108-528: The Brigada de Reacção Rápida ( Rapid Reaction Brigade ) is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI – Brigada Aerotransportada Independente (Independent Airborne Brigade) until 2006. Its different units are highly trained Paratroopers , Commandos and Special Operations Troops capable of responding to threats in any part of continental Portugal or any other Portuguese overseas territory with quick deployment by air, sea or land (with
216-706: A beret (brown) and camouflage . They were elite units, with highly motivated, hand-picked personnel, whose instructors had taken courses on counter-insurgency and counter-guerrilla operations in France , Algeria , the United States , the United Kingdom , and Spain . When the Portuguese Colonial War began in 1961, there were already four companies of Special Hunters in Angola . Early in
324-601: A horse artillery battery. The Portuguese Army underwent a major reorganization in 1807, being focused mainly on the territorial military division of the country, for recruitment, mobilization and training purposes, taking advantage of the data obtained in the 1801 census about the number and distribution of the Portuguese population. The country was divided into three grand military divisions (North, Center and South), these being in turn subdivided into 24 recruiting districts called Ordenança brigades. This geometrical division
432-419: A sergeant-major . The Ordenanças system would cover virtually all available manpower of Portugal and become part of the basis of the Portuguese military organization until the 19th century. Its efficiency would soon be evidenced by its important contribution to the raising of the expeditionary army that would fight the 1578 Moroccan campaign . During the reign of Sebastian, Portuguese land forces also adopted
540-619: A British second in command or vice versa. The Militias were augmented with newly raised special units, including the infantry and cavalry regiments of the Royal Commerce Volunteers, the 1st and 2nd battalions of national artillerymen of Lisbon, the 1st and 2nd battalions of national caçadores of Lisbon and the Battalion of the Royal Volunteers of Oporto. Active units of Ordenanças were also raised, including
648-651: A cavalry regiment). Since the 17th century, several military academies had been established in several parts of the Overseas for the training of the members of the local military forces. In 1792, the Real Academia de Artilharia, Fortificação e Desenho (Royal Academy of Artillery, Fortification and Drawing) was established in Rio de Janeiro – on the exact model of the Royal Academy of Fortification of Lisbon – for
756-586: A character of a kind of a civil war, with the forces loyal to the Portuguese Government fighting the separatist army whose leaders and officers were also mostly Portuguese. By 1823, the resistance of the Portuguese loyal forces was concentrated in some coastal cities, especially those of Salvador of Bahia and Montevideo (presently the capital of Uruguay), all under siege of the Brazilian separatist forces. Despite repelling successive attacks by
864-541: A deep reformation of the military higher education also occurred. The previous Royal Academy of Fortification, Artillery and Design was transformed into the new Escola do Exército (Army School) , intended to train the Army officers and also to train civil engineers. The old Royal Academy of the Navy was replaced by the new Escola Politécnica (Polytechnic School), intended to serve as an undergraduate preparatory establishment for
972-487: A guerrilla warfare in several regions of the country until around 1838. The Article 9 of the Concession of Evoramonte established that all regiments and corps loyal to Michael should peacefully disband themselves. This meant in practice the dismantling of the "old" Portuguese Army, as most of its centuries-old regiments were disbanded. The victorious Liberals regime then raised a "new" Portuguese Army built essentially from
1080-578: A long history, directly connected to the history of Portugal since its early beginnings. The Portuguese Army has its remote origins in the military forces of the County of Portugal that allowed its ruler, Afonso Henriques , to obtain its independence from the Kingdom of León and to enlarge its territory in the 12th century. The victory of the Portuguese forces in the Battle of São Mamede , on 24 June 1128,
1188-407: A military framework for the Portuguese population and to create a nationwide standardized system of military training and mobilization. It was organized into 250-man companies , each headed by a captain , assisted by an alferes ( ensign ) and a sergeant . The several Ordenanças companies of a city, town or municipality were grouped into captaincies, each headed by a captain-major , assisted by
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#17327835037251296-667: A newly raised volunteers corps (the Corps of Royalist Volunteers ), that included around 40 battalions and a number of independent companies of cavalry and caçadores . The army raised by the Liberals to fight the Miguelites came to be known as the "Liberator Army" ( Exército Libertador ). It started to be raised from the military units stationed in the Azores (the first portion of the Portuguese territory under Liberal control), including
1404-937: A regiment of light troops of infantry and cavalry. William, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe was appointed to the new rank of Field Marshal General ( Marechal-General ) to command the Army in that campaign and, at the same time, to reorganize it. With the end of the War, the Army was again reduced. By 1764, the first line of the Army included 27 infantry regiments (three of them permanently deployed in Brazil), 10 regiments of cavalry, two regiments of dragoons, four regiments of artillery, one regiment of foreign infantry (the Royal Foreigners Regiment) and one regiment of light troops (the Royal Volunteers Regiment). Additionally, there were two regiments of infantry of
