Legal Officer

Introduction

If you start working as a legal officer in the Army, a world will open up to you. You will be trained as an officer, after which you will be assigned to the legal service of one of the most versatile employers in the Netherlands. The Army has services and units both domestically and abroad.

What you will do

As a military legal advisor, you will provide advice on legal matters that a commander encounters in carrying out their duties. You will primarily advise in the areas of international law, humanitarian law, law of war, military criminal and disciplinary law, and military civil service law. You may also be responsible for processing objection and appeal letters in individual legal status cases. Your package of tasks may also involve acting as a representative in administrative court proceedings. Like other military personnel, legal officers also participate in exercises and missions.

ADVANTAGES OF THIS POSITION

• Salary: your gross base salary, supplemented by allowances and our favorable travel expenses, pension, and healthcare scheme, will result in a pleasant net surprise.
• Work atmosphere: nowhere else will you be part of such a close-knit team of colleagues as in the Ministry of Defence.
• Career development opportunities: besides being an employer, the Ministry of Defence is also a large training institute where you can follow courses to grow personally and professionally.

Where you will work

You will work at one of the Army units, which are spread across the country. Throughout your career, you will hold different legal positions for approximately three years each. You will participate in exercises and must take into account that you may be deployed abroad.

Before you start working, you will first follow the Post-graduate Training Military Legal Service Armed Forces (PAO MJD-K) for one and a half years at the Royal Military Academy (KMA) in Breda and at the University of Amsterdam. After successfully completing your training, you will immediately begin your career as a Legal Officer in the Army. During your career in the Army, you will hold various legal positions for approximately three years each.

For more information about the training: www.werkenbijdefensie.nl/vakgebieden/specialisten/juridisch

You will be appointed as a military member of the Ministry of Defence. As a legal officer, you will receive an initial appointment for five and a half years (one and a half years of training and a service obligation of four years after completing the training) with a probationary period of six months. In the last year of your service obligation, you can request an extension of your contract or decide to leave the service. A legal officer is appointed to the rank of Captain. You will also receive a salary during your training. In addition, the Army offers excellent other employment conditions. For example, you can use an attractive package of study facilities, which can also benefit you outside the Army. The Army offers good healthcare, comprehensive travel and expense reimbursements, and ample sports facilities. But the best employment condition cannot be expressed in money, of course: the unique experience you can gain in the Army!

How to apply

The Army has five training positions available with a start date of September 2026. Interested parties can apply by completing the online interest form (see 'apply' button) including uploading a CV and cover letter. The vacancy is open from November 3rd to December 3rd, 2025. After the response period, a first selection will take place in December 2025 based on the letters and CVs. A number of applicants will be invited by the military legal service for interviews, which will take place in January 2026. The most suitable candidates will start the medical examination process in March 2026. An interview with the Advisory Committee on Entry (ACI) KMA is part of the selection procedure.
For more information about the content of the position or for questions about the application procedure, you can send an email to [email protected].

Note: to apply, you must upload a CV, cover letter, AND a scan of your diploma in 1 file!

Legal Officer €0 ~ €0 salary 23 ~ 30 vacation days per year Obtain your driver's license for free Location: Breda, VARIOUS LOCATIONS NETHERLANDSLegal Officer What you will do These topics are frequently asked to the Defence Chatbot What you will get from us 5 items Application process This is you

Maybe you are hesitating. We are not. We see not only who you are now but also who you can become. What you don't know today, you will learn tomorrow. With good education, training, guidance, and a team that stands behind you.

Take the step How do I prepare?

Don't worry, we believe in you. At the Ministry of Defence, you will receive everything you need to grow: good education, training, coaching, and a team that stands behind you. If it doesn't work out after all? We will help you further. Together we will look for where you do belong within the Ministry of Defence.

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Do you have any further questions about this vacancy? We are happy to help you.

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