Brazilian Marine Corps

The land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy

The Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN; Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais, ), is the land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy. The Corps is specialised in amphibious warfare.

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 corps Garrison Cap (Gorro de Fita).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 with many oceanic islands, and a navigable waterways network of approximately 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 that 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 will provide support with 21 armored vehicles and 500 men.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Brazilian Marines wear the variation of the Brazilian Lizard Pattern, known as navy lizard. Vests: 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.

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto SK 105 Kürassier Austria Light tank SK 105A2S4KH7FA 161To be replaced by 2032 with 8×8 armoured fighting vehicles, a tracked vehicle, or a mixed fleet of both. Only around half of the acquired tanks remain in service.

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket System AV LMUAV RMDAV PCCAV METAV OFVE 63111 Known as ASTROS FN to Marine Corps M114 Howitzer M114A1 6 155mm. Study in progress for replacement by the M777 howitzer. L118 light gun Howitzer L118 18 105mm. Soltam K6 Mortar K 6A3 6 120mm M29 mortar Mortar M29 A1 100 81mm Brandt Mortar Brandt ? 60mm Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70 Autocannon AA Bofors 40 mm 6 40mm. Using the radar Bandvagn 206

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage M16A2/A4 5.56×45mm Assault rifle M4 5.56×45mm Carbine Parker Hale M85 7.62×51mm Sniper rifle PGM Hécate II 12.7×99mm Anti material rifle

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage M2 Browning machine gun 12.7×99mm Heavy machine gun / FN MAG M971 7.62×51mm General purpose machine gun FN Minimi 5.56×45mm Light machine gun

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage AT4 84mm (To be replaced by the national ALAC) Anti tank recoilless gun ALAC (Arma Leve Anticarro) 84mm (Going into mass production in 2012. Replacing the AT4) Anti tank weapon BILL 130mm Anti tank missile MSS 1.2 130mm Anti tank missile