1512-766: A series of military set backs, losing several territories in Africa, in Asia and in America . On 1 December 1640, the Portuguese revolted and restored their full independence, under the leadership of the Duke of Braganza , who was crowned as King John IV of Portugal . The Portuguese Restoration War then started, with the Portuguese Army defeating the Spanish Army in a series of military campaigns, until achieving
1620-521: Is considered the seminal event for the foundation of an independent Portugal, leading to Afonso Henriques to style himself as Prince. The Portuguese forces were also involved in the Reconquista , successively advancing south to reconquer territories occupied by the Moors and expand the territory of Portugal. On 25 July 1139, the Portuguese troops obtain a spectacular victory over five Moorish kings in
1728-431: Is given at this stage. Additional training (stage 2); This 5 week stage aims to provide the military with military leadership training, at this stage command and leadership modules are taught. This training is only for Officer, and Non-commissioned Officers. Special Operations Force course; The Special Operations Specialty course enables the military to carry out missions of a strategic, operational or tactical scope, with
1836-815: Is raised to the status of Kingdom, with the whole Portuguese Monarchy becoming the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves . As a retaliation against the Napoleonic invasion of the Portugal, the Portuguese forces in Brazil invaded and conquered the French Guiana in 1808 . In 1811, the Portuguese Army in Brazil invaded the Banda Oriental (present-day Uruguay), to retake Portuguese claimed territories that were under Spanish occupation. In 1816,
1944-572: Is the land component of the Armed Forces of Portugal and is also its largest branch. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. With its origins going back to the 12th century, it can be considered one of the oldest active armies in the world. The Portuguese Army is commanded by the Chief of Staff of the Army (CEME), a subordinate of
2052-548: The Army . A new brigade was then created, the Independent Airborne Brigade (BAI) which included all airborne-capable forces in it. The Army also transferred to this brigade some heavier weapons like howitzers , thus giving the unit increased firepower , as well as creating an operational command named Comando de Tropas Aerotransportadas (Airborne Troops Command). The Comandos Regiment was disbanded and
2160-595: The Battle of Corunna , the Portuguese Army was reconstituted under the initiative of the Secretary of War Pereira Forjaz and re-trained by the British under the direction of Lieutenant General William Beresford . Most of the 1807 organization was retained, but with the addition of the newly raised independent battalions of caçadores , that would become famous in the Peninsular War. These were formed mainly by
2268-526: The Battle of Ourique , after its end proclaiming Afonso Henriques as King of the Portuguese . Under the Treaty of Zamora , signed on 5 October 1143, Portugal was officially recognized as an independent Kingdom. In 1147, an important step in the Reconquista is done, with the conquest of the city of Lisbon to the moors. The Portuguese part of the Reconquista would finally come to an end in 1249, with
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#17327835037252376-482: The Exército (Army). The high command structure of the new military organization had a Council of War ( Conselho de Guerra ) as the supreme military body of the country. The Monarch delegated most of his military roles in this council, including the responsibility for military organization, commission of officers, military operations planning, building of fortifications and military justice. The role of Captain-General of
2484-604: The Liberal Wars , a civil conflict that opposed the Miguelites (Absolutists) led by King Michael I to the Liberals led by his brother Peter (ex- Peter I of Brazil and ex- Peter IV of Portugal , defending the rights of his daughter, the Queen Mary II ). The Portuguese Army divided itself by the two sides, although most of its units aligned on the side of Michael. The Miguelite forces were occasionally referred as
2592-738: The Parachute Troops School , in Tancos , central Portugal . The Special Operations Forces are generally the first to arrive and the last to leave the operational area. They are the most autonomous unit of the brigade, able to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. Not as heavily armed as the Commandos nor the Paratroopers, its units rely on stealth to complete their objectives. Since it is airborne-qualified it can be deployed by air, sea or land. Special Operators are instructed at
2700-575: The Patuleia . The Royalist Army ( Exército Realista ) that fought on the Miguelite side resulted essentially from the reorganization of the Portuguese Army established by King Michael I in 1829. The main changes implemented in this reorganization were the formal disbandment of the military units that joined the liberal side, the change of the line regiments designation system (the units ceased to be identified by numbers and come to be again designated by
