NAVAL RIFLEMAN CORPSAND THEIR

AMPHIBIOUS COMMANDS

First, break down the psychological wall erected between the Forces of
Special Operations and the other military organizations. Second, educate
therestoftheArmedForces-disseminaterecognitionandunderstanding
about the actions of the Special Operations Forces... and the importance of
your mission. Finally, integrate the efforts of the Operations Forces
Specialists across the spectrum of our military capabilities.
Admiral Willian J. Crowe Jr., 1986

LEONARDOBARBOSACABRITA*
First Sergeant FN MO

SUMMARY

Introduction
Special Operations - Historical Origin
Special Operations in Brazil
Marine Corps and its Amphibious Commands
Perspectives of Special Operations
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION environments characterized by high degree of

political sensitivity, great complexity

To present some considerations

the present article has the purpose of

about the process of creation of the calls-

of psychosocial and high level of confidentiality.
Furthermore, they are capable of projecting power
and achieve quick victories with minors
Special Operations or Commands loss of men and with great impact
(OpEsp), which are composed of small about the enemy.
effective, endowed with great capacity In this situation, the units of Opera-
physical and emotional, of spirit of body and Special actions emerge as a tool
specially selected and trained. ideal for this new type of engagement
In the contemporary world, they are in a chaotic environment, compatible with the
extremely positive mentos in facing new strategic requirements in the century
management of crises or conflicts of a character XXI. Stand out, in this context, for
eminently unconventional, in emphasis directed to the issue of security,

Conducted the Amphibious Command Census in 1997. Graduated in History from Estácio de Sá University in 2010.
took a specialization course in Contemporary History and in International Relations at the university
Candito Mendes 2012 and 2013. Serves in the Command of the First Naval District.
 NAVALMARINES CORPSAND THEIRAMPHIBIOUS COMMANDS

to be endowed with great capacity and mo-

combat capability. They should possess
superior resistance to others to pass
long periods without adequate food
yes, sleeping little and in constant alertness,
for their rest depended on the tro-
step, recognition and planning
the coming battles.
The commands are an ancient fer-
military tools, but in the past they were
selected in a different way than
are currently. What transforms a
good combat group in a fraction of
commands is the ability to move around
without being detected, and this brings us to
Symbol of the Amphibious Commandos return to the origins of commands like ca-
hunters. Hunting skills are what
anticipating crises and evaluating the commands need to survive
situations. in enemy territory. To address
Special Operations, it is necessary to know
SPECIALOPERATIONS - to tell the story of this extraordinary troop,
HISTORICALORIGINS in light of numerous facts already recorded.
The OpEsp are among the oldest.
Since the beginning of our coexistence and important principles of war, in
in groups, we had the first soldiers, that the essential is the 'surprise'. In all
what they were in this phase were the hunters. Then, Throughout the ages, history offers examples.
for the defense of small societies of the units to which they were entrusted
and from your lands, began to arise the audacious missions, whose purpose was
warriors who protected the territories resolve a situation or correct the course
and the villagers of invaders. These were the of a battle.
conventional soldiers and, within this A first report of these units
group of soldier men, there were some special refers to the Hebrew warrior Gi-
destined to move forward or stay longer dean. In 1245 B.C., he tricked and defeated the
backwards, with the purpose of giving the Midianite adversaries. Gideon first
first fight or alert others of the selected, among the thousands of soldering-
presence of the enemy, in order to avoid two that it had, 300 fighters
a skirmish of the opponent in question. of elite. Then, he prepared for the
About these, we could say that they were action in the utmost secrecy, preserving
the embryo of what we now know as the surprise. Their idea was to disorient the
"special forces" of the type "Commandos" opponents, in greater number, with
or 'Special Operations', as they should simultaneous actions.1

N.A.: Currency representing those who complete the Amphibious Command Course. The number printed
Corresponds to the author of the article and each military personnel who completes the course receives a number related to them.
1 Study Bible Themes and Concordance
Book of Judges, chapter 07.

