Belgian army launches massive recruitment drive to make up for staff departures

The Belgian armed forces are aiming to attract a record 2,300 people to their ranks in 2021, some 300 more than those joining this year, it announced on 24 September. The army wants to recruit 1,250 soldiers and sailors, 800 non-commissioned ‘sub’-officers and 250 officers to compensate for the thousands of its members going into retirement.

The defence also intends to hire 150 army civilians – non-combat employees who support the army in careers including cyber security, engineering, medicine and administration. It is further targetting people to fill 420 posts for ‘reservists’, who will take on temporary or part-time roles to replace full-time army staff when needed.

In particular, the army is seeking out technicians. And it is calling on school leavers who do not have a technical diploma, but are interested in carrying out this type of work, to send in their applications.

The army is also looking to hire female staff and notes all its job offers are for women as well as men.

The Belgian defence is searching to fill the gap left by staff entering retirement. It will need to recruit some 10,000 people in the coming years to replace the ‘baby boomer’ generation – people born after the second world war between 1946 and 1964 – whose army career will soon be over.

Most of the new posts, and all those for the soldiers and sailors, will be recruited in short-term BDL (Beperkte Duur) contracts. This means a period of eight years, extendible to 12, with the possibility of work until an officer’s retirement.

All people recruited must be in good physical and mental health: “The Defence is looking for youths that do not shrink from physical effort, that like adventure and are prepared to take well-considered risks," the statement said. "This means young people who like living in groups, and in the open air, who are ready to undergo an intensive training schedule and who are in good physical condition, in good health and possess a good mental stability.”

But Belgian military union ACMP-CGPM’s Philippe Sion said that such arduous exercise was one aspect potentially putting off people joining the army, particularly 30-40 year olds. In 2019, 343 officers in this age range left the force, compared to only a few dozen in 2018, he told Belgian television network RTBF in a 20 September news report.

Other factors for their departure include less training and missions but more hard work – particularly given the decreased workforce due to the increased departures. Moreover, army pay is some €300 to €400 a month less than a similar police post, the union’s permanent delegate added.

This could cause problems in future. In 2016, after the Brussels terrorist attacks, some 1,800 soldiers patrolled the streets to assure the safety of the country, seven days a week, Sion said. But with today’s reduced workforce, this will no longer be possible.

Photo: European Organisation of Military Associations