2808-805: The Portuguese forces invaded again the Banda Oriental , defeating the forces of Artigas in a series of battles. Banda Oriental is then annexed to the Portuguese Crown as the Brazilian Cisplatine Province . After the declaration of the Independence of Brazil in September 1822, by the Portuguese Prince heir Peter , the Portuguese Army fought the brief Brazilian War of Independence . This war assumed
2916-786: The Seven Years' War , fighting the Spanish in the European theater ( Iberian Peninsula ) and in the South American theater . In 1707, with the Portuguese Army engaged in the War of the Spanish Succession, King John V decreed a reform of the military organization. Within the scope of this reform, the paid terços were transformed in infantry regiments, with the designation of their commanding officers changed from mestres de campo to colonels. The change of designations
3024-923: The Special Operations Troops Centre in Lamego , northern Portugal . The Comandos are an elite light infantry unit capable of conducting several special operations missions, although they are mainly a rapid reaction force . They can be deployed by air, sea or land. Commandos are instructed at the Commando Regiment, in Belas . As the ancestor of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, the Independent Airborne Brigade made several missions to several different countries mainly in peacekeeping operations. Paratrooper Battalions were sent to Bosnia , East-Timor and Kosovo . After
3132-567: The artillery , in 1449, the role of Vedor-Mor da Artilharia (Superintendent of the Artillery) is established by King Afonso V , with the responsibility for the procurement and conservation of the artillery. After a number of previous failed attempts, King Sebastian established the foundations of a standing army , with the creation of the Ordenanças in 1570. The Ordenanças was a militia -type territorial organization aimed to provide
3240-736: The conquest of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415. Organization of the Portuguese military developed during the Middle Ages, leading to a more complex structure and the consequent creation of new command offices. Thus, in 1383, the office of Constable of Portugal was created, replacing the Alferes-Mor as the head of the military. The Constable was assisted by the Marshal of Portugal. Other Portuguese important military offices that existed were those of fronteiro-mor (theatre commander of
3348-530: The terço (modeled after the Spanish tercio ) as its main infantry formation. In 1578, for the Moroccan campaign, four provincial terços were raised through the Ordenanças system, another one was drawn from young nobles volunteers and a further three were made up of foreign mercenaries. Each of these terços was made of 12 companies and around 3000 men ( pikemen , arquebusiers and musketeers ), under
Rapid Reaction Brigade (Portugal) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3456-561: The "Royalist Army". The Liberals raised the so-called "Liberator Army", made up mainly of newly raised units, but also incorporating some units of the regular Army that passed to their side. Both the Miguelite and the Liberal armies were referred as the "Rebel Army" by their respective opponents. The war ended formally on 26 May 1834, with the capitulation of Michael I in the Concession of Evoramonte . Miguelites partisans continued, however,
3564-665: The 10 NH-90 transport helicopters that would incorporate the Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército (Army Light Aviation Unit). Thus, the Rapid Reaction Brigade still maintains its dependency on the Air Force for aerial transportation. In 1993, the Corpo de Tropas Aerotransportadas (Airborne Troops Corps), which was part of the Portuguese Air Force was disbanded and the Portuguese airborne forces were transferred to
3672-511: The 15th Infantry Regiment trains, maintains and sustains the 1st Paratroopers Infantry Battalion, but itself is not an operational unit and not part of the brigade during wartime. The Paratroopers and elite infantry force and are the heaviest troops on the brigade acting as airborne light infantry, used for conventional conflicts, with emphasis on airborne assaults. Paratrooper battalions contain units with heavy weapons and light vehicles for quick assaults and raids. Paratroopers are instructed at
3780-519: The 16 national legions for the defense of Lisbon (each with three battalions) and a number of Ordenanças artillery companies for the garrison of fortresses, these being mainly employed in the Lines of Torres Vedras . The Portuguese Royal Court and Government install themselves in Brazil from 1808, with Rio de Janeiro becoming the de facto capital of the Portuguese Empire. In 1815, Brazil
3888-713: The 25 comarcas . This system of forces – approved by the Portuguese Cortes (Parliament) in 1642 – had one of the most advanced organizations of the time, including three lines or classes of troops. The organization of the forces established at this time would remain almost unchanged until the disbandment of the Army in 1837, after the end of the Civil War. The first line was made up of the paid troops (professional troops), which included terços of infantry and independent companies of horse ( cuirassiers and carabineers ). The paid infantry soldiers were recruited among
3996-591: The Airborne Troops Command was disbanded, putting the unit under the orders of the Comando Operacional de Forças Terrestres (Land Forces Operational Command) losing its autonomy from the rest of the Army. The brigade's operational units are listed below. Under the Portuguese system regiments and centres are responsible for the training, maintenance, and sustainment of the operational units, but are not operational units themselves. I.e.
