The Bersaglieri are a corps of the Italian army created by General Alessandro Lamarmora in 1836. They have always been a high-mobility infantry unit, and can be still recognized from the particular hat they wear, which is decorated covered with Capercaillie feathers.

The Bersaglieri were deployed abroad for the first time in Crimean War, by the order of one of the founders of Italian Unification,Cavour. On 20 September 1870, they entered in Rome through Porta Pia, ending the temporal power of the Pope, and completing unification of Italy.

While in the past their mobility was helped by their training in running and by the aid of bicycles, at the moment they are mostly mechanised.

They have helped as part of the 'Garibaldi' Mechanised Brigade to bring peace in the Yugoslav and Somali Civil Wars and are currently also deployed in Iraq.

Regiments today:

 1° Rgt. Bersaglieri, Garibaldi Brigade, in Cosenza (Calabria)
 3° Rgt. Bersaglieri, Ariete Brigade, in Milan (Lombardy)
 6° Rgt. Bersaglieri, Aosta Brigade, in Trapani (Sicily)
 8° Rgt. Bersaglieri, Garibaldi Brigade, in Caserta (Campania)
 7° Rgt. Bersaglieri, Pinerolo Brigade, in Bari (Puglia)
11° Rgt. Bersaglieri, Ariete Brigade, in Orcenico Superiore (Friuli)