beroepsmilitairen

Beroepsmilitairen are the full-time professional personnel employed by the Dutch armed forces. They form the core of the military, in contrast to reserve forces or conscripts, and serve under a contract for a specified term with the possibility of renewal. They are stationed across the four main services: the Koninklijke Landmacht (Army), Koninklijke Marine (Navy), Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Air Force) and Koninklijke Marechaussee (Royal Military Police).

Recruitment is voluntary and involves selection, medical and fitness tests, and security screening. After recruitment, beroepsmilitairen receive basic training followed by branch‑ or specialty‑specific training. Throughout their careers they pursue continuing professional development, on‑the‑job training and, for officers, education at armed forces academies. The armed forces provide a range of career paths from combat roles to technical, medical, legal and support functions.

Career progression typically moves from recruit to non‑commissioned officer and then to commissioned officer, with specialization in fields such as engineering, logistics, aviation, cyber, intelligence or health care. Promotions depend on performance, time in service and available vacancies, and many personnel transfer between units and missions during their careers.

Beroepsmilitairen receive salary and various benefits, including pensions, healthcare and family allowances, with additional pay during deployments or missions abroad. They may be deployed in international operations under NATO, UN or EU mandates, and are also involved in national crisis response and disaster relief.

In the Netherlands, the professional model coexists with a reserve component used to augment the active force when needed. Since the end of compulsory conscription in the mid-1990s, the armed forces rely on beroepsmilitairen and reserves, emphasizing professionalism, interoperability with allies and adapting to modern security challenges.