4104-418: The Americas, that would form the Portuguese Empire . Among these many campaigns were the wars for the control of Morocco , the wars with the Ottoman Empire for the control of India and the Indian Ocean, the war with the Persian Empire for the control of the Persian Gulf and participation in the Abyssinian–Adal war in support of the Ethiopian Empire . The role of the ground forces was more important in
4212-401: The Armed Forces. This force is the Portuguese equivalent to the 1st SFOD-D & 22nd Special Air Service . The FOE is commanded by a lieutenant-colonel and includes six special operations task units (SOTU). Each SOTU is commanded by a captain (except SOTU A1, which is commanded by a major) and includes 16 elements (only officers and NCOs). The FOE includes: Training to become a member of
4320-415: The Arms of the Kingdom was created to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Army, at the same time presiding over the Council of War. Under the Captain-General, there was a military territorial organization that included a general officer governor of arms for each of the six provinces (Entre-Douro e Minho, Trás-os-Montes, Beira, Estremadura, Alentejo and Algarve) and under them, a military governor for each of
4428-440: The CTOE: Special Operations soldiers also take courses in friendly countries: The CTOE is regiment level unit, commanded by a colonel, which includes: The Special Operations Force (FOE - Força de Operações Especiais ) is the operational component of the CTOE. It can constitute a special operations task group (SOTG) or it can contribute to a joint SOTG which can be created with special operations elements from other branches of
Rapid Reaction Brigade (Portugal) - Misplaced Pages Continue
4536-438: The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces for the operational matters and a direct subordinate of the Ministry of National Defense for all other matters. The CEME is the only officer in the Army with the rank of General ( Four-star rank ). Presently, the Portuguese Army is an entirely professional force made of career personnel ( officers and NCOs ) and of volunteer personnel (officers, NCOs and enlisted ranks ). Until
4644-408: The Comandos that had the Parachute Course were transferred to the new brigade. For more than 10 years the BAI kept serving the country in international missions, sending Paratroopers to several locations in Europe and East-Timor . In 2002 the Comandos were reactivated as an independent unit and were separated from the Paratroopers. In 2006, a reorganization in the Portuguese Army occurred, renaming
4752-410: The Dutch invaders not only from Brazil, but also constituted the bulk of the expedition to Africa that expelled the Dutch from São Tomé Island and from Angola , restoring Portuguese sovereignty in those territories. In the early 18th century, the Portuguese Army participated in the War of the Spanish Succession on the side of the Grand Alliance forces. In the middle of the century, it took part in
4860-430: The Expeditionary Division to Algarve, the Staff of the Azores Division, the staffs of the two foreign brigades, the Queens Own Lancers Regiment (British), the Navy's Regiment (British), the Queen's Own Grenadiers Regiment (Irish), the Scottish Fusiliers Battalion (British), the British Volunteers Battalion (British), and the 1st and 2nd Queen's own light infantry regiments (mainly French and Belgians). The transformation of
4968-657: The HQ for the new Portuguese special operations unit. The unit members wear a grass green beret and are the heir of the Special Hunters: the beret badge includes a trumpet — a symbol of the Special Hunters; and the unit is known as Rangers because the first instructors of the Special Hunters completed the United States Army Ranger Course and adapted the characteristics of that training to the Special Operations Course. The unit has operated in Bosnia and Herzegovina , East-Timor , Kosovo , Afghanistan , Iraq and Mali . The CTOE has several courses: For those already badged as special operations soldiers, there are also courses outside
5076-484: The Legion of Light Troops and a second artillery regiment. The existing line infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments were kept, but became numbered instead of being designated after their garrison places or the name of their commanding officers as they were previously. Lisbon's inhabitants also became eligible to be drafted for the Militias, with two regiments being created in the city (the regiments of Royal Volunteers of Foot Militias of Eastern and Western Lisbon). The Army
5184-407: The Liberal forces landed at Mindelo (near Oporto) in July 1832 – initiating the campaign in Mainland Portugal – they included more than 7000 men, most of them being foreigners. By July 1833, the Liberator Army included the Imperial Staff, the inspections generals of the Cavalry, Engineers and Artillery branches, the governments of arms of the Douro Province and of the fortresses of Oporto, the staffs of
5292-411: The Liberal regime raised the new National Guard. The NatioGuard was however not part of the Army, being instead subordinated to the civil administrative authorities. Despite the new regime initially given a high importance, the National Guard turned out to show herself inefficient, undisciplined and highly politicized, being involved in a number of conspiracies and coups, eventually losing the confidence of
5400-416: The Liberator Army into the new Portuguese Army occurred by the organization established in July 1834. By this organization, the Army included the General Staff, the Staff Corps, the Engineering Corps (including a staff and the Sappers Battalion), the Artillery Corps (including a grand staff and two regiments), six regiments of cavalry, 12 regiments of infantry, four regiments of light infantry or caçadores and
5508-419: The Liberator Army. The Militias and Ordenanças were also expressly extinguished, thus ending the traditional Portuguese military territorial organization originated in the 16th century. This extinction was mainly related with political reasons, as those organizations were considered traditionalists and far aligned with the Miguelites. To serve as second-line troops, partially replacing the previous organizations,
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#17327835037255616-425: The Navy . Each of these regiments (with exception of the foreign regiment) corresponded to a specific district from where their soldiers were recruited. In 1790, Queen Maria I decreed the creation of the Academia Real de Fortificação, Artilharia e Desenho (Royal Academy of Fortification, Artillery and Drawing), in Lisbon , for the higher education and training of the Army officers. The main purpose of this Academy
