Military of Mexico

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The Mexican military forces are composed of the Mexican Army (which includes the Mexican Air Force as a subordinate entity) and the Mexican Navy.

Contents 1 Organization 1.1 The Army 1.2 The Air Force 1.3 The Navy 1.4 Independent forces 1.5 Leadership 2 Size and Scope 3 Mission 4 Conscription 4.1 The lottery 4.2 The Cartilla 4.3 Officers 4.4 Career soldiers 5 Limitations 6 Military Law 7 Secrecy 8 Activities outside Mexico 8.1 United Nations peacekeeping 8.2 Disaster Relief 8.2.1 Hurricane Katrina relief 9 Equipment 9.1 Infantry light weapons 9.2 Infantry support weapons 9.3 Wheeled combat vehicles 9.4 Tracked combat vehicles 9.5 Artillery 10 See also 11 External links 12 References

[edit] Organization

[edit] The Army

See also full article, Mexican Army

There are three main components of the Army: a national headquarters, territorial commands, and independent units. The Minister of Defense commands the Army by means of a very centralized system and a large number of general officers. The Army uses a modified continental staff system in its headquarters. The Army is the largest branch of Mexico's armed services.

At present there are 12 Military Regions, which are further broken down into 44 subordinate Military Zones. In both cases, a numbering system is used for designation. There is no set number of zones within a region, and these can therefore be tailored to meet operational needs, with a corresponding increase or decrease in troop strength. Today the military consist of 230,000 combat ready deployable ground troops.

[edit] The Air Force

See also full article, Mexican Air Force.

As mentioned earlier, the Air Force national headquarters is embedded in the Army headquarters in Mexico City. It also follows the continental staff system, with the usual A1, A2, A3, and A4 sections. The tactical forces form what is loosely called an Air Division, but it is dispersed in four regions—Northeast, Northwest, Central, and Southern. The Air Force maintains a total of 18 air bases, and has the additional capability of opening temporary forward operating bases in austere conditions for some of the rotary wing and light fixed-wing assets. .

[edit] The Navy

See also full article, Mexican Navy

The Ministry of the Navy, the Navy’s national headquarters., is located in Veracruz City, and is smaller than the Army’s HQ. The “Junta (or Council) of Admirals” plays a unique consultative and advisory role within the headquarters, an indication of the institutional importance placed on seniority and “year groups” that go back to the admirals’ days as cadets in the naval college. They are a very tightly knit group, and great importance is placed on consultation among the factions within these year groups.

The Navy’s operational forces are organized as two independent groups: the Gulf (East) Force and the Pacific (West) Force. Each group has its own headquarters, a destroyer group, an auxiliary vessel group, a Marine Infantry Group, and a Special Forces group. The Gulf and Pacific Forces are not mirror images of each other, as independence of organization is permitted. Both are subdivided into regions, with Regions 1, 3, and 5 on the Gulf, and 2, 4, and 6 on the Pacific. Each region is further divided into sectors and zones, so a proliferation of headquarters and senior officers exists. The Navy also has an air arm with troop transport, reconnaissance, and surveillance aircraft.

Recently the Navy has ceded most of its riverine responsibilities (formally handled by the Marines) to the Army, and has reduced the size of the Marine force, putting them back aboard ships where they play a vital role in drug interdiction and boarding of suspect vessels in territorial waters.

The Navy maintains significant infrastructure, including naval dockyards that have the capability of building ships, such as the Holzinger class gunboats. These dockyards have a significant employment and economic impact in the country. The Mexican Navy is planning to buy 8 single seat Su-27Flankers and 2 Su-27 UB trainers for their Navy fleet.

[edit] Independent forces

Several other military organizations exist that are independent of the Army and Navy command structures.

Chief among the independent troops is an Army Corps consisting of two mechanized infantry brigades located in Mexico City, with a full complement of combat and support troops. In addition, there are two brigades of the Corps of Military Police, Special Forces units, Presidential Guards (another motorized brigade) and a parachute brigade—all located in Mexico City where they act as a ready reserve and as centers of excellence.

See also: Rurales

[edit] Leadership

The two components of the Mexican military do not come under a single unified commander at any level below the President, as there is no Minister of Defense. Instead, a Minister who is a serving officer—a four-star general in the case of the Army and an Admiral in the case of the Navy—heads each of the component parts. Each minister serves in a dual capacity: as a full cabinet member reporting to the President, and as the operational commander of his force.

