Editing Schutzstaffel (section)

===Hitler's personal bodyguards===
{{Main|Adolf Hitler's bodyguard}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H15390, Berlin, Kaserne der LSSAH, Vergatterung.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Troop inspection of the ''[[1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler|Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler]]'' in Berlin, 1938]]
As the SS grew in size and importance, so too did Hitler's personal protection forces.{{sfn|Spielvogel|1992|pp=102–108}} Three main SS groups were assigned to protect Hitler. In 1933, his larger personal bodyguard unit (previously the [[1st SS-Standarte]]) was called to Berlin to replace the Army Chancellery Guard, assigned to protect the [[Chancellor of Germany]].{{sfn|Cook|Bender|1994|pp=8, 9}} [[Sepp Dietrich]] commanded the new unit, previously known as SS-Stabswache Berlin; the name was changed to ''SS-Sonderkommando Berlin''. In November 1933, the name was changed to ''Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler''. In April 1934, Himmler modified the name to ''[[1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler|Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler]]'' (LSSAH). The LSSAH guarded Hitler's private residences and offices, providing an outer ring of protection for the Führer and his visitors.{{sfn|Cook|Bender|1994|pp=9, 12, 17–19}} LSSAH men manned sentry posts at the entrances to the old [[Reich Chancellery]] and the new Reich Chancellery.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|pp=157, 160, 165}} The number of LSSAH guards was increased during special events.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|p=166}} At the [[Berghof (residence)|Berghof]], Hitler's residence in the [[Obersalzberg]], a large contingent of the LSSAH patrolled an extensive cordoned security zone.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|pp=181–186}}

From 1941 forward, the ''Leibstandarte'' became four distinct entities, the ''Waffen-SS'' division (unconnected to Hitler's protection but a formation of the ''Waffen-SS''), the Berlin Chancellory Guard, the SS security regiment assigned to the Obersalzberg, and a Munich-based bodyguard unit which protected Hitler when he visited his apartment and the [[Brown House, Munich|Brown House]] Nazi Party headquarters in Munich.{{sfn|Cook|Bender|1994|pp=17–19}}{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|pp=157, 160, 165, 166, 181–186}} Although the unit was nominally under Himmler, Dietrich was the real commander and handled day-to-day administration.{{sfn|Cook|Bender|1994|pp=19, 33}}

Two other SS units composed the inner ring of Hitler's protection. The ''[[SS-Begleitkommando des Führers]]'' (Escort Command of the Führer), formed in February 1932, served as Hitler's protection escort while he was travelling. This unit consisted of eight men who served around the clock protecting Hitler in shifts.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|pp=32, 48, 57}} Later the ''SS-Begleitkommando'' was expanded and became known as the ''Führerbegleitkommando'' (''Führer'' Escort Command; FBK). It continued under separate command and remained responsible for Hitler's protection.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|pp=36–48}} The ''Führer Schutzkommando'' (''Führer'' Protection Command; FSK) was a protection unit founded by Himmler in March 1933.{{sfn|Joachimsthaler|1999|p=288}} Originally it was only charged with protecting Hitler while he was inside the borders of [[Bavaria]]. In early 1934, they replaced the ''SS-Begleitkommando'' for Hitler's protection throughout Germany.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|p=32}} The FSK was renamed the ''[[Reichssicherheitsdienst]]'' (Reich Security Service; RSD) in August 1935.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|p=36}} [[Johann Rattenhuber]], chief of the RSD, for the most part, took his orders directly from Hitler.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|p=36}} The current FBK chief acted as his deputy. Wherever Hitler was in residence, members of the RSD and FBK would be present. RSD men patrolled the grounds and FBK men provided close security protection inside. The RSD and FBK worked together for security and personal protection during Hitler's trips and public events, but they operated as two groups and used separate vehicles.{{sfn|Felton|2014|pp=32–33}} By March 1938, both units wore the standard field grey uniform of the SS.{{sfn|Hoffmann|2000|pp=36, 48}} The RSD uniform had the SD diamond on the lower left sleeve.{{sfn|Felton|2014|p=18}}