In 2024, a significant 40% of candidates in the Defense sector failed to complete their training, according to Het Nieuwsblad.

In response to this alarming dropout rate, the Defense Ministry has implemented several measures, including enhancing infrastructure and extending basic training from nine to ten weeks.

The ACMP-CGPM military union has raised concerns about the state of recruitment, citing issues like dilapidated barracks and a lack of experienced, motivated instructors.

Despite the challenges in recruitment, General Frederik Vansina, the Chief of Defense, noted that there are typically four candidates vying for each available position.

Defense Minister Theo Francken reported a slight improvement, with the dropout rate recently decreasing to around 35% based on the latest data.

Union president Yves Huwart pointed out that many recruits enter the program with unrealistic expectations shaped by promotional materials, which often do not reflect the actual training experience.