Military makes historic push in Belgium, launching a volunteer service program for increased recruitment

Belgium is set to introduce a voluntary military service year in 2026, marking a significant step in the country's defence strategy. The program, which will initially select 500 candidates aged 18-25, aims to revive civic duty while providing career experience for young people.

Defence Minister Theo Francken has been responsible for the introduction of this program, and he emphasized that ambitions are high, but realistic. On average, they have four applicants per vacancy, showcasing the interest in the program.

The military service seeks to recruit a total of 410 positions across the army, navy, and air force. The army plans to recruit 1,338 military personnel, the navy aims to recruit 178 positions, and the medical service plans to recruit 164 positions. These roles in the voluntary service program are in addition to the 4,800 positions opened in the record recruitment campaign launched by the Belgian Defense Ministry.

The ministry has invested in modern equipment to support this expansion, including MQ-9B "Sky Guardian" drones, anti-aircraft guns, and incoming F-35 fighter jets.

It's important to note that the voluntary service program does not represent a return to mandatory military service. According to Minister Francken, reintroducing mandatory military service is not in the coalition agreement and is not an option.

The recruitment drive targets profiles beyond traditional military roles, including IT specialists, technicians, psychologists, educators, and prevention advisors. Participants in the program will earn a net salary of €2,000 ($2,348) per month.

The program expects to grow gradually to 7,000 participants, and it does not affect the goal of expanding the defence workforce to 34,500 military personnel, 12,800 reservists, and 8,500 civilians within a decade.

Minister Francken added that it's important for people to give something back to the country through the voluntary service program. He stated that the program aims to instil a sense of duty while providing valuable career experience for young people.

In conclusion, Belgium's voluntary military service year is a promising initiative that seeks to engage young people in defence duties while providing them with valuable career opportunities. The program is a testament to the country's commitment to its defence and to nurturing the next generation of defence professionals.

Military makes historic push in Belgium, launching a volunteer service program for increased recruitment