5724-409: The Portuguese Army in disarray. Under French occupation, the Army was disbanded and its most important units were integrated into the Portuguese Legion raised by order of Napoleon , that would fight for him in the campaigns of Germany, Austria and Russia . Reconstituted and integrated into the Anglo-Portuguese Army , led by the British General Arthur Wellesley , the Portuguese Army performed well in
5832-420: The Portuguese Army, including the lack of light infantry troops. This led to the inclusion of a caçadores (light infantry) company in each of the infantry regiments and the raising of the elite Legion of Light Troops in 1796. This Legion was an experimental all-arms unit, that included an infantry battalion (occasionally referred as caçadores ), three cavalry squadrons (occasionally referred as hussars ) and
5940-423: The Portuguese Crown by Philip II of Spain in 1580, consolidated after the defeat of the Portuguese resistance, led by António of Portugal , in the War of the Portuguese Succession . These events originated the 60-year-long Iberian Union , period in which the interests of Portugal became subordinated to those of Spain, causing a sharp decline in its economical, political and social might. With Portugal subject to
6048-428: The Portuguese General Carlos Lecor ) on 8 March 1824. With the presence of the Royal Court and of a high number of Portuguese Army officers that accompanied it, the military organization of Brazil is developed, with its ground forces now being frequently referred as the " Army of Brazil " (while the Portuguese Army in Europe was referred as the "Army of Portugal" or the "Army of the Kingdom"). The Army of Brazil would be
6156-406: The Royal Police Guard of Oporto , the Royal Corps of Engineers, the Queens Own Volunteers Regiment, the National Volunteers (one national corps on horse, five national mobile battalions, two national fix battalions, four provisional battalions and one public employees battalion), the Royal Arsenal of the Army, the Ouro Train, the Oporto Veterans (two companies), the Military General Depot, the Staff of
6264-420: The Spanish Army invaded Portugal with the aid of France, with the Portuguese Army facing the invaders in the War of Oranges . The refusal from Portugal to antagonize Britain, its old ally, and to adhere to the Continental System , led to the start of the Peninsular War , with the French Army invading Portugal in 1807. The French invasion obliged the strategic transference of the Portuguese Crown to Brazil and put
6372-417: The Spanish kings, the early 17th century was a period of neglect of the Portuguese military. Portuguese forces were mobilized to fight for Spain in its campaigns in several theatres. By contrast, almost no military support was received from Spain for the defense of the Portuguese Empire, which came under successive attacks by Spain's enemies, in particular the English and the Dutch. As a result, Portugal suffered
6480-516: The Special Operations Force takes 30-32 weeks (30 weeks for enlisted soldiers, 32 weeks for officer and non-commissioned officers. Successful candidates are expected to serve a minimum of two years. This is broken down in the following stages: Basic training; This 5 weeks stage aims to provide the candidate with basic military training, with an introduction to military culture at this stage. Additional training (stage 1); This 7 week stage aims to provide advanced military training, and combat technique
6588-1182: The access to the Army School and also to the Naval School . Special Operations Troops Centre The CTOE - Centro de Tropas de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Troops Centre), based in Lamego , is a unit of the Portuguese Army with the mission of instructing troops in unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism . Until 2006, it was known as CIOE - Centro de Instrução de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Instruction Centre). The CTOE contains an operational unit called FOE - Força de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Force), popularly known as Rangers, tasked with performing Tier 1 missions like their counterparts such as US Army's Delta Force or British Special Air Service . Some of these missions include conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols , raids against high-value targets and enemy bases or hideouts, hostage rescue, covert operations, guerrilla warfare , locating enemy command and control centres, targeting and destruction of enemy air defences and radar systems, and POW rescue operations. The unit can be infiltrated by parachute, helicopter, small boat, or by foot. The CTOE, heir of
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#17327835037256696-409: The authorities and be disbanded in 1847. As early as 1835, the new organized Army sends an expeditionary division to Spain, to support the Spanish liberals and their Queen Isabel II, in the Carlist War . For several years, the Portuguese Army would also be involved in a number of internal civil conflicts that erupted as remnants of the Liberal Wars. These included the Revolution of Maria da Fonte and
6804-408: The auxiliary troops were recruited among the orphans, farmers and married men, these only being paid if engaged in campaign. Its officers were taken from the paid troops. Initially, the auxiliary troops were organized in independent companies, several of which were grouped under the command of each of the 25 military governors of comarca . In 1661, the role of governor of comarca was disbanded, with
6912-513: The bad weather. Occasionally, for certain military campaigns, like the siege of Lisbon , the Portuguese forces were reinforced by Crusaders from the Northern Europe, who happened to be passing by the Portuguese coasts, on their way to the Holy Land . With the resettling of the territories conquered to the Moors and the establishment of new towns and municipalities , these increased their contribution of municipal contingents of horse ( cavaleiros vilãos ) and foot troops. The municipal military service
7020-471: The brigade as Brigada de Reacção Rápida (Rapid Reaction Brigade) and adding special forces to it. These units were the Comandos and the Rangers , increasing the brigade-size with two Comando companies and the Special Operations Forces but losing the 3rd Paratrooper Infantry Battalion (disbanded). Also, this reformation had its costs since the 155mm howitzers were transferred to the Portuguese Intervention Brigade (thus losing its airborne capability) and
