Belgian Military Thread

[ParacdoBe]

Off course you're not supposed to buy your own chestwebbing. When (if) you get to start training the army will send you a letter a week in advance, saying what you're supposed to bring (you can find the list on http://blog.seniorennet.be/cbos/). Anything else will be provided.
On your first day, your cadre will also tell you what sort of stuff of personal purchase you're allowed to have. We were allowed to have the old model ABL boots, a petzl, a leatherman, NTGS-gloves & a wool cap (on the condition that we all bought the same one); but it differs from platoon to platoon...
ie.: some other platoons were allowed to wear srarves/buffs (scarf = no need to paint your throat/neck), and some others weren't allowed to wear different boots.
I'm talking CBOS now. GPO might be a lot looser, or a lot stricter, depending on the unit (either way, you won't be making good first impressions if you arrive at your unit wearing irregular boots & carrying 3 bags of shit). After GPO you're "bij wijze van spreken" allowed to do whatever you want (outside the wire).



Concerning applying for NCO or not:
it's not for me, not yet anyway, I might change my mind in a couple of years...
Keep in mind that you'll probably be leading people that are older and more experienced than yourself. A 28-year-old kpl. with 10 years in the army & 5 ops won't accept a 19/20-year-old sgt. with no real experience right away, it would take some time & social skills.
This isn't insurmountable though, and I'm by no means discouraging you to try it, I'm just saying it's more than just getting paid a little more...

I totally understand what you meant with "Een snotneuske die hier "veteranen" komt de les spellen" .

Thx for the information that site is very helpfull.
And BTW nice photos keep them coming

[BAF]

good luck paracdobe , i hope you can get what you want

for myself, i had my first talk with a recruiter in the defensiehouse, i still dont know what i want and what i'm going to do to much things that i'm interested in.

[PathFindeR[BE]]

The crisis is really helping

Hopefully the new CBOS'ers will be better, because my god sometimes i wonder the belgian army is a "sociale instelling"

[neophyte77]

Damn vor033, you made this thread hot again

If my back wasn't fct up, I would be in the ABL army right now :/

life goes on

[Gleipnir]

I was wondering if anyone here could help point me towards information about Paracommando divers.
I am not sure what to search, what they are called?
Kikker? Kikvorsman? Plongeur? Nageur de combat?
I was curious to know about selection and training in particular. Also, are they only working in fresh? water (rivers, lakes, canals) and not in the sea?
If anyone could help me I would really appreciate it.
Also great pictures vor033!

[vor033]

I am glad people like the Photos hopefully i wont end up posting to many re-posts !

[vor033]

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A few Photos of the Belgian Army Mission in Benin Africa

[vor033]

Benin Africa