Summary
- The Garrison Regiment's main role is to protect the walls from Titan attacks, man cannons, and evacuate civilians during emergencies.
- The Garrison supports the Scouts outside the Walls, with specialized divisions like the Engineering Corps aiding in maintenance operations.
- The Garrison utilizes tactics like the Colossal Titan Response Operation and Emergency Plans to coordinate defense strategies during Titan breaches.
Within the walls of Paradis Island in Attack on Titan, humanity's survival depends on three military branches: the Survey Corps, the Military Police, and the Garrison Regiment. As the largest military branch with over 30,000 soldiers, the Garrison Regiment is responsible for defending the walls from Titan attacks. They are divided into regiments, brigades, and divisions to help facilitate their operations.
The primary duty of the Garrison Regiment is to protect the walls and prepare for any breaches or attacks from Titans. They man the cannons along the walls and are tasked with civilian evacuation plans in case of an emergency. The regiment is also responsible for repairing and improving the defensive structures. Through innovative tactics and strategies, the Garrison Regiment plays a pivotal role in maintaining humanity's security behind the walls. But how do they operate in battle when Titans breach the walls?
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The Garrison Regiment's Duties and Responsibilities
The Regiment's Primary Duties Are As Tough As They Seem
The duty of the garrison regiment is to defend and maintain order within the walls. This involves several key responsibilities. Firstly, they are tasked with guarding and patrolling the walls that surround the districts. This includes monitoring for any Titan breaches and responding quickly to attacks. Additionally, the garrison has cannons positioned along the walls. These cannons are a vital part of the regiment's defensive strategies against Titans.
The garrison also takes care of all repairs and improvements needed for the walls, as their stability is critical to humanity's survival. Constant upkeep is essential. Another major responsibility is handling civilian evacuations in emergencies. In the case of a wall breach, the garrison is charged with safely transporting citizens to the interior of the next wall. They must carry this out swiftly and efficiently, having emergency plans in place for different scenarios.
While their main focus is defending within the Walls, the Garrison will occasionally aid the Scout Regiment on important missions outside the Walls. During the struggle for Trost, for example, parts of the garrison fought alongside the Scouts against the Titans invading through the breach. In general, they serve as humanity's line of defense both within and beyond the Walls, through Titan combat, security, and support as needed.
The Garrison Regiment's Structure and Organization
The Garrison Regiment Stands as a Well-Oiled Machine
With so many crucial duties, the Garrison Regiment is the largest of the three military branches by a wide margin. At their peak, they boasted a total member count of 30,000 soldiers. However, only around 10,000 of these soldiers were considered combat-ready at any given time.
The garrison structure consists of regiments, brigades, and divisions for command and organization. A regiment contains 1,000 soldiers, while a brigade is made up of 2–3 regiments totaling 2,000–3,000 members. Multiple brigades then form a division, which acts as the highest command unit.
Within this structure, there also exist specialized divisions like the Engineering Corps. While not a combat unit, the Engineering Corps supports refueling, resupply, and maintenance operations. They can be deployed to the front lines if heavy casualties necessitate their involvement.
Garrison Regiment tactics and strategies
Various Tactics for Wall Breaches Help Keep Paradis Safe
Given their role of manning the walls and protecting communities from within, the Garrison sees far less open combat with Titans than the Scout Regiment. However, they still require effective defensive strategies. A key tactic is using the wall-mounted cannons to bombard the Titans at a safe distance before engaging them.
To respond to wall breaches, the garrison developed the "Colossal Titan Response Operation." This emergency plan positions units along the depth of an urban district, with the best troops guarding the rear during evacuations. Units also work together to harpoon, impair, and slow Titans when possible, rather than fighting directly.
The regiment also has "Outer Wall Breach Emergency Plans" prepared in case of a deeper security failure. These involve mobilizing forces to rapidly scan walls for locations needing repair while prioritizing the evacuation of civilians to the interior of the next wall. Effective coordination and communication are paramount in any disaster scenario.
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Special Colossal Titan Response Operation
The Roles of the Vanguard, Middle Guard, and Rear Guard
This operation is perhaps the most well-known Garrison tactic. It is specifically designed for responding to "Colossal" Titan class wall breaches, deemed the most dangerous. The response operation positions three sets of defensive lines within the town, with roles tailored to different soldier skill levels.
The "Vanguard" unit forms the initial defense at the breach point itself. Made up of average soldiers, their role is to simply stall the Titans' advance as much as possible without directly engaging. Further back sits the "Middle Guard," tasked with finishing off any Titans that bypass the Vanguard. Middle Guard squads include less-seasoned cadets.
Protecting the evacuation at the deepest part of town is the Elite "Rear Guard." Only the most talented maneuver gear users qualify for this critical role. Their mission is to safeguard civilian escape through the emergency gate until the very last moment. Only once it is fully clear does the entire operation retreat.
The Outer Wall Breach Emergency Plan
Emergency Plans for Larger Incursions
When the far larger and more spread-out Wall Rose comes under threat, localized response plans are insufficient on their own. In this scenario, the primary aim shifts from combat to evacuation. Scout teams disperse to locate any wall breaches, allowing Titans to enter interior lands.
Meanwhile, defensive squadrons work to contain immediate areas and prevent the total outer regions from being overrun before help arrives. Citizens, as far as possible from the reported breach points, are instead guided inward towards the still-secure inner wall regions for refuge. Communication becomes the key to orchestrating the logistical challenge. The safety of the masses takes priority over the destruction of incoming Titans. Efficient relocation and regrouping are needed to consolidate forces and survivors behind the protection of Wall Sina.
The people of Paradis owe a great debt to the brave soldiers of the Garrison Regiment. Charged with humanity's most vital protective duties, the regiment's work defending the walls, manning cannons, enforcing plans, and supporting civilians and military comrades has kept the island's communities intact for generations. Despite facing considerable danger, their discipline and innovation have helped forge humanity's resilience against the Titans. The diverse responsibilities and strategies of the Garrison Regiment continue to play an irreplaceable role in the war for mankind's very survival.
Attack on Titan is available to stream on Prime Video.
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- Release Date
- 2013 - 2023-00-00
Cast
-
Matthew Mercer -
Josh Grelle
Based on Hajime Isayama's widely popular manga, Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy anime set in a world where humanity lives behind walls to protect themselves from massive creatures known as Titans. Over the course of four seasons, the story takes plenty of unexpected twists and turns, almost evolving into a different type of series in the process.
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim