Renier Coetzee

Brigadier General Renier Johannes Coetzee SM PS MMM
Nickname(s)	Doibi, CoJack
Born	1961 (age 63–64)
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	–2021
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	5 Special Forces Regiment
Commands	1 Parachute Battalion 5 Special Forces Regiment Chief of Staff Special Forces Brigade GOC SA Army Training Formation
Awards

Brigadier-General Renier (Cojack) Coetzee SM PS MMM was a General Officer in the South African Army from the recces.

Military career

Gen. Coetzee served in 32 Battalion and then in the South African Special Forces, for a long time as the Chief of Staff of the South African Special Forces Brigade. He commanded 5 Special Forces Regiment (formerly 5 Reconnaissance Regiment) from 1998 to 2003,[1] and served in the Mavinga area during Operations Moduler, Packer and Hooper.[1] From mid-1987 to mid-1988, he was stationed at divisional headquarters, north-west of Mavinga in Angola.[1][2]: 194  He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2014 and was appointed as Director Doctrine and Policy.

Col. Coetzee was embroiled in a controversy about the use of body armour (bullet proof vests) by SANDF soldiers in the Central African Republic during the Battle of Bangui.[3][4] He has spoken as an expert on the utilisation of the SANDF Special Forces as a force multiplier in the SADC region.[5] GOC SA Army Training Formation until his retirement.

Awards and decorations

Medals

Gen Coetzee has been awarded:[6][7][8][9][10]

• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• iPhrothiya yeSiliva (Silver Protea) (PS)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• Southern Africa Medal
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Mandela Commemoration Medal (Silver)
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (40 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
• Peacemaker Medal [a] (Brazil)

Proficiency and qualification badges

Gen Coetzee qualified for the following:

SA Special Forces Operator's Badge (Qualification) Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath

Free Fall Paratrooper (Qualification) Advanced, Freefall Black on Thatch beige Small Black wings

Notes

1. Portuguese: Medalha do Pacificador

References

1. "Anton Ackerman informs judge of withdraw from trial until he is reimbursed by Justice Department". FXI.org.za. Freedom of Expression Institute. 28 August 2000. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
2. Polack, Peter (13 December 2013). The Last Hot Battle of the Cold War: South Africa vs. Cuba in the Angolan Civil War (illustrated ed.). Casemate Publishers. ISBN 9781612001951. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
3. "SANDF distances itself from vest comments". IOL News. SAPA. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
4. Taunyane, Omogolo (26 July 2013). "CAR soldier unveils the truth". ENCA. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
5. Martin, Guy (26 July 2013). "Special forces a force multiplier for SADC military interventions – expert". DefenceWeb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
6. Helfrich, Kim (5 March 2014). "SANDF medals and decorations". DefenceWeb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
7. SANDF Armed Forces Day Parade, 21 February 2014 - Decoration and Medal Recipients, Battle of Bangui
8. Martin, Guy (24 February 2014). "Zuma awards medals to Battle of Bangui soldiers in celebration of Armed Forces Day". DefenceWeb. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
9. DefenceWeb Book Review: The Battle in Bangui: The untold inside story. By Helmoed Romer Heitman (Accessed 3 May 2015)
10. Tia Mysoa - 'The Battle in Bangui: The untold inside story' – Truth or Propaganda? (Accessed 3 May 2015)

Military offices
Preceded by Nicolas Mabilu	GOC SA Army Training Formation 2016–2021	Succeeded by D.M. Madie
Preceded by Jan D. Malan	Director Doctrine and Policy, SA Army Brigade 2014–2016	Succeeded by Nicolas Mabilu
Preceded by Krubert Nel	Chief of Staff of the South African Special Forces Brigade 2003–2014	Succeeded by Unknown
Preceded by Col Julius Englebrecht	Officer Commanding 5 Special Forces Regiment 1 February 1998–31 December 2005	Succeeded by Col Johan Spangenberg
Preceded by Unknown	Officer Commanding 1 Parachute Battalion Unknown– Unknown	Succeeded by Unknown