Namibian Marine Corps
Namibian Marine Corps | |
---|---|
Active | 22 July 2016 – present (8 years) |
Allegiance | Constitution of Namibia |
Type | Amphibious infantry |
Role | |
Part of | Namibian Navy |
Garrison/HQ | Walvis Bay, Namibia |
Commanders | |
Commander In Chief | President Hage Geingob |
Minister of Defence | Penda ya Ndakolo |
Namibian Navy Commander | Rear Admiral Peter Vilho |
Marine Corps Commandant | Captain (naval) Appolos Haimbala |
The Namibian Marines Corps is the Naval Infantry of the Republic of Namibia and is part of the Namibian Navy and the Namibian Defence Force.
History
The Marine Corps are a recent addition to the Namibian Defence Force due to the gradual establishment of the Namibian Navy. The first Marines were trained in Brazil in 2005. The Marine Commandant is subordinate to the Commander of the Namibian Navy. The current Marine Corps Commandant is Captain Appolos Haimbala.[1]
Training
Aspirant Marines are trained in Namibia by a combination of Namibian instructors as well as the Brazilian Military Advisory Team (BRAZMATT) based in Walvis Bay. The first course to complete before induction as a marine is the Marines Soldier Formation Course that lasts for five months, after completion induction into the marine corps takes place and the marine is promoted to the rank of able seaman. Marines specializing in infantry are required complete a six-month infantry specialization course.[2] The Marine Amphibious Commandos Special Operations Course is the toughest course in the corps and has a one-in-two failure rate; its courses last a year.[2][3]
Force Structure
Navy Chief of Naval Support indicated that the short-term goal is to have a force consisting of Marine Corps Infantry Company, Service Support Company, Provost Company and Brass Band. A Marine Battalion with own organic rapid Reaction, Operational Boats Unit and Operational Diving teams is envisioned.[4]
- Rapid Reaction Force
- Marine Corps Infantry Battalion
- Service Support Company
- Provost Company
- Brass Band
- Amphibious Special Operations Unit
- Operational Boats Unit
- Operational Diving Team
Rapid Reaction Force
Light infantry unit responsible for protection of static, forward and naval bases consisting of:
Marine Corps Infantry Battalion
The Marine Corps Infantry Battalion is the unit responsible for undertaking armed marine operations. A full marine battalion has been raised initially from a single company.[5]
Service Support Company
Service support company provides direct and indirect sustainment services to the Marine Batalion as it conducts operations. Support service offered by the sub-unit includes but not limited to:
- Quartermaster
- Finance
- Medical
- Transportation
Provost Company
The provost company is responsible for the policing of Navy service personnel.
Brass Band
The performs musical duties for military functions and any other apolitical functions for the general public.
Amphibious Special Operations Unit
The elite commandos respond to asymmetric threats and conduct Special Operations Forces activities.[6]
Operational Boats Unit
Conducts small boat patrols.
Operationl Diving team
Clearance diving and disposal of hazardous materials.[6]
- Rapid Reaction Unit
Light infantry unit responsible for protection of static, forward and naval bases.[6]
Deployments
Marines Corps infantry are deployed on Namibian Navy vessels and shore installations. As of November 2017 A company sized sub-unit of Marines has been deployed to Lesotho under the SADC preventive mission known as SAPMIL.[7]
Marine Corps equipment
Rifles
AK-47 | Assault Rifle | 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | |
---|---|---|---|---|
AK-105[8] | Assault Rifle | 5.45x39 mm | Russia | |
AK-103[8] | File:AK-103 Assault Rifle.JPG | Assault Rifle | 7.62x39 mm | Russia |
Norinco CQ-A | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm | China |
SubMachine-guns
Vityaz-SN[8] | Submachine gun | 9x19 mm | Russia | |
---|---|---|---|---|
FAMAE SAF | Submachine gun | 9x19 mm | Chile |
Machine-guns
PKP Pecheneg[8] | Machine gun | 7.62x54 mm | Russia | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RPK[8] | Machine gun | 7.62x39 mm | Soviet Union | |
Kord machine gun[8] | Machine gun | 12.7×108mm | Soviet Union |
Grenades and Grenade Launchers
AGS-30[8] | Grenade Launcher | 30 mm | Russia | |
---|---|---|---|---|
GP-34[8] | Grenade Launcher | 40 mm | Soviet Union |
Anti-Tank Weapons
RPG-7 | Grenade Launcher | Soviet Union |
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Ranks and Insignia
Marine Corps ranks are based on Commonwealth Navy ranks.
The highest peace time rank a commissioned officer can attain in the Marine Corps is Captain. Career progression in the force for Marine officers is possible well beyond the rank of Navy Captain. A Marine officer can be posted outside the Marine unit and progress up the ranks to the singular appointment of Chief of Defence Force. The highest rank an enlisted member can attain is Warrant Officer Class 1, but the highest appointment they can hold is the Namibian Defence Force Sergeant Major.
Commissioned officers
Flag Officer Ranks
- Vice-Admiral
- Rear-Admiral
- Commodore/Rear Admiral(JG)
Marine Commandant is always a Captain(Navy)
Senior Officers
- Captain(Naval)
- Commander
- Lieutenant Commander
Junior Officers
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Junior-grade
- Ensign
Non-commissioned officers/Other ranks
NCO Insignia
Warrant Officer Class 1 | Warrant Officer Class 2 | Chief Petty Officer | Petty Officer | Leading Seaman | Able Seaman | Seaman |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warrant Officers
- Warrant Officer Class 1
- Warrant Officer Class 2
Senior Ratings
- Chief Petty Officer
- Petty Officer
Junior Ratings
- Leading Seaman
- Able Seaman
- Seaman
Gallery
-
Naval Officers and marines of the Namibian Navy
-
Marines aboard a Navy craft
-
Air Force Mil Mi-17 Carrying out exercises with Namibian Marines
External Videos
External videos | |
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Namibian Marines tackling an obstacle course | |
A video of the Marines performing tactical demonstration |
References
- ^ http://www.mod.gov.na/pages/news_marine.html
- ^ a b Marketing, Intouch Interactive. "Dungeon inquiry deferred - Local News - Namibian Sun".
- ^ "54 Namibian marines graduate". 15 December 2014.
- ^ Lotto, S (December 2013). "Marine Corps Undertake Section Commander Course". NDF Journal. 50: 13.
- ^ "- The Namibian".
- ^ a b c "54 Namibian marines graduate". 15 December 2014.
- ^ Helfrich, Kim. "SADC preventive mission in place in Lesotho - defenceWeb". www.defenceweb.co.za.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Defence Web. "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 18 June 2016.