National Reserve Corps

Korps Nationale Reserve
Active April 18, 1948 - Present
Country  Netherlands
Allegiance Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Branch Army
Type Military reserve force
Role Internal security
Size 3 regional battalions, 3800 men
Part of Koninklijke Landmacht
Garrison/HQ
10 Natresbataljon - 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade
20 Natresbataljon - 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade
30 Natresbataljon - 13 Motorized Brigade
Nickname(s) NatRes
March Defilémars Korps Nationale Reserve
Commanders
Ceremonial chief Col. Gerard van der Thiel

The National Reserve Corps (in Dutch: Korps Nationale Reserve, abbreviated Natres) is a part of the Royal Netherlands Army.[1] NATRES is a corps in the sense that it is a regiment which recruits nationally. The part-time reservist is, like all Dutch military personnel, a military volunteer.

History

Since the 13th century, the Dutch government has relied on voluntary armed citizens to defend their homes and to maintain public order. At first this task was carried out by so-called 'shooter guilds'. In the 16th century the voluntary armed citizens, under the influence of William I, Prince of Orange, were organized into militias. These militias were dissolved in 1908.

The outbreak of the First World War and the growing foreign threat lead to the formation of a new unit called the 'Voluntary Landstorm' on August 4, 1914. At the end of World War I this unit consisted of 6,000 men. In the turbulent times of the Interbellum the Dutch Prime Minister Hendrikus Colijn decided to extend the 'Voluntary Landstorm'. At the beginning of World War II this unit consisted of around 98,000 men.

In the years after World War II again the need was felt for a rapidly deployable unit for the defense and security of Dutch territory. While the majority of the Dutch forces then were deployed in Indonesia, the threat of the Soviet Union increased. Therefore, the National Reserve was established on April 14, 1948. During the Cold War the National Reserve developed into a versatile part of the Royal Dutch Army and received the status of Corps. In the 80s the first women entered the National Reserve Corps. After the Cold War, the Royal Dutch Army changed dramatically in character. Conscription for military service was suspended. The Royal Dutch Army shrank and became more frequently involved in peacekeeping or peace-enforcing missions abroad which resulted in a renewed relevance of the corps.

Task and roles


Notable actions

Organization

The corps' battalions are based on regions, commanded by operational brigades.

10 Natresbataljon

Under command of the 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade. Serving in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Gelderland and Overijssel

20 Natresbataljon

Under command of the 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade. Serving in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland

30 Natresbataljon

Under command of the 13 Motorized Brigade. Serving in the provinces of Zeeland, North Brabant and Limburg

Other

Personnel

NATRES units and personnel are not deployed abroad as their charter does not allow this. Individual soldiers (mostly NCO's and officers) are deployed as individual replacements or specialists, but always voluntarily. When a reservist is deployed, he does so under the capbadge of the regular unit he is attached to.

References

  1. ↑ Nationale Reserve at Dutch Ministry of Defence
  2. ↑ http://www.defensie.nl/landmacht/cultureel/muziek/fanfare_natres/
  3. ↑ http://www.defensie.nl/landmacht/personeel/reservisten/reservist_specifieke_deskundigheid/cimic
  4. ↑ Museum Korps Nationale Reserve
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