The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (in Monegasque: Cumpagnia d’i Carrabiniei d’u Pri̍ncipu, Prince's Company of Riflemen in English) is the Infantry branch of the Force Publique, and one of the limited number of militaries that recruits foreigners. Although Monaco's defence is the responsibility of France, Monaco maintains a small force for the protection of the Sovereign and the Prince's Palace. Formed by Prince Honoré IV in 1817, the unit was re-organized in 1909. The company numbers 124 officers and men. Whilst the NCOs and soldiers are local, the officers have 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 honour 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 5 May 1881 the Gardes du Prince were renamed the Compagnie de Sapeurs-Pompiers to better adjust to their fire-fighting duties. On 17 June 1909 the fire-fighting unit was re-organised 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. Martial Pied, who was sworn in on 2 January 2022. Previous commanders include, Lt. Col. Gilles Convertini (2017-2022), Lt. Col. Philippe Rebaudengo (2007-2017), Lt. Col. Jacques Morandon (2005-2007), Lt. Col. Luc Fringant (1993-2005), and Comdt. Maurice Allent (1978-1993). Organisation and expenditures Composed of 119 personnel of Francophone nationality (3 officers, 19 non-commissioned officers, and 97 men of rank), the Carabiniers are split into the following divisions: Band; Diving Team; Motorcycle Platoon; Bodyguard Unit; Palace Guard; Honour Guard; Civil Defence. The 2012-2013 starting salary for a Carabinier is €2,200 ($2,908) a month or €26,400 ($34,893) a year. While the Company's 2012-2013 budget is €6.7 million ($8.8