Brazilian Marine Corps

The Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN; Portuguese: Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais,[1] lit. '"Corps of naval riflemen"') is the land combat branch and amphibious branch of the Brazilian Navy. The Corps is specialised in amphibious warfare, coastal reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, raids, maritime interdiction and boarding operations. They are almost equivelant to the Portuguese Marine Corps and have similar capabilities to the British Royal Marine Commandos and American Force Recon.

Brazilian Marine Corps
Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais
The seal of the Brazilian Marine Corps
Founded	1808 (1808)
Country	Brazil
Type	Naval infantry
Size	18,000
Part of	Brazilian Navy
General-Command HQ	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nickname(s)	CFN
Motto(s)	Adsumus (English: Here we are)
Colors	Red and white
Anniversaries	March 7
Engagements	Invasion of Cayenne (1809) Banda Oriental Conquest (1816) War of Independence (1821–1824) Confederation of the Equator(1824) Cisplatine War(1825–1828) Ragamuffin War(1835–1845) Platine War(1851–1852) Uruguayan War(1864–1865) Paraguayan War(1864–1870) Naval Revolt(1893-1894) Araguaia guerrilla (1972-1974) Operation São Francisco (2014)"U.N. missions" Haiti (2004-present)
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	President Jair Bolsonaro
Commander of the Navy	Admiral Eduardo Leal Ferreira
Commandant General of the Marine Corps	Admiral (MC) Fernando Antonio de Siqueira Ribeiro
Insignia
Flag
Coat of arms
Emblem

Mission

Deployed nationwide, along the coast, in the riverine regions of Amazon and in the Pantanal, in peacetime it provides for the security of Naval installations and aids isolated populations through civic action programs in the Naval Districts. Abroad, it provides security for the Embassies of Brazil in Algeria, in Paraguay, in Haiti and in Bolivia. It has participated in all of the armed conflicts in the Military history of Brazil, foreign and domestic.

The badge consists of a fouled anchor superimposed over a pair of crossed rifles. It is worn on the collar points of the dress and service uniforms and on the Ribbon Bonnet (Gorro de Fita).

History

Main articles: Invasion of Cayenne (1809), Battle of Riachuelo, and Siege of Humaitá

The Royal Brigade of the Navy

The Brazilian Marines trace their origin to 1808 when the troops of the Royal Brigade of the Navy (the Portuguese Marine Corps) arrived in Brazil (then a Portuguese colony) when Mary I of Portugal and her son Prince Regent John (later King John VI of Portugal) relocated themselves to the Portuguese South American territory during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

The baptism of fire: the conquest of Cayenne

In retaliation for the invasion of Portugal, Prince Regent, Dom João ordered the invasion of French Guiana, whose capital, Cayenne, was captured on January 14, 1809.

Historical campaigns

Brazilian Marines in the Battle of Riachuelo.

After Brazilian independence the force received many names and underwent various reorganisations. It was involved in several wars and campaigns: the War of the Independence of Brazil, conflicts in the River Plate basin, and the Paraguayan War. During the latter the Corps won distinction in both the Battle of Riachuelo and in the taking of Humaitá.

United Nations service

The CFN if has participated in the humanitarian actions promoted by UN in such diverse theatres of operation as Bosnia, Honduras, Mozambique, Rwanda, Angola, East Timor and currently in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The Corps today

MOWAG Piranha is the main armored personal carrier in service with the CFN.

Staff and mission

With about 15,000 men, all volunteers, professionals in combat on land, air and sea, its mission is to guarantee the projection of the naval power on land, by means of landings from Navy ships and helicopters. The Corps is an integral part of the Navy, encompassing about one third of its manpower. Ranks are naval instead of Army, with the exception of Privates, who are called Soldados (Soldiers).

In the case of Brazil this is a complex mission, since the country has a territory of about 8,5 million km² (3.28 million sq. miles), a coast of more than 7,400 km (4,600 mi) with many oceanic islands, and a navigable waterways network of approximately 50,000 km (31,000 mi). This last one includes the Brazilian Amazon. To cover climates and natural landscapes so diversified as Pampas of Rio Grande do Sul, pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, deserts of the Northeast region and Amazon rainforest, demands a training of the highest standards, agility and versatility. Therefore, there are units trained in demolition techniques, special operations, combat in forests, mountain and ice, and helicopter-transported operations.

Trained as a Fast Deployment Unit, recently, with the sending of Brazilian military observers, also integrating the Peacekeeping Forces of the United Nations, the Marines have made their presence in distinctive areas of conflict as El Salvador, Bosnia, Angola, Moçambique, Ruanda, Peru, Ecuador, East Timor and currently Haiti.