The ministers are handpicked by the President, and may or may not serve in that position for the entire 6-year term (sexenio) of the incumbent president. During the single-party rule of the PRI, the selection of ministers was generally a pro-forma exercise, with strict attention being paid to seniority. In the past two sexenios, however, both Presidents Ernesto Zedillo (1994–2000) and Vicente Fox (2000-2006) strayed from the norm and reached down into more junior levels to select what some have described as “more progressive” officers to lead the forces.

Although there is a defacto Air Force commander, he and his staff are embedded in the Army headquarters, and an Air Force officer never has risen to the most trusted senior positions within the hierarchy. This subordination has allowed the Army to use the term “Secretariat of National Defense” (Sercretaría de la Defensa Nacional or SEDENA) for its organizational structure, and General Vega García and his predecessors have held the title of Minister of Defense (much to the annoyance of the Navy).

Both the Army and Navy are organized on a regional dispersion basis. There are centralized national headquarters in Mexico City and many subordinate regional headquarters. Historically, this has proven to be effective, as the military’s main employment has been on domestic missions. Troops are stationed throughout the country to serve as an ongoing presence of authority and to allow for immediate response to crises. This regional dispersion also has facilitated programs of local recruitment for noncommissioned members, allowing them to stay near their families during their service, an important cultural consideration. Officers, on the other hand, are expected to be more mobile, moving between remote posts and to the center in Mexico City with great frequency. This provides experience and, from an historical context, prevents any senior officer from staying too long in one location, developing local allegiances and potentially becoming too powerful.

[edit] Size and Scope

Compared to most Latin American armies, the Mexican Army is one of the smallest with 250,000 effectives. Its budget in 1989, was 0.7% of the Gross Internal Product. In 1999, Mexico's military budget had swelled to 7% of GDP, at $4 billion U.S. dollars. Recently the budget has been expanded to accommodate the counterdrug operations, and currently has annual expenditures of $6.062 billion (2005).

According to the CIA World Factbook, Mexico's available manpower for military service numbers 2,000,000 (males age 18-49: 2005 est.), with 19,058,337 males fit for military service, and 1,063,233 males reaching military service age annually. Since 2000, females have been allowed to volunteer for military service. Mexico's armed forces currently number about 517,770 .

Mexico's military is divided into two branches, the National Defense Secretariat (includes Army and Air Force) and the Navy Secretariat (includes Naval Air and Marines).

[edit] Mission

The Mexican Army works around three preparedness missions, or plans:

• DN1: Preparation of the military forces to repel external aggressions. No military armed force can leave Mexican territory without a declaration of war, and approval of the Congress. The last time this was invoked was in 1942, to send an expeditionary force to the Philippines, after war was declared against Germany and Japan, following the sinking of two Mexican ships by U-boats. In 1990 President Carlos Salinas de Gortari asked the permission of the Congress to send troops to the Gulf War, but it was refused, since there was no declaration of war against Iraq.

• DN2: Preparation of the military forces to protect the internal security of the country. This would include police actions against guerrilla forces, counterdrug operations, and, originally, political control. Up to 1970, the Mexican Army had been used as a repressive force to maintain the virtual dictatorship of the single-party PRI government. The most controversial use of the military had been called "The dirty war" against communism in the 1960s, which included the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre of students and unexpecting bystanders. After 1980 these types of operations had nearly completely ceased (see EZLN).

• DN3: Defense against natural disasters. The Army should always be ready to help the civil population in case of disaster. This include preventive measures. For example, between August and November, military forces are sent to Mexican coastal areas to aid the public in the event of hurricanes or floods. For the Mexican people, the DN3 plan is the most important operation of the Army. The Army provides food, shelter, medicine, and medical services to the people that need them. This also includes reconstruction of roads and communication services. A point of controversy is why the Army did not apply the DN3 plan after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake that left large areas of Mexico City in ruins. This was due mainly to political reasons, but demonstrates how the Mexican army is subject to civil powers.

[edit] Conscription

[edit] The lottery

Each year, the Mexican military require all Mexican males who have reached or are reaching the age of 18 within a period of 12 months designated "clase" (Spanish for class, as in a designated generation), to appear at a designated military recruitment center in their local municipality to register in the conscription program by presenting their birth certificate and pictures in a standard size in order to obtain their an ID document that at this moment is called "precartilla", consisting on a serial number, the picture, right thumb fingerprint, weapons, personal data including address and current schooling level which finally, after the lottery and a year of service will obtain full status as the so called Cartilla del Servicio Militar Nacional, or simply Cartilla. Then a lottery is held to determine randomly who will be assigned either Army service, Navy service, or be excused from service completely.

