honor of the 5th anniversary of the formation of the guard, the Battle Banner was presented by President Nazarbayev. In October 1997, the office of the commander of the guard was relocated to the new capital of Astana. On 21 April 2014, Republican Guard and the Presidential Security Service were merged to form the State Security Service of Kazakhstan. In May 2017, the use of the term Republican Guard was abolished by a authorities. In June 2019, the unit was transformed into a Special Forces branch. Structure The Republican Guard was one of the most combat-ready units of the Armed Forces. The Republican Guard as a separate branch was composed of: 1st Brigade (Almaty) 2nd Brigade (Astana) Ceremonial Battalion (Astana) Honour Guard Company State Symbols Protection Company Horse Squadron (1996-1997) Band of the Republican Guard Separate Training Battalion (Almaty) Separate Logistics Battalion (Nur-Sultan) Kokzhal Special Forces Detachment Hospital Unit Special Purpose Company Special Purpose Company The brigades can be compared to a reduced motor rifle regiment (BTR) of the Soviet Army, but without the artillery and tank battalions. In addition to line units, each brigade has a Special Purpose Company (RDA, Russian: рота специального назначения). This company receives training according to the training program of Army reconnaissance units. Furthermore, the members of the RDA companies are trained in hand-to-hand combat, as well as airborne operations. Ceremonial Battalion The Ceremonial Battalion () is the guard of honour unit of the Republican Guard. A cavalry squadron was maintained in the mid-1990s. The cavalry squadron was formed in May 1996 to participate in protocol events and processions. A month later, on the basis of military unit 0115 in the village of Chemolgan, training was held with servicemen with experience working with horses or cavalry training. Equestrian training began on the Panfilovsky breeding farm, with horses being selected with a height of 165-168 centimeters Boris Bardin, a specialist from the equestrian training department of the Institute of Border Troops, assisted greatly in preparing the squadron. The cavalry squadron first took part in the military parade on 16 December 1996 in Almaty, dedicated to the 5th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In connection with the transfer of the capital to the city of Akmola, at the end of 1996 the cavalry squadron was disbanded. In July 1997, servicemen from the ceremonial battalion and the Presidential Band visited Malaysia at the invitation of