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Another well-known example of a in North America. In the New World,

command mission happened more than the confrontations for supremacy between
three thousand years ago, when a group of Greeks France and Great Britain multiplied the
hidden in a wooden horse guerrilla actions. In the 18th century, in
was left outside the gates American War of Independence
from Troy. The Trojans, believing that and in the French Revolution also happens-
the Greek army had given up on its it has numerous irregular actions.
I was looking and was about to leave, they thought that During the colonial expansion of the century
the wooden horse was a way of XIX, the engaged European armies
recognition of the Trojan victory. The people abroad they had to adapt their tactics
from Troy dragged the horse inside the to defeat opponents that were their
city and prepared a great celebration. frequently lower in number and
So, while everyone was sleeping, material. They discovered, thus, the works-
the hidden Greek troops killed the counterinsurgency actions, having the British-
few Trojan guards opened the por- like the employee during the War of
the city's streets and let the Army Boers, in South Africa.2
Grego entered. This was a classic opp- At the end of the 19th century, the War of
command feed. The fact is recorded. Boers changed the British Army from
Iliad and Odyssey, by Homer, in deep manner. The tactics of coman-
that Operation Trojan Horse was le- two attracted them, both by the use of weapons
carried out by the legendary Achilles and his how much for the organization. The British
Mermidons (Brave Warriors). It exists. suffered several defeats in the fight against
a true mine of examples of the Boers, for they were still imprisoned
actions that today we would classify as the old forms of combat in which the
Special Operations. In Ancient Rome, attacks followed more rigid forms but ade-
the combination of selection has improved, quadas during the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
training, good leadership and long-term The English changed their tactics and their
service order to prepare enough uniforms and developed a taste
perfect soldiers, capable of maintaining the by the 'type commands' operations, of dis-
Empire for thousands of years. quick location and aggressive attacks.
In Europe, at the end of the 17th century, In addition, the instruments that tor-
the light troops and the detachments appeared the modern commands were, by
batons of light infantry, example: the aircraft, the fast ships,
in Germany). These new formations the automatic weapons and explosives,
addressed the tactical concern of knowing created in the twentieth century. In fact, the con-
the situation, cover the communications and dis- modern concept of professional soldiers
spend the enemy. One of its first it developed in Europe and, after that,
uses occurred in France, in 1702 and expanded all over the planet.
1703, during the protestant revolt of World War I (1914-
Languedoc and the Cevennes, called 1918) had such a terrible course, and its
sards. Other wars took place in the long- the consequences were so catastrophic that
go to the seventeenth century, both in Europe and resulted in a global tech escalation

General History of Africa, VI: Africa from the 19th century to the 1880s. Edited by J. F. Ade Ajayi. Brasília:
Unesco, 2010.

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military lodge and there was the first use in of the British Army, more specifically
large scale of basic techniques of the leaders mind in a headquarters installed
The war started unexpectedly in Egypt. Already with the rank of colonel,
in 1914. The Europeans were confronted registered his knowledge of tactics
with a critical situation unknown until of guerrilla, focusing on the offensive value
so: the trenches, poisoning to to weaken the lines of
gas, recognition and air bombing, Turkish supply. Reported, in the book
tank, artillery fire con- Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926), as
centered, development of attack plans mobilized widely the sentiment
smart fortifications. Arab nationalist against Turkey,
In the early years of the war, the tactics reaching a wide publicity. It is
they fell into a tired pattern curious to note that commanders of
redundant. Troop masses were moving United States of America (USA), in
by the fire of machine guns and artillery, recent Iraq War, were oriented
and their defenders had an advantage with the accounts of T. E. Lawrence about
enormous: your positions were trenches the war in the twentieth century.3

well-built, including shelters The Russians are an example of men-

(bunkers), that withstood the bombing open to do original things in
of artillery. After this period of the war, politics and in war. It was they who re-
the French, German, and British troops they lived the ancient Greek and Chinese sport
they developed better tactics, such as of parachuting. In the year 1930, in
like two Frenchmen in an attack of pe- Russian army maneuvers, a small
small units, later known the paratroopers' body landed just behind
as infiltration tactics. The Germans from an ostensive battle line, in which
organized an assault detachment they should take a stand, and ended up
(Stormtroopers) and the English learned capture a headquarters. Thus,
that only regular troops could not parachuting, since 1939, has become
defeat a guerrilla army and a perfectly recognized form and
they developed a taste for the operation established of war.
of commands: 'quick movement and of When World War Two
aggressive attacks. it started, at the end of 1939, the era began
The First World War, throughout of gold for the commands, as well
your trench warfare critic and its for the development and creation of the largest
reputation of controversial thoughts, part of the concepts that are employed
it was a greenhouse of new ideas that led to this day and are widespread in the majority
soldiers thinking about new tactics of Armed Forces of the nations.
combat for new wars. Lost in true command style was created by
in the midst of all this was the creation of the pri- initiative and efforts of some individuals
modern units of commands. entrepreneurs. The energetic first-
In that conflict, a beautiful example minister of England during the Second
of OpEsp element are the feats World War (1939-1945), Winston
from English Lawrence of Arabia, when Churchill, and the Lieutenant Colonel of the Arti-
worked in the information service Real Dudley Clarke increased

The State of S. Paulo, June 8, 2005, p. A18. Originally published in The Sunday Times.