The lottery formerly took the form, for example, of all men in attendance standing at attention for hours while each man's name is called, during which a child pulled a ball out of a bag- the color of which will determine each conscriptee's fate. Nowadays the selection is made by a computer program, but the results are still being called as usual: White ball (Army service attendance), Black ball (no service attendance) or Blue ball (navy-marines service attendance); at this moment a seal is applied to the "precartilla" with a legend according to the result obtained in the lottery.

[edit] The Cartilla

After a year, the "precartilla" is returned to the conscripts with an added page stating you have accomplished service status, the branch of service, regiment, etc., at this moment the document fully acquires status called as Cartilla del Servicio Militar Nacional, or simply Cartilla, with the result recorded at the National Defense Secretariat files. This document is an important identification and its existence is almost always requested by private and public employers. However, this document has recently stopped to be a requirement for getting a passport and, thus, travelling internationally.

Those selected attend weekend military training that emphasizes education, history, physical fitness, and discipline. For one complete year.

[edit] Officers

Officer candidates from all three services are trained in a military college, in Mexico City for the Army, in Guadalajara for the Air Force, and in Veracruz for the Navy. Officer candidates who apply generally come from the lower and middle classes, and this therefore is seen as a mechanism for upward social mobility for the less privileged sectors of the population, as military officers are widely respected within the country (though sometimes suffering a small amount of criticism on internal corruption and ineptitude).

Although these military colleges are not universities, they provide significant technical training related to employment after graduation in the various branches of the services. They also place great emphasis on military ethics (patriotism, honor, and loyalty), history, discipline, physical fitness, and the perpetuation of the institution. The Armed Forces provide University education through the War College (Colegio de Guerra) in Mexico City, where officers should attend an obtain a Diplomado del Estado Mayor degree (DEM) in order to be eligible to obtain the status of a General or Admiral rank.

[edit] Career soldiers

While all Mexican males are required by law to give "military service" for a period of one year, those services are civil and require only a few hours on weekends and do not imply real military training, except for drills. Most conscripted personnel into the military, only have but one practice shooting session by the time their military service has been completed. The 1986 class of the SMN Servicio Militar Nacional (National Military Service) was the last one to be oriented for social purposes. The SMN was recently restructured and the conscripts are receiving a better glimpse of a true Military education. The 1987 class (presently serving) will be the first class in many years to receive actual firearm training. The members of the "military service" that remain by recruitment after their mandatory period of service is accomplished, are volunteers that choose the military as their job. Suggestion, SMN could include repair of infrastructure.

[edit] Limitations

Similar to the United States Posse Comitatus Act, Article 129 of the 1917 Mexican Constitution dictates that "No military authority may, in time of peace, perform any functions other than those that are directly connected with military affairs.", but the use of the Army to replace police forces temporarily in specific cases prior to the creation of a federal police, the (Federal Preventative Police) has been hotly debated in the media as well as in congress.

Similar to the Third Amendment to the United States Constitution, Article 16 of the 1917 Constitution of Mexico, "No member of the army shall in time of peace be quartered in private dwellings without the consent of the owner, nor may he impose any obligation whatsoever. In time of war the military may demand lodging, equipment, provisions, and other assistance, in the manner laid down in the respective martial law."

[edit] Military Law

Article 13 of the Mexican Constitution specifically provides that regarding crimes and lacks of discipline, Military Courts will execute jurisdiction only over Military personnel, so in accordance there is a Uniform Code of Military Justice, and Military Tribunals functioning under their specific law. Also, regarding laboral conditions on military personnel, and considering discipline and the chain of command as fundamental in the military, Article 123-B of the 1917 Mexican Constitution dictates that "Military and naval personnel as well as members of the public security corps, and personnel of the foreign service, shall be governed by their own laws."

[edit] Secrecy

While as recently as a few decades ago there were restrictions upon mentioning the Army or Army ranks in the media (TV, newspapers etc), Only in the last decade Mexican people has become more aware on the activities of the Army.

Since 1995 the military as a whole has come under much more intense public scrutiny, both domestically and internationally, and the challenges to the leadership to permit greater openness, better fiscal accountability to the public, and more productivity in pursuing new missions will no doubt persist.

