Joining The Bolivian Army: A Step-By-Step Guide

To join the Bolivian Army, you must be a citizen of Bolivia and be between the ages of 18 and 49. The army is responsible for the defence of Bolivia, both external and internal, and is made up of 15,000 men. The Bolivian Army is the land force branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia, which also includes the Bolivian Air Force and the Bolivian Navy.

The Bolivian Army's history and composition

The Bolivian Army, or Ejército Boliviano, is the land force branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia. It is responsible for the defence of Bolivia against both external and internal threats and has a total force of around 55,500 men. The Bolivian Army is organised into six military regions (regiones militares—RMs) and ten divisions.

The history of the Bolivian Army has been marked by several coup attempts, including the most recent one in 2024, led by General Juan José Zúñiga against President Luis Acre, which resulted in Zúñiga's dismissal and arrest.

The Bolivian Army's combat units are directly under the Army General Command and include the 1st Infantry Regiment Colorados (Presidential Guard), the Special Forces Command, the Army Aviation Command, and the 291st Cavalry Group.

The six military regions of the Bolivian Army cover the various departments of Bolivia, with each region having its own divisional headquarters and constituent units. The ten divisions of the Bolivian Army control a range of units, including cavalry regiments, infantry regiments, artillery regiments, military police battalions, ecological battalions, and army aviation companies.

The Bolivian Army maintains a small fleet of utility aircraft to support its headquarters and has a variety of equipment, including reconnaissance vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, artillery pieces, and mortars.

The Bolivian Army's role in the country's internal and external defence

The Bolivian Army is the land force branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia. It is responsible for the defence of Bolivia, both external and internal. The Bolivian Army has six military regions (regiones militares—RMs) covering the various Departments of Bolivia.

The Bolivian Army has a long history of political intervention, with the most recent incident occurring on 26 June 2024, when the General of the Army, General Juan José Zúñiga, was dismissed and replaced with José Wilson Sánchez due to the former leading the 2024 Bolivian coup attempt against President Luis Acre.

The Bolivian Army is currently involved in various activities, including counter-narcotics, intelligence, and counterinsurgency operations. The Bolivian Army also participates in international peace-keeping missions and provides humanitarian assistance in times of natural disasters.

The Bolivian Army maintains a small fleet of utility aircraft, primarily to support headquarters. The Bolivian Army's equipment includes armoured personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, artillery pieces, and mortars.

The Bolivian Army's involvement in the Chaco War

The Bolivian Army, well-trained by German General Hans von Kundt, initially had the advantage. In June 1932, they seized Paraguayan positions in the northern Chaco and launched a successful attack in the central Chaco, taking Fortín Boquerón. However, the Paraguayan Army, commanded by Colonel José Félix Estigarribia, soon turned the tide with innovative tactics centred on rapid marches and flanking manoeuvres. The Bolivians, on the other hand, employed more conventional strategies and struggled with the harsh climate and terrain.

In December 1932, Bolivia launched a counteroffensive, targeting the Paraguayan Fortín Nanawa. This attack, led by General Hans Kundt, failed, and the Paraguayan Army regained the strategic initiative. Kundt resigned as chief of staff, and the Bolivian troops withdrew to a new defensive line.

In September 1933, Paraguay began a new offensive, encircling Bolivian forces and forcing them to evacuate Fortín Alihuatá. This was followed by another successful encirclement campaign in the Alihuatá area, resulting in the surrender of several Bolivian regiments.

In January 1934, the Paraguayan Army continued its advance, capturing several Bolivian outposts. The Battle of Cañada Strongest in May 1934 was a significant victory for the Bolivians, who managed to capture numerous Paraguayan officials and soldiers. However, the Paraguayan Army soon regained momentum, isolating and neutralising Bolivian divisions and forcing them to abandon their strongholds.

The final assault on Villa Montes in February 1935 was repelled by the Bolivian First Cavalry Division, but the Paraguayan Army continued its attacks, punching through Bolivian lines and taking control of several cities. A truce was eventually arranged on 12 June 1935, bringing an end to the conflict.

The Chaco War resulted in a comprehensive Paraguayan victory, with Paraguay gaining control of most of the disputed territory. The war had a significant human toll, with around 100,000 lives lost, and it brought both countries to the brink of economic collapse.

The Bolivian Army's training and equipment

The Bolivian Army has a long history dating back to the 1952 Revolution, which saw the rise of the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionaria (MNR) party. In the years following, the army underwent significant restructuring, with a focus on civic action projects rather than national defence.

In the 1960s, the Bolivian Army faced a Cuban-sponsored insurgency, which was ultimately defeated with the support of the American 8th Special Forces Group Mobile Training Team (MTT) led by Major Ralph W. Shelton. The Bolivian Army at the time consisted of around 15,000 ill-trained conscripts, primarily made up of campesinos (country people) and Indians from the Altiplano and lowland jungles.

The MTT team trained the 2nd Ranger Battalion, which played a crucial role in defeating Che Guevara's guerrilla movement. With the influx of American military aid, the Bolivian Army was able to motorize infantry battalions and establish specialised schools, including an Airborne School and a Non-commissioned Officer's School in Cochabamba.

Today, the Bolivian Army is estimated to have between 26,000 and 60,000 men, organised into ten territorial divisions with six military regions (regiones militares—RMs). The army's equipment includes armoured personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, artillery pieces, mortars, and a variety of small arms and rifles. The standard headgear for enlisted personnel is a beret bearing the national colours of red, yellow, and green.

The Bolivian Army's training installations include the Garras International Antinarcotics Training School, which focuses on counternarcotics, intelligence, and counterinsurgency techniques.

The Bolivian Army's leadership and structure

The Bolivian Army is the land force branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia and is responsible for the country's defence against both external and internal threats. The Bolivian Army has around 55,500 men, although estimates range from 26,000 to 60,000. The Army is organised into ten divisions, with six military regions (regiones militares—RMs) covering the various departments of Bolivia.

The leadership of the Bolivian Army falls under the Commander of the Army, who is appointed by the President of Bolivia, with the Minister of Defence acting as an intermediary. The current Commander of the Army is General Iván Patricio Inchauste, appointed by interim President Jeanine Áñez Chávez in November 2019.

The Army's structure consists of ten territorial divisions, including eight cavalry regiments (two mechanised), twenty-three infantry regiments (two airborne and two mountain), one mechanised recce regiment, one armoured regiment, two ranger regiments, one special forces regiment, six artillery regiments (plus three in reserve), one artillery and anti-aircraft group, three military police battalions, three ecological battalions, two army aviation companies, and six engineer battalions.

The Bolivian Army also maintains a small fleet of utility aircraft, primarily to support headquarters, and its personnel wear grey service uniforms, with grey-green uniforms worn in tropical areas.

Frequently asked questions