List of oldest military units and formations in continuous operation
This is a list of oldest military units and formations in continuous operation. In continuous operation here means not units that no longer exist, or recent creations sharing only the name with an older unit.
Please note: Whereas modern standing armies first developed in the 15th century, the defining terminology for contemporary military units and formations, such as company, battalion, regiment etc. mostly arose in the early modern period, during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Oldest active military units still in operation
| Year | Heraldry | Name | Founder | Founding location |
Current location |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1248 |  |
King's Own Immemorial 1st Infantry Regiment | Ferdinand III of Castile | -Variant.svg.png){kind=small} |
 |
It was one of the first standing units in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire, remaining in the order of battle of the Castilian and Spanish armies since its creation. At present the Regiment is the Unit responsible for providing the central seat of Spanish Army Headquarters security, services, and support needed for its functioning. |
| 1337 | Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey | King Edward III of England |  |
 |
In 1987, it was re-formed as a Territorial Army regiment, the Jersey Field Squadron (The Royal Militia Island of Jersey), 111th Regiment, Royal Engineers, later 73rd Regiment, Royal Engineers. In 2007, it came under the operational command of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia). | |
| 1479 |  |
1st Infantry Regiment | King Louis XI of France |  |
 |
Founded in 1479-1480 by King Louis XI as Bandes de Picardie. It became the Légion de Picardie in 1558 during the Italian War of 1551-1559 and then Régiment de Picardie on May 29, 1569. It was ultimately renamed 1er régiment d'infanterie de ligne in 1791 after the military reforms of Louis Le Bègue Duportail.[1] It is now part of the Franco-German Brigade (French units of the brigade are part of 1st Division) and was recently deployed in Afghanistan, Mali and the Central African Republic. |
| 1506 |  |
Papal Swiss Guard | Pope Julius II | .svg.png){kind=small} |
 |
The Pontifical Swiss Guard is one of the oldest active military units presently in existence.[2]They are famous for their last stand which allowed Pope Clement VII to flee from Rome during War of the League of Cognac. |
| 1509 |  |
9th Infantry Regiment “Soria” | Ferdinand II of Aragon |  |
|
Founded in 1509 as "Tercio of Napoli" or "Tercio de Zamudio". It is the second oldest regiment still used for overseas military operations.[3][4] |
| 1521 |  |
Life Guards |  |
 |
Life Guards, formerly Svea Life Guards, dates back to the year 1521, when the men of Dalarna chose 16 "young able men" as body guards for Gustav Vasa, subsequent King of Sweden. | |
| 1534 |  |
Tercio of Sicily | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor |  |
|
It was created to protect the Spanish possessions in South Italy, where it was stationed for 2 centuries. It has participated in almost all conflits that involved Spain, and in recent years, its units have participated in international missions in Bosnia Herzegovina, Lebanon, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. |
| 1536 |  |
Life Regiment Hussars | |
|
The Life Regiment traces back to two drafted units set up by Gustav Vasa in 1536 to lessen the dependency on foreign mercenaries. The regiment has fought in many battles and is one of Europe's most victorious regiments. Today the regiment participates in more international military missions for Sweden than any other regiment. | |
| 1537 |  |
Honourable Artillery Company | King Henry VIII | |
|
Officially incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII. The Company fought with distinction in both World Wars and its current Regiment is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior in the Army Reserve. Today its purpose is to attend to the "better defence of the realm" by the support of the HAC Regiment and a detachment of Special Constabulary to the City of London Police. |
| 1537 |  |
Spanish Navy Marines | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor | |
|
The Infantería de Armada (Navy Infantry) was created by Charles V in 1537, when he permanently assigned the Compañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles (Naples Sea Old Companies) to the Escuadras de Galeras del Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Galley Squadrons). |
| 1537 |  |
6th Infantry Regiment “Saboya” | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor | |
|
It was created as the "Tercio of Savoy" in 1537. Nowadays is a mechanized infantry unit in the Spanish Army. |
| 1537 |  |
3rd Infantry Regiment "Príncipe" | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor | |
|
It was created as "Tercio of Lombardy (old)" in 1537. Nowadays is an Airborne Light Infantry unit in the Spanish Army. |
