advance-guard
Leading military unit
An advance-guard is a military unit sent ahead of the main force to scout, secure routes, or provide early warning of enemy presence.
The term extends to any group or element that leads the way: The tech startups served as an advance-guard for the industry's transformation.
Also spelled as one word or two.
Information gatherers ahead
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- skirmishersLight troops in loose formation
- outridersMounted advance guards
flankers · sentries · pickets · spearhead · pointman · detachment · sortie · deployment
First to forge ahead
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- precursorSomething that comes first
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
herald · innovator · explorer · groundbreaker · trendsetter · pioneer · colonist · settler
Handheld defensive armor
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- defenseProtection against harm
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
sentinel · watchtower · fortification · barricade · outpost · perimeter · early-warning · interceptor
scouts
Information gatherers ahead
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- skirmishersLight troops in loose formation
outriders · flankers · sentries · pickets · spearhead · pointman · detachment · sortie · deployment · formation
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- precursorSomething that comes first
harbinger · herald · innovator · explorer · groundbreaker · trendsetter · pioneer · colonist · settler · prospector
shield
Handheld defensive armor
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- defenseProtection against harm
safeguard · sentinel · watchtower · fortification · barricade · outpost · perimeter · early-warning · interceptor · lookout
advance-guardrear-guard
Detachment protecting retreating troops
rearguard · rear guard · rear echelon · reserve force · baggage train
advance-guardrearguard
Troops protecting retreating forces
laggards · stragglers · followers · old guard · rear guard
advance, guard, advanced, advancing, advances, advancement, guards, guarded, guarding