[Perdogg]

I wonder how good these guys are. Could they go toe to toe with, let's say, Al Qaeda?

[1rudeboy]

With halberds, or guns?

[Boogieman]

I dunno, but those halberds aren’t going to do much good in the modern day, unless there is a terrorist cavalry unit I’ve never heard of. I know they look cool, but if these guys are supposed to be more than just ceremonial, maybe they should think about upgrading to a modern rifle, like the Buckingham Palace guards.

[Oberon]

The halberds are largely ceremonial, although it would not surprise me to learn that the Swiss Guard trained with them. When they really have to go into action, they go with modern weapons and gear. And they are highly effective.

[oh8eleven]

I wonder how good these guys are. Could they go toe to toe with, let's say, Al Qaeda?
Well, you could look it up - "Great Battles in History Won by the Swiss Guards."

Oh, wait ...

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Saw a show about them and what they would let the show air rivaled any special forces training in the world. The ceremonial guards are only the tip of the iceberg of Vatican security.

[AzSteven]

They have always had some standard military training - basic training at their recruitment center, and additional training within their kaserne at the Vatican. Since the assassination attempt, they have gotten more focused on it and they train more extensively internally and with Italian military or security services.

Every now and then you will see pics of the guards in their finery toting some modern firepower in place of the halberd. For various reasons it always makes me laugh a little. I don't know how good they really are, but certainly they are getting better.

[AzSteven]

They have always had some standard military training - basic training at their recruitment center, and additional training within their kaserne at the Vatican. Since the assassination attempt, they have gotten more focused on it and they train more extensively internally and with Italian military or security services.

Every now and then you will see pics of the guards in their finery toting some modern firepower in place of the halberd. For various reasons it always makes me laugh a little. I don't know how good they really are, but certainly they are getting better.

[buffaloguy]

Don’t mess with them. They are some of the very best.

[Excellence]

It is 8 p.m. in Rome.