The
President of Mexico is the Supreme Commander of the
Armed Forces, and he exercise this authority directly
or through the National Defense Minister as regards
the Army and Air Forces, and through the Navy Minister
as regards the Navy. The President of Mexico has authority
over the Armed Forces deployment for both external
defense and internal security. The National Defense
Minister is the high commander of the Army and Air
Force, and in this capacity he receives instructions
from the President. The Defense Minister is responsible
for the organisation, equipment, education, training
and development of the Army and Air Force. The total
active manpower of the Mexican army is around 185,000
personnel, including 65,000 conscripts, there is also
a reserve force of 300,000 soldiers. There is also
a Para-military force with 14,000 rural militia, and
40,000 personnel of Federal Police Corps.
The Land Forces of the Mexican Army is around 175,000
soldiers, including 60,000 conscripts, with the structure:
12 Military Regions control a total of 44 Military
Zones and 24 Military Garrisons, with 81
infantry battalions, 19 motorized
3 artillery regiments, with 1 mobile regiment per
garnison
3 army corps, each with 3 infantry brigades
RESERVE FORCE
4 brigades, with 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, 1 artillery
regiment,1 mechanised brigade, 1 anti-tank group
1 airborne brigade (3 battalions)
1 MP brigade (3 battalions)
1 engineer brigade