Last year, an average of four recruits left the Belgian Army each day, Het Nieuwsblad reports. Military union ACMP attributes this trend to the Ministry of Defence's own shortcomings.
Statistics relating to the early departure of troops from the army were shared by Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder. In her response to Wouter Beke, a CD&V MP and mayor of Leopoldsburg, home to one of Belgium's primary army bases, she revealed that 1,313 potential soldiers opted to leave in the past year. This figure closely mirrors the 1,273 who left in 2021.
These individuals, having successfully navigated the rigorous admission tests, began their training only to decide that military life wasn't for them. This equates to four recruits deciding to exit the barracks daily. Over the last three years, 3,116 military recruits have dropped out of their army training.
A concerning statistic highlighted by Dedonder is the 41% attrition rate during the training of 'regular' soldiers. This means that out of every ten individuals who embark on their training journey, at least four decide not to continue.
"For years, the Belgian Army has grappled with high attrition rates, notably higher than in neighbouring countries," Yves Huwart from the ACMP army union told Het Nieuwsblad. He further elaborated on the challenges faced by recruits, from the varying quality of instructors to inadequate housing and uncertainties surrounding job security. Many are hired under a 'limited duration' status, leaving them unsure of their long-term prospects with the army.
"Every additional individual is crucial to us," the military official said. To manage the impending wave of retirements, the Belgian Army aims to onboard 2,500 new soldiers annually. The high attrition rate not only poses a challenge to recruitment, but also to the army's finances due to the lost hours in training and education.
Related News
- 'Operationally not possible to supply F-16s': Belgian Defence Minister sticks to her guns
- Belgium joins F-16 coalition to train Ukrainian pilots
- Hounding the enemy: 200 dogs play 'essential role' in Belgian Army
Dedonder's office assures that, from 2024, recruits under limited-duration contracts can be confident of their continued service in the army.
The Ministry of Defence suggests that its candidates may be the reason for such high dropout rates. The Defence Minister pointed to the mentally-taxing nature of the training, the allure of civilian life, and the intellectual demands of the role as reasons for the high rate of resignations.
Additionally, physical injuries have led some to abandon their military aspirations. To mitigate this, the army is focusing on a more gradual physical conditioning approach, aimed at reducing the risk of injury.
