Bersagliere, Brigade “Garibaldi”
The 1º Reggimento Bersaglieri, stationed in Cosenza, is the senior regiment of the Bersaglieri Corps and one of the most historically significant units within the Italian Army. Founded on 18 June 1836, the regiment represents nearly two centuries of continuity, service, and operational excellence.
The regiment’s motto, Ictu impetuque primus — First to strike, first to assault — reflects the ethos upon which the Bersaglieri were formed: speed, initiative, and decisive action. These principles continue to define the regiment in its modern role as part of the Bersaglieri Brigade “Garibaldi.”
Historical Significance
The origins of the regiment are inseparable from Alessandro Ferrero La Marmora, founder of the Bersaglieri Corps, whose reforms created an elite light infantry force distinguished by mobility and discipline. The 1º Reggimento inherited the seniority of the very first Bersaglieri company, earning its enduring designation as “il primo.”
Throughout its history, the regiment has served in:
The Italian Wars of Independence
Colonial campaigns in Africa
Both World Wars
Post-war national security and NATO operations
Contemporary international deployments including Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan
The regiment has been decorated with multiple medals for military valour, reflecting service across generations and conflicts.
The Visit
Bersagliera — 1º Reggimento Bersaglieri
Bersagliera — 1º Reggimento Bersaglieri
Bersagliere in Operational Dress — Cosenza
On 5 June 2018, Rory Lewis Non-Profit visited the 1º Reggimento Bersaglieri in Cosenza as part of its ongoing mission to document, preserve, and honour the human face of military service.
Through formal portraiture, the project sought to:
Record the identity of serving Bersaglieri at a specific moment in the regiment’s long history
Preserve visual testimony of contemporary service within a historic unit
Contribute to a growing international archive dedicated to uniformed service personnel