Here in the DR congress authorizes a combined military force of 44,000 active duty personnel. Actual active duty strength is approximately 32,000. A big problem is that approximately 50% of those are used for non-military activities such as security providers for government-owned non-military facilities, highway toll stations, prisons, forestry work, state enterprises, and private businesses.
The mission of the DR military is to defend the nation and protect the territorial integrity of the country. The army, larger than the other services combined with approximately 20,000 active duty personnel, consists of six infantry brigades, a combat support brigade, and a combat service support brigade. The air force operates two main bases, one in the southern region near Santo Domingo and one in the northern region near Puerto Plata. The navy operates two major naval bases, one in Santo Domingo and one in Las Calderas on the southwestern coast, and maintains 12 operational vessels.
The armed forces have organized a Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESA) and a Specialized Port Security Corps (CESEP) to meet international security needs in these areas. Additionally, the armed forces provide 75% of personnel to the National Investigations Directorate (DNI) and the Counter-Drug Directorate (DNCD).
In the Caribbean, only Cuba has a larger military force.
The Dominican National Police force has in the neighborhood of 33,000 agents. About sixty-three percent of the force serve in areas outside traditional police functions, similar to their military counterparts.
As noted from the figures above the DR could maintain their military mission with 50% of the men presently maintained as 50% presently don’t function as military. With a 16,000 member military we are talking about 5 brigades of 3,200 men in each brigade. Each brigade is made up of 4 battalions and each battalion is made up of 4 companies. Each company is made up of 4 platoons that are made up of 4 squads. A brigade is commanded by a general which would require 5. A battalion is commanded by a colonel or major which would require 20. A company is commanded by a major or captain which would require 80. On the non-commissioned officer side of the house you would need 5 Command Sergeant Majors, 20 Sergeant Majors, 80 First Sergeants, 1,280 Sergeants First Class for the Platoons and 1,280 Sergeants for the squads with the other 13,230 lower enlisted. If you cut the military pay in half you are talking a lot of money. If you have only the essential officers needed you are talking about saving a lot of money. If you have only the essential non-commissioned officers needed then more saved money.
Rick