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the formation of a force that would be capable each, the brandenburgers, would act in
to bring the war to the European continent, enemy territory to conquer points
while British and allied forces vital and other important facilities.
They were preparing to reconquer Europe. In 1944, it was converted into infantry.
The British had a good tradition motorized (panzergrenadiers). No end
of incursion operations, especially from the war, the brandenburgers were dis-
over the last two centuries, prin- solved and transferred to a unit
principally of the Boer Wars and in of Schutzstaffel (SS) commands, from the official
World War I. England Nazi Otto Skorzeny, a specialist in
always maintained a high level of training Special Operations during the Second
training for your military troops of World War. This was considered
command operations, which frequen- by the Allies as "the strongest man"
those who feared were requested to be destroyed, rigoso from Europe.” Such fame was due to the
with explosives, structures such as bridges and several sabotage operations, spying-
enemy buildings and equipment. By gem and rescue commanded by him, such as
fact that the commands perform the greatest Operation Greif, during the Battle of
part of attacks by sea, there was a Ardenas, the Carvalho Operation and the release-
frequent amphibious training on beaches Benito Mussolini's quote.4
aiming to destroy mines. In World War II, the ta-
In 1945, all command units The guerrilla tactic spread to the point
two from the Army were dismissed, and the to become a universal resource. For
most of the commands of the Navy the containment of the communist threat,
also; only the Royal Marines (Fusiliers- Westerners became more dependent on the
Navy roses) continued their traditions. conventional weapons. The North American President
Current commands of the Armed Forces -American, John F. Kennedy (1961-63),
British developed from the he instructed his Secretary of Defense, Robert
British commands during the Second S. McNamara, to expand rapidly
World War. From that point on and substantially, in cooperation with
in view, it became evident that a new orga- the allied countries, the orientation of the forces
Special Air Service (SAS) existing for non-
created in 1952 and reactivated to deal with -nuclear, paramilitary operations and wars
the communist guerrilla in Malaysia, then unconventional.5
a British colony, was useful in time Thus, from Antiquity to the twenty-first century
of peace and has been in operation since then the aftermath of World War II, the
food. After that, the Americans, who special operations were numerous,
they saw this new form of warfare in action although its secret character has held them back
in World War II, they created the frequently concealed from historians.
its current Special Forces. From this conflict, they take on
It is worth acknowledging that the Germans, in institutional character within the Forces
World War I, they used Armadas. From then on, the action of these
specialized troops when creating a units of OpEsp intensified and its
highly trained troop unit and applied paper and its effects grew rapidly

Bold actions of Otto Skorzeny. Rio de Janeiro, Army Library, 1976, Chap. XIV.
The Fog of War
Sony Pictures Distribution.

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mind and became more important than Dias Cardoso, Portuguese son of a family
than ever. humble from the city of Porto, was sent
to Pernambuco by the governor-general
SPECIALOPERATIONS from the colony with the mission to organize
IN BRAZIL and to instruct Luso-Brazilian civilians with the
purpose of forming a resistance force
In Brazil, Special Operations have tendency with potential that would allow
your story in a past that dates back the expulsion of the invader. The Major
in the late 17th century, still in the time Antônio Dias Cardoso received the incumbent
from Colonial Brazil, on the occasion of the ocor- blessing to penetrate the region of Paraíba
reference to the Dutch invasions. from Pernambuco to train men.6
The first Dutch invasion occurred Overcoming obstacles of nature and
on May 9, 1624, in the city of Salva- hostile actions by foreign invaders,
dor,thenseatoftheGeneralGovernmentofBrazil. achieved full success in his endeavor.
On March 29, 1625, about a year Thus, the 'Brazilian war', which is so good
after having succeeded in the conquest of initial results presented, yielded
capital of the colony, the Dutch found themselves place in the presence of professionals with
besieged, by land, by guerrilla forces good level of training, how it happens
organized and led by the bishop of currently in OpEsp.
Salvador, D. Marcos Teixeira, and by sea, We can observe another history of
for a Portuguese fleet, under the command Special Operations in the so-called War
from D. Fradique de Toledo Osório, remaining against Oribe and Rosas, South American caudillos
pressed by land and sea, reduced rich folk who, in the middle of the 19th century,
to the urban area of the city. The forces of D. they exercised autocratically the governments of
Marcos were commanded by comba- Uruguay and Argentina, respectively.
tents identified as "captains of The battle of Passo Tonelero, on 17 of
assaults", responsible for the conduct of December of 1851 was one of the important
[Link],thefigurestoodout military actions that had participation
of Captain Francisco Padilha, Brazilian decisive of the Brazilian Imperial Navy.
nato, which became notable for having led This battle resulted in the guarantee of freedom
countless very successful actions, passage of Brazilian ships through the River
characterized by surprise in execution and Paraná. In a tribute to the heroes
by an intense shock action. In a from that time, one of the most important
he/she was responsible for the elimination of units of the CFN received the denomination
the Dutch governor himself, Van Dorth. historical of Battalion Tonelero.7
Francisco Padilha, at that historical moment The history of current Operations
ricodemonstratedauniquecapabilityin Brazilian specials date back to the year of
conduct of what is today identified as 1957, when, by pioneering initiative,
Command Actions. determination and idealism of Major Pa-
In 1640, in the second attempt of the raquetist Gilberto Antônio Azevedo
batavos to the Brazilian territory, Antônio Silva, the first Course of

