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Sammarinese Armed Forces

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Sammarinese Armed Forces
Forze Armate Sammarinesi
MottoLibertas
Founded1406; 620 years ago (1406)
Service branchesArmy
Gendarmerie
HeadquartersQuartiere delle Milizie

Contrada Omerelli, 14

47890 San Marino Città
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefCaptains Regent
Comandante Superiore delle MilizieGenerale Corrado Carattoni [it][1]
Expenditure
Budget€9.13 million (converted; 2012)[2]
Percent of GDP1.1% (2010 est.)[3]
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of San Marino

The Sammarinese Armed Forces (Italian: Forze Armate Sammarinesi) are the national military forces of the Republic 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 of the republic. 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. National defence in the face of an aggressive world power is, by arrangement, the responsibility of Italy's armed forces.[4] 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.[5] There is no compulsory service, however under special circumstances citizens aged 16 to 55 may be drafted for the defence of the state.[6]

Military Branches

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Corps English Size Commanding officer
Comando superiore delle milizie Superior command of the militias Generale Corrado Carattoni [it][1]
- Servizio sanità militare - Military health service
Compagnia uniformata delle milizie Uniformed company of the militias 80 Tenente Lorenzo Lonfernini[7]
- Banda militare - Military Band 60 Tenente Maestro Stefano Gatta[7]
Guardia del Consiglio Grande e Generale Guard of the Great and General Council 60 Tenente Mirko Mancini[7]
Guardia di Rocca Guard of the Rock Capitano Massimo Ceccoli[8][9]
- Guardia di Rocca Compagnia di Artiglieria - Guard of the Rock Company of Artillery 45 Capitano Marco Ciacci[10]
- Guardia di Rocca Nucleo Uniformato - Guard of the Rock Uniformed Core 40
Corpo della gendarmeria della Repubblica di San Marino Corps of the gendarmerie of the Republic of San Marino 90 Colonnello Maurizio Faraone[11][12]

The Crossbow Corps

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Although once at the heart of San Marino's army, the Crossbow Corps is now an entirely ceremonial force of about 70 volunteer soldiers.[13] The Crossbow Corps has a continuous history from its first mention in the national statutes of 1295. Described by the Government as "The oldest military formation in the Republic, nominated in the statutes of 1295",[13] its uniform is medieval in design, and although it is a statutory military unit, it has no actual military function today.[13] By the mid-twentieth century, the Crossbow Corps had become largely defunct, save for parading on state holidays; but in 1956 the practice of training its members in crossbow shooting was revived, and a 'Crossbow Federation' was formed to encourage competition in this art, so that the unit (although still entirely ceremonial in nature) now again has a very active existence.[14]

The Guard of the Rock (or Fortress Guard Corps)

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Uniformed Unit

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Three members of the Guard of the Rock, wearing the Number 2 uniform (informal ceremonial). A non-commissioned officer is in the centre.

The Guard of the Rock (Italian: Guardia di Rocca) 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 are the state border patrol, with responsibility for patrolling borders and defending them.[15] In their role as Fortress Guards they are also responsible for the guarding of the Palazzo Pubblico in San Marino City, which is the seat of national government. In this role, they are the forces most visible to tourists, and known for their colourful ceremony of Changing the Guard. Under the 1987 statute, the Guard of the Rock are all enrolled as 'Criminal Police Officers' (in addition to their military role) and act to assist the police in investigating major crime.

The uniform of the Guard of the Rock is distinctively red and green,[15] with three dress standards. The ceremonial uniform (1) for festivals, usually worn only by the ceremonial Artillery Company, includes red trousers with a green stripe (two thinner gold stripes for officers), a double breasted green jacket (with red and white lanyard, red cuffs and collars, gold buttons, and red and white dress epaulettes (for officers the epaulettes are gold, and there is a gold edge to the red cuffs)), a black leather belt, and a black helmet decorated with red and white feathers. For normal guard duties (2) the uniform of the main (full-time) Fortress Guard Corps is similar to that described above, but with plain green epaulettes, and a simple black kepi with a single red feather plume in place of the helmet. For routine patrol duties (3) on the border the uniform is simple and modern, with red trousers, green bomber-jacket, and a green peaked hat. For ceremonial duties the Guard of the Rock carry Beretta BM 59 rifles, with the sentry on duty having a fixed bayonet. For patrol duties they are armed with 9mm Glock 17 pistols, and they patrol in green and white patrol cars (see illustrations in gallery, below).

