
The functions of the Guard of the Council are to protect the Captains Regent,
and to defend the Great and General Council during its formal sessions. They
also provide a ceremonial bodyguard to government officials on festivals of both
state and church.
Images of flag:
https://www.tribunapoliticaweb.sm
https://giornalesm.com
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
In former times all families with two or more adult male members were
required to enroll half of them in the Company of Uniformed Militia. This unit
remains the basic fighting force of the armed forces of San Marino, and although
it is largely ceremonial in deployment, members are all fully trained in the use
of firearms, and for basic policing duties in support of the gendarmerie and
civil police. It is a matter of civic pride for many Sammarinese to belong to
the force, and all citizens with at least six years residence in the republic
are entitled to enroll. Both male and female soldiers belong to the Company of
Uniformed Militia, although men predominate in numbers.
Images of flag:
https://www.esteri.sm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammarinese_Armed_Forces
https://www.facebook.com/photo
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
image by Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
Corps of Gendarmerie is a militarized police service, under the control of
the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Politics. Its members are
full-time and have responsibility for the protection of citizens and their
property, and for the preservation of law and order. It was established in 1842.
The Gendarmerie has two 'Divisions' entitled 'Criminal Police Division' and
'Flying Squad Division'. The Gendarmerie may call upon the assistance of the
Municipal Police in cases of major crime or national security, and may also call
upon soldiers and border guards of the Fortress Guards Corps, in their secondary
role as 'Criminal Police Officers'.
Flag can be seen in this video:
https://www.sanmarinortv.sm
Zoltan Horvath, 14 September 2024
