Namibian Marine Corps
| Namibian Marine Corps | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Constitution of Namibia |
| Type | Amphibious infantry |
| 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 setting of the Namibian Navy which took some time. 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 Brazil or by a combination of Namibian Brazilian trained 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 and its course's last a year.[3][4]
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.[5]
- Marine Corps Infantry Company
- Composite units
- Service Support Company
- Provost Company
- Brass Band
Marine Corps Infantry Company
Marine corps Infantry Company is the unit that is responsible for undertaking armed marine operations.The infantry company will over time be expanded until a full marine battalion is raised.
Composite units
- Rapid Reaction Unit
Light infantry unit responsible for protection of static, forward and naval bases[6]
- Amphibious Special Operations Unit
The elite commandos responds to asymmetric threats and conducts Special Operations Forces activities[7]
- Operational Boats Unit
Conducting small boat patrols
- Operational Diving Team
Clearance diving and hazardous material disposable.[8]
Deployments
Marines Corps infantry are deployed on Namibian Navy vessels and shore installations
Marine Corps equipment
Light Infantry weapons:
- AK-47 assault rifles
- AKM (USSR/China)
- AK-74
- Cz 75
- Makarov PM
- Ruger T95
- M4 carbine
Machine guns:
- 12.7mm heavy machine gun
- Browning M2.50 calibre machine gun?
Anti Tank weapons:
Ranks and Insignia
Marine Corps ranks are based on Commonwealth Navy ranks.
The highest rank in peace time 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 get 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.
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
- Sub Lieutenant
- 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 Rating's
- Chief Petty Officer
- Petty Officer
Junior Rating's
- Leading Seaman
- Able Seaman
- Seaman
The rank of seaman is practically non existent in the Corps as after successful training and induction into the corps all recruits are elevated to the rank of Able Seaman
References
- ↑ http://www.mod.gov.na/pages/news_marine.html
- ↑ http://www.namibiansun.com/local-news/ready-serve-and-protect.74870
- ↑ http://www.namibiansun.com/local-news/ready-serve-and-protect.74870
- ↑ https://www.newera.com.na/2014/12/15/54-namibian-marines-graduate/
- ↑ Lotto, S (December 2013). "Marine Corps Undertake Section Commander Course". NDF Journal' 50: 13.
- ↑ http://www.newera.com.na/2014/12/15/54-namibian-marines-graduate
- ↑ http://www.newera.com.na/2014/12/15/54-namibian-marines-graduate
- ↑ http://www.newera.com.na/2014/12/15/54-namibian-marines-graduate