Junior UAS Operator Soldier (Gunner)

Introductory text

Do you have an affinity and/or experience with Drones (UAS: Unmanned Aerial Systems) and would you like to work as a soldier in the Army within a combat unit (Infantry or Cavalry)? Then apply for one of the following locations in the Netherlands.

Note: the function cluster with the physical requirements differs per brigade or unit. After your intake interview, you will be informed which function cluster applies to the unit where you will be placed.

What you will do

You will work at one of the following units: 43 Mechanized Brigade (Havelte/Soesterberg), 13 Light Brigade (Oirschot), or 11 Air Assault Brigade (Schaarsbergen and Assen).

After entering service, you will first follow the General Military Training (Air Assault) (AMO(L)). In the AMO(L), you will be trained to be able to operate as an individual soldier in an operational area and to function within a military organization. If you successfully complete the AMO(L), you will then follow the job-specific training at the Training and Education Center.

As a soldier, you will participate in various exercises. In addition, you must take into account that, like every soldier, you may be deployed abroad.

Note: the 45th Armored Infantry Battalion (part of 43 Mechanized Brigade) is expected to gradually move from the Darp (Havelte) location to the Soesterberg location from mid-2026 until after the summer of 2027.

MEET US

Do you want to truly get to know and experience Defense? During an event or webinar, you will get a better feel for the work, and you can, of course, ask all your questions. So, schedule a meeting quickly.

YOUR CAREER

As a soldier, you are part of a team with a specialized task. After a few years, you can advance to the rank of corporal, giving you increasing responsibility within your team.

YOUR PROFILE

• VMBO Basis, VMBO Kader, VMBO Gemengd, VMBO Theoretisch, MBO 2
• You are between 17 years and 28 years and 11 months old
• Wearing glasses or contact lenses is not a problem
• You must be able to swim
• Good command of the Dutch language (speaking and writing)

WE WILL TRAIN YOU

• General Military Training (Air Assault) (AMO(L)
• Job Training (FO)

RESILIENCE

To be able to work at Defense, it is important that you have good physical condition. Therefore, the physical examination is an indispensable part of the application procedure. And to prepare you well for this, we have developed special training schedules.

Note: the function cluster with the physical requirements differs per brigade or unit. After your intake interview, you will be informed which function cluster applies to the unit where you will be placed.

APPLY

Your application at Defense consists of several parts. Discover the different application steps below.

• Information session Army (optional)
• Completing questionnaires
• Psychological Assessment (PO)
• Familiarization days at the unit
• Appointment Medical Examination
• Security Clearance (VO)
• Appointment

SOLDIER INFANTRY (AIR ASSAULT) - ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY

€2,950 ~ €3,150 salary

23 ~ 30 days off per year

Get your driver's license for free

Locations: Havelte (Soesterberg), Oirschot, Schaarsbergen, Assen.

Where you will work

As a Junior UAS Operator Soldier (Gunner) in the Army, you are part of a unit/team and will work at one of the following locations: Havelte (Soesterberg), Oirschot, Schaarsbergen, or Assen.

In this role, you will work with a weapon system (drone) and, as a gunner, operate the onboard weapon. You will carry out assignments for the preparation and execution of operational deployment and exercises. The goal of the Counter-UAS units is to protect infrastructure, personnel, and assets of the unit against hostile UAS assets.

PLUS POINTS OF THIS ROLE

• Salary: your gross basic salary, plus allowances and our favorable travel, pension, and health insurance schemes, result in a pleasant net surprise.
• Work atmosphere: you will never be part of such a close-knit team of colleagues as you will be at Defense.
• Challenge: you are responsible for protecting objects, units, and areas from the ground against threats from the air.

Maybe you are hesitating. We are not. We see not only who you are now but also who you can become. What you cannot do today, you will learn tomorrow. With good education, training, guidance, and a team that supports you.

Don't worry, we believe in you. At Defense, you will receive everything you need to grow: good education, training, coaching, and a team that supports you. If it doesn't work out, we will help you further. Together, we will look for where you fit within Defense.

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