Belgium to follow Dutch example and introduce voluntary military service
To increase reservists, 18-year-olds in Belgium will soon receive letters informing them about voluntary military service, following a recently announced initiative in the Netherlands.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/04/08/belgium-to-follow-dutch-example-and-introduce-voluntary-military-service
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To increase reservists, 18-year-olds in Belgium will soon receive letters informing them about voluntary military service, following a recently announced initiative in the Netherlands.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/04/08/belgium-to-follow-dutch-example-and-introduce-voluntary-military-service
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
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NewsTranscript
00:00Belgian Defence Minister Theo Franken wants to increase his country's reservists to 20,000.
00:09Following a similar initiative recently announced in the Netherlands,
00:1218-year-olds will soon begin receiving letters to encourage them to participate in voluntary military service.
00:19The Dutch Army already offers people between the ages of 18 and 27
00:23the option to try out a career in the military for one year, a so-called service year.
00:2918-year-old Matthias began his voluntary military service with the Dutch Army in October.
00:35I don't know if this profession would be what it would be for me,
00:38so I decided to try this year for 10 years.
00:43The Dutch State Secretary of Defence said 17-year-olds will be asked to fill out surveys
00:47related to their abilities, motivations and affinity with defence,
00:51hoping this will encourage more people to participate and become reservists.
00:56The initiative comes as fears about Russia and doubts about the future of US protection
01:02are pressuring EU countries to boost their defence spending.
01:06The initiative comes as fears about Russia and doubts about the future of US protection
01:18are pressuring EU countries to boost their defence spending.