6 FROTA, Guilherme de Andrea. 500 Years of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: Army Library Ed., 2000, cap.
The defense of the territory
7O Amphibian - Magazine of the Brazilian Naval Commandos, No.o26, Year XXVII, 2008.

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Special Operations, at the Training Center greatly facilitated by the daily worship of the
Special Instruction of the Division Core your core values: honor, competence-
Aero-terrestrial, completed in mid cia, determination and professionalism. In
from 1958, and would come to become the em- combination of these values and in the care for
future Command and Forces brião your permanent observance is based on
Special. In 1961, a small group operational capacity base.
of paratrooper officers and sergeants Although the Marines already
holders of the Operations Course will be considered, in functions of their
specials moved to the USA in order to operational peculiarities, a troop
obtain updated knowledge about the especially, the 1960s seem to have,
job derangers special forces some way, signaled for the most
United States Army, with purpose high ranks of the Navy that had arrived
to adapt them for the Brazilian Army. the moment for the CFN to have a
August 12, 1968 marked even more special unit.
significantly Inside the Body
the history of the Ope- of the Marines
Special rations in The challenge of the riflemen from the Navy of Bra-
Brazilian Army. to maintain themselves sil,oneoftheunits
A decree mi- what represents all the
Ministerial recognized permanently mystique of combat
officially the Cur- ready for work amphibian and congregates
Command and thespecializedriflemen
of Special Forces, it is very facilitated clearly prepared
that had performance for the daily worship of your for the realization of
highlighted in the elimination Special Operations
nation of focal points
essential values: honor, it is the Operation Battalion-
guerrilla in Brazil competence, determination Special rations of
in the 60s and professionalism Naval Fusiliers
70, developing, (BtlOpEspFuzNav)
inclusive, doctrine Oh, the Tonelero, whose
own counterinsurgency applied and members are even more required to have
approved in the fight against guerrillas in recruitment, instruction and training
rural area. mint, becoming known as Coman-
of Amphibians, or simply ComAnf.
CORPS OF RIFLEMEN Thus, the Ministerial Notice no751, of
NAVIESAND THEIR COMMANDS September 9, 1971 created the Battalion
Amphibians of Special Operations of Marines
goals, based in the Rio Guandu region
The Marine Corps is a in Sapê, Campo Grande, West Zone
ready employment force. When cha- from Rio de Janeiro (RJ). At the time of its
But there is no time to finish your creation, the Tonelero Battalion was organized
operational readiness and, much less, given and structured well according to the
to forge the moral character of their forces. current situation, in which the Forces
The challenge of the fusiliers to maintain themselves Armadas and other security organisms.
permanently ready for employment is Brazilian racism experienced a context

