Brazilian Marine Corps
The Brazilian Marine Corps is the land combat branch and amphibious branch of the Brazilian Navy.The Corps is specialised in amphibious warfare, coastal reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, raids, maritime interdiction and boarding operations. They are almost equivelant to the Portuguese Marine Corps and have similar capabilities to the British Royal Marine Commandos and American Force Recon
Mission
Deployed nationwide, along the coast, in the riverine regions of Amazon and in the Pantanal, in peacetime it provides for the security of Naval installations and aids isolated populations through civic action programs in the Naval Districts. Abroad, it provides security for the Embassies of Brazil in Algeria, in Paraguay, in Haiti and in Bolivia. It has participated in all of the armed conflicts in the Military history of Brazil, foreign and domestic.The badge consists of a fouled anchor superimposed over a pair of crossed rifles. It is worn on the collar points of the dress and service uniforms and on the Ribbon Bonnet.
History
The Royal Brigade of the Navy
The Brazilian Marines trace their origin to 1808 when the troops of the Royal Brigade of the Navy arrived in Brazil when Mary I of Portugal and her son Prince Regent John relocated themselves to the Portuguese South American territory during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.The baptism of fire: the conquest of Cayenne
In retaliation for the invasion of Portugal, Prince Regent, Dom João ordered the invasion of French Guiana, whose capital, Cayenne, was captured on January 14, 1809.Historical campaigns
After Brazilian independence the force received many names and underwent various reorganisations. It was involved in several wars and campaigns: the War of the Independence of Brazil, conflicts in the River Plate basin, and the Paraguayan War. During the latter the Corps won distinction in both the Battle of Riachuelo and in the taking of Humaitá.United Nations service
The CFN if has participated in the humanitarian actions promoted by UN in such diverse theatres of operation as Bosnia, Honduras, Mozambique, Rwanda, Angola, East Timor and currently in Haiti.The Corps today
Staff and mission
With about 15,000 men, all volunteers, professionals in combat on land, air and sea, its mission is to guarantee the projection of the naval power on land, by means of landings from Navy ships and helicopters. The Corps is an integral part of the Navy, encompassing about one third of its manpower. Ranks are naval instead of Army, with the exception of Privates, who are called Soldados.In the case of Brazil this is a complex mission, since the country has a territory of about 8,5 million km², a coast of more than with many oceanic islands, and a navigable waterways network of approximately. This last one includes the Brazilian Amazon. To cover climates and natural landscapes so diversified as Pampas of Rio Grande do Sul, pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, deserts of the Northeast region and Amazon rainforest, demands a training of the highest standards, agility and versatility. Therefore, there are units trained in demolition techniques, special operations, combat in forests, mountain and ice, and helicopter-transported operations.
Trained as a Fast Deployment Unit, recently, with the sending of Brazilian military observers, also integrating the Peacekeeping Forces of the United Nations, the Marines have made their presence in distinctive areas of conflict as El Salvador, Bosnia, Angola, Moçambique, Ruanda, Peru, Ecuador, East Timor and currently Haiti.
On March 30, 2014 security forces in Rio de Janeiro occupied since the dawn of day, the set of Shantytown Tide in the North Zone of Rio. Region is being prepared to receive the Pacifying Police Unit, Brazilian Marine Corps also provide support with 21 armored vehicles and 500 men.
Organization
The Corps headquarters is located in Fortaleza de São José, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro.Fleet Marine Force
The Fleet Marine Force includes the expeditionary component of the corps and consists of the following units:- 1st Amphibious Division of brigade size with three marine infantry battalions as its main fighting force, along with the following:
- *Command and Control Battalion,
- *1st "Riachuelo" Marine Infantry Battalion
- *2nd "Humaitá" Marine Infantry Battalion
- *3rd "Paissandu" Marine Infantry Battalion
- *Marine Artillery Battalion
- *Marine Armoured Vehicle Battalion
- *Marine Tactical Air Control and Air Defence Battalion
- *Governor's Island Marine Base,
- Reinforcement Troop located in Ilha das Flores in São Gonçalo, composed of the following:
- *Marine Engineer Battalion,
- *Marine Logistic Battalion,
- *Amphibious Vehicles Battalion,
- *Police Company
- *Landing Support Company
- *Isle of Flowers Marine Base,
- *Landing Troop Command, located at Duque de Caxias - provides the means to command, control and administer the Command of the Fleet Marine Force and to also local units
- Marine Special Operations Battalion "Tonelero" A unit similar to US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, formed in 1957 and structured for high risk operations. Its mission is to destroy or damage prominent objectives in heavily defended areas, capture or rescue personnels or equipment, seize installations, obtain information, mislead and produce psychological effects.
