Brazilian Mountain Infantry

Single unit Brazilian Army able to develop techniques and tactics in mountainous terrain, the 11th Infantry Battalion Mountain Regiment Tiradentes, was established in 1888 in Rio Pardo (RS) and 28 BI, was transferred to São João Del Rei (MG ) in 1897, where he remains based to this day. Having participated in Campaign Straws, 32 and the Revolution of the Second World War, only in 1977 the unit was converted into a troop specializes in military mountaineering. Subordinated to the 4th Motorized Infantry Brigade and the Command of Land Operations (COTER), the battalion is organized as follows: Command, 1st Cia Marine, 2nd Cia Marine, Base Administrative Cia Command and Support, and Section Instruction Mountain. Its members are subject to a rigorous and intense program of specialized instruction, after going through the classical training common to every foot soldier, and have special features like high technical and tactical knowledge, strength, perseverance and total availability.

The fighting in mountains, due to peculiarities of the terrain, only admits of little effective action, which carry with them almost all the material they need to accomplish the mission and must therefore be resilient and determined. To better prepare them for the hardships of the environment in which they will operate, the training is divided into three stages: Foundation Stage Combatant Mountain, enabling them to handle the material escalation, perform marches in steep areas, evacuation of wounded and climbing rock walls, grade 4 (difficult) Basic Course in Mountaineering, lasting five weeks, for officers and sergeants with excellent physical preparation, concepts of communications, first aid, explosives and weapons, taught in four phases to free climb ( 1st phase), climbing rope (2nd phase), topography (Stage 3) and operations (Stage 4) and Advanced Course in Mountaineering, lasting ten weeks, forming the Mountain Guide, who will be able to perform scaled free until grade 4, artificial climbing up to grade 6 (very difficult) and to guide effective in shifts in rocky regions.

His equipment consists of a backpack which carries the pegs, hammer, carabiners and ropes. The helmet is similar to the model used by crew members of tanks. The camouflage uniform is the standard of the Brazilian Army, but reinforced seams and gray beret is specific to the unit. The basic weapon is the Para-FAL assault rifle, 7.62 mm, with folding stock, making driving and handling a fast and secure.