The Republic of Namibia has an honours system comprising orders, medals, military decorations, and police decorations. Legislation also provides for the establishment of decorations and medals for the intelligence service, [1] the prisons service, [2] and the fire services. [3]
These honours and awards superseded those used by the then territory of South West Africa before independence in 1990.
The following orders are conferred by the President of Namibia: [4]
Independence Medal (1995) — to commemorate the independence of Namibia in 1990.
Liberation Medal (1995) — for services connected with the liberation of Namibia from South African administration.
The Namibian Defence Force has the following decorations and medals:
Namibian Cross for Bravery: Gold
Namibian Cross for Bravery: Silver---
Campaign Medal— for service in military operations, e.g. in East Timor and Sierra Leone.
Medal of Honour— presented to the next-of-kin of NDF personnel who are killed on service.
Commendation Medal— Awarded to NDF officers of ranks of Colonel and above, recognition of exceptional service, loyalty and diligence.
Operation Mandume campaign Medal [5] — Awarded to NDF Personnel that participated in anti UNITA cross border operations.---
---
The Namibian Army has the following decorations and medals:
The Namibian Navy has the following decorations and medals:
The Namibian Air Force has the following decorations and medals:
Air Force Commander's Exemplary Medal
Air Cadre Medal
Air Force Longevity Medal
The Namibian Police Force has the following decorations and medals [18]
---
---
---
The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) comprises the national military forces of Namibia. It was created when the country, then known as South West Africa, gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Chapter 15 of the Constitution of Namibia establishes the NDF and defines its role and purpose as, " ... to defend the territory and national interests of Namibia".
The United States military inter-service awards and decorations are those medals and ribbons which may be awarded to all members of the six military branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Each military department awards inter-service awards under the same criteria.
Major General Petrus "Peter" Kagadhinwa Nambundunga was a Namibian military commander. Nambundunga was appointed the commander of the army in 2005, replacing Martin Shalli when he was promoted to chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF).
Lieutenant General Martin Shalli is a former Namibian diplomat and military commander. In 2005, he was appointed as Namibia's High Commissioner to Zambia by President Sam Nujoma, but he was recalled in October 2006 by Nujoma's successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba, and appointed as Chief of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF). He replaced controversial NDF commander Solomon Huwala, and he was replaced as High Commissioner to Zambia by regional councillor Solomon Witbooi.
The Grootfontein Air Force Base is an air base of the Namibian Air Force in Grootfontein, a town in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia. The air base is about 4 km (2 mi) south of the center of Grootfontein.
Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa was a Namibian military officer whose last appointment was as chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF). He was appointed the commander of the Namibian Army in 2011, and NDF Chief on 31 December 2013, a position from which he retired on 31 March 2020.
The Namibian Military School is a training unit of the Namibian Defence Force. It is the premier training institution of the Namibian military and offers a variety of training ranging from basic military training to mechanical training
Peter Hafeni Vilho is a Namibian politician and retired rear admiral who is a member of the Parliament of Namibia, a former Minister of Defence, and a former commander of the Namibian Navy. He was appointed the commander of the maritime wing of the Namibian Defence Force in 2002. In September 2017 he was appointed as executive director of the Ministry of Defence. In March 2020, Namibian president Hage Geingob appointed Vilho as the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs. Vilho served until his resignation in April 2021 after allegations of holding an undeclared bank account.
Rear Admiral Sinsy Ndeshi Bamba Nghipandua is a retired Namibian military officer whose last appointment served was as the Commander of the Namibian Navy. He was appointed the Commander of the Namibian Navy in 2017. Prior to that he served as Commander of Naval Operations with the rank of Rear Admiral.
26 Motorised Infantry Brigade(pronounced as Two Six Motorised Infantry Brigade) is a brigade of the Namibian Army based at Grootfontein. The prefix "26" is taken from 26 August 1966, the day on which SWAPO guerrillas first encountered the South African security forces at Ongulumbashe. The brigade is responsible for defence of the Northern areas of Namibia. Its subordinate units are situated in Zambezi, Kavango, Omusati, Kunene and Oshana regions.
21 Motorised Infantry Brigade(pronounced as Two One Motorised Infantry Brigade) is a brigade of the Namibian Army based at Suiderhof, Windhoek. The prefix "21" is taken from 21 March 1990, Namibia's independence day. The brigade is responsible for the defence of the central areas of Namibia. Its subordinate units are situated in the Khomas. Apart from its Motorised battalions it also consists of a Mechanized Infantry Battalion. It also provides a ceremonial guard battalion for the Head of State.
Major General Matheus Alueendo is a retired Namibian military officer who served as commander of the Namibian army. He was appointed the commander of the Namibian army on 31 July 2019 until his retirement 31 December 2022
The Namibia Command and Staff College is an academic tri service college of the Namibian Defence Force. The college offers officers staff training and education.
Major General Ben Uuyamba Kadhila is a retired Namibian military officer whose last appointment was as Chief Joint Operations of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF). He served as the first Commander of the Namibian Special Forces, he retired in July 2018.
The Defence Health Services Directorate is the branch of the Namibian Defence Force responsible for medical facilities and the training and deployment of all medical personnel within the force. It is a significant actor in the effort to control HIV/AIDS within the NDF.
The Defence Inspectorate Directorate is the branch of the Namibian Defence Force responsible for maintaining efficiency and effectiveness of the force. Its main role is to issue corrective measures when shortfalls are detected.
The Defence LogisticsDirectorate is the branch of the Namibian Defence Force responsible for materiel supplies.
The Naval Training School is the main training institution of the Namibian Navy. It was created in 2009, and is located at the Wilbard Tashiya Nakada Military Base, Walvis Bay.
