Elite Equestrian Military Units

Stormtroopers

The name "stormtrooper" was first applied to ancient pegasus warriors who "arrived like thunder and struck like lighting", according to Commander Hurricane. Modern stormtroopers serve in the Equestrian Army, where they are often entrusted with carrying out missions that require more expertise and initiative than ordinary soldiers possess, such as spearheading assaults into heavily fortified positions or infiltrating behind enemy lines.

Stormtrooper units are, by nature composed solely of pegasi. They are most often found in airborne regiments, where they serve as shock troops. The Special Air Service regiment is known to be composed entirely of stormtroopers.

During the legendary Battle of Cartium, the ancient pegasus hero Zypher came to the rescue of an allied army by ambushing their enemies via an unexpected amphibious assault. He and his soldiers charged into battle from out of a nearby river and flanked their enemy. So sudden was this attack that the enemy general did not even have enough time to signal his troops before his was overtaken and slain by Zypher in a duel that lasted for twenty bouts.

Rangers

Rangers were originally guards for the Earth Pony tribe whose job was to patrol the vast territory they lived in for threats. After the founding of Equestria, they evolved into an elite core of light infantry which could operate independently in the field to attack and sabotage enemy units as the fluid nature of war demanded.

Rangers can be of any race, but are most often earth ponies who have an affinity with nature. They are well known for ability to track targets over impossible terrain and blend in with their surroundings as if invisible.

During the Neighpoleanic Wars, the legendary ranger archer Whitefeather was said to have slowly crawled his way through an open field for three days in order to reach a vantage point overlooking the encampment of Marshall Martingale, whom he slew with a single well placed arrow. He escaping by the narrowest of margins — a team of Prench soldiers nearly stepped on him while combing through the field — and returned to his regiment with the Prench none the wiser.

Templars

The physical demands of the battlefield exclude most unicorns from soldiering. Those few that possess both the mental acumen for sorcery and the martial mien for combat are trained as templars, who fight with both might and magic.

Only unicorns possess the magical abilities to be Templars. Due to the highly selective requirements, Templars rarely have the numbers to operate by themselves and are usually assigned to other military units as needed.

High Templar Nova Burst was said to have fought a rampaging dragon in the Foal Mountains during the pre-classical era. Hoof was set against claw and dragonfire met magic for two days and nights, destroying much of the surroundings in the process. Nova was determined to stop the dragon from attacking her fellows but her sword and sorcery were powerless against the dragon's scales, which would deflect them both. At the end of the battle, Nova improvised a means of penetrating the creature's defenses; she gathered all her magic in one concentrated ray and aimed it directly into the dragon's unarmored eye. The attack hit and destroyed the dragon's brain, felling him in one mighty shot.

The Royal Guard

For a thousand years, the Royal Guard has provided unparalleled protection to Equestrian royalty and VIPs. They draw from ponies all over Equestria. Prior experience in other military units means little if the individual cannot adapt to the mindset required of the Royal Guard. A raw recruit stands as much chance as a veteran of being selected.

A keen eye, sound mind, and watchful nature are required to serve as a Princess's personal guard, along with indisputable loyalty and an unwavering dedication to Equestria. As the may be assigned to provide security for foreign dignitaries and diplomatic functions, recruits must also exhibit open–mindedness and respect for other cultures.

Captain Shining Armor, Prince Consort of the Crystal Empire, served in the Royal Guard prior to his marriage to Princess Cadance. He was capable of projecting a magical shield covering the entirety of Canterlot for an entire day in order to protect it from changelings. Later, with the help of his wife, he would use his barrier to sweep away all the changelings that had invaded the capital on their wedding day.