Namibian Marine Corps

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.[1]

Aspirant Marines are trained in Namibia by a combination of Namibian instructors as well as the Brazilian Military Advisory Team (BRAZMATT) based in Walvis Bay at the Naval Training School. 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.[2] The Marine Amphibious Commandos Special Operations Course is the toughest course in the corps and has a one-in-two failure rate; its courses last a year.[2][3]

During its infancy Navy Chief of Naval Support indicated that the short-term goal was to have a force consisting of Marine Corps Infantry Company, Service Support Company, Provost Company and Brass Band. However due operation requirements, a Marine Battalion with own organic rapid Reaction, Operational Boats Unit and Operational Diving teams is envisioned.[4]

• Rapid Reaction Force
  • Marine Corps Infantry Battalion
  • Service Support Company
  • Provost Company
  • Brass Band
• Amphibious Special Operations Unit
• Operational Boats Unit
• Operational Diving Team

Rapid Reaction Force

Marines from the Operational Boat Unit on parade in downtown Windhoek on 20 March 2015 during Namibia's Independence celebrations

A Light infantry unit responsible for protection of static, forward and naval bases.[5]

Marines Corps infantry are deployed on Namibian Navy vessels and shore installations.

Marine Corps ranks are based on Commonwealth Navy ranks.

The highest peacetime rank 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 be 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.

Commissioned officers

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
Namibian Marine Corps	No equivalent
											Marine Commandant		Commander		Lieutenant commander		Lieutenant		Lieutenant (junior grade)			Ensign			Midshipman

Non-commissioned officers/Other ranks

Equivalent NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Namibian Navy																													No insignia
	Warrant Officer Class 1						Warrant Officer Class 2		Chief Petty Officer		Petty Officer												Leading Seaman				Able Seaman		Seaman

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  Naval Officers and marines of the Namibian Navy
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  Marines aboard a Navy craft
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  Air Force Mil Mi-17 Carrying out exercises with Namibian Marines