7128-404: The cadet sons of all classes, except orphans and farmers, while the soldiers of horse were recruited only among the cadet sons of the nobles, and usually volunteered to serve for six years. The officers were all recruited among the nobles. Initially, 10 paid terços were raised, besides the already existing terço of the Navy . With the course of the war, additional paid terços were raised, with
7236-415: The campaigns of Morocco, that were fought mainly on land. A great part of the other overseas campaigns occurred at sea and so were led by the Portuguese Navy , but the ground forces had also an important role as boarding forces during naval battles and as landing forces in amphibious operations. In Europe, Portuguese ground forces engaged in the War of the Castilian Succession . Reflecting the importance of
7344-410: The command of a brigadier . The auxiliary terços however remained with the same designation and organization until 1796, when these followed the model of the infantry of the line, being transformed into militia regiments. In the scope of the Fantastic War , the Army increased in size with the inclusion of two battalions of Swiss troops (latter merged into a single foreign regiment) and the raising of
7452-409: The command of a colonel . In respect of the Portuguese cavalry of the time, it included the acorbetados (heavy armored cavalry) and the ginetes (light cavalry). The advanced organization of the Portuguese forces, however, was not sufficient to avoid the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir with the death of the young and childless King Sebastian. His death soon led to the takeover of
7560-485: The companies of auxiliary troops being grouped into 25 auxiliary terços . Finally, the third line was made up of the rebuilt Ordenanças . These were intended to include all the eligible men of the country, serving as a recruitment depot to provide men to the first and second lines of the army. Besides the role of recruitment depots, its units could occasionally be actively employed in the garrison of fortresses or in local defense roles. The Ordenanças continued to follow
7668-417: The complete recapture of the Algarve . The Portuguese ground forces of that time were initially formed by military contingents provided by the landlords ( lords of the manors and of the Church ), called the mesnadas . Later, to these were added the knights of the military orders (initially the Knights Templars and later also the knights of the Hospital , of Saint James of the Sword and of Aviz ) and
7776-542: The creation of the brigade, the unit was sent to Afghanistan. An entire Commando company was sent to the area (western provinces), suffering the first KIA of the Portuguese Armed Forces since the end of the Portuguese Colonial War , during a daytime patrol. The KIA Comando was 1st Sergeant Roma Pereira, mortally hit when an IED detonated his Humvee . The Comandos were replaced by a company of Paratroopers who suffered no casualties while performing
7884-419: The duration of the war. However, for merely tactical purposes, the companies of horse were occasionally grouped in temporary formations ( troços ), each under the command of a commissioner general (senior officer of cavalry). The second line was made up of the auxiliary troops that formed the reserve of the Army, being able to assume the same role as the troops of the first line, if necessary. The soldiers of
7992-408: The early 1990s, conscripts constituted the bulk of the Army personnel, with a cadre of career officers and NCOs responsible for their training. Conscription was however gradually reduced since the middle 1990s, until being finally formally abolished in 2004. As 2014, the Portuguese Army employed 5,667 career personnel and 10,444 volunteers, this representing a total of 16,111 military personnel. Of
8100-754: The elite 5th Caçadores Battalion, that had been deployed to garnish the Fortress of São João Baptista in Terceira island . In August 1829, these forces were able to win the Battle of Praia da Vitória , an attempt of the Miguelite Navy to disembark troops and retake Terceira island. The initial Liberal forces in Azores were soon joined by Liberals evaded from the Miguelite army, by exiled Liberal volunteers and by foreign volunteers and mercenaries (mainly French, English, Belgians, Polish, Irish and Scottish). When
8208-576: The end of 1961, the Special Hunters had been disbanded: some of their training was incorporated into the instruction of the regular army Hunter companies, and the brown beret and camouflage spread to the whole Army. The CTOE remained, now tasked with giving their courses to officers and NCOs , and to form commando troops . After the creation of the special operations unit in 1981, the CTOE ceased to be just an instruction facility but also served as
8316-739: The fighting, the Caçadores Especiais received updated 7,62 mm NATO small arms such as the Espingarda m/961 ( Heckler & Koch G3 ) and the FN/German G1 FAL rifle (known as the m/962); the FAL was a favored weapon of the Caçadores Especiais due to its lighter weight and better practical accuracy compared to the m/961 G3. The 4th Company Caçadores Especiais in particular was a very active one (their website contains many photos and detailed mission chronology, [1] ). Still, by
8424-596: The final victory in 1668. At the same time, the Portuguese defeated the Dutch in a series of overseas campaigns, recovering most of its territories in Africa and South America. At the moment of the Restoration of Portuguese independence, the country's ground forces were reduced to around 2000 ill-equipped men. The Ordenanças had been neglected and virtually disappeared. A new military organization had then to be built. By this time, ground forces started to be referred to as
8532-466: The following international missions: The technical-military cooperation ( cooperação técnico-militar or CTM) are the military missions permanently maintained by Portugal in several members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries to train and support their national armed forces. Currently, the Portuguese Army maintains elements deployed in the following CTM missions: The Portuguese Army has
8640-490: The forces operating in a province), of Coudel-Mor (superintendent of the cavalry ) and of Anadel-Mor (superintendent of the shooters). The Anadel-Mor , by himself, superintended the commanders ( anadéis ) of the king's crossbowmen , of the horse crossbowmen and of the municipal crossbowmen. With the start of the maritime expansion of Portugal in the 15th century, the country's land forces focused on overseas campaigns intended to conquer new territories in Africa, Asia and
