Colombian Naval Infantry - History

History

The Marine Corps is a constituent part of the Navy whose origins date back to the wars of independence.

Raised by an order from President Dr. Alfonso López Pumarejo on January 12, 1937, The Colombian Marines started out as a 120-strong Marine Company, located on Naval Base Cartagena.

On March 8, 1940, the 1st Marine Battalion was raised, with three companies to cover Bolivar, Putumayo and San Andres Islands, then in 1943 was assigned to Buenaventura, Barranquilla, Puerto Leguizamo and the eastern plains.

In 1944, a heavy weapons company was raised and the battalion was moved to facilities adjacent to the San Pedro Claver convent in Cartagena, also in 1952, the Marines were reassigned to the Eastern Naval Force due to the appearance of subversives in this area, one year later, the tables are increased with the entry of officers and NCOs from the Army, who after some time it echelons in the Marines.

In July 1955, the first Marines are preparing to implement a harsh doctrines of amphibious warfare, thanks to the instruction of officers and NCOs in the United States in the United States Naval Academy, The Basic School of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry and the U.S. mission of the United States Marine Corps aimed for this effort.

On April 9, 1956, the Marine Corps Basic and Formation School was opened, headquartered in Turbaco (Bolivar), then moved to Carne (Cartagena). And now works at Covenas.

A new dimension of warfare appears in 1957, in Puerto Leguizamo, creating the "INLAND COMMANDS", the first unit called "Flotilla Avispa", gives rise to operations in rivers and water bodies in the country.

On July 3, 1958, the Colombian Naval Academy had its first 8 Marine lieutenants commissioned.

In 1964, the Marine Directoriate of the Navy was established and became the Marine Corps Command in 1967.

The specialty of amphibious command born in 1956, with a group of men who received a strong and intensive training, giving rise to the Special Forces Battalion of Marine Infantry, which currently retains title.

Marine Infantry Training Base, based in Covenas, began work in 1975, incorporating conscripts to advance its basic instruction, through the Battalions of Instruction, then moving to the tactical units of Marines.

The Marines arrived at the Operational Unit Mayor, on January 15, 1984, the presence of the Marines, is in the jurisdiction of the Navy land, archipelagos, islands, coastal and river arteries. Its slogan is “LA VOLUNTAD TODO LO SUPERA” "WILL SURPASSES EVERYTHING"

Since then, the Marines have had several changes in line with the operational situation and public order in Colombia.

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