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A command Squad is a cadre of highly disciplined [[Veteran Squad (Space Marines)|Veteran]]s carrying special or heavy weapons, serving as bodyguard unit for the [[Force Commander]].{{Fn|1}}

Marines selected for a Command Squad are chosen not only for their combat skills, but also an equal measure of tactical and strategic aptitude. A Captain and his Command Squad inevitably go where the fighting is thickest in any battle, so only the luckiest and most experienced warriors survive more than a few battles - and those that do have proven themselves beyond all doubt, and are often nominated to succeed their Captain in the event of his death.{{Fn|3a}}.

These specialists provide vital support as honour guards and aides – [[Company Champions Champion]]s defend their Chapter's honour with martial excellence, [[Company Ancient|Ancients ]] guard its inspirational banners, and [[Company Veterans Veteran]]s lay down hails of fire from relic [[bolt weaponsweapon]]s.{{Fn|11}}.

It is not uncommon for Space Marine Command Squads to be mounted on [[Space Marine Bikes Bike]]s if the commander they are guarding is mounted on also using one. The command squad may be outfitted with specialist gear such as [[melta bomb]]s or [[storm shield]]s, and may take a dedicated transport such as a [[Rhino]] or [[Razorback]].{{Fn|3a}}.

Command Squad composition has seen variations depending on the [[Age of the Dark Imperium|Era]].era:

It was typical for [[Praetor]]s to fight alongside a squad of exceptionally disciplined and skilled warriors. This squad acts acted as both the commander's personal guard and the bearers of one of the [[Legion Standard|Legion's standards]], serving as a focal point for rallying the Legion's troops on the battlefield. These selected Space Marines are were equipped with the finest weaponry the Legion has had to offer and epitomize epitomised the honor honour of the Legion in combat.{{Fn|12b}}

During the [[Time of Ending]] era, the basic structure of a Command Squad was 1 [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]] leading between 4 to and 9 [[Space Marine]]s., forming a bodyguard unit{{Fn|1}}. A bodyguard could also be joined by a specialist such as an [[Apothecary]], a [[Techmarine]] or a [[Company Standard Bearer]]; a [[Veteran Sergeant]] can lead the squad instead of a simple Sergeant.{{Fn|1}}They accompanied a [[Chapter Master|Leader]], [[Space Marine Commander|Commander]], [[Space Marine Commander|Force Commander]], [[Librarian]] or [[Chaplain]].{{Fn|1}}

A [[Terminator Command Squad]] could also be formed, ; its basic structure was 1 [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]] leading between 3 to 9 [[Terminator]]s.{{Fn|2}}

After the [[Codex_Astartes#Recent_Reforms|reforms to the Codex Astartes]] introduced by [[Roboute Guilliman]] in the [[Age of the Dark Imperium]]{{Fn|9}}, a Command Squad was formed from the Heroes of a Company, serving as [[Honour Guard]] to [[Captain]]s and [[Chapter Master]]s and was composed of{{Fn|11}} :

CommandSquad10th.jpg|Company Heroes ([[10th Edition|10th Ed.]]){{Fn|8}}Image:SMCommand.jpg|Command Squad ([[4th Edition|4th Ed.]]){{Fn|6}}CommandSquad1998.jpeg|Command Squad ([[3rd Edition|3rd Ed.]]){{Fn|7}}

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