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internal defense against subversion and the landing and landing sites of
terrorism, or what led to the interest of helicopters; operation of observation posts
CFN to have a troop more focused on launch; advanced observation execution
employment in a state of war, support fires; command actions,
guerrilla or unconventional.8 highlighting capture, rescue, eliminates-
Since its creation, the Battalion action, interdiction and occupation of targets with-
Tonelero began to direct his thinkers from a strategic perspective,
instruction activities for the Opera- operational and tactical in hostile territory or
Special Actions. In this context, in 1972 under enemy control; reconnaissance actions
the first class of officers would be formed knowledge; and resumption of facilities
originating from the Naval School in the Course of and the rescue of hostages in times of peace and
Counterinsurgency (ConGue). Throughout the of crisis or conflict. Everything to contribute
Years, this course has undergone modifications in with the achievement of political purposes,
its content and its structure, moving to economic, psychosocial, or military.
to call oneself, in The Marines
1998,SpecialCourse Opes' naval
of Amphibious Commands Special rations
The training of the
bios (CesComAnf). continue
With the figure and ComAnf forecasts annually to training in
the importance of exercises in various regions function of speciali-
terrorist attacks take your teams in
September 11
from Brazil, seeking the different courses,
from 2001, in New training to operate such as: Course
York and Washington in cold weather, in Basic of Paraque-
ton, the inter-agenda dista, Free Jump,
national became mountains, in the Pantanal, Autonomous Diving
give greater importance in the Amazon and in the caatinga me, Dive of
importance of calls Closed Circuit,
new threats Subma Demolition
commonly identified as terrorism; Rina, Mountain, Parachutist Precursor,
illegal trafficking of weapons, drugs, and people; and Folding and Maintenance of Parachutes
piracy. These activities affect the following Master of Jump, Psychological Operations,
huge, becoming evident and inevitable the War in the Jungle and Caatinga. Some mi-
need for preparation of Operations Toneleiro letters are designated for
Specials. courses abroad, specializing in
In this context, the Amphibious Commands courses such as: All Arms Commando Course
have specific tasks among their the (Royal Marines), Operations Command-
possibilities: realizations of infiltrations Special rations (Navy/Spain) and
terrestrial, aquatic, aerial or mixed in Amphibious Reconnaissance Course (US
any type of terrain; recognition Marine Corps). The Navy Fusilier (FN)
beach, itineraries, fords passages, OpEsp also runs a program
bridges, tunnels, obstacles, critical points, of exchange with OpEsp counterparts of

8 DUNNINGAN, James F. Command Actions: Special operations, commands, and the future of the art of war in North America
-americana. Translation by Solution Consult Idiomas Ltda. Rio de Janeiro:Army Library, 2008, p.42.

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other countries, which contributes greatly the improvement of combat vehicles

for your experience. to a condition of supermachines, the arti-
The training of the ComAnf provides for laria with destructive powers and aim
annual exercises in various regions of like no other, science collaborating with
Brazil, seeking training to operate the use of chemical gases and armament
in cold weather, in mountains, in the Pantanal, nuclear, the man starting a phase of
in the Amazon and in the caatinga. This excellent fights in localities, all this comes from
the selection and training process begins happening at an unprecedented speed in
with a learning period, being able to History. But all technology is to a certain
it can take two years or more for complete preparation predictable form. However, the human being by
of an OpEsp element. The Commands behind her is what constitutes the true
Amphibians necessarily have, in front of danger. Adaptation is the secret of our
yes,awidevarietyofscenariosoperates existence. For each measure in arms
purposes for which they must be prepared. used always brings about a countermeasure.
The Naval Operations Commandos The course of the OpEsp is characterized by
Specials have already acquired an exceptional surprise, dissimulation, audacity and speed
credibility standard by levels of given, carried out by small groups,
efficiency they achieved throughout their composed of elements with diversity
evolution,groundedinyourdedication, each qualification. These elements specia-
self-denial and competence. The OpEsp are found frequently in
reliable and extremely numerical inferiority in relation to
valuable,especiallyintheaccomplishmentofactions effective and firepower, undertaking
of preventive, dissuasive, and pro- complex and highly demanding actions,
-active to respond to any threat that require specialized training.
to the State by unconventional forces or Thus, these soldiers can react-
criminal and to ensure the capacity uncommon actions and should be
of the power projection of the Brazilian Navy. employed only in special tasks.
Continuing along this line of reasoning, Your job as a combat element
The Marine Corps develops conventional should be avoided.
a job that must maintain a standard The time factor, sometimes an element
of operational efficiency that allows scarce in contemporary conflicts,
its members fulfill with excellence reduces the possibility of an acceptable
its complex missions, as well as man- preparation for the action, requesting, then,
to have a highly respected concept in permanent training, cautious
national and international community of and detailed. The OpEsp are carried out
Special Operations. by specially selected personnel,
using unconventional means and
PERSPECTIVES OF executing actions also not conven-
SPECIALOPERATIONS intentions with the purpose of destroying or
identify specific objectives, capture
With the end of World War II to rescue personnel or material, to collect
and the new technologies achieved, the world- data, mislead and produce psycho-
the modern was found in conditions logical against the opposing forces. In the face of
of battles never seen before. The use of of this new scenario, the military theme and
large-scale aircraft such as bombers, the studies of war, as an object, have been

