Because armed forces are financed by taxpayers money, it is necessary that they are operating in an effective and efficient way. To achieve this, good training is vital. New missions of the Dutch armed forces, for instance in Afghanistan, show that the operational preparedness for tasks is vital. As …

In this article we analyze the ways in which the risks of military missions and the prospects for casualties have made an impact on the deployment of soldiers by the Netherlands. The question is whether the self-image of being a military nation acts as a hindrance to participation when the going gets …

With regard to officer socialization, Sparta represents the old model of military education, which - applied in an intraorganizational and isolated manner - focuses on military skills and an attitude of loyal service to the nation. Athens, on the other hand, stands for an open education in a broad spectrum …

In this article the correlation between the problems military personnel encountered during peacekeeping operations and the deficiencies they experienced during their education/training prior to deployment is analyzed. Education and training should be designed in such a way that the kind of problems soldiers …

In 1999 the Gele Rijders (Yellow Riders), the traditional name for the soldiers of 11 Battalion Horse Artillery, and with them soldiers, hussars, and gunners of numerous other units, were deployed to the municipality of Orahovac in Kosovo. In the evaluation report the Secretary of Defence sent to Parliament …

In this article the author's intention is to acquaint the reader with Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART). After a short sketch of its origin, the organisation, mission, way of operating and manner of deployment will be discussed. The possible deployment of Military Emergency Aid Units will briefly …

The decrease of the number of personnel employed in the western defence sector since 1990 can truly be called spectacular. But even before that year there was an unmistakably downward trend. Cooperation, therefore, is the buzz word for the military. This cooperation in the defence sector happens jointly …

The author describes and analysis Dutch public opinion about IFOR. Surveys conducted between December 1995 and December 1996 will give a picture of reasons, risks, images and evaluations, ascribed by the public to this mission.

When the Dutch contributions to the actions in the former Yugoslavia became more permanent, an increasing need arose to draw lessons from experiences gained. Several studies were set up to investigate varying subjects as leadership, family problems and stress. Most of these studies were conducted after …