Belgium considers voluntary military service initiative

Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken is considering a voluntary military service programme aimed at increasing the amount of young people working in defence.

Belgium abolished its compulsory military service in 1995 and has no intention of reinstating a mandatory initiative, RTBF reports, but Francken sees a voluntary programme as a means of recruitment and plans to launch it "as soon as possible".

“All young men and women aged 18 will receive a letter from me inviting them to join the defence for one year,” said Francken.

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