|
|
|
|
| |
Acapulco's Naval Base
Personally, I don't understand why Mexico really needs a Navy, or a military at all for that matter. It boarders the U.S. to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the south. As I see it, with all the money invested in Mexico, I'm sure the U.S. would step in to protect Mexico from the invading Guatemalan menace when the chips were down. Still, I suppose if you want to call yourself a sovereign nation, you've got to have a militray, though Costa Rica has no military and it's worked out great for them.
As far as I can tell, the military in Mexico is mainly used as boarder patrol along the Southern Boarder, on the highways to check for contraband, and in parades on independence day and such.
That said, the Navy really has nice digs in Acapulco - a great location right on the bay and since they never see any action, man, getting stationed here would be like getting stationed in Club Med. You can see the sailors walking around down by the Hyatt which is next door. They do look happy to be here, let me tell you.
In the slightly blurry picture above (a big wave came in as I was taking it), you can see the official house where Mexico's president stays when in Acapulco which is located on the Naval Base.
Mexico's military consists of a National Defense Secretariat (which includes the Army and Air Force) and the Naval Secretariat (which includes the Navy and Marines). Ironically for such a peaceful and historically nuetral country, military service is in compulsory. That is, able bodied men are supposed to give a year of service. In reality, it seems many, many get around it or just end up doing something around town rather than being sent off to some hard-core boot camp. Actually, it seems like most people get around it as I never hear the boot camp stories like you hear in the U.S. every time two ex-militray guys are in the same room.
Mexican males can voluntarily enlist in the military at age 16 with parental consent. In 2004, Mexico spent about 5 billion on the military, representing about 1% of GDP.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
| What's happening
in Acapulco? |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
