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Honduras Ranks, Insignia, and Uniforms
Unavailable
Figure 11. Officer Ranks and Insignia, 1993
Unavailable
Figure 12. Enlisted Ranks and Insignia, 1993
The rank structure of Honduran military officers
generally
conforms to that used in the United States. Fusep also has
a rank
structure; it is similar to the army's structure
(see
fig. 11).
Enlisted grades also generally parallel those used in the
United
States
(see
fig. 12).
The Armed Forces of Honduras uses insignia developed by
the
Central American Defense Council (Consejo de Defensa
Centroamericana--Condeca) except at the general officer
level.
Company grade officers of the army, air force, and Fusep
wear one
gold bar to indicate the rank of second lieutenant,
lieutenants
wear two bars, and captains, three. The field grades are
represented by gold stars--one for major, two for
lieutenant
colonel, and three for colonel. Honduran brigadier
generals wear
four silver stars, and major generals wear five. Air force
personnel are distinguished from army personnel only by
unit
insignia and by wings worn on the jacket or shirt pocket.
Navy
officer insignia are distinct and consist of a gold star
combined
with yellow bars on black shoulder boards.
The army field uniforms, which are similar to United
States Army
field dress, are olive green in color and includes cap and
black
boots. Honduran soldiers sometimes also wear camouflage
olive green
and khaki-colored field uniforms. The army service uniform
consists
of beige shirt, beige trousers with a black stripe along
the sides,
black belt, and black shoes. Officers wear their rank
insignia on
the collar. Enlisted personnel wear rank insignia on the
uniform's
upper arm.
The 1982 constitution states that military rank and
promotion
are to be awarded only through strict application of
promotion
policies in accordance with the law. Armed forces
personnel cannot
be stripped of their rank or military honors except
according to
similarly rigorous application of legal procedures.
Promotion of
officers through the company grades is conferred by the
president
of the republic on the recommendation of the chief of the
armed
forces. Both field and general grades are conferred by
congress as
jointly recommended by the president and chief of the
armed forces.
Promotions of enlisted personnel are given through unit
commanders
and approved by the service branch general staff.
Promotions are
based on criteria such as minimum time in grade, ability,
and
existing vacancies.
Promotion is conferred by a promotions board, with the
approval
of the chief of the armed forces. Officer promotion
through captain
is generally automatic after a required period of time in
each
rank; promotion to major and above involves merit, as well
as
completion of scheduled training. Promotion to lieutenant
colonel
requires attendance at the Armed Forces Command and
General Staff
School.
Data as of December 1993
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