Armed Forces of BiH formed 11 years ago

Today marks the Day of the Armed Forces of BiH and the 11th anniversary of the work and existence of the AF BiH. A unit parade and award ceremony will be held at the AF BiH barracks in Rajlovac, while this evening a ceremonial academy will be held at the AF BiH Home, Patria reports.

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the official name of the military forces of BiH. These forces consist of three components (three brigades), which are the successors of the "traditions" of the three armed forces active during the past aggression against BiH from 1992-1995: the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian Defence Council, and the Army of Republika Srpska (the first two were transformed into the Army of the Federation of BiH upon the signing of the Dayton Agreement).

The Supreme Commander of the AF BiH is the Presidency of BiH, followed in the chain of command by the Ministry of Defence of BiH and the Joint Staff of BiH.

Military personnel, civilian personnel, and cadets may serve in the Armed Forces. Military personnel include professional military personnel and reserve personnel while on duty.

The Armed Forces of BiH have approximately 10,000 professional military personnel, about 5,000 reserve personnel, and about 1,000 civilian employees. Under the defence review adopted by the Presidency of BiH, this number will be reduced to 9,200, and the number of reserve personnel to about 4,500.

The Armed Forces of BiH consist of branches, arms, and services.

Branches are:
1. Army,
2. Air Force and Air Defence.

Arms are:
1. Infantry,
2. Artillery,
3. Artillery and Missile Units of Air Defence,
4. Armoured-Mechanised Units,
5. Aviation,
6. Engineering,
7. Communications,
8. Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Defence,
9. Electronic Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare,
10. Air Surveillance and Reporting,
11. Military Intelligence.

Services are:
1. Technical Service,
2. Aviation Technical Service,
3. Military Police Service,
4. Traffic Service,
5. Quartermaster Service,
6. Medical Service,
7. Veterinary Service,
8. Construction Service,
9. Financial Service,
10. Legal Service,
11. Geodetic Service,
12. IT Service,
13. Music Service,
14. Religious Service.

Insignia are worn on the cap or beret, right shoulder, and left shoulder of the uniform of all members of the Armed Forces. All except general officers wear badges of the Army or Air Force and Air Defence of the Armed Forces on their cap/beret. On the cap/beret of general officers, there is a badge of the coat of arms of Bosnia and Herzegovina with swords and a golden wreath. The insignia on the right shoulder of all members of the Armed Forces is the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Members of regiments wear their regiment's insignia on the left shoulder. Additional insignia of the brigade, other institution, or unit are worn below the regiment insignia on the left shoulder.