The unit was headed by the Count of the Excubitors (Latin: comes excubitorum; Greek: κόμης τῶν ἐξκουβίτων/ἐξκουβιτόρων, komēs tōn exkoubitōn/exkoubitorōn), who, by virtue of his proximity to the emperor, became an official of great importance in the 6th and 7th centuries.
Unit ini dipimpin oleh Comte Excubitor (bahasa Latin: comes excubitorum; bahasa Yunani: κόμης τῶν ἐξκουβίτων/ἐξκουβιτόρων, komēs tōn exkoubitōn/exkoubitorōn), yang, berdasarkan kedekatannya dengan kaisar, menjadi pejabat yang sangat penting pada abad ke-6 dan 7.