The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Monégasque: Cumpagnia d'i Carrabiniei d'u Prìncipu; "Prince's Company of Carabiniers") is the Infantry branch of the Force Publique, and one of the limited number of militaries that recruits foreigners. Although Monaco's defence is the responsibility of France, Monaco maintains a small force for the protection of the Sovereign and the Prince's Palace. Formed by Prince Honoré IV in 1817, the unit was re-organized in 1909.
| Prince's Company of Carabiniers | |
|---|---|
| Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince Cumpagnia d'i Carrabiniei d'u Prìncipu | |
Patch of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince | |
| Active | 8 December 1817 – present |
| Country | Monaco |
| Branch | Force Publique |
| Type | Foot Guards, and Gendarmerie |
| Role | Close Protection |
| Size | One company, 124 personnel |
| Garrison/HQ | Moneghetti |
| Mottos | "Honour, loyalty, devotion" |
| Engagements | French Revolutionary Wars, Monegasque Revolution Tōhoku Disaster |
| Website | https://carabiniers.gouv.mc/ |
| Commanders | |
| Chief Commander | Prince Albert II of Monaco |
| Ceremonial chief | Lt. Colonel Martial Pied |
| Notable commanders | Colonel Luc Fringant Lt. Colonel Philippe Rebaudengo |
| Insignia | |
| Plume | Red over White |
The company numbers 124 officers and men. Whilst the NCOs and soldiers are local, the officers have served in the French Army or the Republican Guard. Along with the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers, the Carabiniers form Monaco's total public forces.
History
An antecedent of the Carabiniers was the company known in the 19th century as the "Papalins", former soldiers of the Papal States, who, upon the destitution of the Papacy's temporal authority at the time of the Italian Unification, were given the role of protecting the Sovereign and the Princely Family. A road in Fontvieille is named in honour of them.
In Monaco, the Milice Nationale was created in 1865. In 1870, the Milice Nationale was renamed the Gardes du Prince, although, the "Gardes" were still tasked with fire-fighting, and national security. On 5 May 1881 the Gardes du Prince were renamed the Compagnie de Sapeurs-Pompiers to better adjust to their fire-fighting duties. On 17 June 1909 the fire-fighting unit was re-organised into a separate operating company called the Compagnie de Sapeurs-Pompiers, while the protection unit was renamed the Corps des Carabiniers du Prince. This lasted over 60 years, until the companies were finally renamed the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers, and the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, and were placed under the Force Publique's direct control.
The Carabiniers are currently commanded by Martial Pied, who was sworn in on 2 January 2022. Previous commanders include, Gilles Convertini (2017-2022), Philippe Rebaudengo (2007-2017), Jacques Morandon (2005-2007), Luc Fringant (1993-2005), and Maurice Allent (1978-1993).
Organisation and expenditures
Composed of 119 personnel of Francophone nationality (3 officers, 19 non-commissioned officers, and 97 men of rank), the Carabiniers are split into the following divisions:
- Band;
- Diving Team;
- Motorcycle Platoon;
- Bodyguard Unit;
- Palace Guard;
- Honour Guard;
- Civil Defence.
The 2012-2013 starting salary for a Carabinier is €2,200 ($2,908) a month or €26,400 ($34,893) a year. While the Company's 2012-2013 budget is €6.7 million ($8.8 million) per year.
Duties and missions
Since its inception, the Carabiniers were tasked with guarding the Prince's Palace, ensuring the security of the Sovereign and the Princely Family, to provide services to honour, and to assist law enforcement in times of need. The Palace is guarded at all times, twenty-four hours a day, with two non-commissioned officers of varying rank, one Maréchal des logis, and eight Carabiniers. The Changing of the Guard, is performed daily at 11.55 am, and announced by a musical element (two drums, two trumpets).
The Carabiniers provides services of honour. To "requisition", the Company escorts judiciary, participates in official ceremonies, civil and religious, and ceremonial parades and processions.
The Carabiniers also perform various missions of public service. With the creation of a Military Aid Unit, the Carabiniers implement ambulances for the Monegasque Red Cross. The Company participate as such, the security of major sporting events or arts that take place in the Principality, requiring emergency supplies and evacuation. The Company participate as appropriate in the implementation of emergency plan, ORMOS Red Plan (Monaco relief organisation), which also includes the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers, and the Direction de la Sûreté Publique.
The Diving Team is regularly asked to integrate with security devices, and participate in various rescue missions during the sailing competitions in Monegasque waters. They also participate in scientific observations, underwater environment for the study of pollution in the Mediterranean.
A Motorcycle Platoon is responsible for the Prince on his daily schedule, and escorting sovereign heads of state visiting Monaco.
Band
The Carabiniers maintain a musical band consisting of 26 "rifle-musicians" under the command of a Maréchal des Logis Chef. In 1978, the title of "Fanfare de la Companies des Carabiniers" was adopted. An integral part of the unit, the band is not trained solely to perform music. Instead, Carabiniers receive the same training as their comrades. The band participates in the same occasions, and duties as the Company. The diversity of the repertoire of the band allows it to perform at official ceremonies, sporting events, and public concerts. Since 1989, the band has performed outside of Monaco.
