FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
 

The Brazilian Army (Exército Brasileiro) is currently the largest in South America. Its origins go back to 1822, the year in which the independence of Brazil was proclaimed, when the Army was established on a provisional basis. Its status was formalized by the constitution adopted in 1824, and subsequently the Army played a major role in Brazilian history.

For military purposes, Brazil is divided into six geographical Area Military Commands, each controlling a variable number of Military Regions and Army Divisions. In general, the former are responsible for military administration and logistics, while the latter command combat units. Divisions' however, have no fixed organization. The largest unit with a fixed organization is the brigade, of which there are several types.

The flag of the Army displays the service's coat of arms on a white field. The appointment falg of the Army commander-in-chief and the rank flags for general officers are horizantally divided, with the coat of arms on a white field at the hoist and a field of horizontal stripes in the fly. These stripes are red and blue for the C-in-C and green and yellow for generals.  The C-in-C's flag has four stripes.; rank flags have from five to two stripes. The rank of marshal in an honorific, conferred for distinguished service and at present no officer holds it. Unit flags are similar, with green and yellow stripes whose number represent the ecelon of command. On the white panel, the flags of Commands, Regions and Divisions display an upright sword over the organizational designation, all in red. Flags of brigades display branch-of-service insignia and a numerical designation within a diamond frame, conce again all red.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY

2nd ARMY DIVISION