On March 30, 2014 security forces in Rio de Janeiro occupied since the dawn of day, the set of Shantytown Tide in the North Zone of Rio. Region is being prepared to receive the Pacifying Police Unit (UPP), Brazilian Marine Corps also provide support with 21 armored vehicles and 500 men.

Organization

The Corps headquarters is located in Fortaleza de São José, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro.

Structure Naval Fusiliers Corps

Fleet Marine Force

The Fleet Marine Force (Força de Fuzileiros da Esquadra (FFE), literally Squadron Riflemen Force) includes the expeditionary component of the corps and consists of the following units:

• 1st Amphibious Division (Divisão Anfíbia (DivAnf)) of brigade size with three marine infantry battalions (Batalhão de Fuzileiros Navais (BFN) as its main fighting force, along with the following:
  • Command and Control Battalion (Batalhão de Comando e Controle),
  • 1st "Riachuelo" Marine Infantry Battalion (BFN)
  • 2nd "Humaitá" Marine Infantry Battalion (BFN)
  • 3rd "Paissandu" Marine Infantry Battalion (BFN)
  • Marine Artillery Battalion (Batalhão de Artilharia de Fuzileiros Navais)
  • Marine Armoured Vehicle Battalion (Batalhão de Blindados)
  • Marine Tactical Air Control and Air Defence Battalion (Batalhão de Controle Aerotático e Defesa Antiaérea)
  • Governor's Island Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais da Ilha do Governador),
• Reinforcement Troop (Tropa de Reforço (TrRef)) located in Ilha das Flores in São Gonçalo (RJ), composed of the following:
  • Marine Engineer Battalion (Batalhão de Engenharia de Fuzileiros Navais),
  • Marine Logistic Battalion (Batalhão Logístico de Fuzileiros Navais),
  • Amphibious Vehicles Battalion (Batalhão de Viaturas Anfíbias),
  • Police Company (Companhia de Polícia)
  • Landing Support Company (Apoio ao Desembarque)
  • Isle of Flowers Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais da Ilha das Flores),

Amphibian operations with CLAnfs.

• • Landing Troop Command (Comando da Tropa de Desembarque (ComTrDbq)), located at Duque de Caxias (RJ) - provides the means to command, control and administer the Command of the Fleet Marine Force and to also local units
• Marine Special Operations Battalion "Tonelero" (Batalhão de Operações Especiais de Fuzileiros Navais (Batalhão Tonelero)) A unit similar to US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, formed in 1957 and structured for high risk operations. Its mission is to destroy or damage prominent objectives in heavily defended areas, capture or rescue personnels or equipment, seize installations, obtain information, mislead and produce psychological effects.
• Rio Meriti Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais do Rio Meriti (BFNRM)), located in Duque de Caxias (RJ)
• ships detachments

Regional

"Marine Groups" (Grupamentos de Fuzileiros Navais (GptFN) are subordinate to the Naval Districts (Distritos Navais), for the security of naval installations, as well as performing operations in support of the Naval District where they are assigned, while the 7th Marine Group is also tasked for public duties in the Brasilia area. They are located in the vicinity of the local Naval District headquarters. GptFNs are small-sized Marine battalions.

Amphibious operation in river.

• GptFN of Rio de Janeiro, RJ (1st DN)
• GptFN of Salvador, Bahia (2nd DN)
• GptFN of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte (3rd DN)
• GptFN of Belém, Pará (4th DN)
• GptFN of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul (5th DN)
• GptFN of Ladário, Mato Grosso do Sul (6th DN)
• GptFN of Brasília, Distrito Federal (7th DN)
• GptFN of São Paulo, São Paulo (8tht DN) (in formation[2])
• Riverine Operations Battalion (Batalhão de Operações Ribeirinhas), Manaus, Amazonas (9th DN)

Music

Musicians of the Marine Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps

Musical support is rendered by the Central Band of the Marine Corps and the Marine Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps in Rio de Janeiro (1st ND), the Brasilia Marine Corps Band (7th Naval District) and by the Marine Bands of each of the other Naval Districts.

Central Band of the Marine Corps

The Central Band of the Brazilian Marine Corps is the concert band unit of the CFN. Also known by its other name, the Symphonic Band of the CFN, it is the premier band of the CFN and is the senior most concert band in the armed forces. Their performances are marked by a balanced mix of popular and classical, as well as instrumental and sung songs. It is composed of two officers (the Director of Music and Bandmaster) and 118 military musicians who are NCOs. The band was created in the 1970s and belongs to the Band Company of the Naval Battalion, located at São José Fortress on Cobras Island, Rio de Janeiro.[3]

Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps

The Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps is the official marching band of the CFN and one of the only field bands in service in the Brazilian Navy. Although it is based in Rio de Janeiro, it has taken part in all parades held in the federal capital of Brasilia, since 1960. It is notable for its use of the bagpipe, bugles, marching percussion, and the Turkish crescent in its ranks. The BMPDC has been deployed to many countries in its 100-year history, such as the United Kingdom to take part in the Coronation of Elizabeth II and France in 2005 for the Bastille Day military parade. It has also taken part in many domestic events such as the 2011 Military World Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The pipe portion of the BMPDC has been trained by pipe units and institutions in the United Kingdom such as the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.

