rearguards
Last line soldiers
Rearguards are troops positioned at the rear of a military formation, protecting against attack from behind during a march or retreat.
The term extends to defensive or delaying actions: fighting a rearguard action against budget cuts.
A rearguard action is typically understood as resistance to inevitable change rather than a winnable fight.
Additional troops sent in
- reservesResources held back
- auxiliariesSupporting or helper elements
- second lineSupporting vocal line
- support unitsForces aiding main operations
standbys · replacements · substitutes · bench strength · emergency reserves · strategic reserve · ready reserve
Those who shield others
- protectorsThose who guard others
- guardiansThose who protect others
- sentinelsGuards keeping watch
- wardensSupervisory officials of institutions
custodians · safeguards · shields · escorts · watchmen
Combat to impede pursuit
- holding actionTactic to stall enemy advance
- fallback positionAlternative if preferred fails
- tactical retreatIntentional pullback for advantage
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
retrograde · skirmishers · pickets · sentries · outposts · patrols · reconnaissance
Upholders of established customs
- conservativesAdvocates for gradual change
- reactionariesThose opposing progressive change
- holdoutsThose refusing to yield
- diehardsUnyielding supporters
stalwarts · preservationists · resisters · backward-looking · establishment
reinforcements
Additional troops sent in
- reservesResources held back
- auxiliariesSupporting or helper elements
- second lineSupporting vocal line
support units · standbys · replacements · substitutes · bench strength · emergency reserves · strategic reserve · ready reserve
defenders
Those who shield others
- protectorsThose who guard others
- guardiansThose who protect others
- sentinelsGuards keeping watch
wardens · custodians · safeguards · shields · escorts · watchmen
delaying action
Combat to impede pursuit
- holding actionTactic to stall enemy advance
- fallback positionAlternative if preferred fails
- tactical retreatIntentional pullback for advantage
disengagement · retrograde · skirmishers · pickets · sentries · outposts · patrols · reconnaissance
traditionalists
Upholders of established customs
- conservativesAdvocates for gradual change
- reactionariesThose opposing progressive change
- holdoutsThose refusing to yield
diehards · stalwarts · preservationists · resisters · backward-looking · establishment
rearguardsvanguards
Leaders of new movements
scouts · front lines · shock troops · van · spearheads
rearguardsvanguards
Leaders of new movements
avant-garde · pioneers · trailblazers · innovators · progressives
- rearguard actionCombat covering a withdrawal