| 1539 | Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers | King Henry VIII of England | |
|
The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) is the most senior regiment in the British Army Reserve, having given continuous loyal service to the crown since 1539. It is part of the reserve forces, and is the only remaining Militia unit in the British Army. | |
| 1556 |  |
2nd Dragoon Regiment (France) | Louis, Prince of Condé (1530–1569) | |
|
Despite the recent formation of the regiment in its current configuration, it is the oldest French cavalry regiment, dating back to 1556. The French Revolution gave it the designation of the second regiment of dragoons in the French Army, and with brief interruptions it has served under this name in successive French armies ever since. |
| 1566 |  |
4th Mountain Hunters Regiment "Galicia" | Philip II of Spain | |
|
It was created as "Tercio de Lombardía" to protect the Spanish possessions in North Italy, and from there, it was deployed with the Army of Flanders. It has participated in a great number of military actions in Europe, America and Africa, and now it is stationed in the Pyrenees mountains. |
| 1573 |  |
50th Infantry Regiment “Canarias” | Philip II of Spain | |
|
It was raised as "Tercio de Las Palmas" (Militia) on Abril 28, 1573, to protect the island of Gran Canaria from pirates and other European powers, its mission for centuries. It has also participated in actions in the Iberian peninsula and Africa, and in recent times, in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan. |
| 1613 |  |
Skaraborg Regiment (infantry) | King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden | |
|
In 1942 converted to Skaraborg Regiment (armoured); in 2000 changed back to Skaraborg regiment |
| 1614 | Guard Hussar Regiment (Denmark) | King Christian IV of Denmark |  |
|
Unit amalgamated with and perpetuates Zealand Life Regiment, which was disbanded on 1 January 2001 | |
| 1618 |  |
Portuguese Marine Corps | .svg.png){kind=small} |
 |
Consists of 2 battalions | |
| 1636 |  |
182nd Infantry Regiment (United States) | |
 |
The 182nd Infantry Regiment is the oldest Infantry Regiment in the United States Army | |
| 1636 |  |
181st Infantry Regiment (United States) | |
|
The 181st Infantry Regiment is the second oldest Infantry Regiment in the United States Army | |
| 1636 |  |
101st Field Artillery Regiment | |
|
The 101st Artillery Regiment is the oldest Artillery unit of the US Army; was founded the same time as the 181st Infantry Regiment | |
| 1636 |  |
101st Engineer Battalion | |
|
The 101st Engineer Battalion was founded at the same time as the 181st Infantry Regiment | |
| 1638 |  |
211th Military Police Battalion | |
|
The 211th Military Police Battalion goes back to 1741; the 772nd Military Police Company of this Battalion was founded in 1638. Part of the Massachusetts National Guard. | |
| 1641 | 15th Infantry Regiment (Portugal) | .svg.png){kind=small} |
|
|||
| 1642 |  |
Scots Guards (third regiment of foot guards) | King Charles the First |  |
|
Raised in 1642 to form a personal body guard to king charles the first when he campaigned in Ireland; became part of English Army in 1661 |
| 1649 |  |
12th Cavalry Regiment "Farnesio" | Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse-Eschwege | |
|
It was created on March 7, 1649, in the Landgrave of Hesse-Eschwege. Nowadays is a reconnaissance cavalry regiment stationed in Castile and León, Spain. |
| 1650 |  |
Coldstream Guards | George Monck |  |
|
Raised in 1650; became part of the English Army in 1661 |
| 1652 |  |
276th Engineer Battalion (United States) |  |
 |
The 1953 US Army Lineage Book Infantry traces the 176th Infantry Regiment origins to 1652; 176th Infantry was a predecessor unit of the 276th Engineer Battalion | |
| 1656 |  |
5th Dragoon Regiment (France) | |
|
Created under the Ancien Régime in 1656, last disbanded in 2003 and reactivated in 2015. | |
| 1656 | Grenadier Guards | |
|
Senior Regiment of the Guards Division | ||
| 1656 |  |
10th Cavalry Regiment “Alcántara” | Philip IV of Spain | |
|
It was created in Brussels on February 19, 1656, as "Tercio de Nestién". Nowadays is an armored cavalry regiment stationed in the Spanish north African city of Melilla. |
| 1657 |  |
Jutland Dragoon Regiment | Field marshal Ernst Albrecht von Eberstein | |
|
|
| 1658 |  |
Royal Life Guards (Denmark) | King Frederick III of Denmark | |
|
Both a Guard/Ceremonial unit of the Danish Monarch and Infantry Regiment of the Danish Army |
| 1659 |  |
1° Reggimento "Granatieri di Sardegna" (Italy) | Duke Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia |  |
 |
Formed April 18, 1659 as the "Reggimento delle Guardie" |
| 1660 | Life Guards (United Kingdom) | Charles II | |
|
Senior Regiment of the British Army | |
| 1663 |  |
31st Infantry Regiment "Asturias" | General Junta of the Principality of Asturias | |
|
It was first raised as "Tercio de Asturias" in the autonomous region of Asturias on February 3, 1663, again in 1690, and again and definitely in 1706. Nowadays is a mechanized infantry unit in the Spanish Army. |
