Belgian Military Thread

[Hawk005]

@Hawk ;


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.

.

Thank you Koen for your very helpful answer. I have just a last question to you..... What are the differences between 1st Para Bn and 3rd Para Bn and the differences to the Commando Bn?

Does the Commando Bn do a different training than 1st and 3rd Para?


Best Regards

Hawk

[Hawk005]

. 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 I would serve in the Belgian army even if we had no clothes and if we had completely outdated weapons in poor condition.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. .

Hi Belenos, thank you as well for your respond. To answer your question, I want to join the Belgian army for nearly the same reasons like you. I like the military life and the challenges.

And I see me as a European, or better as an open mind World People and so I think there is nothing wrong with serving for an other country as Germany. When I made my way succesfully I think I could also get the Belgian citizenship at a later point......

Why not, our world today is very much in Globalism....

So and my Main Reason why I want to join the Belgian military is, because it is possible and the Belgian military is also a professional military where you can make your career if you want, where you can serve 20 years or longer........

So, in Germany its totally different, here you can only serve for a couple of years as a "time soldier". I dont know the word for that in english. There are only very few places for military career who is allowed to serve longer.....

So and all those time soldiers makes also our military bad. In germany every male has to do military service for 9 month (but most of these people dont want to serve, they arent there on their free decision in the military). And those 9 month soldiers are also in our paratrooper BNs around. The only 2 professional units we have in Germany, are the KSK and the combat diver, in that units are 9 month soldier not allowed.

So KSK was opened at the end of my career (I was 2 years in the paratroopers), after that I was doing 2 more years at a school for economics, and later I was also thinkin about to join again and to try out for KSK or combat diver, but then I was to old, KSK and combat swimmer is in germany limited to 26 years old maximum applicants......

So, Im now 30 years old and I was also thinking about joining the French Foreign Legion or the U.S.Military.
As for the Legion, I know some guys who were there and the Legion is no more that what you might think about, Legion nowadays lives from its myth from their glory past.......

And for the U.S. Military you are supposed to have a Greencard first, BEFORE you can join. Since 9/11 it is very hard to get a Greencard. The only way to get a card is when you have family in the U.S. or an american wife or about the Greencard Lottery......... so nearly not possible....

British Forces are also closed for Foreigners......

So, the Belgian Army is open for Europeans and its also a very good and professional army, small but fine . And when you are good enough, you can also stay in and make your career, so you have more opportunities for your future there, than here in Germany.... and also Belgian is not that far from Germany and Belgian also is a very nice country, too.

Why shouldnt I want to serve for Belgian?

Are there many Foreigners nowadays in the Belgians military? Or would I be one of a very few Foreigners there??

Does the most of the Belgian soldier dont like all the European Foreigners who are able to join now?



Best Regards

Hawk

[Unrated]

@hawk: · 1Para,2Cdo and 3para get the same training. Every paracommando has to go through the same training.

[Hawk005]

@hawk: · 1Para,2Cdo and 3para get the same training. Every paracommando has to go through the same training.

ah ok, thank you Unrated. I thought there was a difference between "Commandos" and Paras, cause of the name. But those three are all the same, thank you.

[Belenos]

Thank you very much for your reply.

First of all, I hope that you understand that I'm not hostile to you. I just have a different point of view. But, even if I don't know you, I can feel in your messages that you seems to be a nice person, and I appreciate you.

Me too, I'm a World people in the way that I live in this planet. And, I'm also a European because Belgium is in a region of the world named Europe and because it's part of the European civilization. But, concretely, my people and my identity is Belgium. I think that the people who say that they are citizens of the world or of Europe, the day that they would have to choose concretely between their contry and another one (for example if unfortunatelly Germany is at war against another country), then they would choose without doubt their own country. It prooves that the base of the identity is our country and nothing other. And, it's normal. Anyway, in any period of the history, there were always military adventurers.