Equipment
The equipment and vehicles of the Carabiniers have been upgraded in recent years. Mobility has been improved by the adoption of modern vehicles, adapted to different missions, such as two MOWAG Piranha Vs,[citation needed] six Peugeot P4s, and seven BMW R1200RT-Ps.
Old rifles and revolvers have been replaced by firearms such as the M16A2, and Glock 17.
Uniforms
Parade dress in the winter is a modernised version of that worn in the early 1900s. It comprises a dark blue tunic, and light blue trousers with red facings. A medium-blue cloth helmet is worn, with plumes for gala occasions. White trefoil epaulettes, spats and aiguillettes date from the 19th century.
In the summer a simple white shirt sleeve order is worn with a white helmet. For ordinary duties a modern police style uniform is worn with a peaked cap replacing the helmet.[citation needed]
Vehicles
Current
| Vehicle | Country of origin | Type | In service (ca.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mowag Piranha V[citation needed] | Switzerland | Armoured fighting vehicle | 2 | |
| BMW R1200RT-P | Germany | Motorcycle | 7 | |
| Peugeot P4 | France | Utility 4x4 | 6 | |
| Renault Master | France | Minivan | 4 | |
| Renault Scenic | France | Compact MPV | 4 | |
| Renault Espace | France | Large MPV | 2 |
Former
| Vehicle | Country of origin | Type | In service (ca.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge WC series | United States | Light truck | 3 | |
| GMC CCKW | United States | Heavy truck | 1 | [dead link] |
| Harley-Davidson WLA | United States | Motorcycle | 11 | |
| Zündapp 250 | Germany | Motorcycle | 4 | |
| BMW R50 | Germany | Motorcycle | 9 | |
| BMW R60 | Germany | Motorcycle | 11 | |
| BMW R65 | Germany | Motorcycle | 9 |
Weapons
Current
| Weapon | Country of origin | Type | In service (ca.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 17 Gen 3 | Austria | Semi-automatic pistol | 100 | [dead link] |
| Beretta 92 | Italy | Semi-automatic pistol | 12 | |
| SIG P210 | Switzerland | Semi-automatic pistol | 12 | |
| M16A2 | United States | Assault rifle | 100 | |
| M4A1 | United States | Assault rifle | 12 | [dead link] |
| SIG SG 510 | Switzerland | Battle rifle | 80 | |
| FN MAG | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun | 6 | |
| LGI Mle F1 | France | Mortar | 3 |
Former
| Weapon | Country of origin | Type | In service (ca.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusil modèle 1866 | France | Bolt-action rifle | 70 | |
| Remington Rolling Block rifle | United States | Rolling block | 60 | |
| Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80 | France | Bolt-action rifle | 60 | |
| Modèle 1874 Revolver | France | Service Revolver | 110 | |
| Fusil Mle 1886 M93 | France | Bolt-action rifle | 80 | |
| Modèle 1892 Revolver | France | Service Revolver | 100 | |
| MAS Modèle 36 | France | Bolt-action rifle | 80 | |
| MAS Modèle 49 | France | Semi-automatic rifle | 110 |
Recruitment
Carabiniers are recruited from among candidates who meet the following conditions:
- Male;
- Between 19 and 27 years old;
- Single (marriage licence granted after the confirmation period);
- Francophone;
- Pass a vision examination;
- Within a minimum height of 1.8 m to a maximum height of 2 m;
- Body mass index less than or equal to twenty-five;
- Pass a physical fitness test and examination;
- Graduated with a high school or equivalent degree;
- Possess a driving licence;
- Capable of swimming.
Applicants may be esteemed if they know skills in one or more specialties relevant to the carabiniers. For instance: music (primarily band instruments), diving, first aid, culinary, computer, mechanics training, or combat experience.
Career development
At the time of his enlistment, a Carabinier signs his first contract for five years which is validated after a period of instruction, and confirmation period in which ability and motivation are verified. This confirmation is usually after one year's service, but may be extended for one or even two years further probation. A Carabinier can pursue his career and commitments by successive reenlistments after each five years of service until reaching age 55, subjecting to meet all the conditions of fitness. Promotion on merit allows a number of Carabiniers to reach the various grades of non-commissioned officers. However, the low rate of vacancies occurring amongst non-commissioned officers means that 50% of more junior ranks finish their military careers as a Carabinier first or second class.
Rank insignia
| Sovereign Prince (GO) | |||||
Général en chef des armées | |||||
| Commissioned Officer (CO) | |||||
Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Commandant | |||
Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous Lieutenant | |||
| Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) | |||||
Assistant | Adjudant Chef | Adjutant | |||
Maréchal des Logis Major | Maréchal des Logis Chef | Maréchal des logis | |||
| Enlisted | |||||
Brigadier | Carabinier Première Classe | Carabinier | |||
See also
- Daniel Ducruet (former Carabinier)
- Théophile Bellando de Castro (former Carabinier)
- Force Publique
- Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers
- Monaco
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