8748-549: The full implementation of the 1807 reorganization and left the Portuguese Army practically dismantled. The military resistance to invaders began to be carried away mainly by the initiative of the Militias and local Ordenanças , which launched a guerrilla war on the rearguard of the French forces, managing to cut their lines of communications and to isolate many of their units. A number of voluntary and irregular units were raised on
8856-723: The gradual stabilization of the Constitutional Monarchic regime after the Liberal Wars and with no imminent perceived immediate threats against the Portuguese European territory, the Army will focus on internal security duties and in the organizations of military expeditions to overseas. The first major re-organization of the Army after its transformation from the previous Liberator Army, occurred as soon as 1837. The cavalry started to be organized in eight regiments, of which four would be of lancers and
8964-425: The historical traditions of Regimento de Infantaria 9 (9th Infantry Regiment), was created on 16 April 1960 to form units specialised in counter-guerrilla operations, psychological operations, and mountaineering. These special, light-infantry units were called Caçadores Especiais (Special Hunters; the regular army light-infantry units were just called Hunters) and were the first units in the Portuguese Army to wear
9072-892: The initiative of local military, administrative and even ecclesiastical authorities, including the Volunteers Regiment raised by the Governing Board of Portalegre , the Transtagana Legion raised by the corregedor of Beja and the Academic Battalion raised by the University of Coimbra . Another important voluntary unit, the Loyal Lusitanian Legion , was raised in England with Portuguese émigrés . In 1809, following
9180-508: The knights of the border towns. These contingents were collectively referred as the Hoste , which was under the supreme command of the Monarch, but who often delegated his command in the Alferes-Mor (High Standard-bearer). These forces also included bands of irregular riders ( latrones ) of some warlords , which attacked the moor fortresses by surprise, usually taken advante of the night or of
9288-703: The local Portuguese Viceroys and governors, who, as military commanders, had also the title of captains-generals. In the late 18th century, the larger contingents of first line troops were in Brazil (12 infantry regiments, three infantry regiments deployed from Portugal, three artillery regiments, one dragoon regiment, one cavalry regiment, the Viceroy Cavalry Guard and a Legion of Light Troops ), in India (two infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, one cavalry regiment and two legions of sepoys ) and in Angola (an infantry regiment, an artillery regiment and
9396-527: The military intendancy. The infantry regiments would form six brigades grouped in three divisions, the light infantry regiments would form two brigades grouped in a light division and the cavalry regiments would form three brigades. Each province continued to have a military governor, that commanded the troops stationed there and that were not assigned to a special purpose division. The artillery, cavalry, infantry and light infantry regiments would be numbered. Despite several of these regiments originated from units of
9504-663: The mission. This company was yet again replaced by a second company of Comandos. In the beginning of 2007, the Portuguese Defense Minister decided to end the mission in Bosnia due to the lack of need of a military presence in the area. All units from the Rapid Reaction Brigade and from the Portuguese Mechanized Brigade present in the region withdrew. Portuguese Army The Portuguese Army ( Portuguese : Exército Português )
9612-556: The names of their garrison places) and the creation of four regiments of caçadores from the four battalions of caçadores that remained loyal to Michael. The first line of the Army thus included eight cavalry, 16 infantry, four caçadores and three artillery regiments, the Engineers Battalion and the Telegraph Corps. The Militias and Ordenanças were maintained with the previous organization, but were joined by
9720-550: The number fixed at 20, after the end of the conflict. The terços were the equivalent of the regiments of most of the non-Iberian European armies. Each terço was commanded by a mestre de campo (equivalent to colonel), assisted by a sergeant-major and a staff, with 10 companies and around 2000 men ( pikemen , arquebusiers and musketeers ). Despite the existence of plans for the creation of regiments of horse, grouping several companies of horse, these were never implemented and these companies continued to be independent units through
9828-521: The organization established by King Sebastian, with their basic units being the companies of 250 men, grouped in captaincies. In the city of Lisbon, whose inhabitants were exempt from being draft for the auxiliary troops, the Ordenanças had a special organization, constituting five terços commanded by colonels. The Restoration War also obliged the incorporation of foreign troops into the Army. In 1641, these included eight French regiments (five of light cavalry , one of carabineers , one of dragoons and
9936-593: The origin of the present Brazilian Army . With the end of the Peninsular War, the Army of Brazil is reinforced with military contingents sent from Portugal, one of the most important of these being the Division of Royal Volunteers , commanded by General Carlos Lecor. This Division was originally raised, by the request of the Duke of Wellington , to integrate its army in the Waterloo Campaign , but ended instead to be sent to Brazil. From 1828 to 1834, occurred
10044-646: The other of infantry), two Dutch cavalry regiments, one Irish infantry regiment, one Scottish infantry regiment and one Italian infantry regiment. Military forces were also organized in the overseas territories of Portugal, especially in Brazil , where the European Portuguese military organization with three classes of troops was replicated, although with local adaptations. In Brazil, terços of whites , Native Americans and blacks were raised. The Brazilian colonial forces successfully defeated and expelled