Speaking about globalization, I will not start a debate about it, because it's without ending and it's not the topic of this thread. But, I would like just to give a short comment. First of all, globalization is not new. It started with the beginning of the Modern European colonial era at the end of the 15th century-early 16th century, and since the end of the 19th century, it's reaching a peak (but, after a peak, there is always a fall). First of all, even if the globalization is not exactly the same in 2007 than in 1907, still its not a new process, then nothing special nowadays. Secondly, globalization just means the scale of action
for the actors of the "strategic game". These actors are the states, the countries, or whatever we call it. Any other things, like international organizations, cooperations, alliances, are just tools of that game used by the nations. And, in that global-scale game (which has on the same times other levels of game: regional, sub-regional, etc), each nation has its own interests and try to protect it. Nothing new under the sun.

Anyway, I come back to the topic.

- You speak about the conscription in Germany. I don't remember the exact number, but I think that nowadays just a few persons are selected for conscription in Germany (maybe around 50,000?! not sure), and most of the troops are volunteers. Then, the German army is more a volunteer army than a a conscription army.
- There is nothing bad about a conscription army, if conscription is well made. And, I even clearly prefer a conscription army.
- You mention the fact that in Belgium there is the possibility to do a real military career, and not just to volunteer for a few years. It's true that the volunteer system in Belgium is made to have a full career. You mention it as a good thing. Maybe, individually, for those who want to be all their life in the army, it's a good thing. But, it's a bad system. We have suspended the conscription, but we did not adjust the volunteer system to a volunteer army. In a conscription army, it's fine, it's even better, if the volunteers do a long career, because they bring their experience. while the conscript bring the manpower and the youth. But, in a all-volunteer army, it's a big problem because you get an army of grandfathers. Actually, the fact that everyone can do a career is dramatic for the Belgian army that get very old. We have a serious problem with that. We should have short-term volunteers and, among them, at the end of their four years (for example), to select some of them to become career volunteers. that would be better.
- if you go to the Belgian army, you will understand that we also have serious problems of military expenditures (worst than in Germany), and that our army is moreover getting "too light" (only medium and light troops), and is really too much small.
- From what I know, there is not a lot of Foreign citizens in the Belgian army. In fact, I know no one of them. But, it's just from my experience only. I don't know about the real number. You should ask to the Belgian government.
- To your question: do most of the Belgian military don't like foreigners to join our army? Well, it's difficult to reply. Belgians are very welcoming people. I can't speak for everyone but, personally, if you are a nice person, I would welcome you very well, as an individual. I have no problem with the individual. Maybe we would become friends. Moreover, you are German. German people are like cousins. But, speaking about the system, I don't like to see my army becoming an army of mercenaries. I regret to have to say that I don't like that new law to authorize EU foreigners to serve into the Belgian army. And, it's a very recent law that did not exist when I was a regular.

We have very similar past. I'm 30 years old too. I served into the army (but as a CAREER volunteer) before to turn to the university studies. I will always feel army in me, and that's why I stay very active as a reservist (I will always be divided. I would like to continue the military career, but if I did it, I would not have opportunities to do other things like living overseas, having academic field activities, etc. Then, reserve is a good compromise for me, but feel sometimes unsatisfaction and would like more military). And, I like sports too, and do a lot of physical training.

Hi Belenos, thank you as well for your respond. To answer your question, I want to join the Belgian army for nearly the same reasons like you. I like the military life and the challenges.

And I see me as a European, or better as an open mind World People and so I think there is nothing wrong with serving for an other country as Germany. When I made my way succesfully I think I could also get the Belgian citizenship at a later point......

Why not, our world today is very much in Globalism....

So and my Main Reason why I want to join the Belgian military is, because it is possible and the Belgian military is also a professional military where you can make your career if you want, where you can serve 20 years or longer........

So, in Germany its totally different, here you can only serve for a couple of years as a "time soldier". I dont know the word for that in english. There are only very few places for military career who is allowed to serve longer.....