The current ministers, General Gerardo Clemente Vega and Admiral Peyrot, are considered by most observers to be progressive and academic in nature and background, although they have not strayed far from the monolithic image usually associated with the Mexican military. The public does not get much insight into whatever internal debates and dialogue may be occurring within the institution, and both services continue to be responsive instead of proactive in terms of public relations.

As Mexican President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and the proper chain of command and discipline should be maintained in accordance to this position, military personnel executes institutional obedience to the civil leadership and as a consequence maintains a very low profile on political debate and militancy.

[edit] Activities outside Mexico

[edit] United Nations peacekeeping

As of 2005, intervention in UN peacekeeping operations is being discussed, but with the current political composition of the Congress, it is unlikely to be approved, as according to the Mexican Constitution, no military armed force can leave Mexican territory without a declaration of war.

[edit] Disaster Relief

The Mexican army has travelled mainly to Central American countries to provide aid in disaster relief, and most recently after the Tsunami disaster in Indonesia (only military personnel, but no armed forces).

[edit] Hurricane Katrina relief

In September 2005 Mexican army convoys traveled to the U.S. to help in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

Mexican army convoys and a navy ship laden with food, supplies and specialists traveled to the United States including military specialists, doctors, nurses and engineers carrying water treatment plants, mobile kitchens, food and blankets.

The convoy represents the first Mexican military unit to operate on U.S. soil since 1846, when Mexican troops briefly marched into Texas, which had separated from Mexico and joined the United States. There were complaints from Mexican senators because President Vicente Fox did not ask for congressional permission to send troops overseas, as required by law, but the complaints were dismissed because it was a humanitarian mission and no armed forces were involved, but only unarmed military personnel (medical, engineers, etc.).

[edit] Equipment

[edit] Infantry light weapons

The Army makes up about three-fourths of the total military. Army soldiers are armed with license-made Heckler and Koch G3 rifles, currently being replaced by Mexican made FX-05 assault rifle.

[edit] Infantry support weapons

HK21E 7.62 machine gun. Made under license from Heckler & Koch

MK 19 grenade launcher 40 mm .

M-2 machine gun 12.7 mm .

MILAN anti-tank missiles.

B-300 82 mm light anti-tank rocket.

Blindicide 81 mm light anti-tank rocket.

106 mm Recoilless anti-tank gun over High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.

Brandt 60 mm mortars.

M29 and M1 81 mm Mortars

Brandt 120 mm mortars.

[edit] Wheeled combat vehicles

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle with MK 19 grenade launcher, 7.62 mm machine guns, Blindicide 81 mm light anti-tank rocket and 106 mm Recoilless anti-tank gun. (plus 3,638+)

Panhard ERC-90 Lynx 6x6 (119) Mexican ERC-90 are known as Lynx 90. They have a Hispano-Suiza Lynx 90 mm turret.

Panhard VBL 4x4 (40) light armoured vehicle used as antitank plataform with MILAN - anti-tank missiles and MK 19 grenade launcher 40mm.

Panhard Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (40) APC. Armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun.

BDX APC (195) 4x4 Armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun.

AMX-10P IFV (40)

[edit] Tracked combat vehicles

HW-K 11 (40) APC Made by Henschel during the 1960s. Mexico is the only owner. Armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun on turret.

AMX-VCI (385) IFV APC version of AMX-13. Versions with 20 mm gun, 7.62 mm machine gun on turret and mortar carrier.

[edit] Artillery

M-101 105 mm Howitzer (80).

Oto Melara 105 mm Howitzer (80).

[edit] See also

• Fuerzas Especiales
• Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales
• Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales del Alto Mando
• Mexican Air Force
• Mexican military ranks
• Military history of Mexico
• Brigada de Fusileros Paracaidistas
• Ixtoc-Alfa
• Mexican response to Hurricane Katrina
• Mexican Special Forces
• Army ranks and insignia of Mexico

[edit] External links

• (Spanish) National Defense Secretariat.
• (Spanish) Navy Secretariat.
• (Spanish) http://www.fasoc.cl/files/articulo/ART4117e2978fedb.pdf
• (Spanish) Unofficial Military Forum MEXICAN ARMED FORCES
• Photo Album of the Mexican Military from militaryphotos.net
• Photos/MEXICAN ARMY, NATIONAL MARINE AND AIR FORCE
• Video 2006 Mexican Forces Parade

[edit] References

• Entry for Mexico in the CIA World Factbook

• The Mexican Armed Forces in Transition - Jordi Díez & Ian Nicholls