The White Guard or Civil Guard (Finnish: Suojeluskunta, Swedish: Skyddskår, lit. protection corps) was a voluntary militia that emerged victorious over the socialist Red Guards as a part of the Whites in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. They were generally known as the White Guard in the West due to their opposition to the communist Red Guards. In the White Army of Finland many participants were recruits, draftees and German-trained Jägers and not part of the paramilitary. The central organization was named the White Guard Organization, and the organization consisted of local chapters in municipalities.