 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2019) |
| Portuguese Army | |
|---|---|
| Exército Português | |
 Coat of arms of the Portuguese Army | |
| Founded | 25 July 1139 |
| Country | Portugal |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | Military: 14,000 Civilians: 1,500 |
| Part of | Portuguese Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Lisbon |
| Patron | Afonso I of Portugal (civil) Saint George (religious) |
| Motto(s) | Em perigos e guerras esforçados (English: "Forceful in perils and in battle-post") |
| Anniversaries |
|
| Engagements | Military history of Portugal |
| Website | exercito.pt |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Staff of the Army | General José Nunes da Fonseca[1] |
| Notable commanders | |
The Portuguese Army (Portuguese: Exército Português) is the land component of the Armed Forces of Portugal and is also its largest branch. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. With its origins going back to the 12th century, it can be considered one of the oldest active armies in the world.[2]
The Portuguese Army is commanded by the Chief of Staff of the Army (CEME), a subordinate of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces for the operational matters and a direct subordinate of the Ministry of National Defense for all other matters. The CEME is the only officer in the Army with the rank of General (Four-star rank).
Presently, the Portuguese Army is an entirely professional force made of career personnel (officers and NCOs) and of volunteer personnel (officers, NCOs and enlisted ranks). Until the early 1990s, conscripts constituted the bulk of the Army personnel, with a cadre of career officers and NCOs responsible for their training. Conscription was however gradually reduced since the middle 1990s, until being finally formally abolished in 2004.
As 2014, the Portuguese Army employed 5,667 career personnel and 10,444 volunteers, this representing a total of 16,111 military personnel. Of the total military personnel, 2,669 were officers, 3,917 were NCOs and 9,595 were other ranks. Further, the Army also included 1,897 civilian employees.
- ^ "O Comandante". Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ ""Reflexão Crítica sobre as Origens Históricas do Exército Português", Revista Militar nº 2596, maio de 2018". Retrieved 16 August 2019.