Artillery Unit

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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.[a] This volunteer unit maintains the original artillery function of the Fortress Guard.[15] 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.[5] The Artillery Unit is armed with 2 OTO Melara Mod 56 pack howitzers.[17][18] As of 2026, the Artillery Company had 33 personnel of the 45 planned.[10]

The Guard of the Council

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An officer of the Guard of the Council - this is the number 1 uniform (formal ceremonial).

Its full name is 'The Guard of the Council Great and General' and it is also known locally as the 'Guard of Nobles'. The official tourism website of the nation explains this alternative name by stating: Originally called “Guardia Nobile” (Noble Guard), this name is still sometimes used today to underscore the highly prestigious institutional duties the Corps is called upon to perform.[19] This unit, formed in 1740, is composed almost entirely of volunteers, and its duties are largely ceremonial, although members undergo full military training.[20] 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.[15]

The distinctive dress uniform (1) includes dark blue trousers and double-breasted tailed jacket, with gold coloured ornaments including: double stripe on trouser legs, dress epaulettes, cuffs, collars, and jacket tail edges - distinctively, the double gold trouser stripe is in 'cloth of gold' for officers, but a bright yellow-gold cloth for other ranks. This uniform also includes white gloves, a white leather cross-strap, and a cocked hat decorated with blue and white feathers. For ceremonial duties this force carries sabres, rather than firearms. The undress uniform (2) employs the same colour scheme, but less decoration.

The Company of Uniformed Militia

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Compagnia Uniformata delle Milizie della Repubblica di San Marino in their alta uniform.

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.[21] 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.

Officers are armed with swords and pistols, whilst other ranks are equipped with muskets and bayonets.[22] The uniform is dark blue, with a kepi bearing a blue and white plume. The ceremonial form of the uniform includes a white cross-strap, and white and blue sash, white epaulettes, and white decorated cuffs.

The Military Ensemble

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Formally this is part of the Army Militia,[15] and is the ceremonial military band of San Marino. It comprises around 60 musicians.[23] The uniform is largely similar to that of the Army Militia itself, though with some differences in decoration. The music of the Military Ensemble accompanies most state occasions in the republic.

Corps of Gendarmerie

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A Subaru of the Gendarmerie

Established in 1842, the 'Corps of Gendarmerie of San Marino' (Italian: Corpo della Gendarmeria della Repubblica di San Marino) is a militarized police service, under the control of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs. Its members are full-time and have responsibility for the protection of citizens and their property, and for the preservation of law and order.[15]

The uniform of the gendarmerie includes a hot-weather (summer) standard, which is informal and khaki in colour; a winter standard which is black with light-blue decoration and stripes, and silver braiding; and a dress standard for ceremonial duties, which is dark blue with a white cross-strap and lanyard, blue and white dress epaulettes, white collars, a blue kepi with red and blue plume, and a sword.

The Gendarmerie has two 'Divisions' entitled 'Criminal Police Division' and 'Flying Squad Division', each of which is further divided into operational 'Brigades'. The Gendarmerie may call upon the assistance of the Municipal Police in cases of major crime or national security, and (following revised regulations for both corps introduced by the Government of San Marino in 2008) may also call upon soldiers and border guards of the Fortress Guards Corps, in their secondary role as 'Criminal Police Officers'.[24] It is currently led by Colonel Maurizio Faraone.[12][11]

The Gendarmerie issues the Glock 17 9x19mm as the sidearm and also has access to the Heckler & Koch MP5 9x19mm sub-machine gun.

