Type Amphibious infantry Garrison/HQ Walvis Bay, Namibia | Part of Namibian Navy | |
Active 22 July 2016 – present
(7 months) Allegiance Constitution of Namibia Role Special reconnaissance
Deep reconnaissance
Direct Action
Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS)
Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) | ||
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.
Contents
History
The Marine Corps are a recent addition to the Namibian Defence Force due to the gradual establishment of the Namibian Navy. 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.
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. 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.
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.
Marine Corps Infantry Battalion
Marine Corps Infantry Battalion is the unit that is responsible for undertaking armed marine operations. A full marine battalion has been raised initially from a single company.
Composite units
Light infantry unit responsible for protection of static, forward and naval bases
The elite commandos responds to asymmetric threats and conducts Special Operations Forces activities
Conducting small boat patrols
Clearance diving and hazardous material disposable.
Deployments
Marines Corps infantry are deployed on Namibian Navy vessels and shore installations
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
Marine Commandant is always a Captain(Navy)