More than 3,000 young people register for voluntary military service year
Registrations have closed for the voluntary military service year, which all 17-year-olds in Belgium received an invitation for last year. A total of 3,248 people have applied for the new programme, the office of Defence minister Theo Francken has confirmed.
Candidates must undergo selection tests, which will include a basic intelligence test, physical fitness tests and a technical test. After this screening, 500 people will be offered the chance to train as reservists in the army.
Around a fifth of the applicants are women. The first reservists will begin their training in August, with most candidates joining the Army. The programme starts with basic skills such as map reading, tactics and administering first aid.
This is the first time the Belgian army has organised a voluntary service year. Francken’s office reports that the N-VA minister is pleased with the figures. “These numbers clearly show that young people realise that the time for playing games at a geopolitical level is over,” a spokesperson said.
Belgian soldiers during the presentation of Griffons armoured vehicles in Arlon, March 2026 © BELGA PHOTO JULIEN WARNAND
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