- Rio Meriti Marine Base, located in Duque de Caxias
- ships detachments
Regional
- GptFN of Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- GptFN of Salvador, Bahia
- GptFN of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
- GptFN of Belém, Pará
- GptFN of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul
- GptFN of Ladário, Mato Grosso do Sul
- GptFN of Brasília, Distrito Federal
- GptFN of São Paulo, São Paulo
- Riverine Operations Battalion, Manaus, Amazonas
Music
Central Band of the Marine Corps
The Central Band of the Brazilian Marine Corps is the concert band unit of the CFN. Also known by its other name, the Symphonic Band of the CFN, it is the premier band of the CFN and is the senior most concert band in the armed forces. Their performances are marked by a balanced mix of popular and classical, as well as instrumental and sung songs. It is composed of two officers and 118 military musicians who are NCOs. The band was created in the 1970s and belongs to the Band Company of the Naval Battalion, located at São José Fortress on Cobras Island, Rio de Janeiro.Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps">Brazilian Marine Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps">Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps
The Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps is the official marching band of the CFN and one of the only field bands in service in the Brazilian Navy. Although it is based in Rio de Janeiro, it has taken part in all parades held in the federal capital of Brasilia, since 1960. It is notable for its use of the bagpipe, bugles, marching percussion, and the Turkish crescent in its ranks. The BMPDC has been deployed to many countries in its 100-year history, such as the United Kingdom to take part in the Coronation of Elizabeth II and France in 2005 for the Bastille Day military parade. It has also taken part in many domestic events such as the 2011 Military World Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The pipe portion of the BMPDC has been trained by pipe units and institutions in the United Kingdom such as the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.Methods
To fulfill its missions, the Marines land off the ships of the Brazilian Navy, be it using landing boats, amphibious vehicles or helicopters. For this, they count on the support of the navy and/or sea and air support.On land, it operates its normal way, which includes tanks, field artillery, antiaircraft artillery, combat engineering, communications and electronic warfare.
Training
New recruits to the Corps must pass a rigorous physical training program, normally with many runs, calisthenics, sleep deprivation, swimming while holding their breath, practice shooting with diverse armaments, especially metal rings, rappeling and, in some cases, combat simulations, and when they passed all these then they achieve primary qualification as soldiers of the Corps and thus capable to fulfill the missions and responsibilities assigned to the Corps.Uniforms
The Brazilian Marines wear the variation of the Brazilian Lizard Pattern, known as navy lizard.Vest's: The marines for a long time used the IBA "Interceptor body armor" in woodland, but they are now being replaced by Eagle industries Maritime Ciras with Woodland Cover, and Black for SOF.
For the Comandos Anfibios is also issued a green version and black version of the WTC Recon Plate Carrier.
Boot: They use Atlas Atalaia combat boots, in coffee brown.
Ranks
Gallery
Main Equipment
Tank
Infantry fighting vehicles
Artillery
Anti-aircraft missiles
Radar
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Vehicles
Motorcycle
Individual weapons and equipment
Pistols
Submachine guns
| Origin | Model | Caliber | Type | Image |
| / | Beretta M12 | 9×19mm | Submachine gun | |
| MP5 | 9×19mm | Submachine gun | ||
| Mini-Uzi | 9×19mm | Submachine gun |
Rifles
| Origin | Model | Caliber | Type | Image |
| M16A2 | 5.56×45mm | Assault rifle | ||
| M4 | 5.56×45mm | Carbine | ||
| Parker Hale M85 | 7.62×51mm | sniper rifle | ||
| PGM Hécate II | 12.7×99mm | sniper rifle |
Machine guns
| Origin | Model | Caliber | Type | Image |
| M2 Browning machine gun | 12.7×99mm | Heavy machine gun | ||
| / | FN MAG M971 | 7.62×51mm | Medium machine gun | |
| FN Minimi | 5.56×45mm | Light machine gun |
Grenade launchers
| Origin | Model | Caliber | Type | Image |
| Mk19 | 40 mm | Grenade launcher | ||
| M203 grenade launcher | 40×46mm | Grenade launcher |
Anti-armor
| Origin | Model | Caliber | Type | Image |
| AT4 | 84mm | Anti-tank weapon | ||
| ALAC | 84mm | Anti-tank weapon | ||
| BILL | 130mm | Anti-tank missile | ||
| MSS-1.2 | 130mm | Anti-tank missile |
Historical equipment
| Equipment | Origin | Employee year | QTD | Notes | Picture |
| EE-9 Cascavel | 1979-2000 | 06 | Armoured car | ||
| EE-11 Urutu | 1976-2000 | 05 | Armored personnel carrier | ||
| EE-34 | 1970-1996 | 50 | Pickup | ||
| EE-14 | 1970-1999 | ? | Truck | ||
| DUKW | 1970-1987 | 34 | Amphibious transport | ||
| Ford GPA | 1950-1985 | ? | Amphibious transport | ||
| Mosquefal | 1968-2000 | ? | Rifle | ||
| FN FAL | / | 1970-2000 | ? | Battle rifle | |
| Browning BAR | / | 1945-1970 | ? | Battle rifle | |
| Madsen machine gun | / | 1946-1980 | ? | Light machine gun | |
| INA Model 953 | 1950-1990 | ? | Sub machine gun | ||
| Mekanika Uru | 1970-1990 | ? | Sub machine gun |