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Greetings,
I know that my recent (all) my post have had something to do with the Mexican Military; as this is a Canadian Military forum I can understand how this could be taken the wrong way. By "living" most of my life in the Mexican Military it is the only military I truly know. I have slowly learned about Canadian Military customs and the lifestyle within the forces. One thing I have noticed is that here in Canada, the military seems to (for the most part) remain out of public sight, I could try to imagine the reasoning behind that; but I believe that it makes it more difficult for the public to get to know its "soldiers" and the important role they play in Canada (Humanitarian missions, SAR, etc..). I read in previous posts about reservist (and even cadets) being harassed while wearing their uniform in public transportation; these groups of people(anti-military) sometimes do not see the bigger picture; when they see someone wearing a uniform they automatically label the soldier. I would say that part of this problem is "public ignorance" as many of us are not exposed to the Canadian Military and for the most part the only thing that we know is what gets reported in the media. Teams like the Skyhawks and Snowbirds are used as tools to assist in this "meet your military" role but sometimes that is not enough ( and yet there are people who wish to disband such demo units, seriously?) I get that we are not a military driven nation but I do believe that the military should be more recognized...
There is so much to say in that subject but let's leave that for other time/topic.
Why did I shared these lines? Let's say that it is a disclaimer to this topic. I am not sure how much do you know about the Mexican Military but I can imagine that there are a lot of stereotypes out there... I still get asked/hear "ignorant" commentaries/questions about Mexico. In this topic my intention is to share with you what the Mexican Military really is (or at least from personal experience)... I will try to cover anything I can think of and it will take time but having grown in a family who devoted their lives to the public service I think it could be of interest to some of you.
A little bit about of my family
My paternal great grandfather was a Doctor in the military, he was a graduate from the "Military Medic School" (Escuela Medico Militar, is the school that makes the doctors in the military) after having served a full military career, he retired as a Brigadier General.
My maternal great grandfather was a Cavalry officer, he was a graduate from the "Heroic Military College" ( Heroico Colegio Militar, is the school where most Army officers graduate from and its ahs different branches within) as a young Captain, he fought along historic characters near the end of the "Mexican Revolution".
My paternal Grandfather was a Military Aviator graduating from the "Air College - Military Aviation School" (All Officers from the Air Force graduate from here) during most of his career he served in the "Presidential Higher State" ( Estado Mayor Presidencial the EMP is a separate branch of the military that looks after the President and his Family as well as other heads of state, it is considered the "elite" of the military as only selected officers from all three branches are "commissioned" here; it is sort of like a secret service).
Of my grandfather's children:
His oldest son, after graduating from law school he became a "Military Justice" officer where he became a Major and eventually became a graduate of the "Defense College" ( Masters, PHDs in military arts; its graduates become "Mixtli knights" from the Aztec Tiger Knights ) He also graduated from the FBI academy.
My father also graduated form the Air College as a Military Aviator, besides obtaining valuable experience in the squadrons of the AF some of his "commissions" were in the EMP, "assistant" ( go to guy) of the Chief of the Air Force, pilot of the Secretary of Defense amongst other interesting things.
One of his daughters graduated from the "Military Odontology School" and lives a quiet life as a Military Dentist.
His youngest son Graduated from the "Heroic Naval Military School" ( Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, all navy officers graduate from here. Soon I will explain what gives a school the "Heroic" title) he attended the "Naval Centre of Superior Studies" (Navy's version of the "Defense College" ; its graduates are known as "Tlatoanis" which is the Aztec title for a higher government ruler ) funny enough his entire career was far from the sea and mostly in the public service areas.
As you can imagine I am very proud of the achievements and experiences of my family through the armed forces.
As it has been some time since they left the armed forces none of the information I will share here can be considered "sensitive"
I always find very interesting when people ask if we really have a military? I have heard all kinds of jokes about our military and our country, and I find sometimes its mostly "ignorance" speaking. Yes we are currently experiencing extreme times consumed by a civil war but the men and women that wear the uniforms are to be considered heroes...(just like in any other country when the causes are right)
Mexico's military is not meant to be an international fighting force. It is more like a self-defense force. The Mexican Constitution clearly states that "Mexico should not take war beyond its borders" hence the reason why Mexico does not necessarily need having fourth generation fighters or heavy tanks. This has affected a lot of "interests" from other governments and political battles have been fought over that (can anyone remember when Mexico voted NO for the US attacks on Iraq; it cost Mexico its share of headaches).
There is a lot to cover...
But for now jollyjacktar' "Russian soldiers don historic dress for 1941 parade rememberance" reminded me of this ceremony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kLK6bycwN8
It is the ceremony of the "165th anniversary of the Battle of Chapultepec" (At the time the Chapultepec Castle was the Military College but after the battle it gained the Heroic title) in September 12 and 13 of 1847 approximately 200 cadets fought thousands of US invading troops. Only five cadets and one officer were killed as the rest were taken prisoners, but those cadets are remembered each year in this ceremony. Some time in teh near future, I will share the story behind the famous "Chapultepec Castle". In this video ( I don't expect anyone to watch it complete) you will see 500 years of Mexican Military history. Each year the ceremony is acted and organized by cadets and officers of all the "Military Schools" that make up the "University of the Army and Air Force" (UDEFA). Public is invited to watch the ceremony which lasts a couple hours. I find it very entertaining as a lot of effort is put in it. Watch and see for yourself.
I hope this topic becomes informative.
