Netherlands Aims to Double Military Reservists Amid European Recruitment Efforts

The Dutch military is seeking to more than double its number of volunteer reservists, aiming to grow from the current 9,000 to at least 20,000 by 2030. This effort is part of a broader plan to increase overall military personnel from 80,000 to 120,000 by 2035.

The initiative has received support across political lines in the Netherlands. Recent enlistments by Queen Maxima and her daughter, Amalia, Princess of Orange, as volunteer reservists have contributed to a surge in applications. State Secretary for Defense Derk Boswijk stated that the military is now facing challenges in providing training, housing, uniforms, and weapons for the new recruits.

He described the situation as a luxury problem due to the high volume of interest.

Boswijk told The Associated Press that the enlistment of royal family members has inspired others to join, referring to it as the Amalia effect. Photos of Queen Maxima in training, including aiming a pistol at a shooting range, have been published globally.

The military has launched recruitment campaigns through newspapers, billboards, and social media to attract volunteers. A corporal in the reserve battalion, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the nature of her service, said priorities have shifted toward infantry skills amid a more volatile global security outlook.

She noted that when she first joined, threats were minimal, but now the focus is on defending the country and mitigating risks. Reservists commit to 300 hours of service annually, including weekend exercises, and are typically assigned to domestic security tasks rather than overseas combat.

The recruitment drive in the Netherlands aligns with similar efforts across Europe, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's views on NATO. European Union and NATO officials have expressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin could potentially launch attacks elsewhere in Europe within three to five years if successful in Ukraine.

New NATO plans emphasize preparing for large-scale battles with mobile, quickly deployable forces. France plans to recruit 3,000 volunteers aged 18-25 for 10-month service starting in September, aiming for 50,000 per year by 2035. Countries like Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Latvia maintain forms of conscription or partial military service in response to regional threats.

The Netherlands suspended military call-ups in 1997 but has not abolished the draft, with no immediate plans to reinstate it. Instead, the Defense Ministry is focusing on attracting a diverse range of skills, including those relevant to cyberspace and digital threats, to protect the country and its allies.

Boswijk emphasized the need for individuals with varied backgrounds, such as gamers or those with unconventional appearances. Lisette den Heijer, attending a military information evening for reservist volunteers, cited lessons from World War II, where German forces overran the Netherlands in five days, as a motivation to prevent history from repeating.

A private first class in the reserve battalion, speaking anonymously due to his work in a defense-related company, said training has shifted from peaceful operations to protecting vital infrastructure, including security for the NATO summit in The Hague last year.

Reservists participate in exercises, such as those conducted by the 10th Infantry Battalion Guard Security Corps National Reserve, to maintain skills. They can also assist in national emergencies, like flood response. Associated Press reporters across Europe contributed to this report.