The Latvian Land Forces (Latvian: Sauszemes spēki, SzS) together with the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces. Since 2007, land forces are organized as a fully professional standing army.
| Latvian Land Forces | |
|---|---|
| Sauszemes spēki | |
Emblem of the Latvian Land Forces
| |
| Active | 1918–1940, 1991–present |
| Country | Latvia |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 7,345 Professional soldiers 10,000 National Guard 38,000 Reserve[1] |
| Part of | Latvian National Armed Forces |
| Motto(s) | Vienotībā spēks (English: "Power in unity")[2] |
| Anniversaries | 30 April (Land Forces Day) 4 May (Independence Restoration and Armed Forces Day) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Colonel Sandris Gaugers [lv][3] |
The main missions of the national Land Forces are to:
Latvian military units and bases[4]
Note: "Special Tasks Unit" is a special forces unit of battalion size.
Mechanized Infantry Brigade[5]
Headquarters Headquarters and Signal Company
1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (LATBAT)[6]
2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion
3rd Infantry Battalion (trains active service soldiers, national guardsmen and reserve soldiers)
Artillery Unit (M109A5Ö howitzers)
Combat Support Battalion
Combat Service Support Battalion
Since 1996 till today the National Armed Forces' soldiers have been deployed on nine international peace-keeping missions in Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia, Central African Republic, Georgia, Iraq, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Somalia.[7] Starting from January 1, 2015, Latvian Armed Forces are taking part in EU's Nordic Battle Group.[8][9] On March 29, 2004, Latvia became a full member of NATO.[10]
The rank structure of the Latvian army is adjusted to the rank structure of the NATO countries in Europe. Rank insignia are worn historically on the collars and today also on shoulder marks. Starting 2016, only the Staff Battalion wears the collar insignia.
| Officers of the Latvian Army | |||||||||
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| Flag Officers | Senior Officers | Junior Officers | |||||||
| Rank insignia | 
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| Rank | Lieutenant General Ģenerālleitnants |
Major General Ģenerālmajors |
Brigadier General Brigādes Ģenerālis |
Colonel Pulkvedis |
Lieutenant Colonel Pulkvežleitnants |
Major Majors |
Captain Kapteinis |
First Lieutenant Virsleitnants |
Second Lieutenant Leitnants |
| NATO Rank Grade | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | |
| Non-Commissioned Officers of the Latvian army | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Privates | |||||
| Rank insignia | 
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| Rank | Senior Warrant Officer Augstākais virsseržants |
Warrant Officer Galvenais virsseržants |
Senior Sergeant Štāba virsseržants |
Sergeant First Class Virsseržants |
Sergeant Seržants |
Corporal Kaprālis |
Private First Class Dižkareivis |
Private Kareivis |
| NATO Rank Grade | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)