# Do Armies Still Have Dragoons, Grenadiers, Fusiliers, Etc.? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 7, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082 "2012-02-07T16:26:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/1 "2012-02-07T16:26:23Z")
All those colorful 17th century names for troops seem to be in disuse. I understand that the German Army (WWII) had grenadier regiments. But what about dragoons? Any army still have them? I’m not sure what fusilers did-are they still around? ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/2 "2012-02-07T16:32:28Z")
The [British Army](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_Army_regiments) has oodles of them: > [@](#): > > **Household Cavalry** > > Household Cavalry Regiment and Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment > The Life Guards > The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) > > \*\*Royal Armoured Corps > > Heavy Cavalry\*\* > > 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards > The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) > The Royal Dragoon Guards > The King’s Royal Hussars > > **Light Cavalry** > The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own and Royal Irish) > 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales’s) > The Light Dragoons > The Queen’s Royal Lancers > > **The Royal Tank Regiment** > 1st Royal Tank Regiment > 2nd Royal Tank Regiment The infantry regiments in particular have some very antiquated-named sub-units, such as the [Royal Regiment of Scotland](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Regiment_of_Scotland): > [@](#): > > The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland > The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland > The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland > The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland > The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland > Territorial battalions > 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland > 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/3 "2012-02-07T16:34:40Z")
looks like it: > **[Dragoon | Modern dragoons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragoon#Modern_dragoons)** > > The guard of honour for the President of Brazil includes the 1st Guards Cavalry Regiment of the Brazilian Army, known as the "Dragões da Independência" (Independence Dragoons). The name was given in 1927 and refers to the fact that a detachment of dragoons escorted the Prince Royal of Portugal and Brazil, Pedro of Braganza, at the time when he declared the Brazilian independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves on 7 September 1822. > The Independence Dragoons wear 19th-... > **[Grenadier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenadier#Modern_usage)** > > A grenadier (/ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪər/ GREN-ə-DEER, French: \[ɡʁənadje\] (listen); derived from the word grenade) was originally a specialist soldier who threw hand grenades in battle. The distinct combat function of the grenadier was established in the mid-17th century, when grenadiers were recruited from among the strongest and largest soldiers. By the 18th century, the grenadier dedicated to throwing hand grenades had become a less necessary specialist, yet in battle, the grenadiers were the physically r Ce... And apparently both France and the UK are still using the title Fusilier for some regiments. > **[Fusilier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusilier)** > > Fusilier is a name given to various kinds of soldiers; its meaning depends on the historical context. While fusilier is derived from the 17th-century French word fusil – meaning a type of flintlock musket – the term has been used in contrasting ways in different countries and at different times, including soldiers guarding artillery, various elite units, ordinary line infantry and other uses. > The word fusil, which was the name of the type of musket carried by a fusilier, is itself derived from... ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/4 "2012-02-07T16:35:22Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > All those colorful 17th century names for troops seem to be in disuse. > I understand that the German Army (WWII) had grenadier regiments. > But what about dragoons? Any army still have them? > [@Wikipedia](#): > > [Dragoon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragoon) – The title has been retained in modern times by a number of armoured or ceremonial mounted regiments. > > … > > 3 Modern dragoons > > ``` > 3.1 Brazil > 3.2 Canada > 3.3 Chile > 3.4 Denmark > 3.5 Finland > 3.6 France > 3.7 Norway > 3.8 Perú > 3.9 Portugal > 3.10 Sweden > 3.11 Switzerland > 3.12 United Kingdom > 3.13 United States > > ``` > [@](#): > > I’m not sure what fusilers did-are they still around? They make [pasta](http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusilli). No, they don’t: > [@Wikipedia](#): > > [Fusilier](http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusilier) was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation. Why didn’t you look these up? ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/5 "2012-02-07T16:56:33Z")
They have Missileers. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/6 "2012-02-07T17:51:56Z")
All those names still exist, but it’s not as if they mean anything anymore. They’re just tradition, nothing more. Dragoons don’t dismount from horses before battle, fusiliers don’t have shorter firearms, grenadiers don’t throw grenades (any more than other infantrymen, that is), and hussars don’t wear those gay jackets over one shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/7 "2012-02-07T17:56:06Z")
