Guardia
The Guardia are the military force used to protect the cregan and its inhabitants, and to control the population outside. It is mainly army-based but there is a small navy.
Corps/Cuerpo
The Guardia is split into two corps or Cuerpo:
- Guardia Sacra
- The Guardia Sacra (Sacred Guard) or Cuerpo Sacra deals with defending the cregans, and protecting its inhabitants when they leave the cregan. They are often referred to simply as the "Sacra" or "Alta".
- Guardia Civil
- The Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) or Cuerpo Civil is concerned with the general population, collecting taxes, keeping order, etc. They are often referred to simply as the "Civil" or "Baja".
Titles
In general, soldiers are addressed by their rank, although officers are usually addressed as "sir" by lower ranks.
Clothing
The uniform varies, depending on the Cuerpo and rank. Common to all is leather gauntlets and boots over a tunic and breeches.
All troopers wear a kettle helmet with a wide brim and a small ridge. The Civil wear leather breast armour while the Sacra have a decorated metal breastplate. In cold weather, they wear a grey cloak.
Officers differ in that their helmets have no brims and they have plumes indicating rank. They also wear a blue cloak.
Ranks and Colours
Ranks in the Guardia are a mixture of army and navy terms, a result of the make up of the original Spanish settlers. They do not use colours as indicators in the same way as the other casta. The officers wear plumes on their helmets while other indicators are wrist bands or badges.
Oficiales (Officers)
1. Comandanta Suprema (Supreme Commander)
The controller of the Guardia. Lives in the cregan at Alta. Communicates with the Arcipresta Suprema and does her will.
Insignia: four suns on breastplate or badge. Helmet is decorated with gold and has a golden metal plume.
2. Inquisidora (de Guerra) (Inquisitor of War)
There is one in every cregan who handles the security of it, and several in Alta to advise the Comandanta Suprema. Sometimes sent out on special missions.
Insignia: two calcendi in a circle on breastplate or badge. Helmet is decorated with gold.
3. Custodio Mayor (High Custodian)
Commands most of the military procedures outside of the cregan. Insignia: one calcendi in a circle. Two blue plumes in helmet.
4. Marischal (Marshal)
Insignia: four suns (symbols of Solvár) in a diamond shape. One blue plume in helmet.
5. Capitán (Captain)
Insignia: three suns in an inverted V. Three red plumes in helmet. Commands 80–150 troops (compañia or company) which consist of 3– 5 peletóns.
6. Teniente (Lieutenant)
Insignia: two suns horizontally. Two red plumes in helmet. Commands: 30–60 troops (pelotón or platoon) or second-in-command in
7. Alférez (Sub-Lieutenant)
The lowest commissioned officer rank, often fresh out of training. Insignia: one sun. One red plume in helmet. Commands: 8–25 troops (sección or section), which consists of 2-3 escuadras. He has a sargento under his section.
Suboficiales (NCOs)
1. Sargento (Sergeant)
They are the direct link between officers and the enlisted men.
Insignia: a wide metal wristband on each wrist.
Commands: 8–25 troops (sección or section), which consists of 2–3 escuadras.
2. Cabo (Corporal)
Assistant to the sargento
Insignia: a thin metal wristband on each wrist.
Commands: 4–10 troops (escuadra or troop).
Tropa (Troops)
1. Veterano (Veteran)
An experienced soldier, highly respected within the ranks. Often fails to become an NCO because of breeding or lack of contacts.
Insignia: a blue cloth armband
2. Soldado (Soldier)
Standard foot soldier.
3. Recluta (Recruit)
Untrained foot soldier.
Images
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Officer of the Guardia Civil -
Trooper of the Guardia Civil -
Officer of the Guardia Civil -
Trooper of the Guardia Civil