Methods

Brazilian Marines Corps SOF

To fulfill its missions, the Marines land off the ships of the Brazilian Navy, be it using landing boats, amphibious vehicles or helicopters. For this, they count on the support of the navy and/or sea and air support.

On land, it operates its normal way, which includes tanks, field artillery, antiaircraft artillery, combat engineering, communications and electronic warfare.

Training

New recruits to the Corps must pass a rigorous physical training program, normally with many runs, calisthenics, sleep deprivation, swimming while holding their breath, practice shooting with diverse armaments, especially metal rings, rappeling and, in some cases, combat simulations, and when they passed all these then they achieve primary qualification as soldiers of the Corps and thus capable to fulfill the missions and responsibilities assigned to the Corps.

Uniforms

The Brazilian Marines wear the variation of the Brazilian Lizard Pattern, known as navy lizard. Vest's: The marines for a long time used the IBA "Interceptor body armor" in woodland, but they are now being replaced by Eagle industries Maritime Ciras with Woodland Cover, and Black for SOF. For the Comandos Anfibios is also issued a green version and black version of the WTC Recon Plate Carrier. Boot: They use Atlas Atalaia combat boots, in coffee brown.

Ranks

Equivalent NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) and student officer
Brazil (Edit)									No equivalent
	Almirante		Almirante-de-esquadra		Vice-almirante		Contra-almirante				Capitão-de-Mar-e-Guerra		Capitão-de-Fragata		Capitão-de-corveta		Capitão-tenente		Primeiro-tenente			Segundo-tenente			Guarda-marinha

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Brazil (Edit)							No equivalent																				No equivalent								No equivalent
	Suboficial Fuzileiro Naval (Warrant Officer)								Primeiro-Sargento Fuzileiro Naval		Segundo-Sargento Fuzileiro Naval						Terceiro-Sargento Fuzileiro Naval						Cabo Fuzileiro Naval						Soldado Fuzileiro Naval

Gallery

• 
  Brazilian marines pose for a photographer on board the Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes, likely taken during the ship's visit to the United States in early 1913.
• 
  Brazilian marines protection in response to chemical emergencies
• 
  Brazilian Marines in the red gala uniform titled "Garança"
• 
  Brazilian marines demonstrate lane training
• 
  Marines corps in riverine operations.
• 
  Brazilian AAV amphibious vehicle in action
• 
  Landing ship dock amphibious vehicles.
• 
  Rocket artillery in Brazilian Marines Corps
• 
  Marines on patrol boat for river
• 
  Brazilian naval infantry
• 
  Brazilian Marines in landing exercise
• 
  Members of the Brazilian Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion
• 
  Members of the Brazilian Marine Corps
• 
  Two members of the command amphibious operations
• 
  SOF Brazilian Marines
• 
  Marines in operation of law and order in Rio de Janeiro
• 
  SK-105 Kürassier.

Main Equipment

Tank

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
SK-105 Kürassier	Austria	Light tank	SK 105A2S 4KH7FA	16 01

Infantry fighting vehicles

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
AAV-7A1	United States	Armoured personnel carrier/Assault Amphibious	AAV-7A1 LVTP-7A1 LVTC-7A1 LVTR-7A1	21 22 03 03
M113	United States	Armored personnel carrier	M113A1 M125A1 M577A1 XM806E1 M113A1G	24 02 02 01 01
Mowag Piranha 8x8	Switzerland	Armoured personnel carrier/reconnaissance	Piranha IIIC	30
AV-VBL 4x4	Brazil	Light Armored Vehicle		03	Vehicle auxiliary support groups artillery rocket.

Artillery

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service<	Notes	Photo
Astros II	Brazil	Multiple Launch Rocket System	AV-LMU AV-RMD AV-PCC AV-MET AV-OFVE	6 3 1 1 1	Known as ASTROS FN to Marine Corps
M114	United States	Howitzer	M114A1	06	155mm. Study in progress for replacement by M777 howitzer.
L118 light gun	United Kingdom	Howitzer	L118	18	105mm.
Soltam K6	Israel	Mortar	K-6A3	06	120mm
M29 mortar	United States	Mortar	M29 A1	100	81mm
Brandt	France	Mortar	Brandt	?	60mm
Bofors L70	Sweden	Autocannon AA	Bofors 40 mm	06	40mm. Using the radar Bandvagn 206