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led to reflection on the effects of the mu- of generations of previous wars, demanding-
dances. Their theories, doctrines, and forms that military forces are prepared
job postings started to be revised; to deal with this aspect.
however, they are far from their mature phase. In Latin America, organizations
Among the factors that explain the po- criminals challenge the States, and these
the strengths of a nation in front of others are they are increasingly revealing themselves to be incapable of

the components of what we call reduce violence in the territories under your
elements of national power.9And what responsibility. This is followed by a
gives true importance to these decrease in the authority of governments
factors, for the purpose of determining the power in favor of an increase in power of
of a nation, are the degree of preparation criminal organizations. In this sense,
military and the quantity and quality of the it is essential that the Marine Corps
Armed Forces, what makes them capable Navais make a thorough analysis of the situation
to support external and internal policies current action that we are experiencing.
that should be implemented. Special Operations Units
In this context, there is a ten- experts constitute an instrument
global trend, in the vast majority of the es- discreet of National Power. Leaders mi-
national agendas, of literatures would be more
enhancement of your well informed to
OpEsp, to which The efficient use of use them in missions
earn more rele- of National Power
advancement with functions Operations units for which they are
specific to your Specials provide exceptionally
people, constituted qualified for
by organized soldiers
the deterioration of operate in time of
saddled in smalls military capabilities peace or war.
effective, endowed with of the enemy Although troops of
exceptional spirit Special Operations
of body, power do not cost little,
physical and emotional and especially sele- they have been being designed for a long time
trained, trained, and equipped. time. First world countries have,
We observe, around the world, countries in recent centuries, increasingly invested
that realized the real importance of the but in resources and technology in sun-
Special Operations and proved it in special operations data, which with
various opportunities. Nowadays, ob- its capacity and flexibility, can be
a bewildering diversity is served employed in conventional conflicts
of separatist wars, ethnic violence and unconventional, but with effectiveness and
and religious, coups d'etat, disputes exceptional efficiency.
of borders, civil uprisings and attacks Your training and your skills
terrorists, thus provoking a scenario specials allow them to operate in situ
of numerous wars that require much more actions in which conventional units do not
intelligence and analysis and greater capacity can be used for political reasons
flexible. The OpEsp encompass elements the military. Thus, your priority is

MORGENTHAU, Hans J.

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use cunning instead of brute force. To Direct action operations, sabotage,

they have skills and training subversionandinformationsupportimprove
specializing in secret operations, not en- the understanding of the combat space by
contracts in another segment of the Forces commander of the supported force, complicating
Armadas. to the enemy the equivalent [Link]
Under favorable circumstances, the increase the friction and confusion of war
OpEsp can confirm collected evidence for the opponent, the Ope units
two by other agencies and provide Special rations reduce speed and
the information that was missing to be identified the effectiveness of the adversarial decision-making process,

qualified by conventional methods. improving, at the same time, the do co-

These Forces employ various means to supported principal. In fact, the employment
collect information through contacts and the careful application of operations es-
and formal relationships and fill specials at the beginning of a fight may
several gaps, assisting the commander eliminate or significantly reduce the
from Conventional Force to understanding the employment of conventional forces.
situation, particularly in the most areas Several advantages of the use of
complexes of follow- operating units
rancor and conflicts. Special actions are
The job ef- Political-military issues evident. Units
aware of the units they can demand the resource small operations
of Special Operations
ciais provides
to clandestine techniques with efficiency in
circumstances if-
the deterioration of the or discreet, accepting. you will see, with basses
military capabilities requirements in infrastructure
a level of physical risk and
tears of the enemy, support structure.
through actions politician incompatible with the Self-motivating,
against your infra- conventional operations practically self-
logistics structure sufficient and extra
your systems of
NATO mighty trainer
command and control that, especially
and of aerospace defense, forcing this those with knowledge of languages and
enemy using many means in their multiple cultures are ideally adapted
rear guard defense. Exemplifying it tasks for many missions that the forces
ability to fulfill missions at levels conventional ones cannot assume with
higher levels of waging war, such efficiency and economy of means
experienced OpEsp units can within the 'nebulous zone' between peace and
attack confirmed weapons sites the war.
mass destruction, when missiles and However, the commander who fits
other conventional air attacks not and prioritize your OpEsp should consider
appropriate forums. In the same way, seriously the characteristics of these ope-
we can neutralize missile batteries feeds, in which failure, in some
that the enemy is taking advantage of in these situations, it is as possible as
to deny the use of the sea or sabotage a success. Therefore, your job must
railway line used for transportation of be judicious, with goals and purposes
enemy supplies. whose values or justify.