So and all those time soldiers makes also our military bad. In germany every male has to do military service for 9 month (but most of these people dont want to serve, they arent there on their free decision in the military). And those 9 month soldiers are also in our paratrooper BNs around. The only 2 professional units we have in Germany, are the KSK and the combat diver, in that units are 9 month soldier not allowed.

So KSK was opened at the end of my career (I was 2 years in the paratroopers), after that I was doing 2 more years at a school for economics, and later I was also thinkin about to join again and to try out for KSK or combat diver, but then I was to old, KSK and combat swimmer is in germany limited to 26 years old maximum applicants......

So, Im now 30 years old and I was also thinking about joining the French Foreign Legion or the U.S.Military.
As for the Legion, I know some guys who were there and the Legion is no more that what you might think about, Legion nowadays lives from its myth from their glory past.......

And for the U.S. Military you are supposed to have a Greencard first, BEFORE you can join. Since 9/11 it is very hard to get a Greencard. The only way to get a card is when you have family in the U.S. or an american wife or about the Greencard Lottery......... so nearly not possible....

British Forces are also closed for Foreigners......

So, the Belgian Army is open for Europeans and its also a very good and professional army, small but fine . And when you are good enough, you can also stay in and make your career, so you have more opportunities for your future there, than here in Germany.... and also Belgian is not that far from Germany and Belgian also is a very nice country, too.

Why shouldnt I want to serve for Belgian?

Are there many Foreigners nowadays in the Belgians military? Or would I be one of a very few Foreigners there??

Does the most of the Belgian soldier dont like all the European Foreigners who are able to join now?



Best Regards

Hawk

[Belenos]

At the origin, it was different, but nowadays (in fact since the end of the Korean War), only traditions and "esprit de corps" are different in para and commando units. Missions and training are the same (however, each unit has some specificities. For example, recently 2nd Commando like to train for hostage rescue)

ah ok, thank you Unrated. I thought there was a difference between "Commandos" and Paras, cause of the name. But those three are all the same, thank you.

[psychoticweazel]

Hi Belenos, thank you as well for your respond. To answer your question, I want to join the Belgian army for nearly the same reasons like you. I like the military life and the challenges.

And I see me as a European, or better as an open mind World People and so I think there is nothing wrong with serving for an other country as Germany. When I made my way succesfully I think I could also get the Belgian citizenship at a later point......

Why not, our world today is very much in Globalism....

So and my Main Reason why I want to join the Belgian military is, because it is possible and the Belgian military is also a professional military where you can make your career if you want, where you can serve 20 years or longer........

So, in Germany its totally different, here you can only serve for a couple of years as a "time soldier". I dont know the word for that in english. There are only very few places for military career who is allowed to serve longer.....

So and all those time soldiers makes also our military bad. In germany every male has to do military service for 9 month (but most of these people dont want to serve, they arent there on their free decision in the military). And those 9 month soldiers are also in our paratrooper BNs around. The only 2 professional units we have in Germany, are the KSK and the combat diver, in that units are 9 month soldier not allowed.

So KSK was opened at the end of my career (I was 2 years in the paratroopers), after that I was doing 2 more years at a school for economics, and later I was also thinkin about to join again and to try out for KSK or combat diver, but then I was to old, KSK and combat swimmer is in germany limited to 26 years old maximum applicants......

So, Im now 30 years old and I was also thinking about joining the French Foreign Legion or the U.S.Military.
As for the Legion, I know some guys who were there and the Legion is no more that what you might think about, Legion nowadays lives from its myth from their glory past.......

And for the U.S. Military you are supposed to have a Greencard first, BEFORE you can join. Since 9/11 it is very hard to get a Greencard. The only way to get a card is when you have family in the U.S. or an american wife or about the Greencard Lottery......... so nearly not possible....

British Forces are also closed for Foreigners......

So, the Belgian Army is open for Europeans and its also a very good and professional army, small but fine . And when you are good enough, you can also stay in and make your career, so you have more opportunities for your future there, than here in Germany.... and also Belgian is not that far from Germany and Belgian also is a very nice country, too.

Why shouldnt I want to serve for Belgian?

