Belgian Defence: Put your trust in people. Egmont Commentary 20 July 2021.

Biscop, Sven (2021) Belgian Defence: Put your trust in people. Egmont Commentary 20 July 2021. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

Problems such as those exposed in Belgium’s military intelligence service ADIV/SGRS cannot find a structural solution unless Defence can hire sufficient personnel, with the right qualifications, to fulfil all of its tasks. For the Armed Forces first of all consist of people. Alas, that is precisely the aspect that has been politically ignored for years. Recently, Defence fortunately can recruit more people again, but the fact is that this came too late. Important gaps had already fallen in the structures. “People our Priority”, Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder’s plan that puts people front and centre, is more than necessary, therefore. A core dimension, a general salary increase, is but normal. Defence was lagging too far behind (notably as compared to the police) to attract qualified people on a highly competitive job market. Putting people at the centre also means putting trust in people, though. In an organisation in which men and women can be asked to put their lives at risk, the role of the “chief” is crucial, at all levels, including at the top: the generals and admirals.

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