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In light of these general ideas, the scenario minds established for the achievement
strategic future, which begins to be defined, of power projection. In this context,
becomes a spacious, diverse environment I emphasized the increasing value of mobility
and, above all, extremely strategic and the establishment, increasingly
favorable to conducting the missions of but, special operations in different
special character. operational environments.
As has already been seen, units of Ope- Around the world, nations are
Special rations are not a novelty. A buying into the idea that volunteer soldiers
a very commonly used concept, although it has tarians, highly trained, are the best
some adaptations related to [Link]
the evolution of conflicts would be the definition peaceful and democratic, whose structures
of the Atlantic Treaty Organization policies and strategies grow each
North (NATO) in document AAP-6, day, cannot alienate themselves from prevention
2003: "Military activities conducted to the threat of peace and security, inside and
by specially designated forces, or- outside the national [Link] example of this is
organized, trained the idea of the Pentagon,
and equipped, that uti- raising a pro-
I read techniques ope- The armies that seek post that the allies
rationales and modes from the United States
achieve successes in the field
of actions not habi- they are looking with
you will go for the forces battle of the future attention to create
conventional. a worldwide network of
these activities are
they must consider [Link]
developed in seriously your options units are, more
the entire range of ope- in special operations thanever,inthecen-
forces rationing through the interventions
conventional, in international military-
coordination with them, to achieve purpose- nice. The subject was discussed in Paris, in the
political, military, psychological or November 6 and 7, 2012, during the
economic. Political-military issues meetingbetweenthehighcommandsofFrance
they can demand the resource from clan techniques andfromtheUSA,andinaseminarthatmarked
destinations or discreet, accepting a level or 20oanniversary of the Command of the Operations
of physical and political risk incompatible with Special Operations (COS, acronym in French).11
the conventional operations. 10 The war of the 21st century reserves to
The current battlefield demands OpEsp, undoubtedly, a role of
of operations developed in a way highlighting, demonstrating that they are extreme-
coordinated and controlled and the growing positive mindsets in the developments
deployment of multinational forces of these conflicts that today and always have existed
in the most diverse operational environments, a preponderant role, either leading
involving troops from nation-states you supporting a specific task to be
members of international organizations driven, following the trend
or temporary coalitions, specifies global of these conflicts. The armies that

10 DENÉCÉ, Eric. The Secret History of Special Forces: from 1939 to the Present Day. Translation by Carolina
Massuia de Paula. São Paulo: Larouse do Brasil, 2009, p. 234.
11 Report by Nathalie Guibert, published by the newspaper Le Monde and reproduced by Portal UOL, 20/11/2012.

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 NAVALCOMMANDO CORPSAND ITSAMPHIBIOUS COMMANDS

they seek to achieve success on the battlefield The maintenance and control of the apparatus
must seriously consider the future military on such aspects become pon-
your options in special operations. to the convergence for medium actions
long term in projection and in increase
CONCLUSION of the national power quotient, serving
as a lever to study the means and
For the military action of defense of the Es- the ways to better prepare the States
but, the international scenario has become for eventualities of armed conflicts
more complex and uncertain with the increase through planning systems and
and the modification in the sensitivities and in the strength exercise.
vulnerabilities, a true frag- Although the dominant discourse is
political nourishment of the board of nations, global, with the intention of homogeneity
demanding that national security has of the renowned political scientist Samuel
now a multidimensional approach Phillips Huntington presented a
nal. This work paradigm theory
was intended the chaos: the en-
present an en- As for the weakening of the
service about the security, we will be States and the appearance
Special Operations of 'failed states-
of the Fuzi Body- thank you for carrying out a
intensify
Naval Shipyards, which gradual effort due tribal conflicts,
ensures power to the threats and challenges ethnic and religious,
as an instrument the emergence of evil
in order, indeed the human security of international fairs,
in a society 21st century the increase of refu-
democratic whose goddess, proliferation
changes underway of nuclear weapons
in the last 19th and 20th centuries, shook and others of mass destruction, the ex-
the constructed certainties provoked echoes and expansion of terrorism, the prevalence of
they projected shadows of this recent past massacres and ethnic cleansings. This
about politics, the economy, and society, the frame contributes to an image of
bringing uncertainties and complexities and anarchy in the world.12In the military sphere, the
challenging contemporary thought. emergence of unconventional war
As for security, we will be transcends the realm of speculation and
thank you for making a gradual effort experimentation, as the attack can now
due to the threats and challenges to security to always be imminent and to be delivered by
human race of the 21st century. We must any agent, bringing to the debate the
reach the end of the century with a disposition asymmetric war.
military security tank capable of guaranteeing Military defense devices, such as
our protection of maritime routes, permanent bodies of the States reflect
air and land and having a force the defense of national interests and projects
high mobility deterrent. borninthefaceofanasymmetricconflict,charac-

