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| Mounted Grenadiers (Argentina) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers |
| Native name | Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo |
| Country | Argentina |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Role | Presidential escort, ceremonial, reconnaissance |
| Garrison | Buenos Aires |
| Patron | José de San Martín |
| Anniversaries | 19 May |
Mounted Grenadiers (Argentina) are the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, an Argentine Army cavalry unit founded in 1812 by José de San Martín as an elite formation during the Argentine War of Independence. The regiment has served in wars, campaigns, and state ceremonies, combining combat roles with duties as the presidential escort and symbol of national heritage under successive administrations such as Juan Manuel de Rosas and Juan Perón. Its traditions link to figures and events across South American independence like Bernardo O'Higgins and the Liberating Expedition of Peru.
The regiment was raised on 16 August 1812 in Mendoza Province under orders from José de San Martín and initially recruited veterans of the Peninsular War, émigrés linked to Napoleon's campaigns and South American veterans of the British invasions of the Río de la Plata. Early actions included skirmishes in the War of the Confederation and participation in campaigns across the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata and the Liberation of Chile. During the Cisplatine War and later internal conflicts with leaders like Juan Manuel de Rosas the regiment's loyalty and composition shifted, later being reconstituted in 1903 and again under Hipólito Yrigoyen and Evaristo Carriego-era reforms. The unit served in roles during the Falklands War era through reserve and ceremonial functions, maintaining historical continuity under presidents including Raúl Alfonsín and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
Organized as a regiment within the Argentine Army, the unit comprises squadrons and companies aligned to traditional cavalry roles; its hierarchy mirrors structures seen in regiments like the Granaderos a Caballo of other nations. Commanders have included officers influenced by doctrines from military figures such as Juan Lavalle and later professional reforms by Jorge Rafael Videla-era institutions. Subunits are designated for ceremonial escort duties to the Casa Rosada and operational detachments for reconnaissance tied to formations within the I Division and other army corps. Training institutions that shape its officers include the Colegio Militar de la Nación and attachments to cavalry schools influenced by foreign models such as the French Army and British Army cavalry traditions.
The regiment's iconic uniform stems from the original 1812 design ordered by José de San Martín—blue coats with distinctive facings, bicorn hats and white breeches—echoing styles of the Peninsular War era and uniforms seen at the Battle of Maipú. Badges and insignia incorporate symbols tied to the Sun of May, crossed sabres, and the regimental standard bearing battle honours from engagements like the Battle of Chacabuco and Battle of Maipú. Full dress for mounted ceremonies includes cuirassier-style elements reminiscent of European heavy cavalry such as the Napoleonic Wars cuirasses, while service dress follows Argentine Army regulations and displays rank slides and unit colours used in national parades like the May Revolution commemorations.
Historically equipped with cavalry carbines, sabres and pistols typical of early 19th-century formations, the regiment transitioned through weapons like the Fábrica Militar rifles and contemporary small arms used by the Argentine Army. Mounted gear includes historically styled saddles and bridles influenced by gaucho tack and Spanish cavalry patterns, while modern detachments use standard-issue helmets and communications equipment supplied by Argentine defense arsenals such as Fábrica Militar de Río Tercero. Vehicles and transport for operational roles are drawn from army inventories such as light utility trucks and reconnaissance vehicles used by other cavalry units in the Argentine Army order of battle.
The regiment fulfills dual roles: operational reconnaissance and ceremonial presidential escort. It provides mounted escort to the President of Argentina at the Casa Rosada and during state visits involving foreign heads of state like Queen Elizabeth II and Barack Obama when they visited Argentina. Operationally, the unit has been deployed for internal security duties, crowd control at events like Gaucho festivals and assistance during national emergencies coordinated with agencies including the Prefectura Naval Argentina and provincial authorities in Buenos Aires Province. Doctrine integrates historical cavalry tactics with modern reconnaissance doctrine taught alongside units from the Argentine Army's combat arms.
As a living symbol of Argentine independence, the regiment conducts public ceremonies on dates such as May Revolution anniversaries and Independence Day parades, often performing at monuments like the Plaza de Mayo and the Monumento a los Caídos en Malvinas. Its public image is curated through museum displays at the regimental museum which highlights connections to José de San Martín, relics from the Army of the Andes, and memorabilia from campaigns including the Liberating Expedition of Peru. The unit's participation in state funerals, military tattoos, and international military exchanges with units like the Royal Horse Guards fosters diplomatic and cultural ties.
The regiment's combat legacy includes pivotal actions during the Chilean War of Independence such as the Battle of Chacabuco and Battle of Maipú where officers under José de San Martín played central roles. Later involvements span the Cisplatine War, internal conflicts during the Argentine Civil Wars against caudillos like Juan Lavalle and Facundo Quiroga, and supportive roles during 20th-century crises including periods surrounding the Falklands War. Regimental veterans and leaders have become national figures commemorated alongside liberation heroes including Manuel Belgrano and Bernardo O'Higgins, securing the unit's place in Argentine military and public memory.
Category:Regiments of Argentina Category:Military units and formations established in 1812