Welcome to the headquarters of the Imperial Guard, an honorary corps within the Grande Armée. Appointment to la Garde is offered in recognition of outstanding and sustained achievement in battle and in service to the Empire.
Qualification for appointment to la Jeune Garde:
22 Victory Points and 400 Administrative Points
Upon appointment to the Young Guard, an officer is granted the title of Baron de l'Empire. The proper form of his signature is then (rank) Baron (name), for example, Colonel Baron Jean Lannes. With further seniority, an officer may advance in the Imperial nobility to the rank of Comte de l'Empire , with nominal lordship over a city or region.
Qualification for appointment to la Moyenne Garde:
32 Victory Points and 600 Administrative Points
Officers advancing to the Middle Guard, and/or attaining the rank of Général or Maréchal may receive the title of Duc de l'Empire , with a geographic honorific commemorating a French Revolutionary or Imperial victory.
Qualification for appointment to la Vieille Garde:
45 Victory Points and 800 Administrative Points
Officers advancing to the Old Guard, and/or commanders of Armies or Corps, may be granted the title of Grand Duc. The ultimate honor in the Imperial nobility, earned only by the Emperor's most distinguished warriors, is the title of Prince de l'Empire.
In the service of France, all advancement is by merit, and the knapsack of the humblest soldier may contain not only a baton, but a princely crown!