12 HUNTINGTON, Samuel P. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Rio de Janeiro:
Objective, 1997, p. 37.

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 NAVALMARINESAND THEIRAMPHIBIOUS COMMANDS

characteristic of the 21st century. This takes place Special Operations in order to reduce the
in extremely operational environments losses in conflicts, thus ensuring,
fluid, with the presence of coalitions, the certainty of its efficiency, having as
alliances, partnerships and new actors, and each example various countries in the world.
more organized around beliefs The success of Special Operations
and ideologies, no longer of the location it is due to an apparently equation
geographical. Armed conflicts are simple between the strength economy and the
used as means of imposition of freedom of action. Your bosses exalt
wills based on the most varied your formidable cost-effectiveness.
the motivations, and essentially presenting an emerging national state like the
deep incompatibilities between them. Brazil, an ostensible candidate for a seat
These motivations, based on the assessment permanent member of the Security Council of
from different cultural perspectives, pro- United Nations and aims to have, each
heterogeneous foundations and, often day, its strategic political structure incre-
conflicting, become incomprehensible there is no doubt that
and completely unjustified. You will need to be prepared to defend yourself.
The current threats are producing not only from the aggressions, but also
make a radical modification to the profile of the threats and to face the crises and the
preparation of the military around the world. characteristic conflicts of the present century.
The armed conflicts of the 21st century Special units emerge as
they are demanding more and more soldiers ideal instrument for this new type
professionals, capable of facing a of engagement in chaotic midst. The high
conventional enemy in a certain qualification level of your staff, your
moment, for, right at the following moment intensive training, your action tactics
to face an irregular enemy and, individuals and their high-end equipment
then, engage in the activities of as naturally predispose to the use
humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of of modern technologies, to self-actions
basic institutions and infrastructures of namely decentralized combat, in
local governance. Thus, it is perceived- urban environment or in hostile area. They are
It is a constant struggle for conservation custom-made for facing challenges
status quo since the increase of power. of the unpredictability of situations, as
It is noted, however, that the circumstances can react quickly, engage
changed. The use of force has returned to be discreetly, carry out actions with targets
considered not as possible, but as well defined, autonomously or in
in fact employed, as can be observed together with conventional forces.
in the current historical moment. The analysis of prospective scenarios
The twenty-first century is about to see troops indicates that it is becoming increasingly fundamental to

more selected, intensely trained existence of rapid response forces,

and well-equipped, becoming a pro- with permanent operational readiness
power action against situations in which the and the ability to project power in
country can be found, being so useful in strategic areas of interest of the Country
times of peace and desired in times of and to cater to a wide range of
war. This is the factor by which most operational demands.
of these democratic nations encourages the Versatility and flexibility
politicians investing in units of granted by the concept of employment

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 NAVALMARINES CORPSAND ITSAMPHIBIOUS COMMANDS

through OpEsp, capable of rapid- requires preparation from its formulators and
mind if they adapt to different profiles executors. The Operations units
of missions, operating across the entire spectrum Specials are reliable instruments
of national security, whether in actions and extremely valuable, especially
humanitarianefforts,inthefightagainstthenew in the execution of strategic actions
threats, whether in conventional combat, of a preventive and deterrent nature. It is
will be predominant factors to be a reality that we cannot ignore
the best job option for strength rare in our fight for growth of
national strategy. And this option will have a Brazil. One lives in a world where
wingspan compatible with height intimidation tramples on good faith,
political-strategic of the country that is and our formulation strategy of
adapting and consolidating to meet the national policy must be guided by
interests in question. development-security binomial,
From now on, it is necessary to work firmly. inevitably inclined to increase
to set up the appropriate instruments of our shared responsibility in
of defense. It is a hard undertaking, which international order.

1CLASSIFICATION FOR REMISSIVE INDEX:

<FORÇAS ARMADAS>; Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais; Operações Especiais; Poder Militar;

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

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