Belgian Military Thread

[1Cie GevGn]

I have no idea. Leo MBT shouldn't be around for too long, they said we'll be getting the Engineer version of the Piranha, but when.......good question.

[Dziwan]

hi
have you got any photos of belgian '59 pattern, loadouts?

[1Cie GevGn]

Would that be the old uniforms? The green overalls? Personally I don't have any pics of that I'm afraid.

[Dziwan]

I search photos of webbing with this pouch http://www.allegro.pl/item241837120_...na_belgia.html
someone said me that this is from belgian 58 webbing

[ovl007]

some info about the '54 smock:

http://www.henrikc.dk/camouflage/details.asp?autono=4

[Hawk005]

Thanks for the UBER-fast answer! So soldiers only have to speak either Dutch or French and officers have to be bi-langual?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, Im a former Paratrooper from Germany and Im very much interested in the Belgian military.....

How is it exactly with the languages in Para Commandos? And in SFG?
I have read somewhere that in Para Commandos, the 2nd Para speak only French.

So what language is more spoken in the Belgian military, French or Dutch?

Im especially interested in the Para Commandos, so do they speak there in 1st Para and 3rd Para Dutch?


Are in the Para companies also woman allowed? Does women also serve in combat units with men together? Or are they only for support?

What language do they speak in the SFG? Are women also allowed in SFG?

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Sorry for that many questions, but Im interested to join the Belgian military and so its very important for me to know, what language is better for me to learn, Dutch or French.......?
For me as a German, Dutch is much easier to learn, cause its very similar to german.

I aleready have been in Brussel at a recruiting office. They told me that they take also foreign people who are members of the EU and who speak one of the 3 languages (German, Dutch, French). And then after joining the recrute has to choose if he want to continue in french or in Dutch......
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Last question, how is it with the maximum weight? I have read at Mil.be something from a maximum BMI. How is it when you weigh more than that BMI, but with muscles not fat mass??

So, Im 182 cm tall and 92 kg athletic, Is that to much for joining?


Best Regards

Hawk

[Koen]

@Hawk ;

Belgian soldiers serve in a unit where the language of their choice is spoken.
Officers officially speak both languages, and are obliged to give the men orders in the language of the men under their command.


belgian Paracommando regiment has :

1st Para bn in Diest, a mixed unit with dutch speaking & french speaking companies. It is the only infantry bataillion in the belgian army left with a mixed language system.

2 Commando bn in Flawinne, is 100% french speaking.

3 Para bn in Tielen (near Antwerp) is 100% dutch speaking.

Artillery battery Commando in Brasschaat is 100% dutch speaking.

Recce squadron Para in Lombardsijde is 100% dutch speaking.

Both training centers Commando & Parachute have mixed (linguistic) staff off course.

The army legally has to reflect the composition of the belgian population, this means that 60% of the units are dutch speaking, and 40% french.
Our beloved socialist walloon minister of defence managed to change this to 55% Dutch/45% french now.

SFG ?? don't know, but you'd better learn to walk before you start running... many candidates drop out of paracommando training, so start there and then think of SFG.

Women are officially allowed in the regiment, but have to earn their beret and brevets just like the men, as far as I know none have succeeded, allthough some tried. In the '70's a female platoon passed the instruction, but this experiment was not continued.

Wanna know more ? check www.paracommando.com and don't hesitate to post there in english or german, you'll be welcome.

Viel Glück, und hoffentlich kannst du die Ausbildung anfassen..

[neophyte77]

You have to be a paracommando for 2 years before you can enter the SFG selection

[Unrated]

You have to be a paracommando for 2 years before you can enter the SFG selection

i think its 4year?

SFG is mixed language (french and dutch) but they probably put dutch and french in seperate sections if possible.

[Belenos]

Hi Hawk,

I'm a Belgian who joined the army in 1993-94. I was volunteer in the para-commandos. Then, I left the regulars in 1998 and started studies at the university. Now, I'm doing a training to become reserve officer.
Globally, the previous replies are correct. I just would like to add a few comments.
Generally speaking, and theoretically, the majority of the army is supposed to be Dutch speaking, to reflect the linguistic % in the population. However, in the fact, it's not exactly 60-40 ratio because of the problems in the recruitment. In 2007, a recruiting officer in Mons (Bergen), in the Southern province of Hainaut, told me that they had in average 12 candidates for 1 place. It's a lot of candidates. But, it's not the same situation in the entire country. Southern Belgians are very attracted by the military career, and there are too many many Southern applicants. But, there are too few Dutchspeaker candidates. They would like to have more applicants in the Northern provinces.
Then, my advise to you is to study Dutch. You are German, then it would be easier for you than French. There is also a larger jobmarket for Dutchspeakers (60% of the armed forces). And, because, they lack of Dutchspeaker volunteers, it would increase your chance to be selected if you choose Dutch.