Are there many Foreigners nowadays in the Belgians military? Or would I be one of a very few Foreigners there??

Does the most of the Belgian soldier dont like all the European Foreigners who are able to join now?



Best Regards

Hawk

I am a Dutch citizen and I joined the Belgian army. I am from the North of the Netherlands so in the beginning I had a real hard time understanding my fellow soldiers. But I have to say I was taken in by the Belgians very quickly...I was expecting to have a hard time as the only Dutchman in the platoon but nothing could be more further from the truth!

The Belgians are quite nice to foriegners as long as you respect them. And I am having the time of my life over here in Belgium!

If you have any questions on joining the Belgian army just PM me.

Kind regards,

Psychoticweazel

[seppe2001]

I want me one of those F2000:s.... But like someone said they (the rifles) probably belong to the SFG. In this pic it looks like the guy in the top left corner is wearing a CIRAS. http://www.mil.be/isaf/gall/index.as...=185129&PAGE=1

But what does TIR stand for?

TIR is the french word for shooting. It means the picture gallery is from a day at the shooting range. The pictures you see on the Belgian Army website are from those days. Most of the times 1 or 2 SFG members join them and let them try out the F2000. On the Army website they apparently post most of the pictures with F2000, but when you pay close attention to the camouflage paint, it's the same guns every time.
The guy on the top left corner is wearing a paraclete vest.

[Quack of Doom]

Not really a question about joining the belgian army, but just about the why... Why would you join the belgian army as a dutchman? Belgian parents or something?

[psychoticweazel]

Not really a question about joining the belgian army, but just about the why... Why would you join the belgian army as a dutchman? Belgian parents or something?

Nope I'm 100% Dutch no Belgian parents or family or anything. Here in the Netherlands you can't reallymake a career in the Army exept if you go for the officers corps. The system here is up or out...make promotion or get the fudge out!

And the Belgians pay better and here in Belgium I can stay for longer then 5 years...and I am pretty sure I'd like to stay longer than that.

[Koen]

Nice to read that you're doing fine in the belgian army psychoticweazle, may we be so curious to ask what unit you're in ?

Concerning EU-citizens in the army, I've read a few months ago that a few tens of them are in now, mainly dutchmen and frenchmen because of the language, but also some portuguese, Italian, Lituanians and Greek. But these last were all people who were raised here in Belgium, but had not asked or gotten the nationality. They did not come from their countries to enlist.
There is a german in the infantry, I read an interview with him.

And most do come because they can build a career here, which is more difficult in their home-armies. And they get a good beer after hours...

The difference between "Para" and "Commando" units goes back to the origins, the traditions of the '40s. Since '52 the two units melted together in the Paracommando regiment, and have since had the same training. There is no difference anymore.
1 Para has the traditions of the free belgian SAS of WWII.
2 Commando has the traditions of Nr 4 Belgian Troop, 10 Inter-Allied Commando of WWII.
3 Para has the traditions of the voluntary corps for Korea, that was raised in 1950.

@Belenos, it is a little simple to say that there are fewer flemish volunteers for the army.
Unemployment in Flanders is smaller than in Wallonia,thus off course more walloons will try to get in the army. But in 2005 Mr Flahaut had 12 000+ candidates for 1800 jobs in defence. Don't tell me that there were only 500 flemish and 11 500 walloons/Bruxellois. Mr De Crem (CD&V parliamentary in the defence committe of the house of reps) has often complained that Mr Flahaut's cabinet is favouring recruiting walloon recruits in the army, and to give the budgets for training & recruiting to french speaking units. I suspect that Mr Flahaut tries to get as many walloons as possible in the army to reduce unemployment, and he gives not a cent about the consequences for the flemish units. Bull**** ?? 3 Para is most undermanned, laks about 200 men. But if you check paracommando.com you'll read how many young men tried to be accepted, but get refused for dubious medical reasons or get approved but he 'lists are full'. There are flemish who want to serve. In fact the army is getting popular in flanders, but it is very difficult to get in ???
Same goes for the postal service and the railroads. I know it is a difficult time to talk about 'communautaire' problems, but this is real. It is in flemish newspapers with interviews and figures. A hidden "transfer".
Mr Flahaut is also the champion in closing & selling barracks in Flanders, and relocate the activity in walloon barracks as "rationalisation".
Don't get me wrong, I'm no "flamingant", I'm a proud westflemish and I like being belgian, I served my conscription time (voluntary) in a mixed unit, and I knew that mixed meant dutch/French (+1 german) speaking, I didn't do it because I thought there would be girls !
I was with 17 TTr in Neheim, Germany in '88-'89. Had asked the paracommando's but my legs and eyes were not good enough.

