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Further Reading

Corpo de Fuzileiros / Marine Corps

The Marine Corps integrates about 1,400 Marines [as of 2012] in the school and the Marine Base, and 7 operational units: the battalion of Marines No. 1, the battalion of Marines No. 2, the unit of methods of landing, the Naval police unit, the Special Actions detachment, Fire support company, and the Tactical Transports support company.

The Marines promote the responsible Corps development, administrative and logistical support of forces, units and operational resources assigned thereto and ensure the training of personnel that you are committed by integrating two large marine Units, the school and the Marines, and seven Operating Units: the battalion of Marines No. 1, the battalion of Marines No. 2the unit of methods of landing, the Naval police unit, the Special Actions detachment, Fire support company, and the Tactical Transports support company. The guidelines of the strategic concept of national defence, advocate the existence in the system of national Forces of power projection capability.

A task force of amphibious nature, characterized by great flexibility, mobility, employment of combat power, as sea maneuver basin and with ability to project power ashore, with the aim of defending the national interest reaches that desideratum. The Marine Corps Command ensure the training and the aprontamento component of power projection ashore this force. The Marines, part of the operational component of the Navy, also has an important role in the implementation of actions in support of the foreign policy of the State, in particular of national representation and demonstration of force abroad.

The existence of Marines in the Fleet dates back to 1585 when settled dressage cores of trimmings of ships of India for the management of artillery and riflemen. The Corps has its origins in the oldest permanent Military Force formed in Portugal, being dated 1621 to its Foundation, with the designation of "Terco of the Navy of the Crown of Portugal", of which the current Marines are legitimate heirs.

Since that date until the middle of the 19th century. XVIII, "Soldiers of the Navy" or "Sailors of the rifle", as they were known in those times the Infantes de Marinha, fought in Brazil, in the southeastern border of the national territory, constituted Clothings for the Coast Guard Fleet and fought alongside Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean, scoring successes in the fight against the French, Dutch and Spanish.

The Third was considered an elite unit, having been appointed by the King d. João IV as his personal guard. At the end of the 19th century. XVIII, the operational organization is changed, articulating two infantry regiments and an artillery unit, renamed the "Royal Brigade of the Navy". In 1808, during the invasion of Napoleon's troops, elements of the Royal Brigade of the Navy, ensured the personal security of the Portuguese royal family in his trip to Brazil. The Marine Corps of Brazil, formed after the independence of that colony, says with pride that has its origin in the Royal Brigade of the Portuguese Navy.

Already in the transitional period. 19TH to the 21st century. XX, when Europe starts its colonial claim process in Africa, Portugal sees itself confronted with the great ability of colonial powers such as France, England and Germany, who considered it necessary to affirm national presence in the territories that had been allocated in the continent following the treaties of Berlin.

"Sailors of the rifle", integrated into Battalions Expedition and in Marine companies, fought in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea. Most recently in 1961, when Portugal sees himself involved in new war effort in Angola, Guinea and Mozambique, Marines wore the camouflaged for combat in the jungle, rivers, in the hills, in Savannah, patrolling the rivers, landing in dinghies and speedboats, making hand blows from naval units and helicopters, ensuring the safety of Marine facilities, participating in fighting of all kinds.

Marines were involved in theaters of operations during fourteen years approximately 12,500 men. Ending 14 years of war there was a need to undertake a restructuring of marine Units, adapting to the new National Theatre and the requirements of the Alliance of which Portugal is a founding member. The herds were reduced by 50 percent, warmup in about 2500 men, of whom 60 per cent of permanent frames. In 1974 was created in dependence of the Chief of staff of the Navy, the Marine Corps Command as top Corps command structure with the mission to ensure the preparation, training and readiness of the units of Marines. With the entry into force of the organic law of the Marine Corps became part of the operating structure of the Navy Naval command in dependency.

Since 1621 remain alive and well the spirit of the Navy Infantry, harbinger of the current concept of the so-called "Expeditionary Forces". By the end of the Cold War the Marine Corps consisted of 2,500 men, of whom approximately half were conscripts. They were organized into two infantry battalions and one naval police battalion. The marines were trained for small amphibious operations and shore patrol duties. In addition to light arms, their equipment included wheeled armored vehicles, mortars, and landing craft.

Today, the Portuguese Marines provide close cooperation of military technical nature to the Marines of the new African countries (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique) and since 1997 has participated jointly or separately and combined in peace support Operations and humanitarian assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, East Timor, the former Zaire, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan.