rear guard
Retreat-covering military unit
A rear guard is the portion of a military force that protects the rear during retreat or advance, defending against attacks from behind.
The term extends to any group defending against change or holding traditional positions: The old guard became the rear guard as reforms swept through the organization.
As an adjective, rear-guard describes defensive or delaying actions: a rear-guard effort to preserve the old system.
Small infantry formation
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
brigade · division · corps · infantry · cavalry · phalanx · legionnaires · troopers
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- delaying actionCombat to impede pursuit
- covering fireGunfire enabling safe movement
- screeningEvaluative selection process
holding action · disengagement · fallback position · countermove · reserve force · strategic retreat · fighting retreat · breakaway
Adding support or encouragement
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- relief forceTroops sent to assist
- second lineSupporting vocal line
- reserveSupply kept back
auxiliary · bolster · assist · fallback · emergency reserve
Protect by overlaying
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- defenseProtection against harm
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- escortOne who accompanies another
watchfulness · vigilance · oversight · security detail · perimeter defense
platoon
Small infantry formation
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- battalionMid-sized military unit
regiment · brigade · division · corps · infantry · cavalry · phalanx · legionnaires · troopers · soldiers
retreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- delaying actionCombat to impede pursuit
- covering fireGunfire enabling safe movement
screening · holding action · disengagement · fallback position · countermove · reserve force · strategic retreat · fighting retreat · breakaway · defensive line
reinforcement
Adding support or encouragement
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- relief forceTroops sent to assist
- second lineSupporting vocal line
reserve · auxiliary · bolster · assist · fallback · emergency reserve
cover
Protect by overlaying
escort · watchfulness · vigilance · oversight · security detail · perimeter defense
- defendersdefender, protector, keeper, sentry, sentinel
- guardsbodyguard, protector, sentinel, sentry, watchman
- military dutiessentry duty, patrol, combat duty, active duty, reserve duty
- SWATSWAT, tactical team, entry team, ballistic shield, battering ram
- deploymentmobilization, redeployment, rapid deployment, troop movement, troop surge
- Samurai Japansamurai, ronin, daimyo, shogun, retainer
rear guardvanguard
Foremost position or group
advance guard · front line · point · spearhead · advance party
rear guardvanguard
Foremost position or group
avant-garde · pioneers · trailblazers · innovators · progressives