Commanders

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Status
  Denotes an acting commander
Image Rank Name Start End Duration Notes
Ispettore Giovan Battista Mattioli 1842 1848 6 years Also Maresciallo Maggiore d'Alloggio
Maresciallo Giovanni Paoli 1854 1857 3 years
Ispettore Luigi Archimede Pineschi 1857 1859 2 years, 11 months Later appointed Maresciallo d'Alloggio and Sottotenente onorario
Capitano Antonio Belluzzi 1860 1863 3 years Also Comandante di Piazza
Comandante Valentino Vacchi 1863 1898 35 years Also Ispettore Politico
Ispettore Politico Saturno Spiaggiari 1898 1901 3 years
1901 1906 5 years
Tenente Eugenio Carrel 1906 Also Ispettore Politico
1921
Tenente Feliciano Iussa 1921 1923 2 years Officer of the Royal Carabinieri of Italy
Tenente Biagio Campo 1923 1928 5 years
Tenente Luigi Lolli 1928 1931 3 years, 11 months
Tenente Emilio Radaelli 1932 1935 3 years, 11 months
Primo Tenente Luigi Conioli 1936 1936
Tenente Pietro Animali 1936
Maresciallo Maggiore Pasquale Lucarini 1944
Capitano Gaetano Tranfa 1946 1956 10 years
Capitano Ettore Sozzi [it] 1957 Also Ispettore of the Polizia Urbana
Maresciallo Maggiore Emilio Paltrinieri 1957
Colonnello Fedele Daniele 1958 1984 26 years Also Ispettore of the Polizia Urbana
Maggiore Giambattista Di Fine 1984 1988 4 years
Colonnello Marcello Biagioli 1988 2004 16 years
Maresciallo Maggiore Leo Guidi 2004 2005 1 year
Colonnello Achille Zechini 2005 2012 7 years
Maresciallo Maggiore Werter Selva 2012 2013 1 year
Generale Alessandro Gentili 2013 2015 2 years
Maresciallo Maggiore Werter Selva 2015 2015 11 months
Colonnello Maurizio Faraone [it][11][12] 2015 present 10 years, 6 months

Municipal Police

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The Municipal Police (Corpo di Polizia Civile) is not part of the armed forces of San Marino, but it does work closely with them, particularly with the Gendarmerie. It is responsible for policing local communities, tax collection, traffic control, and civil defence. The Municipal Police are required by statute to collaborate with the Gendarmerie and the Fortress Guard Corps in policing the state.[25]

Ranks

[edit]
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
San Marino San Marino
(Senior Command,
Military Health Service,
Compagnia Uniformata)
Generale Generale brigata Colonnello Tenente Colonnello Maggiore Capitano Tenente Sottotenente
Sammarinese Guard of the Rock
Colonnello Tenente Colonnello Maggiore Capitano Tenente Sottotenente
Corps of Gendarmerie of San Marino
Generale Brigata Colonnello Tenente Colonnello Maggiore Capitano Tenente Sottotenente
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
San Marino San Marino
(Military Health Service,
Compagnia Uniformata)
 '
Sergente maggiore Sergente Caporale maggiore Caporale Guardia
Sammarinese Guard of the Rock
Sergente Maggiore aiutante Sergente maggiore Sergente Caporale maggiore Caporale Guardia Milite
Corps of Gendarmerie of San Marino
Maresciallo Brigadiere Vice-brigadiere Appuntato Gendarme
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted

Commander of the Armed Forces and Police

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Image Rank Name Start End Duration Notes
Generale Giorgio Zani [it][26] 1996 2007 11 years
Generale Rosolino Martelli [it][27] 2007 2014 7 years, 1 month
Generale Leonardo Maria Lonfernini [it][28] 2014 2022 8 years, 5 months
Genrale Corrado Carattoni [it][1] 2022 3 years, 11 months
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A Fiat Punto used by the Guard of the Rock.
A Subaru Forester used by the Guard of the Rock.

Crossbow federation

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Records of crossbowmen in the military of San Marino date back to the 14th century.[29][30] In 1956 a civilian club called the Federazione Balestrieri Sammarinesi (FBS) was formed to revive the tradition of the use of the crossbow in San Marino,[30] claiming descent from the antecessor crossbow units. The FBS is made up of nine teams, representing the 9 traditional divisions of San Marino.[30] Each team is made up of an officer, five crossbowmen, a flag-bearer, a herald, a page, two drummers, and two trumpeters.[31] In 1977, the Captains Regent awarded the FSB the gold medal for civic merit.[30] The current president of the FSB is Edward Chiaruzzi.[32]

