Overview
- Máxima was designated a reservist effective February 1 with the initial rank of private and is expected to become a lieutenant colonel after completing a year-long program.
- Official images and video show intensive training at the Soesterberg base and the Royal Military Academy, including weapons practice, aquatic survival, climbing, tactical drills, and classroom instruction such as map reading and military law.
- The Defence Ministry says she is training under the same conditions as other reservists and enrolled at 54 within the legal age limit of 55.
- Reservists support regular forces and can be called in emergencies, and authorities say she will be deployable where needed once her training is complete.
- Officials expect her decision to aid recruitment following Princess Amalia’s recent example and tie it to plans to lift defense spending to about 3.5% of GDP by 2035 and expand the force to at least 122,000 personnel.