Guard Battalion at the Federal Ministry of Defence | |
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Wachbataillon beim Bundesministerium der Verteidigung | |
Active | 15 February 1957 - present |
Country | Germany (West Germany to 1990) |
Branch | Streitkräftebasis Bundeswehr |
Type | Army, Navy, Air Force, Jägertruppe (Army part) |
Role | Drill, ceremonial and guarding and security duties |
Size | 7 active companies |
Garrison/HQ | Kommando Territoriale Aufgaben der Bundeswehr Berlin |
Nickname(s) | Protter or Protokollsoldaten |
Motto(s) | Semper talis (always the same/great) |
March | Yorckscher Marsch |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Oberstleutnant Hans Domrich |
Insignia | |
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the Wachbataillon | |
Cuff title of the Wachbataillon | |
Beret badge of the Wachbataillon |
The Wachbataillon (full name: Wachbataillon beim Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (WachBtl BMVg) (Guard Battalion at the Federal Ministry of Defence)) is the German Bundeswehr's honour guard. The Wachbataillon number about 1,000 soldiers stationed in Berlin. It consists of seven active companies (see list below) and belongs to the Streitkräftebasis (Joint Service Support Command) of the Bundeswehr. The soldiers of the Wachbataillon often refer to themselves as Protter or Protokollsoldaten, meaning protocol soldiers.