10152-420: The others of caçadores a cavalo (mounted rifles). The infantry ceased to have regiments and become organized in 30 independent battalions, of which 10 would be of caçadores (numbered 6 to 25) and the others would be of line infantry (numbered 1 to 5 and 26 to 30). The artillery started to include four regiments, one of which was of horse and mounted artillery and the others were of garrison artillery. In 1837,
10260-562: The previous Liberator Army, they received numbers identical to those once used by the old disbanded regiments to whom they were not related. Besides the previous referred corps and units, the Army also included the fortresses staffs, the secretariats, the academies, the Military College , the arsenals and trains, the Telegraph Corps, training depots, the Veterinary School, veterans, invalids and fortress garrisons. After
10368-564: The remainder of the Peninsular War. The first major battle of the Anglo-Portuguese Army was the Battle of Bussaco in 1810, the success of which gave the inexperienced Portuguese troops confidence in their abilities. The infantry and artillery went on to perform well up until the final Battle of Toulouse in 1814 when news arrived of Napoleon's abdication. The experience from the Roussillon campaign highlighted some gaps in
10476-651: The six Portuguese brigades, the civil departments of the Army (pay-office, health, military administration, general audit, catering, transports and permanent court-martial ), one cavalry regiment, seven line infantry regiments, four battalions of caçadores , the Artillery Staff, one artillery battalion, the Academic Artillerymen Volunteers Corps , the Artillerymen Conductors Company, the Corps of
10584-458: The superior Brazilian forces, but with no perspectives of receiving reinforcements, the Portuguese garrison of Salvador, under the command of General Madeira de Melo , evacuated the city and embarked in a Portuguese naval squadron, sailing to Portugal in July 1823. The Portuguese garrison of Montevideo was the last to resist in Brazil, only surrendering to the Brazilian forces (ironically, commanded by
10692-576: The support of the Air Force and/or the Navy when required). This brigade is the most requested by the Portuguese Government to fulfill international assignments due to its experience and multi-role capability. The economic crisis forced the Portuguese Government to make budget cuts in the Armed Forces, and in June 2012 it was announced that the Portuguese Army was no longer going to receive
10800-651: The total military personnel, 2,669 were officers, 3,917 were NCOs and 9,595 were other ranks. Further, the Army also included 1,897 civilian employees. The national deployed forces ( forças nacionais destacadas or FND) are units or teams deployed by the Portuguese Armed Forces in foreign missions, mostly in the scope of NATO , the United Nations or the European Union. Currently, the Portuguese Army maintains forces or elements deployed in
10908-727: The training of the officers of the Army in Brazil, this being considered the oldest engineering school of the Americas. At the end of the 18th century, Portugal joined in the Revolutionary Wars , when it sent an expeditionary army to aid Spain against the Revolutionary French in the War of the Pyrenees (Roussillon campaign) . However, Spain made a separate peace with France and turned itself against Portugal. In 1801,
11016-500: The transformation of previous irregular voluntary units and of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion. Six of these battalions were raised in 1808 by order of Secretary Pereira Forjaz, with six additional ones being raised in 1811. The lack of experienced Portuguese officers was mitigated by the inclusion of a number of British officers in the several Army units, in a way that most of them had a Portuguese commanding officer and
11124-403: Was established so that each Ordenança brigade would cover an identical population and would be responsible for the raising of a line infantry and two militia regiments. Each grand division then included eight line infantry regiments (grouped in four brigades), four cavalry regiments, one artillery regiment, eight militia regiments and four Ordenanças brigades. The South Division included further
11232-560: Was mainly done to match the names of the Portuguese units and military ranks with those of the foreign allied armies, following the standard designations used in most of Europe. By this time, each infantry regiment was tactically organized as single battalion , with a staff and 12 companies, one of these being of grenadiers . The new military organization also presaged the creation of regiments of cavalry and dragoons. Artillery regiments would also be formed later. The regiments of infantry, cavalry and dragoons were grouped in brigades , each under
11340-530: Was raised in Lisbon and added to the Army. The transference of the Portuguese Government and Crown to Brazil meant that some of the most important military officers were also transferred. Most of the remaining more experienced officers and best units of the Army were ordered by the French occupant authorities to form the Portuguese Legion and sent to France to fight for Napoleon. These events suspended
11448-475: Was regulated, with the establishment of a defensive service ( apelido ), an offensive service ( fossado ) and the possibility of the replacement of the presential military service by the payment of special taxes ( fossadeira ). In the 14th century, the Portuguese troops defeated Castilian invaders , obtaining a definitive victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. With the independence guaranteed, Portugal then began its worldwide overseas expansion, starting by
11556-658: Was the training of engineer officers , but it also the trained officers of the other branches of the Army. It replaced a number of previous military academies that had existed since the 17th century, being the direct ancestor of the present Portuguese Military Academy . Besides the Army in Europe, the armies of the Crown of Portugal also included military forces and garrisons in the Portuguese Overseas territories. These forces formed separate organizations subordinated to
11664-583: Was then to be composed of 24 infantry, 12 cavalry, four artillery and 48 militias regiments, the Legion of Light Troops, the 24 Ordenanças brigades, the Army military corps (Army Staff, Engineers, Fortresses Staff, Fortress fixed garrisons, Guides and Artificiers) and the Army civil corps (Treasury, Hospitals, Hospital Guardianship, Transportation and Army Police ). Shortly afterwards, a militia cavalry regiment (the Regiment of Royal Volunteers of Horse Militias)
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