" 149,000 Belgian teenagers invited to the "volunteer" military service Ministry of Defence sent letters to all 17-year-olds in the country"

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ARCHIVAL PHOTO: Minister of defence Theo Francken lays the foundation stone for a fresh military office in Brussels, Belgium, 3 June 2025. © Omar Havana / Getty Images

The Belgian military sent 149,000 letters to all 17-year-olds in the country, presenting the benefits and encouraging them to consider yearly volunteering after turning 18, announced Minister of defence Theo Francken.

Franken first presented this thought shortly after his nomination in February, presenting it as a way to address staff shortages and strengthen Belgian reserve forces.

Last month, Parliament approved a bill allowing the sending of personalized letters to minors.

"The 149,000 letters were sent yesterday. All 17-year-olds in the country are encouraged to learn about defence, and in peculiar about yearly military volunteering.

Do it!” – wrote Francken on social media on Saturday, publishing photographs of boxes filled with envelopes.

The initiative is voluntary, but critics say it is the basis for returning to compulsory military service.

Francken denied it, claiming that "Army is incapable to deal with this logistically".

Over the next decade, Belgium plans to grow its armed forces to 34,500 active soldiers, 12,800 reservists and 8,500 civilian workers, as reported "Brussels TimesIt’s okay. ” In September, the Ministry presented its recruitment targets for 2026, covering at least 4800 fresh military positions, reserves and civilian support formations.

Volunteers aged 18-25 will initially receive 500 seats in the reserve and receive a net monthly wage of EUR 2000.

Similar measures to increase youth participation in the military are taken in another countries EU.

In the Netherlands, teenagers are presently receiving questionnaires investigating their interest in defence roles, and "Year of volunteer service“ It is.

Sweden reinstated conscription to the military in 2017, and Germany They are presently debating a lottery-based strategy that could oblige 18-year-old men to service in case of besides fewer volunteers.

These actions fall within the broader EU militarisation plans, which Brussels argues that they are essential to deter Russian aggression.

Moscow denies hostile intentions towards the EU or NATO and accuses Western leaders of utilizing fear-based rhetoric to divert attention from interior political and economical issues.

EU Militation becomes uncontrolled due to ‘rusophobic madness’ in Brussels, late said Russian abroad Minister Sergei Lavrov, informing that the block is heading for what he called "Fourth Reich".

Translated by Google Translator

source:https://www.rt.com/news/627516-belgium-teens-military-letters/

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