The traditions of the oldest Infantry regiments of the Italian Army are linked to the Savoy Infantry regiments whose first units were constituted in 1619 by Carlo Emanuele I. Only in 1664 six regiments were permanently organized and named like the State provinces, except for the "Guards".
In 1798, after the French occupation, Carlo Emanuele IV released the troops from the oath. The national units were reconstituted after 1814 reaching the number of 24 in 1848.
The Infantry, composed of Grenadiers and line units, developed gradually in new specialties: the Bersaglieri in 1836 with Captain La Marmora, the Alpines in 1872 with Giuseppe Perrucchetti and the Tank Drivers in 1920. Between 1938 and 1939 the first Paratroopers units were constituted and in 1950 the Marines, the latest Infantry specialty to be formed.
In 70s motorized and mechanized battalions were formed but they were considered as Infantry only if they took care of the recruits' training.
After having assigned the Tank Drivers specialty to the Cavalry, the Infantry remained with the Grenadiers, Bersaglieri, Alpines, Paratroopers and Marines. It is organized on a Regiment Command and a Company Command, a battalion on three riflemen Companies, a mortars company and an anti-tanks company.