Captain Giuseppe Perrucchetti instituted by Decree of 15th October 1872 the Alpine Corps, in order to prepare the troops that had to defend the mountain borders. 15 companies were formed and in 1878 they increased up to 36, organized in 10 battalions.
In 1882 the first regiments were formed and in 1887 they became 7 regiments for 22 battalions; the baptism by fire was on 1st March 1896 in the battle of Adua.
During the First World War, after the constitution of the 8th regiment in 1909, the Corps included 88 battalions organized in 20 groups, 9 groupings and 4 divisions. At the end of war there were only 8 regiments to which the 9th regiment joined in 1919.
By a regulation in 1926 three Brigade Commands were constituted and then four in 1933, transformed into Divisions in 1935. In the same year the 11th and 12th Regiments and the 5th Division were formed.
During the Second World War the divisions became six but they were dissolved in September 1943.
The Alpines participated in the War of Liberation with the "Piedmont" and "Abruzzi" (later "L'Aquila") battalions; they also reconstituted their units on five brigades (Julia, Taurinense, Cadore, Orobica and Tridentina), gradually reduced to Julia and Taurinense Brigades and Tridentina Command Division.
At present there are 8 regiments and their Flags are awarded with 9 Knight Crosses of the Italian Military Order, 10 Gold Medals, 30 Silver Medals, 8 Bronze Medals and 1 War Cross to Military Valour, 3 Bronze Medals to the Army Valour, 1 Gold Medal, 1 Silver Medal and 1 Bronze Medal to the Civil Valour, 1 Gold Cross and 1 Silver Cross to the Army Valour, 6 Silver Medals to the Merit, 4 Bronze Medals to the Merit of the Italian Red Cross.