Renier Coetzee

Brigadier-General Renier (Cojack) Coetzee SM PS MMM was a General Officer in the South African Army from the recces.

Brigadier General Renier Johannes Coetzee SM PS MMM
Nickname(s)	Doibi, CoJack
Born	1961 (age 63–64)
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Years of service	–2021
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	5 Special Forces Regiment
Commands	1 Parachute Battalion 5 Special Forces Regiment Chief of Staff Special Forces Brigade GOC SA Army Training Formation
Awards

Military career

Gen. Coetzee served in 32 Battalion and then in the South African Special Forces, for a long time as the Chief of Staff of the South African Special Forces Brigade. He commanded 5 Special Forces Regiment (formerly 5 Reconnaissance Regiment) from 1998 to 2003,^[1] and served in the Mavinga area during Operations Moduler, Packer and Hooper.^[1] From mid-1987 to mid-1988, he was stationed at divisional headquarters, north-west of Mavinga in Angola.^{[1][2]: 194} He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2014 and was appointed as Director Doctrine and Policy.

Col. Coetzee was embroiled in a controversy about the use of body armour (bullet proof vests) by SANDF soldiers in the Central African Republic during the Battle of Bangui.^[3][4] He has spoken as an expert on the utilisation of the SANDF Special Forces as a force multiplier in the SADC region.^[5] GOC SA Army Training Formation until his retirement.

Awards and decorations

Medals

Gen Coetzee has been awarded:^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• iPhrothiya yeSiliva (Silver Protea) (PS)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• Southern Africa Medal
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Mandela Commemoration Medal (Silver)
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (40 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
• Peacemaker Medal ^[a] (Brazil)

Proficiency and qualification badges

Gen Coetzee qualified for the following:

SA Special Forces Operator's Badge (Qualification) Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath

Free Fall Paratrooper (Qualification) Advanced, Freefall Black on Thatch beige Small Black wings

Notes

1. Portuguese: Medalha do Pacificador