Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince ( Prince ' s Company of Carabinier s ) is the Infantry division of the " Force Publique " , and one of the limited number of militaries that recruits foreigners . Although Monaco ' s defense is the responsibility of France , Monaco maintains a small force for the protection of the Sovereign , and the Prince ' s Palace . It was formed by Prince Honoré IV in 1817 for the protection of the Principality , but were reorganized when the Franco - Monegasque Treaty was signed . The company numbers 119 officers and men - while the NCOs and soldiers are local , the officers have generally served in the French Army or the Republican Guard . Along with the " Corps des Sapeurs - Pompiers " , the Carabiniers form Monaco ' s total public forces . History . An antecedent of the Carabiniers was the company known in the 19th century as the " Papalins " , former soldiers of the Papal States , who , upon the destitution of the Papacy ' s temporal authority at the time of the Italian Unification , were given the role of protecting the Sovereign and the Princely Family . A road in Fontvieille is named in honor of them . In Monaco , the " Milice Nationale " was created in 1865 . In 1870 , the " Milice Nationale " was renamed the " Gardes du Prince " , although , the " Gardes " were still tasked with fire fighting , and national security . On May 5 , 1881 , the " Gardes du Prince " were renamed the " Compagnie mixte de Sapeurs - Pompiers " to better adjust to their fire fighting duties . On June 17 , 1909 , the fire fighting unit was reorganized into a separate operating company called the " Compagnie de Sapeurs - Pompiers " , while the protection unit was renamed the " Corps des Carabiniers du Prince " . This lasted over 60 years , until the companies were finally renamed the " Corps des Sapeurs - Pompiers " , and the " Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince " , and were placed under the " Force Publique ' s " direct control . The Carabiniers are currently commanded by Comdt . " Philippe Rebaudengo " , who was sworn in on February 1 , 2007 . Previous commanders include , Lt . Col . " Jacques Morandon " ( 2005 - 2007 ) , Lt . Col . " Luc Fringant " ( 1993 - 2005 ) , and Comdt . " Maurice Allent " ( 1978 - 1993 ) . Organization and Expenditures . Composed of 119 personnel of Francophone nationality ( 3 officers , 19 noncommissioned officers , and 97 men of rank ) , the Carabiniers are split into the following divisions : The 2012 - 2013 stating salary for a " Carabinier " is € 2 , 200 ( $ 2 , 908 ) a month or € 26 , 400 ( $ 34 , 893 ) a year . While the Corps 2012 - 2013 budget is € 6 . 7 million ( $ 8 . 8 million ) a year . Duties and Missions . Since its inception , the Carabiniers were tasked with guarding the Prince ' s Palace , ensuring the security of the Sovereign and the Princely Family , to provide services to honor , and to assist law enforcement in times of need . The Palace is guarded at all times , twenty - four hours a day , with two noncommissioned officers of varying rank , one " Maréchal des Logis " , and eight " Carabinier s " . The Changing of the Guard , is performed daily at 11 . 55 am , and announced by a musical element ( two drums , two trumpets ) . The Carabiniers provides services of honor . To " requisition " , the Corps escorts judiciary , participates in official ceremonies , civil and religious , and ceremonial parades and processions . The Carabiniers also perform various missions of public service . With the creation of a " Military Aid Unit " , the Carabiniers implement ambulances for the " Monegasque Red Cross " . The Corps participate as such , the security of major sporting events or arts that take place in the Principality , requiring emergency supplies and evacuation . The Corps participate as appropriate in the implementation of emergency plan , " ORMOS Red Plan " ( Monaco relief organization ) , which also includes the " Corps des Sapeurs - Pompiers " , and the " Direction de la Sûreté Publique " . The " Diving Team " is regularly asked to integrate with security devices , and participate in various rescue missions during the sailing competitions in Monegasque waters . They also participate in scientific observations , underwater environment for the study of pollution in the Mediterranean . A " Motorcycle Platoon " is responsible for the Prince on his daily schedule , and escorting sovereign heads of state visiting Monaco . The Band . The Carabiniers maintain a musical band consisting of twenty - six " rifle - musicians " under the command of a " Maréchal des Logis Chef " . In 1978 , the title of " " Fanfare de la Companies des Carabiniers " " was adopted . An integral part of the unit , the band is not trained solely to perform music . Instead , Carabiners receive the same training as their fellow comrades . The band participates in the same occasions , and duties as the Company . The diversity of the repertoire of the band allows it to perform at official ceremonies , sporting events , and public concerts . Since 1989 , the band has performed outside of Monaco , in multitudes of destinations , such as : Saumur , Nîmes , Albertville , Lugano , Düsseldorf , Turin , Lisbon , Seville , Geneva , and Hanover . Dress and Equipment . The equipment and vehicles of the Carabiniers have been upgraded in recent years . Mobility has been improved by the adoption of modern vehicles , adapted to different missions , such as two MOWAG Piranha V s , six Peugeot P4 s , and a number of BMW R1200RTP s . Old rifles , and revolvers have been replaced by weapons like the M16A2 , and Glock 17 . Parade dress in the winter is a modernized version of that worn in the early 1900s . It comprises a dark blue tunic , and light blue trousers with red facings . A medium - blue cloth helmet is worn , with plumes for gala occasions . White trefoil epaulettes , spats and aiguillettes date from the 19th century . In the summer a simple white shirt sleeve order is worn with a white helmet . For ordinary duties a modern police style uniform is worn with a peaked cap replacing the helmet . Recruitment . Carabiniers are recruited from among candidates who meet the following conditions : Applicants may be esteemed if they know skills in one or more specialties relevant to the Carabiniers . For instants : music ( primarily band instruments ) , diving , first aid , culinary , computer , and mechanics training , or combat experience . Career Development . At the time of his enlistment , a Carabinier signs his first contract for five years which is validated after a period of instruction , and confirmation period in which ability and motivation are verified . This confirmation is usually after one year ' s service , but may be extended for one or even two years further probation . A Carabinier can pursue his career and commitments by successive reenlistments after each five years of service until reaching age 55 , subjecting to meet all the conditions of fitness . Promotion on merit allows a number of Carabiniers to reach the various grades of noncommissioned officers . However , a very low turnover rate of enlistments means that 50 % finish their military career as a Carabinier first or second class .