Navy Day Honors Mexican Soldiers June 1
Tara A. Spears
Originally this date was intended to remember the Mexican sailors that lost their lives when German submarines torpedoed and sunk the Mexican tanks ships in 1942. Since then, the Mexican National Navy (Marines) has strengthened to become a central element of national defense and protector of foreign trade. Though commemorated throughout the country, Navy Day is particularly celebrated in the nation’s port towns or where bases are situated.
According to the government website, “The Navy faithfully and gallantly fulfills its daily action in the seas and coasts of Mexico; their actions promote the integrity of our territory and ensure the validity of the rule of law. As a permanent national institution, its mission is to use the Federation’s naval power for internal security and the country’s external defense.” In the last ten years the Navy’s responsibility has included a war against the cartels. It is ubiquitous to see the camouflaged armed soldiers throughout the towns and on the highways.
While the military website has lots of motivating propaganda “serving the military is one of the greatest rewards that a citizen can have is to fight for their country…” While the requirements to enter the Mexican Navy/Army are pretty standard compared to other countries such as: must be a natural born Mexican citizen; 18 year old; single; not wanted by the police/no criminal record; must be physically and psychologically fit for the service of weapons and to become a soldier of the Mexican homeland; minimum height of 1.63 meters. The education requirement is only the completion of elementary studies, grade 6. This is because the federal government provides ‘free’ education only to 6 grade, 7-12 levels must be paid for by the families and therefore a minority of the population. This is the requirement that I find unusual: “applicants cannot present tattoos or piercings, on any part of the body…” What an easy way to be exempted from military service- get a tat on your bicep!”
Although Mexico has avoided participating in international wars, the country has plenty to safeguard within its boundaries. As a country with huge coastlines, one imagines that a lack of military presence would make Mexico vulnerable to foreign invasion. Cudos to the Marines!