Colombian National Army
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| Colombian National Army Ejercito Nacional de Colombia |
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 Colombian Army Emblem |
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| Active | August 19, 1819 - Present |
| Country | Colombia |
| Role | Foreign and Domestic Defense |
| Garrison/HQ | Colombian Ministry of Defense |
| Colors | Colombian Flag; yellow, blue and red. |
| March | "Himno del Ejercito" |
| Anniversaries | August 7 |
| Engagements | Independence War against Spain, Thousand Days War (Civil war), War Against Peru, Korean War, Colombian Armed Conflict |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Gen. Mario Montoya Uribe |
| Notable commanders |
Simon Bolivar, Francisco de Paula Santander, Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Harold Bedoya Pizarro, Manuel José Bonett Rafael Reyes Prieto |
The Colombian National Army (Spanish: Ejército Nacional de Colombia) is the land force of Colombia and the largest service of the Colombian Armed Forces. It has the responsibility for land-based military operations along with the Infanteria de Marina (Marine Corps) to protect Colombia against national or international threats.
The modern Colombian Army has its roots in the Ejercito de los Comuneros or Army of the Commoners which was formed on August 7, 1819, before the establishment of the present day Colombia to meet the demands of the Revolutionary War against the Spanish Monarchy.
The Congress of Angostura created that same day the Greater Colombian Army after the triumph over the Spanish, to replace the disbanded Commoners Army. However, the Colombian Army considers itself to be an evolution of the Commoners Army, and thus dates its inception from its origins.
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[edit] History
The Colombian Army trace its history back to the 1770s and 1780s, when the comuneros (Commoners) (mostly descendants of Spanish and Amerindians) decided to separate from the Spanish crown to create their own country and initiated a revolutionary war. The Greater Colombian Army is consolidated on August 7, 1819 by defeating the Spaniards at Boyacá in the Battle of Boyacá and under the command of Simon Bolivar. Since then the Colombian Army has been the biggest organization of Colombia.
During the 19th century the military reform carried out by General Rafael Reyes Prieto in the year 1907 would denote the professionalization of the Colombian Armed Forces.
[edit] Recent History
- See also: Colombian armed conflict (1960s–present)
The Colombian Army is present at war with leftist rebels of the FARC, ELN and EPL, as well as other minor groups. Throughout the war, military personnel have usually maintained a level of professionalism.
Members of the military have been accused or condemned for collaborating with the activities of right wing paramilitaries, such as the AUC and others. The BBC and other sources have reported on cases of corruption in the military, as well as other scandals.
The United States government approved the Plan Colombia initiative. Part of the resources provided by this initiative would be directed to the support of the Colombian Army by strengthening its combat and logistics capabilities.
The Colombian Army is led by the President of Colombia (a civilian) and directed as well by a "three suns" general.
The training of Colombian soldiers is world recognized due to its demanding features. The promotion courses (courses that the candidate has to take in order to be promoted to a higher rank) are usually tough and physically demanding.
A "Lancero" training course in counterinsurgency warfare is held in Tolemaida, 150 miles (240km) from Bogotá, where temperatures range between 85 and 100 degrees F. (29.5-38 degrees C.) throughout the year. The course, which has been called the toughest in the world, is run by the Colombian army with U.S. military instructors also playing a role. According to Paris Match (no. 2964, March 9-15, 2006) the course lasts 73 days and trains Bolivian, Ecuadorean, and Panamian troops as well as Colombian soldiers; some French and American soldiers are also trained there.[1] The course, founded in 1955, derives from the Ranger program of the US Army. Reportedly, severe techniques and live ammunition are used. Because of its exceptional nature, the course has gained international prestige.
[edit] Military overseas operations
The Colombian National Army deploys soldiers in the Sinai since the United Nations Emergency Force was assembled in 1956[2]. It has also joined forces many times with different armies around the world under the UN mandate.
[edit] Organization
[edit] Divisions
- 1st Division
- 2nd Division
- 3rd Division
- 4th Division
- 5th Division
- 6th Division
- 7th Division
[edit] Regiments
- Infantería (Infantry)
- Caballería (Cavalry)
- Artillería (Artillery)
- Ingenieros (Engineers)
- Intelligence (Intelligence)
- Comunicaciones (Communications)
- Cuerpo Logístico y Administrativo (Logistics and Administrative Corps)
- Aviación (Army Aviation)
[edit] Special Units
The Colombian Army has created new programs in order to fight terrorism and leftist guerrillas that during the last 40 years have fought a war to overthrow the Colombian government.