Abolishment of conscription was necessary I think, sending 'miliciens' to Lebanon or Afganistan would be very risky for the politicians I guess, we would have had a bigger army with 4x brigades, but less missions, certainly no combat in far away places. The error was drastically reducing the defence budget, that should have been maintained and used to draw in volunteers and new equipment.

The army is indeed too old, but the "GLC-Gemengde Loopbaan Concept" (Mixed Carreer Concept) should change this, no more lifelong carreers in the army, but 4, 8 or 12 years and then switching to civil employment in the government or defence, seems like the way forward to me. But it will take a while to start having effect.

Anyhow Hawk05, 3 Para is now recruiting 95x young men, so hurry to a recruiting office. Come find a job in flanders and you'll learn flemish fast, it is not so difficult, all little children speak it here. And go for the paracommando's !
I had a good time in germany as a conscript, was very well received and welcomed, not so logic in Soest where a brigade was based, each weekend a few hundred skinheads exploring the pubs for "fräuleins" but everybody was very polite and hospible, never heard a bad word. So I've no problems with germans serving here !! Just come one by one, not in group anymore !

[psychoticweazel]

Nice to read that you're doing fine in the belgian army psychoticweazle, may we be so curious to ask what unit you're in ?

I'm still in Basic training, I've been in service since june this year, will be going to 1g / 1c in oktober.

[Belenos]

Yes, as long you respect us and our way, you are really welcome.
I'm happy to know that you enjoy our army and the time with Belgian troops, Dutch brother

I am a Dutch citizen and I joined the Belgian army. I am from the North of the Netherlands so in the beginning I had a real hard time understanding my fellow soldiers. But I have to say I was taken in by the Belgians very quickly...I was expecting to have a hard time as the only Dutchman in the platoon but nothing could be more further from the truth!

The Belgians are quite nice to foriegners as long as you respect them. And I am having the time of my life over here in Belgium!

If you have any questions on joining the Belgian army just PM me.

Kind regards,

Psychoticweazel

[Vaiar]

So and my Main Reason why I want to join the Belgian military is, because it is possible and the Belgian military is also a professional military where you can make your career if you want, where you can serve 20 years or longer........

So, in Germany its totally different, here you can only serve for a couple of years as a "time soldier". I dont know the word for that in english. There are only very few places for military career who is allowed to serve longer.....

I am rather curious as to what you think your career prospects are in the Belgian military as a foreigner at 30 years of age and speaking neither Dutch nor French to any practical fluency.

[Christophe]

It is not that hard to join the US military as a European.
I went to a USMC recruiter in the MASS area in 2000. He told me that if I found a job for six months he´d get me in.I never took him to his word since when I got back I met my present wife. I became a cop in Belgium instead. If I´d wanted to I would´ve been able to get a job in a restaurant (Europeans with a hotelschool diploma seem to be wanted there).That way I would ve had a job as a way to join up.
I also wanted to join the Belgian military a while back. I had a few para cdo friends that served in Somalia, some of them also in Rwanda (Silver Back Evac Op). They all talked me out of joining since the overall atmosphere was so bad. Lots of training but no action. If there were ops they were underequipped and operating under ridiculous rules. Most of those guys since left.
Maybe nowadays it is different, I dunno.
Just my 2 cents. Anyways, good luck in your endeavours.