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Namibian Marine Corps
Combat body created in 2016 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Namibian Marines Corps are the marines of Namibia and part of the Namibian Navy and the overall Namibian Defence Force.
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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 Olavi Shipunda.[1]
Training
Aspirant Marines are trained in Namibia by a combination of Namibian instructors and the Brazilian Military Advisory Team (BRAZMATT) based in Walvis Bay at the Naval Training School. The first course to complete before induction as a marine is the Marines Soldier Formation Course which lasts for five months, after completion of that course induction into the marine corps takes place and the marine is promoted to the rank of able seaman. Marines specializing in infantry are required to complete a six-month infantry specialization course.[2] The year-long Marine Amphibious Commandos Special Operations Course (MACSOC) is the toughest course in the corps and has a one-in-two failure rate.[2][3]
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Force Structure
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Perspective
During the corps' infancy, the Navy Chief of Naval Support indicated that the short-term goal was to have a force consisting of a Marine Corps Infantry Company, Service Support Company, Provost Company, and Brass Band. However due to operation requirements, a Marine Battalion with its own organic rapid Reaction, Operational Boats Unit, and Operational Diving Team were 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
A marine light infantry unit responsible for protection of static, FOB and naval bases.[5]
Marine Corps Infantry Battalion
The Marine Corps Infantry Battalion is the unit responsible for undertaking amphibious warfare operations. A full marine battalion has been raised initially from a single company.[6]
Service Support Company
Service support company provides direct and indirect sustainment services to the Marine Battalion 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 band performs musical duties for military functions and any other apolitical functions for the general public. The band emulates the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the 5 bands of the Royal Marines Band Service. The Brass Band performs at many important events every year, and is considered an integral part of state funerals, state arrival ceremonies, state dinners, parades, and other social events. Although it is a band in the Namibian Navy, it is a separate unit from the navy's flagship ensemble, the Namibian Navy Band.
Amphibious Commandos Unit
Provides amphibious warfare and maritime special operations capability to the Navy.The Amphibious Special Operations Unit are trained in Walvis Bay by Brazilian instructors. The amphibious commando basic training course is 12 months after which the successful marine is then given the Operators badge and an Amphibious Commando patched to wear on their left arm.[7] Only existing Marines are eligible for this training.
Operational Boat Unit
Conduct riverine patrol and naval bording with small boats particularly in the riverine areas of the Zambezi Region's Zambezi River and Chobe River.
Operational Diving Unit
It is a clearance diving unit that specializes in the disposal of hazardous materials.[5] Its role varies depending on the situation, with duties ranging from counterterrorism to explosive ordnance disposal.
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Deployments
Marines Corps infantry are deployed on Namibian Navy vessels and shore installations.
Marine Corps equipment
Rifles
Submachine guns
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Machine guns
Grenades and grenade launchers
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Anti-tank weapons
Vehicles
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Ranks and insignia
Marine Corps ranks are based on Commonwealth Navy ranks.
The highest peacetime 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
- Non-commissioned officers/other ranks
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Gallery
Naval officers and marines of the Namibian Navy
Marines aboard a Navy Interceptor
Air Force Mi-17 carrying out exercises with Namibian Marines
External videos
References
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