[edit] Fast Deployment Force
- Colombian National Army Rapid Deployment Force or Fuerza de Despliegue Rapida abr. FUDRA, was created as a modern quick reaction force to deploy to different regions and to all types of weather. Currently, its function is to solely carry out offensive operations against insurgents or outlaws.
[edit] Anti-Narcotics Brigade
- Anti-narcotics Brigade (Brigada Anti-Narcoticos). This unit was especially activated for operations against the trafficking of narcotics. It was created on December 8, 2000 and has its main headquarters in the Guaviare Department.
[edit] Army Aviation Brigade
- Colombian National Army Aviation or Unidad de Aviacion del Ejercito, The Colombian Army has an aviation branch that works autonomously from the Colombian Air Force. It's part of the Colombian Army Cavalry Corps and its main mission is to support the army's ground operations. The unit has recently focused in the security of the Colombian border and Colombia's sovereignty.
This Unit was created on September 7 of 1916 and it is managed by the Colombian Cavalry.
[edit] AFEUR unit
The Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas (Urban Counter-Terrorism Special Forces Group, AFEUR) is an elite unit of the Colombian Army, whose primary mission is to perform counter-terrorist operations and hostage rescues based on stealth, surprise and team work.
VIP protection is another task of the unit. For example, they protect the Colombian President when he travels, and provided protection for President Bill Clinton's (Army group) and President George W. Bush visits to Cartagena, in 2000, 2004 respectively. They also provided the second security ring to Bush visit to Bogotá in 2007.
This unit answers directly to the Commando General de las Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces Joint Staff), and they are allowed to use any military air transportation to guarantee mobility, and to use any weapon or additional equipment as required to accomplish their missions.
On the other hand AFEUR won the "Fuerzas Comando 2005" (Commando Forces 2005) contest, that took place in Chile in June 2005 lasting two weeks.
This yearly contest sponsored by the US South Command and the US Special Operations Command with similar teams from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Peru and Uruguay.
AFEUR also won the 2006 and 2007 versions of this contest.
[edit] Special Forces Brigade
- Colombian National Army Special Forces Brigade
[edit] GAULA groups
GAULA is an acronym for Grupos de Acción Unificada por la Libertad Personal (Spanish for Unified Action Groups for Personal Freedom (GAULA) specialized on hostage rescues.
[edit] Army Equipment
[edit] IFV / APC
- EE-9 Cascavel - 130
- M-113 - 120
- EE-11 Urutu - 100
- RG-31 Nyala - 4
[edit] Helicopters
[edit] Military ranks
[edit] Soldier
- Regular soldiers: Conscripted soldiers who serve for a period of 22 months obligatory service.
- Professional soldiers: These are regular soldiers who after completing their 22 months' obligatory service decide to stay in the army and make of it a full time profession. Salary increases depending on service time and rank, and these soldiers receive full social security benefits and pensions when they retire after 20 years of service.
- Dragoneante: soldiers who have gained recognition through their achievements and have special training. They have some authority over other soldiers of the same rank or below. These soldiers are considered squad leaders.
[edit] Non-Commissioned Officers (Suboficiales)
- Cabo Tercero (private)
- Cabo Segundo (private second class)
- Cabo Primero (private first class)
- Sargento Segundo (Staff Sergeant)
- Sargento Vice Primero (Vice First Sergeant)
- Sargento Primero (First Sergeant)
- Sargento Mayor (Sergeant Major)
- Sargento Mayor de Commando (Command Sergeant Major)
- Sargento Mayor de Commando Ejército (Command Sergeant Major of the Army)
[edit] Officers (oficiales)
- Subteniente (Sub-Lieutenant)
- Teniente (Lieutenant)
- Capitán (Captain)
- Mayor (Major)
- Teniente Coronel (Lieutenant Colonel)
- Coronel (Colonel)
- Brigadier General (Brigadier General)
- Mayor General (Major General)
- General (General)
[edit] Schools and Courses
[edit] Courses
- Cursos de Capacitación y Especialización de las Armas y Servicios (Arms and Services Capacitation and Specialization Courses)
- Especialidades de Combate (Combat Specialities)
- Lanceros
- Contraguerrillas
- Paracaidista (airborne)
- Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces)
- Desempeño Meritorio en Unidades Especiales (Merit Conduct for Special Units)
- Others:
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- Intelligence
- Special Land Commandos
- Urban Commandos
- Urban Counter-guerrilla
- Psychological Operations
- Military Police
- Profesorado Militar (Military Professorate)
- Por Acción Contra el Enemigo (For Actions against the Enemy)
- Desempeño Profesional y Deportivo (Sports and Professional Achievements)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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