| 1664 |  |
Royal Marines | King James II | |
|
Now roughly small brigade size. |
| 1665 |  |
Korps Mariniers | Premier Johan de Witt |  |
 |
Founded as Regiment de Marine. Now roughly small brigade size. |
| 1665 |  |
2nd Infantry Regiment "La Reina" | Dona Maria Anna of Austria | |
|
It was created as "Queen Body Guards", by the Governor Queen Dona Maria Anna of Austria, by Royal Decree of August 22, 1665, during the minority of Charles II of Spain, for the guard of the Real person of the King. |
| 1668 |  |
12th Cuirassier Regiment (France) | |
|
Raised as a regiment under the name of the Régiment Dauphin - Cavalerie or, in English, Dauphin's Regiment (Cavalry). | |
| 1672 |  |
102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) |  |
|
Part of the Connecticut National Guard | |
| 1672 |  |
192nd Military Police Battalion | |
|
Part of the Connecticut National Guard | |
| 1673 |  |
113th Infantry Regiment (United States) |  |
|
Taken in Service in 1775; traces orgians back to 1673 Militia; part of the New Jersey National Guard | |
| 1648 | 1st Danish Artillery Battalion | |
|
Current formation from 2014; traces origins back to 1648 | ||
| 1685 |  |
Henry Cornewall's Regiment of Foot | |
|
In 1751 numbered 9th Regiment of Foot; in 1881 Norfolk Regiment; in 1935 the Royal Norfolk Regiment; now A Company/1st Battalion "Royal Norfolks" of the Royal Anglian Regiment | |
| 1685 |  |
3rd The King's Own Hussars | |
|
Now part of the Queen's Royal Hussars | |
| 1688 |  |
Dillon's Regiment | Theobald Dillon, 7th Viscount Dillon | |
|
In 1791 became part of the 87e régiment d'infanterie; one battalion renumbered as 157th régiment d'infanterie [dissolved 1961]; second battalion renumbered as 158th régiment d'infanterie [dissolved 1966] |
| 1707 | 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Dragões de Olivença (Portugal) | .svg.png){kind=small} |
|
Created under the designation of "Regimento de Cavalaria Ligeira de Olivença" | ||
| 1709 | 6th Cavalry Regiment, Dragões D'Entre Douro e Minho (Portugal) | |
|
Created under the designation of "Regimento de Dragões de Trás-os-Montes" | ||
| 1709 |  |
8th Cavalry Regiment "Lusitania" | Jaime Miguel de Guzmán de Avalos y Spinola | |
|
It was created as "10th Regiment of Dragons" on December 18, 1709. Nowadays is a light armoured cavalry unit in the Spanish Army. |
| 1716 | Royal Artillery | |
|
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| 1716 | Royal Engineers | |
|
|||
| 1720 |  |
1st Parachute Hussar Regiment | Ladislas Ignace de Bercheny | .svg.png){kind=small} |
|
It is an airborne cavalry unit in the French Army, founded in 1720 by Hungarian noble Ladislas Ignace de Bercheny. |
| 1736 |  |
Georgia Hussars | James Oglethorpe | Georgia Colony | State of Georgia | Part of the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Georgia National Guard |
| 1741 | Artillery Company of Newport | King George II | .svg.png){kind=small} |
 |
An independent chartered command of the Rhode Island Militia. | |
| 1751 | Punjab Regiment | East India Company | .svg.png){kind=small} |
 |
Oldest regiment in subcontinent region. | |
| 1756 | 169th Military Police Company | King George II | |
|
An active unit of the Rhode Island National Guard with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
| 1756 |  |
The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC) | Robert Rogers | |
 |
Founded as Rogers Rangers |
| 1764 |  |
66th Infantry Regiment "América" | Charles III of Spain | |
|
It was first deployed in the Presidios of the north frontiers of New Spain, in territory of the present United States of America. Nowadays is stationed in Navarre, Spain. |
| 1768 |  |
Royal Nepalese Army | King Prithvi Narayan Shah |  |
|
Nepal unification campaign was a turning point in the history of the Nepalese army., |
| 1775 |  |
Company A, 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment (New York) |  |
|
Descended from the 8th Company 1st New York Regiment 1775-1777; Part of the New York National Guard | |
| 1776 |  |
1st Battalion 5th Field Artillery Regiment | .svg.png){kind=small} |
|
US Army regulars | |
| 1782 |  |
65e régiment d'infanterie | |
|
||
| 1789 |  |
1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery (United States) | |
|
Part of the New York National Guard | |
| 1794 |  |
152e régiment d'infanterie | |
|
||
| 1798 | Baloch Regiment | East India Company | |
|
See also
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ "Régiments de Picardie et du Colonel Général" (PDF).
- ↑ "Spotlight on the Swiss Guard". news.va. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ↑ VILLATORO, MANUEL P. "El regimiento más antiguo de Europa empezó siendo un tercio español y combatió contra Napoleón". ABC.es. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- ↑ Tierra, JEME - Ejercito de. ".:Ejército de tierra:". www.ejercito.mde.es. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
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