Purpose <p>This study analyzes the application of Circular Economy (CE) principles in military organizations, addressing an emerging research field with limited evidence. The objective is to identify scientific literature on CE implementation in armed forces and evaluate two applied cases in the Colombian National Army.</p> Methodology <p>A two-phase approach was used. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) identified conceptual and applied studies on CE in defense (RQ1). Second, two empirical cases were analyzed (RQ2), focused on battery recycling and electronic component repair, evaluating financial savings, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.</p> Findings <p>The SLR revealed that most international experiences remain at early stages, primarily in European contexts, with limited institutionalization of CE practices. The Colombian cases provide new evidence from Latin America, demonstrating micro-level CE strategies that achieved significant cost savings, extended equipment lifespans, and reduced hazardous waste. Despite operational benefits, institutional barriers remain, limiting scalability.</p> Originality <p>This study advances CE research in the defense sector by contributing applied evidence from an underexplored regional context. It provides actionable recommendations for defense organizations, emphasizing the need for formal policies, inter-agency coordination, specialized training, and circular product design models to enable systemic CE adoption in military operations.</p>