Lifeguard (military)

Leibgarde (also life-guard, or household troops ) has been, since the 15th century, the designation for the military security guards who protected Fürsten (royals and nobles) — usually members of the highest nobility who ruled over states of the Holy Roman Empire and later its former territory — from danger. The Leibgarde should not be mixed up with bodyguard (Leibwächter), which may refer also to a single private individual.

In the Kingdom of France, the Garde du Corps was established (with reference to the sargeants d'arms) in 1440. It was abolished after the French Revolution, re-established in 1815, and finally dissolved in 1830. In addition, Napoleon III set up the Cent-gardes for his own protection.

Lifeguard elite units

 * Denmark: Royal Life Guards – part of the Danish Army
 * Germany: Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment – part of the Bavarian Army
 * Russia: Imperial Guard (Leib Guard) – regiments of lifeguards that evolved into many elite combat units in the Imperial Army
 * Sweden: Life Guards – part of the Swedish Army
 * UK: Life Guards – part of the British Army
 * US: Commander-in-Chief's Guard (Washington's Life Guard), a short-lived Continental Army infantry and cavalry unit (1776–1783)