Colombian Naval Infantry

Colombian Naval Infantry Colombian Marine Infantry Infanteria de Marina de Colombia
Coat of Arms of the Colombian Naval Infantry
Active	September 17, 1810 - Foundation of Colombian Armada, March 8, 1940 First official battalions.
Country	Colombia
Branch	Colombian Navy
Type	Amphibious unit
Role	Naval infantry
Size	24.000 (2009)
Garrison/HQ	Colombian Ministry of Defense
Motto(s)	Voluntas Omnia Superat - Willingness overcomes everything
Colors	Scarlet & Blue
Anniversaries	January 10
Engagements	Battle of Lake Maracaibo, Thousand Days War (Civil war), War Against Peru, Korean War, Colombian Armed Conflict
Commanders
Current commander	Major General Luis Gomez Vazquez
Notable commanders	José Prudencio Padilla
Insignia
Flag

The Colombian Naval Infantry and also referred to as Colombian Marines (Spanish: Infantería de Marina Colombiana) is the marine force of the Colombian National Armada. The 24,000-member Colombian Marine Infantry is organized into a single division with four brigades (one amphibious assault brigade and three riverine brigades), each with several battalions plus numerous small security units.

The Naval Infantry is a constituent part of the Navy whose origins date back to the wars of independence. Today's Colombian Marines trace their heritage and military traditions from the Gran Colombia Marine Corps raised in 1822, by orders of Major General Francisco de Paula Santander, with Captain Diego Antonio García, who was appointed commander of the 6th Marine Company raised that year, being appointed Commandant that October.

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

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

In 1944, a heavy weapons company was raised and the battalion was moved to facilities adjacent to the San Pedro Claver convent in Cartagena. With the advent of La Violencia, in 1952 the Marines were reassigned to the Eastern Naval Force due to the appearance of subversives in this area, and in a year, with the transfer of personnel from the National Army of Colombia, the number of personnel serving increased.

In July 1955, thanks to the instruction of officers and NCOs in the United States in the United States Naval Academy, The Basic School of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry and the U.S. mission of the United States Marine Corps aimed for this effort, the Naval Infantry began training and forming its personnel for amphibious warfare operations.

On April 9, 1956, the Marine Corps Basic and Formation School was opened, headquartered at first in Turbaco (Bolivar), then moved to Carne (Cartagena) and is today currently located in Covenas.