By March 1933, the SS had grown from a tiny personal bodyguard unit to a formation of over 50,000 men.

The decision was made to form a new bodyguard unit, picking the most capable and trustworthy SS men to form its cadre.

Shortly after their creation, Cardinal Richelieu created a bodyguard unit for himself.

He then joined Mahattaya's bodyguard unit.

On 5 January 1945, Schädle was appointed commander of the bodyguard unit.

They also provided most of Augustus' elite personal bodyguard unit (the Germani corpore custodes), which continued in service until 68 AD.

He was released by Nero's overthrower and successor, Galba, but the latter also disbanded the imperial bodyguard unit for their loyalty to Nero.

Their testimony pointed to the military's presidential bodyguard unit, a group that has long been accused of domestic spying and other abuses since the end of the war.

In the earliest days of the NSDAP, leaders realized that bodyguard units composed of trustworthy and loyal men would be a wise development.

Shortly after his release from prison in April 1925, Hitler ordered the formation of a new bodyguard unit, the "Schutzkommando" (Protection Command).