National Army of Colombia Information & National Army of Colombia Links at HealthHaven.com

Colombian National Army
Ejército Nacional de Colombia
Colombian National Army; Ejército Nacional de Colombia
	; Colombian Army Emblem
Active	August 19, 1819 - Present
Country	Colombia
Role	Foreign and Domestic Defense
Size	235,538 (2009)
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. Oscar González
Notable; commanders	Simon Bolivar,; Francisco de Paula Santander,; Gustavo Rojas Pinilla,; Harold Bedoya Pizarro,; Manuel José Bonett; Rafael Reyes Prieto

The National Army of Colombia (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 (Naval Infantry) 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.

[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

The Colombian National Army Flag.

Colombian National Army soldier searching for landmines.

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 (240 km) 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 Panamanian 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.

Colombia is also planning to send around 100 troops to support Spain in the ISAF in Afghanistan.(The troops would also be under Spain's command.)

[edit] Organization

Structure of the Colombian National Army

[edit] Major units

[edit] Divisions

Colombian Army Divisions are static Regional Commands

Army soldiers in training exercises.

1st Division (Santa Marta) - Its jurisdiction covers the Northern Region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Cesar, La Guajira, Magdalena, Sucre, Bolívar and Atlántico. 2nd and 10th Infantry Brigades
2nd Division (Bucaramanga) - Its jurisdiction covers the north eastern Colombia in which there are the departments of Norte de Santander, Santander and Arauca. 5th and 30th Infantry and 15th Mobile Brigade
3rd Division (Cali) - Its jurisdiction covers the South West of Colombia in which there are the departamntos of Nariño, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, Caldas, Quindio, part of Santander and the southern part of the Chocó. 3rd, 8th, and 29th Infantry Brigades
4th Division (Villavicencio) - Its jurisdiction covers the eastern region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Meta, Guaviare, and part of Vaupés. 7th Airmobile, 16th infantry, and 4th, 7th, and 9th Mobile Brigades
5th Division (Bogota) - Its jurisdiction covers the Central Region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyaca, Huila and Tolima. 1st, 6th, and 13th Infantry and 8th and 10th Mobile Brigades
6th Division (Florencia) - Its jurisdiction covers the southern region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Putumayo and southern Vaupés. 12th, and 27th Infantry, 26th Jungle and 13th Mobile Brigades
7th Division (Medellin) - Its jurisdiction covers the western region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Cordoba, Antioquia, and part of the Chocó. 4th, 11th, 14th, and 17th Infantry and 11th Mobile Brigades
8th Division (Yopal) - Its jurisdiction covers the northeastern region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Casanare, Arauca, Vichada, Guainía, and the municipalities of Boyaca of Cubará, Pisba, Paya, Labranzagrande and Pajarito. 16th, 18th, 28th, and the 5th Mobile Brigade.

[edit] Other Units

Uniform Gala No.2 del ejército Colombiano

Mobile Medical Command with 3 Battalions
15th Military and Institutes Brigade
19th Training Brigade with 3 battalions
Army Aviation with 135 helicopters and aircraft.
Army Commando Battalion
Army Lancero Battalion

[edit] Branches of Service

Uniform Gala No.2 del ejército Colombiano

Infantería (Infantry)
Caballería (Cavalry)
Artillería (Artillery)
Ingenieros (Engineers)
Inteligencía (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] Rapid Deployment Force

The Rapid Deployment Force or Fuerza de Despliegue Rápido 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 specifically 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

The Army Aviation Brigade or Unidad de Aviacion del Ejercito, is 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

Colombian National Army Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Group

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's visits to Cartagena, in 2000 and 2004 respectively. They also provided the second security ring to Bush's 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.

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 Unificada Grupos de Acción por la Libertad Personal, ie Unified Action Groups for Personal Liberty, specialising in solving hostage-taking. These are elite units established in 1996 exclusively dedicated to the combating of kidnapping and extortion. They are composed of highly qualified personnel who conduct hostage rescues and dismantling of criminal gangs at the root of crimes which compromise the personal freedom of Colombians. There is an inter-institutional element in GAULA guaranteeing self-checking procedures, trained by staff of the Administrative Security Department, the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) of the Criminal Investigation Bureau ( Fiscalía) and military forces. Currently, the country has 16 GAULA of the Colombian National Army and 2 of the Navy.

[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 combat specialities:
  - 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] Army Equipment

[edit] IFV / APC

**Colombian Army Vehicle Inventory**
Vehicle/System	Firm Number in Service	Status	Origin
Wheeled Armoured Vehicles
EE-9 Cascavel	123	In Service	Brazil
Infantry Transport Vehicles
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle	+400	In Service	United States
M-1117	39	Entry into service: 2010	United States
M-113	54	In Service	United States
EE-11 Urutu	56	In Service	Brazil
RG-31 Nyala	4	In Service	South Africa
M8 Greyhound	8	In Service	United States
M462 Abir		In Service	Israel
Transport Vehicles
M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck		In Service	United States
M3 Half-track		In Service	United States
M462 Avir		In Service	Israel
Willys MB		In Service	United States
Kaiser Jeep M715		In Service	United States

[edit] Pistols

Beretta 92

[edit] Assault Rifles

IMI Galil - Standard assault rifle. Produced under license by Indumil
IMI Tavor - 30,000 in use.
HK G3 - used primarily by MPs, but being phased out.
M16 rifle
M4 Carbine - 1328 M4s and M4A1s (Value $1,534,058.02.) Used by the AFEUR unit and the Special Forces Brigade.