Cheers,
I know that my recent (all) my post have had something to do with the Mexican Military; as this is a Canadian Military forum I can understand how this could be taken the wrong way. By "living" most of my life in the Mexican Military it is the only military I truly know. I have slowly learned about Canadian Military customs and the lifestyle within the forces. One thing I have noticed is that here in Canada, the military seems to (for the most part) remain out of public sight, I could try to imagine the reasoning behind that; but I believe that it makes it more difficult for the public to get to know its "soldiers" and the important role they play in Canada (Humanitarian missions, SAR, etc..). I read in previous posts about reservist (and even cadets) being harassed while wearing their uniform in public transportation; these groups of people(anti-military) sometimes do not see the bigger picture; when they see someone wearing a uniform they automatically label the soldier. I would say that part of this problem is "public ignorance" as many of us are not exposed to the Canadian Military and for the most part the only thing that we know is what gets reported in the media. Teams like the Skyhawks and Snowbirds are used as tools to assist in this "meet your military" role but sometimes that is not enough ( and yet there are people who wish to disband such demo units, seriously?) I get that we are not a military driven nation but I do believe that the military should be more recognized...
There is so much to say in that subject but let's leave that for other time/topic.
Why did I shared these lines? Let's say that it is a disclaimer to this topic. I am not sure how much do you know about the Mexican Military but I can imagine that there are a lot of stereotypes out there... I still get asked/hear "ignorant" commentaries/questions about Mexico. In this topic my intention is to share with you what the Mexican Military really is (or at least from personal experience)... I will try to cover anything I can think of and it will take time but having grown in a family who devoted their lives to the public service I think it could be of interest to some of you.
A little bit about of my family
My paternal great grandfather was a Doctor in the military, he was a graduate from the "Military Medic School" (Escuela Medico Militar, is the school that makes the doctors in the military) after having served a full military career, he retired as a Brigadier General.
My maternal great grandfather was a Cavalry officer, he was a graduate from the "Heroic Military College" ( Heroico Colegio Militar, is the school where most Army officers graduate from and its ahs different branches within) as a young Captain, he fought along historic characters near the end of the "Mexican Revolution".
My paternal Grandfather was a Military Aviator graduating from the "Air College - Military Aviation School" (All Officers from the Air Force graduate from here) during most of his career he served in the "Presidential Higher State" ( Estado Mayor Presidencial the EMP is a separate branch of the military that looks after the President and his Family as well as other heads of state, it is considered the "elite" of the military as only selected officers from all three branches are "commissioned" here; it is sort of like a secret service).
Of my grandfather's children:
His oldest son, after graduating from law school he became a "Military Justice" officer where he became a Major and eventually became a graduate of the "Defense College" ( Masters, PHDs in military arts; its graduates become "Mixtli knights" from the Aztec Tiger Knights ) He also graduated from the FBI academy.
My father also graduated form the Air College as a Military Aviator, besides obtaining valuable experience in the squadrons of the AF some of his "commissions" were in the EMP, "assistant" ( go to guy) of the Chief of the Air Force, pilot of the Secretary of Defense amongst other interesting things.
One of his daughters graduated from the "Military Odontology School" and lives a quiet life as a Military Dentist.
His youngest son Graduated from the "Heroic Naval Military School" ( Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, all navy officers graduate from here. Soon I will explain what gives a school the "Heroic" title) he attended the "Naval Centre of Superior Studies" (Navy's version of the "Defense College" ; its graduates are known as "Tlatoanis" which is the Aztec title for a higher government ruler ) funny enough his entire career was far from the sea and mostly in the public service areas.
As you can imagine I am very proud of the achievements and experiences of my family through the armed forces.
As it has been some time since they left the armed forces none of the information I will share here can be considered "sensitive"
I always find very interesting when people ask if we really have a military? I have heard all kinds of jokes about our military and our country, and I find sometimes its mostly "ignorance" speaking. Yes we are currently experiencing extreme times consumed by a civil war but the men and women that wear the uniforms are to be considered heroes...(just like in any other country when the causes are right)
Mexico's military is not meant to be an international fighting force. It is more like a self-defense force. The Mexican Constitution clearly states that "Mexico should not take war beyond its borders" hence the reason why Mexico does not necessarily need having fourth generation fighters or heavy tanks. This has affected a lot of "interests" from other governments and political battles have been fought over that (can anyone remember when Mexico voted NO for the US attacks on Iraq; it cost Mexico its share of headaches).
There is a lot to cover...
But for now jollyjacktar' "Russian soldiers don historic dress for 1941 parade rememberance" reminded me of this ceremony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kLK6bycwN8
It is the ceremony of the "165th anniversary of the Battle of Chapultepec" (At the time the Chapultepec Castle was the Military College but after the battle it gained the Heroic title) in September 12 and 13 of 1847 approximately 200 cadets fought thousands of US invading troops. Only five cadets and one officer were killed as the rest were taken prisoners, but those cadets are remembered each year in this ceremony. Some time in teh near future, I will share the story behind the famous "Chapultepec Castle". In this video ( I don't expect anyone to watch it complete) you will see 500 years of Mexican Military history. Each year the ceremony is acted and organized by cadets and officers of all the "Military Schools" that make up the "University of the Army and Air Force" (UDEFA). Public is invited to watch the ceremony which lasts a couple hours. I find it very entertaining as a lot of effort is put in it. Watch and see for yourself.
I hope this topic becomes informative.
Cheers,
I might accidentally skip punctuation, conjunctions, prepositions and other grammar basics (s 's)when typing fast ( I think I write them but when I notice it is too late unfortunately there is only a 24hr edit gap) I am trying, but practice makes it better.