It's very new that foreigners can join the Belgian army. No offence to you, it's not personal, but I'm for a National army of Citizens-Soldiers, and I really don't like the new system. Already that I'm opposed to the interruption of the conscription (in Belgium, the conscripts are called "militiamen" and they form the "Militia"). Then, I'm even more opposite to see mercenaries joining our army. Anyway, I'm really curious to know why you would like to join the Belgian army? I'm a patriot who likes the military life and challenges, then I'm in the Belgian army (now as an reservist). I would serve in the Belgian army even if we had no clothes and if we had completely outdated weapons in poor condition. It's my country, and there is no other army for me. But, honestly, the nowadays Belgian army is not in good shape, I think. It's a too small force. It's getting too light (too much light armoured vehicles, and soon even no more MBT). Our politicians don't let us doing risky missions: we are always giving food or protecting airports, while other armies in the same area are not only doing rear-area activities but are also fighting, like it's the case for example in Afghanistan. Of course, I don't want to die, but to be involved in combat operations is part of the job and of the credibility for a military. Also, real field experience is necessary to contribute to the efficiency of the army. Another problem among many others, we have ridiculous military expenditures...one of the worst if not the worst in NATO. The Belgian soldier is a very good soldier,excellent, ...since ever. But, unfortunatelly, our ressources, thanks to our government, are very limited. Then, why as a foreigner do you want to join the Belgian army?! I absolutely don't understand it. If I was German, I would prefer to serve in the German army. Firstly, because it would be my army, of my country, to protect my national interests for my people. Secondly, because even if there is also a big reduction in the German military expenditures, it's still a mighty force, and certainly far more powerful than the nowadays Belgian army, and with more interesting opportunities for the career.
Please, if you don't mind, can you explain me your reasons? But, if your reasons are private and that you don't want to justify here your reasons, I would respect your choice to not reply. Of course. No problem.

About women in the para-commandos, nowadays (if it has not changed very recently) the women can go to the para-commandos but they have to succeed exactly the same test than the men, in the same conditions, and at the same level. Except the experiment of a female platoon in the 70's, I think that there is no other women in the para-commandos for the moment, because no one has succeeded in the same conditions than the men. But, in the rest of the army, the conditions are different and there are women in various functions, including combat functions.

Yes, your weight is a lot for your height. Nowadays, they are very strict with the BMI. I'm 179 cm tall for 79-80 kg. They said that the ideal for me is around 80kg. then, I do my best to maintain me around that weight. It's not easy, because I do a lot of sport, and I easily take muscles. I train me in the way to have good athletic muscles, but not getting heavy muscles. I know, it's not always easy. However, they will check your % of fat and muscles. Then, even if you are heavy, if they see a lot of % of muscles, maybe it would influence your final result in a better way. But, honestly, I don't know how exactly the military doctors adjust your BMI profile in considering your % of muscles. Anyway, too much muscles is also not very good for military activities, I think.

[Belenos]

When I did my period of COR/KRO training this year, I heard some people to say that now it is possible to choose directly the SFG, without previous experience. I don't know if it really changed like that, but I just heard some people to say it. IF it's true, then it's too bad.

[TheBelgian]

I was at the Defensie huis in Antwerp a few months back and asked about this 'civilian to SFG' thing they had going. Apparently they tried in once, during last march. Recruits had to pass through basic at leopoldsburg, para at Schaffen, commando at March-les-Dammes and only then could they begin the rigorous selection for SFG. They told me at the defensie huis that none of the recruits made it into SFG, so its unlikely they'll try to recruit straight from the civilian population again. But they also told me that that 4 year service requirment wasnt really applied anymore. The SFG needs men so badly that its possible to try out almost right away if you make it into the army or at least into the para-commandos.

[Unrated]

Belenos, i believe there is 1 female in 1para these days. Not a 100% sure tho...

I am currently still in school (hogeschool) and when i am done i'll apply for para. Currently training my ass off to in top shape

[Belenos]

It's possible. I don't check day by day the new enlistments in the Belgian army. I didn't heard about a female para, then I can't confirm to you. I don't know. But, if this info is correct, congratulation to her, because really not easy for a girl, even very sportive, to enter into our para-commandos.
And, good luck to you for your preparation. Soon, maybe you will have a
nice beret...

Belenos, i believe there is 1 female in 1para these days. Not a 100% sure tho...

I am currently still in school (hogeschool) and when i am done i'll apply for para. Currently training my ass off to in top shape

[ovl007]

off topic:
any guys here btw starting their NCO training next october 15th in saffraanberg?

I can't wait to get started... I've been exercising more then the usual since i got word that i am selected to commence my training there. Any pointers perhaps from (ex) servicemen?