Notes

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  1. ↑ This distinction has existed since 1959.[16]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "San Marino. Il Generale Corrado Carattoni nuovo Comandante Superiore delle Milizie" [San Marino. General Corrado Carattoni is the new Commander-in-Chief of the Militia.]. Libertas.sm (in Italian). 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "Google Translate" (PDF). translate.google.com.
  3. ↑ "Europe :: San Marino — The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. 11 July 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2026.
  4. ↑ See the CIA World Factbook for reference, and further military details.
  5. 1 2 Government of the Republic of San Marino (2011). "Military Corps Badges" (in English and Italian). Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  6. ↑ "Military and Police Corps - Repubblica di San Marino, portale ufficiale". www.sanmarino.sm (in English and Italian). Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Corpi Militari" [Military Corps]. Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri (in Italian). Archived from the original on 20 June 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "San Marino. Visita dei Capitani Reggenti alla sede della Guardia di Rocca" [San Marino. Visit of the Captains Regent to the headquarters of the Fortress Guard]. Giornalesm (in Italian). 17 February 2022. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Torresi, Mauro (2 January 2020). "Manca il personale, Guardia di Rocca in sofferenza. Comandante Ceccoli: "Preoccupato, situazione mai vista prima"" [Staff shortages, the Guardia di Rocca is struggling. Commander Ceccoli: "I'm worried, the situation is unprecedented."]. San Marino RTV (in Italian). Archived from the original on 11 December 2023.
  10. 1 2 Giardi, Davide (8 February 2026). "Guardia di Rocca, la Compagnia di Artiglieria cerca nuove leve: "Arruolarsi è un percorso di crescita personale"" [The Guardia di Rocca Artillery Company is seeking new recruits: "Enlisting is a journey of personal growth."]. San Marino RTV (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 "Il Comandante" [The Commander]. Corpo della Gendarmeria della Repubblica di San Marino (in Italian).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. 1 2 3 "Comando della Gendarmeria - Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri - Repubblica di San Marino". Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri (in Italian). Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 "CROSSBOWMEN". Archived from the original on 15 March 2016.
  14. ↑ The Federation maintains a website, which may be viewed here.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 San Marino Department of Tourism (2011). "San Marino Military Organizations" (in English and Italian). Archived from the original on 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  16. ↑ "referenced here". Archived from the original on 24 May 2011.
  17. ↑ Cavalli, Franco (21 February 2014). "San Marino Oggi. L'Italia regala a San Marino due cannoni 'Oto Melara'" [San Marino Today. Italy presents San Marino with two 'Oto Melara' can]. Libertas.sm (in Italian). Archived from the original on 11 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "San Marino: Artiglieria, cerimonia di presa di possesso dei cannoni donati dalla Repubblica Italiana" [San Marino: Artillery, ceremony to take possession of the cannons donated by the Italian Republic]. San Marino RTV (in Italian). 10 September 2014. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  19. ↑ Quoted from the unit's page on the official government website, here Archived 2011-05-24 at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ↑ "Republic of San Marino" (PDF). Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri. June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-27.
  21. ↑ See the reference here Archived 2011-05-24 at the Wayback Machine regarding this supporting role.
  22. ↑ See Military Corps of San Marino - ancient land of liberty by Marino Cardinali, published 2003 by SA International, page 94.
  23. ↑ "CHI SIAMO" (in Italian). BANDA MILITARE DELLA REPUBBLICA DI SAN MARINO. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  24. ↑ These Government regulations are published here on the Government website.
  25. ↑ "Police Department". Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020.
  26. ↑ "Si è spento il generale Giorgio Zani" [General Giorgio Zani has passed away]. San Marino RTV (in Italian). 21 July 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ "Milizie, il Generale Rosolino Martelli: "Ecco perchè mi dimetto"" [Militia, General Rosolino Martelli: "This is why I'm resigning."]. San Marino RTV (in Italian). 17 February 2014.
  28. ↑ "San Marino. Leonardo Maria Lonfernini nominato Generale Superiore delle Milizie" [San Marino. Leonardo Maria Lonfernini appointed Superior General of the Militia.]. Libertas.sm (in Italian). 14 March 2014.
  29. ↑ "I Balestrieri" [The Crossbowmen]. San Marino (in Italian).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. 1 2 3 4 "La nostra storia" [Our story]. Federazione Balestrieri Sammarinesi (in Italian).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ "Quarry of the Crossbowmen". San Marino.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ "Consiglio Direttivo" [Board of Directors]. Federazione Balestrieri Sammarinesi (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 April 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
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