Anti-aircraft missiles

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
Mistral	France	MBDA missile systems	Surface-to-air missile	24 systems	Using the radar Bandvagn 206
RBS 70	Sweden	SAAB missile systems	Surface-to-air missile	12 systems	Using the radar Saber M-60

Radar

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
Saber Radar	Brazil	Saber M-60	Air defense radar	01
Bandvagn 206	Sweden	B206	Radar	01	Using the MBDA missile systems

Unmanned aerial vehicle

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
Carcara UAV	Brazil	UAV		40
Carcara II	Brazil	UAV		02
Horus FT-100	Brazil	UAV		05

Vehicles

Name	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes	Photo
Agrale Marruá	Light Utility Vehicle	450	Brazil
Land Rover Defender	Light Utility Vehicle	257	United Kingdom
Land Rover Wolf	Light Utility Vehicle	100	United Kingdom
Land Rover Discovery	Administrative Vehicle	60	United Kingdom
Toyota Bandeirante	Light Utility Vehicle	270	Brazil
Unimog4x4 and 6x6	Truck	248	Germany
MBB 1720 4x4	Truck	200	Brazil
MBB 1725/42 4x4	Truck	122	Brazil
MBB LAK1418 4x4	Truck	?	Brazil
M35 Reo 6x6	Medium Truck	56	United States
Volvo NL	Truck	?	Brazil

Motorcycle

Name	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes	Photo
Harley-Davidson Road King Police	Escort Motorcycle	?	United States	used by Battalion of Naval Police

Individual weapons and equipment

Pistols

Origin	Model	Caliber	Type	Image
Austria	Glock 17	9×19mm (Used by SOF)	Pistol
Brazil	Taurus PT-92	9×19mm (Standard issue)	Pistol

Submachine guns

Origin	Model	Caliber	Type	Image
Italy/ Brazil	Beretta M12	9×19mm (Standard isse) (Known as MT-12)	Submachine gun
Germany	MP5	9×19mm (Used by SOF)	Submachine gun
Israel	Mini-Uzi	9×19mm (Used by SOF)	Submachine gun

Rifles

Origin	Model	Caliber	Type	Image
United States	M16A2	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle
United States	M4	5.56×45mm	Carbine
United Kingdom	Parker Hale M85	7.62×51mm	sniper rifle
France	PGM Hécate II	12.7×99mm	sniper rifle

Machine guns

Origin	Model	Caliber	Type	Image
United States	M2 Browning machine gun	12.7×99mm	Heavy machine gun
Belgium/ Brazil	FN MAG M971	7.62×51mm	Medium machine gun
Belgium	FN Minimi	5.56×45mm	Light machine gun

Grenade launchers

Origin	Model	Caliber	Type	Image
United States	Mk19	40 mm	Grenade launcher
United States	M203 grenade launcher	40×46mm	Grenade launcher

Anti-armor

Origin	Model	Caliber	Type	Image
Sweden	AT4	84mm (To be replaced by the national ALAC)	Anti-tank weapon
Brazil	ALAC (Arma Leve Anticarro)	84mm (Going into mass production in 2012. Replacing the AT4)	Anti-tank weapon
Sweden	BILL	130mm	Anti-tank missile
Brazil	MSS-1.2	130mm	Anti-tank missile

Historical equipment

Equipment	Origin	Employee year	QTD	Notes	Picture
EE-9 Cascavel	Brazil	1979-2000	06	Armoured car
EE-11 Urutu	Brazil	1976-2000	05	Armored personnel carrier
EE-34	Brazil	1970-1996	50	Pickup
EE-14	Brazil	1970-1999	?	Truck
DUKW	United States	1970-1987	34	Amphibious transport
Ford GPA	United States	1950-1985	?	Amphibious transport
Mosquefal	Brazil	1968-2000	?	Rifle
FN FAL	Belgium/ Brazil	1970-2000	?	Battle rifle
Browning BAR	Belgium/ United States	1945-1970	?	Battle rifle
Madsen machine gun	Denmark/ Brazil	1946-1980	?	Light machine gun
INA Model 953	Brazil	1950-1990	?	Sub machine gun
Mekanika Uru	Brazil	1970-1990	?	Sub machine gun

Gallery

See also

• Marines
• Naval infantry

References

1. Trevor Nevitt Dupuy (1993). International military and defense encyclopedia, Volume 1. Brassey's (US). p. 137.
2. CCSM (2018-01-25). "Futuras instalações do Grupamento de Fuzileiros Navais de São Paulo são apresentadas ao Comando Geral". Marinha do Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-01-29.
3. https://www.marinha.mil.br/cgcfn/?q=sinfonica_cfn_minasgerais

External links

• Official website (in Portuguese only)
• Fleet Marine Force website (in Portuguese only)