News item | 24-03-2025 | 18:10
The Ministry of Defense is growing to 100,000 people in 2030. Possibly that number will doubled afterwards. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman writes this today in a letter to the House of Representatives. In it he explains how a so -called ‘scalable armed forces’ takes shape.
A scalable armed forces moves with threats. The organization must therefore be large enough to scare off and become more compact in peacetime.
“That requires a different way of working, training and organizing,” explains the State Secretary. “It is time to quickly implement necessary changes in the armed forces. So that we are ready when needed.”
The required professional soldiers, reservists and civilian staff should not only enter faster. The organization must also train, train and include them in the standing units faster.
Tuinman: “I hereby appeal to our non -commissioned officers, the backbone of our armed forces. They are traditionally familiar with taking responsibility.”
Strong by volume and smart through specialization
Defense designs a peace and a war organization. “We are going to a armed forces of professional soldiers. In addition, there is a large flexible skin,” Tuinman explains. “It consists of units with reservists. This change leads to a armed forces that are strong through volume and smart through specialization. This includes proportional legal claims. There may even be a new name for reservists.”
Servant
The Ministry of Defense is also expanding the Diensthodel. The organization scales up the year to 1,500 people. In addition, there will be a resilience training from 10 to 12 weeks for young people. Immediately afterwards they become a reservist. With a HBO level defense minor, this is also possible for students. Defense is still investigating the possibilities for MBO and WO level.
No new attendance obligation
There will also be a voluntary survey for 18 to 27-year-olds. They are asked if they are interested in a job at Defense. Defense also looks at how she can bind under -represented groups, such as women. The attendance obligation is not reintroduced.
Attractive employer
Working for defense must become more attractive. Tuinman: “We have to be less selective, have more eye for the individual and offer challenging work. We are going to modernize training and expand the training capacity. The motto is:” Defense has room for everyone. “
New paths
According to the State Secretary, the implementation of all these measures requires flexibility, adaptability and perseverance. “We are going to implement on a large scale and learn from it. We have to follow new paths and everyone needs. We leave no one behind.”