54 year old Dutch Queen Maxima joins the Dutch Army as The Netherlands preps to rely less on the US

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

https://www.newser.com/story/383185/dutch-queen-enlists-in-the-army.html

Queen Máxima has traded some palace duties for basic training. The 54-year-old monarch has joined the Dutch Army as a reservist, a move the royal family says reflects a reality in which "our security can no longer be taken for granted." She entered service Wednesday as a soldier and began training that includes weapons practice, rope climbing, and marching at the Dutch Royal Military Academy in Breda, per the New York Times. Upon completion, the Argentina-born queen is slated to become a lieutenant colonel in the reserves. "Like other reservists, she will deploy where needed," the royal family said, per CBS News.

Her enlistment comes as Europe tries to bulk up its defenses and rely less on the US. The Netherlands plans to lift defense spending from 1.9% of GDP this year to 3.5% by 2035 and grow its armed forces from under 80,000 to at least 122,000 personnel. The incoming coalition wants every 17-year-old to fill out a military-interest survey and is floating a return to selective conscription if that falls short. Máxima isn't the only royal in uniform: her daughter, 22-year-old Princess Catharina-Amalia, was recently promoted to corporal, joining a long list of European heirs who've completed military training.

[Buddyzbuddy]

1. What, no bone spurs.

He may not be capable of feeling shame and embarrassment but we certainly are.

[RoseTrellis]

2. Good

It’s time for Europe as a whole to expend more of their resources for their own defense.
Why are they still relying on the US ~75 years after WW2?
US military spending is trending down to about 3.5% of GDP, if Europe steps up we can spend less and invest more domestically.

[AllyCat]

5. We have just pushed the biggest military budget with pedo

Asking for $1.5T all while cutting social services. We aren’t taking care of people, I don’t see how this results in lower spending on military, we are threatening or acting on hostile takeovers all over the globe, and we are alienating our allies.

Maybe they should spend more but there was a much better way to go about this.

This isn’t good.

[rampartd]

8. they are gearing up to defend themselves from the greatest threat. US

we now have 3 superpower enemies . thanks trump.

[democrank]

3. Time for Commander in Chief Trump to suit up and climb a few ropes.

Shouldn’t be a problem for him since he aces everything.

[Trumpdumper]

4. Weird titling --

Her husband, King Willem, is the monarch. She is not and never will be head of state.

[truddy777]

6. .

I am imagining what it is like to be in training and have the Queen right there next to you.

[rampartd]

7. one good thing about the windsors is that they do serve

"you must learn to follow orders before you give any." s/sgt acker, (my drill instructor.)