The Guards Division of the British Army contains a total of five battalions, one from each of the five regiments of Foot Guards. However, before the Options for Change defence review in 1992, there were eight battalions: The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ... Foot guards is a term used to describe elite infantry regiments. ... Options for Change was a restructuring of the British military in 1993, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War. ... 1991 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• 1st and 2nd Bn, Grenadier Guards
• 1st and 2nd Bn, Coldstream Guards
• 1st and 2nd Bn, Scots Guards
• 1st Bn, Irish Guards
• 1st Bn, Welsh Guards

The cuts made to the infantry under Options for Change included three battalions of Guards. However, rather than disbanding them, the 2nd Battalions of each of the first three regiments were placed in "suspended animation" - although they would not be active, they would still be listed on the Army Roll, and could be re-activated should they be needed. In order to maintain the traditions of each battalion, and to keep custody of the colours, three companies were kept active, one to represent each battalion: The Grenadier Guards is the most senior Foot Guards regiment of the British Army. ... The Coldstream Guards is a regiment of the British Army. ... The Scots Guards are a regiment of the British Army and have a long and proud history stretching back hundreds of years. ... Official name Irish Guards Colonel-in-Chief HM Queen Elizabeth II Colonel-of-the-Regiment James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn Nicknames Bobs Own The Micks Motto Quis Separabit (Who Shall Separate Us) Anniversaries Saint Patricks Day (17 March) Marches quick: St Patricks Day slow: Let Erin Remember... The Welsh Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... In the days when battle was conducted at close quarters, it was necessary for soldiers to be able to determine where, during the heat of battle, their regiment was. ... A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ...

• No 2 Company, 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards (renamed Nijmegen Company)
• No 7 Comapny, 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards
• F Company, 2nd Bn Scots Guards

These three units are based permanently at Chelsea Barracks in London on public duties. They represent the suspended battalions at significant events, such as Trooping the Colour, and receive the battalion's new colours whenever they are presented. The independent companies of the Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards of the Foot Guards (all on permanent public duties in London) are at Chelsea Barracks, three-quarters of a mile from Buckingham Palace. ... St. ... Three infantry battalions of the British army are currently tasked with the provision of Public Duties. ... Elizabeth II in uniform as Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony. ...