You can talk about your Lancers, or your Irish Fusileers, the Aberdeen Militia or the Queen’s Own Volunteers, or any other regiment that’s lying far awa’, but give to me the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa. ---
**Author:** ![what\_do\_I\_type\_here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a5b964/32.png) [@what\_do\_I\_type\_here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/what_do_I_type_here)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/8 "2012-02-07T21:11:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > and hussars don’t wear those gay jackets over one shoulder. Did they ever actually put those on? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/9 "2012-02-07T21:23:17Z")
Little-known hussar secret: One of the sleeves was always sewed shut. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/10 "2012-02-07T21:39:28Z")
Pah, non-functional jackets are nothing compared to [hussars with wings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars)that "almost threw them out of their saddles when their horses went faster than a trot (when attached to the saddle they slowed down the horse greatly). " ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/11 "2012-02-08T02:38:25Z")
Navies are good at hanging on to traditional names. Master-at-Arms: originally trained and led crew in hand-to-hand combat, therefore the toughest guy onboard. Thus they became the ship’s police, losing any special weapons proficiency. “Master-at-Urinalysis-Cup” would be more accurate. Yeoman: filing and word processing. Haven’t yeoed in eons. Pharmacists Mate: there’s no actual pharmacists except at shore hospitals, so, being his mate must be forelorn duty. Aviation Boatswains Mate: never touch boats; should be called “aircraftswains mates” ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/12 "2012-02-09T02:17:59Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > All those names still exist, but it’s not as if they mean anything anymore. They’re just tradition, nothing more. … grenadiers don’t throw grenades (any more than other infantrymen, that is. In the US Army, each infantry squad will have two grenadiers. Their primary weapon, is in fact, a grenade launcher. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/13 "2012-02-09T03:24:33Z")
> [@what\_do\_I\_type\_here](#): > > Did they ever actually put those on? In Napoleonic times, yes. The justification for over the shoulder was that it acted as extra protection from enemy sabers in combat. But the real reason was fashion. When the situation (e.g. weather) required it, they wore it properly. It’s called a Pelisse, by the way. It had a loop inside the collar so that it could be hooked over the button of the Hussars epaulettes. ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/14 "2012-02-09T03:43:59Z")
Forty years ago there was a battalion of the Fifth Cuirassier Regiment of the French Army stationed at Kaiserslautern, Germany. In the old horse cavalry days cuirassiers were heavy cavalry (big men on big horses) equipped with steel breast and back plates along with a very impressive crested helmet and a honking big straight sword. The guys at K-town were mechanized and armored infantry. The Germans called those outfit Panzer-Grenadiers. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/15 "2012-02-10T23:19:52Z")
Thanks for the info-I was never sure just what “fusiliers” did-I always thought they lit fuses! ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/16 "2012-02-11T03:57:33Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > In the US Army, each infantry squad will have two grenadiers. Their primary weapon, is in fact, a grenade launcher. A grenadier’s primary weapon is still the M-4, not the 203 or 320. For a while, I was a grenadier in the “First Regiment of Dragoons” (1st Cavalry Regiment) in the US Army. Not that anyone referred to us as dragoons, but I suppose technically, I was a Grenadier Dragoon. If I’d thought of it, I wouldn’t have responded to anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/17 "2012-02-11T04:03:11Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > …I suppose technically, I was a Grenadier Dragoon. If I’d thought of it, I wouldn’t have responded to anything else. I wouldn’t either. Plus, it’d look snazzy on your business cards. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/18 "2012-02-11T04:18:46Z")
The Pakistan Army still has five battalions of the [Animal Transport Regiment](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4354440.stm). Which I admit is a very boring name. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/19 "2012-02-11T14:12:16Z")
The French soldiers still actually use fusils, I suppose - the French kept and adapted the term to more modern weapons, and it is simply translated as “gun” or “rifle”. An image search on “fusil” will turn up a lot of pictures of modern day rifles, mainly from French language sites. Somebody who speaks French can probably tell us what the more precise usage is. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082/20 "2012-02-11T16:26:09Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > A grenadier’s primary weapon is still the M-4, not the 203 or 320. You’re not doing it right. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-armies-still-have-dragoons-grenadiers-fusiliers-etc/612082.md?page=2)