As at 2011, It has a strength of 30,000[1] The gendarmerie is primarily a frontier guard force but also fulfils other important roles.

The gendarmerie was particularly tasked with providing security in isolated and sparsely populated frontier regions which had only been settled relatively recently.

23.554 and 24.059, the armed forces cannot intervene in internal civil conflicts, except in logistics’ and support roles, so the gendarmerie is subordinate to the Ministry of Security.

[2] It therefore maintains capabilities arising from the demands required by joint military planning with the armed forces.

The National Director and his Deputy wear the insignia of an Argentine Lieutenant-General and Divisional General respectively, although they still have the rank of Commandant-General.