By Anietie anii-bassey
Moving cautiously through dense woodland, their faces streaked with camouflage, Dutch reservists advance in near silence, rifles held ready as they scan for threats.
The exercise, carried out by members of the 10th Infantry Battalion Guard Security Corps National Reserve, reflects a broader transformation underway in the Netherlands as the country accelerates efforts to strengthen its armed forces in response to a rapidly shifting global security environment.
The Dutch government has committed to a significant expansion of its military, aiming to increase personnel from roughly 80,000 to 120,000 by 2035. The plan has drawn widespread political backing and mirrors a wider trend across Europe, where nations are rethinking defense strategies in light of growing uncertainty and geopolitical tension.
A key factor driving this shift is the ongoing war launched by Vladimir Putin against Ukraine, which has reshaped security calculations across the continent. At the same time, concerns have deepened over the future of transatlantic defense ties, particularly as Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism toward the NATO alliance and suggested scaling back the U.S. military presence in Europe, including in Germany.
Against this backdrop, the Netherlands has turned to both professional recruitment and volunteer reservists to bolster its ranks. The push has received an unexpected boost from the country’s royal family. Queen Máxima and her eldest daughter, Princess Amalia, recently enlisted as reservists, drawing global attention and sparking a surge of interest among potential recruits.
Officials within the Defense Ministry have dubbed the phenomenon the “Amalia effect,” describing a sharp rise in applications following the royal enlistments. Derk Boswijk acknowledged that the military is now grappling with the practical challenges of accommodating the influx, including shortages of training capacity, housing, uniforms and equipment.
While the Netherlands currently has around 9,000 reservists, the goal is to more than double that number to at least 20,000 by 2030. Despite logistical hurdles, officials view the surge in interest as a positive sign, underscoring renewed public engagement with national defense.
For many reservists, the changing security landscape has altered both priorities and mindset. One corporal involved in the training exercises described a shift away from the relatively low-threat environment of previous years toward a renewed focus on traditional military readiness. Tasks once seen as routine drills now carry a heightened sense of urgency as concerns grow over potential future conflicts.
European Union and NATO officials have warned that Russia could pose a broader threat to the continent within the next several years, particularly if it achieves its objectives in Ukraine. In response, NATO has been developing new operational plans designed to prepare member states for large-scale conflict, emphasizing mobility, rapid deployment and coordinated defense.
The Netherlands’ recruitment drive is part of a broader European effort to rebuild military capacity after decades of downsizing. In Germany, lawmakers are considering measures to make military service more attractive, including improved pay and flexible service terms, while leaving open the possibility of reintroducing limited conscription if voluntary recruitment falls short.
France is also expanding its volunteer programs, with plans to recruit thousands of young people annually for short-term service roles. Meanwhile, countries closer to Russia’s borders have taken more direct steps.
Finland maintains mandatory military service for men, while Sweden reinstated a form of conscription in 2017. Denmark and Latvia have adopted similar hybrid systems combining voluntary enlistment with selective drafts.
Unlike some of its neighbors, the Netherlands has not reinstated conscription, though it technically remains on the books. Instead, the government is focusing on making military service appealing to a wider cross-section of society, emphasizing the need for diverse skills in an era where threats extend beyond traditional battlefields into cyber and digital domains.
Officials stress that modern defense requires not only soldiers trained in combat but also specialists capable of addressing cyberattacks, protecting infrastructure and navigating increasingly complex technological challenges.
For some recruits, historical memory plays a powerful role in their decision to serve. The rapid occupation of the Netherlands during World War II remains a stark reminder of the consequences of unpreparedness. New volunteers say they are motivated by a desire to ensure that the country is better equipped to respond to future threats.
Recent missions have already reflected this evolving role. Reservists have been deployed to help secure critical infrastructure and support large-scale operations, including security efforts surrounding major international gatherings such as NATO summits.
Service in the reserves typically involves around 300 hours per year, with commitments ranging from weekend exercises to emergency response duties. While reservists are generally not deployed to combat zones abroad, they play a crucial role in domestic security and crisis response, including disaster relief efforts such as flood defense.
Back in the forest training grounds, the exercise reaches its conclusion as a hidden soldier emerges from a camouflaged position, signaling the end of a simulated engagement. The moment is met with brief celebration among the unit before they begin packing up, preparing to return to their civilian lives.
For these part-time soldiers, the balance between everyday routines and military readiness underscores a broader reality facing the Netherlands and much of Europe: a renewed focus on defense in an era where stability can no longer be taken for granted.