[edit] Machine Guns

[edit] Artillery

M116 howitzer - 80, of which 70 in service.
M101 howitzer - 100, of which 50 in service.
Obus GDSB 155/52mm - 15.
60mm Mortar
81mm Mortar
M30 mortar - 148, of which 80 in service.
120mm Mortar - 210, of which 120 in service.
Milkor MGL - 200 units
M203 grenade launcher
Mk 19 grenade launcher
M79 grenade launcher

[edit] Anti Armour

Nimrod Missile
BGM-71 TOW - 18, mounted on HMMWVs.
Spike (missile)
RPG-22
M72 LAW
APILAS
AT4
M40 recoilless rifle - 80, of which 63 are in service.

[edit] Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version(s)	In service^[3]	Notes
Gulfstream Turbo Commander	United States	Transport	Commander 1000	1
Beechcraft King Air	United States	Transport	Model 90	1
UH-1H	United States	Utility helicopter	UH-1H	31
UH-1 Iroquois	United States	Transport helicopter	UH-1N	27	Bell Huey II
Convair 580	United States	Airliner		1
Kaman K-MAX	United States	Transport helicopter		5
Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport helicopter		23^[4]
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	Utility
Piper PA-31 Navajo	United States	Utility		2
Aero Commander 500	United States	Utility	Rockwell 685 Commander	2
CASA C-212 Aviocar	Spain	Transport		5
Piper PA-34 Seneca	United States	Utility		5
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk	United States	Transport/ Combat helicopter	UH-60L	50	Including the 15 from Plan Colombia

[edit] Uniforms

Historic Gala Uniform

Historic uniform on LT Gómez Paris

Image of modern camouflage currently worn by the Colombian army.

Camouflage for desert operations.

Since 2006 the National Army of Colombia changed its uniform type forest (woodland) by a modern design featuring a new digital camouflage pattern is called a pixel.

There are 2 types of camouflage, camouflage jungle that is used by most of the army and the desert camouflage that is used by troops in the department of La Guajira and the Colombia Battalion in the Sinai peninsula in the International Watching Forces.

The changes provide greater comfort to the troops, while the material used allows even application of repellents to prevent in some cases avoid mosquito bites and a high percentage of the concentration of bacteria and odors.

The design of camouflage texture, color and design is unique to the Colombian army and national manufacturing is only Colombia's military forces can use it.

[edit] Military ranks

[edit] Soldier types

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.

Dragoneantes: 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.

Professional Soldiers and Dragoneantes Insignia
NATO CODE	OR-2	OR-1

Spanish	Dragoneante	Professional Soldier
English	Dragoneante	Professional Soldier

[edit] Non-commissioned officers (Suboficiales)

Colombian Army Non Commissioned officers rank insignia
NATO CODE	OR-9	OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Colombia
Spanish	Sargento Mayor del Comando Conjunto	Sargento Mayor del Comando	Sargento Mayor	Sargento Primero	Sargento Vice Primero	Sargento Segundo	Cabo Primero	Cabo Segundo	Cabo Tercero
English	Sergeant Major of Joint Command	Sergeant Major of Command	Sergeant Major	First Sergeant	Sergeant First Class	Second Sergeant	First Corporal	Second Corporal	Third Corporal

Cabo Tercero- translates as Corporal Third Class, or Third Corporal
Cabo Segundo- translates as Corporal Second Class, or Lance Corporal
Cabo Primero- translates as Corporal First Class, or First Corporal. May be simply referred to as Corporal.
Sargento Segundo- translates as Sergeant Second Class, or Second Sergeant. (This rank is equivalent to a US Staff Sergeant or a Commonwealth Sergeant)
Sargento Vice Primero- can be translated in several ways, e.g. as Sergeant Assistant First Class, or Assistant First Sergeant, or Deputy First Sergeant, or Vice-First Sergeant etc. (This rank is equivalent to a US Sergeant First Class or a Commonwealth Staff Sergeant)
Sargento Primero- translates as Sergeant First Class, or First Sergeant
Sargento Mayor- translates as Sergeant Major, or Senior Sergeant
Sargento Mayor de Commando- translates as Command Sergeant Major, or Command Senior Sergeant

[edit] Officers (Oficiales)

Colombian Army Officers rank insignia
NATO CODE	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Colombia
Spanish	General	Teniente General	Mayor General	Brigadier General	Coronel	Teniente Coronel	Mayor	Capitan	Teniente	Subteniente
English	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Abrev.	GR	TG	MG	BG	CR	TC	MY	CT	TE	ST