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The Household Cavalry as a whole is split into two different units which fulfil two very distinct roles. These are both joint units, made up of personnel from both regiments. Like other Cavalry regiments, the Household Cavalry is divided into squadrons ( companies) and troops ( platoons).

The first unit, generally known as the Household Cavalry Regiment, has an active operational role in armoured fighting vehicles which has seen them at the forefront of conflicts in the past and up to the present day. It consists of two squadrons from each regiment.

The second unit is the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which is horsed and carries out mounted (and some dismounted) ceremonial duties on State and Royal occasions. These include the provision of a Sovereign's Escort, most commonly seen at the present Queen's Birthday Parade ( Trooping the ColourThe Trooping the Colour is a British military pageant. It was first performed under Charles II of England. Its original purpose was to display a regiment's colours to the regiment's soldiers. Since 1748, the ceremony has been performed annually in London) in June each year. Other occasions include those during State Visits by visiting Heads of State, or whenever required by the British monarchThe British monarch or Sovereign is the head of state of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and is the source of all executive, judicial and (as the Queen-in-Parliament legislative power. The monarch is also Supreme Governor of the Church of. The regiment also mounts the guard at Horse GuardsHorse Guards Road usually just Horse Guards is a road in the City of Westminster, London. It runs south from The Mall, down to Birdcage Walk. To the west of the road is St James's Park and to the east are various government buildings, including the Old Ad. It consists of one squadron from each regiment.

The rank names and insignia of non-commissioned officerA non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer , or NCO is an enlisted member of an armed force who has been delegated leadership or command authority by a commissioned officer. The non-commissioned officer corps is the junior management ofs in the Household Cavalry are unique in the British Army:

Staff CorporalStaff Corporal (SCpl or S/Cpl) is the equivalent rank to Staff Sergeant in the Household Cavalry, ranking between Corporal of Horse and Warrant Officer Class 2. He may hold an appointment such as Squadron Quartermaster Corporal. A Staff Corporal wears fou/ Squadron Quartermaster Corporal = Staff SergeantUnited States Military Staff Sergeant insignia(U. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. It is the lowest form of non-commissioned officer. Staff Sergeant insignia(U/ Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant: Four chevrons, point up, with crown above, worn on lower sleeve

Corporal of Horse = Sergeant: Three chevrons, point down, with metal crown above, worn on upper sleeve

Lance Corporal of Horse = Corporal: Three chevrons, point down, with cloth crown above, worn on upper sleeve

Lance Corporal: Two chevrons, point down, with crown above, worn on upper sleeve

Technically, Lance Corporal of Horse is an appointment rather than a rank: a new Household Cavalry corporal is automatically and immediately appointed lance corporal of horse, and is referred to as such thereafter.

The Warrant Officer ranks are the same as the rest of the army, but appointments include Regimental Quartermaster Corporal and Squadron Corporal Major (WO2) and Farrier Corporal Major and Regimental Corporal Major (WO1), again excluding the word sergeant.

Formerly, sergeant was exclusively an infantry rank: no cavalry regiment had sergeants. Only the Household Cavalry now maintains this tradition, possibly because sergeant derives from the Latin serviens (meaning servant) and members of the Household Cavalry, once drawn exclusively from the gentry and aristocracy, could not be expected to have such a title.

Uniquely, non-commissioned officers and warrant officers of the Household Cavalry do not wear rank insignia on their full dress uniforms (although officers do). Rank is indicated by a system of aiguillette s.