Military-style youth groups gain popularity in the Netherlands, raising safety concerns
In recent years, “military youth groups” have appeared in several areas of the Netherlands. These groups, made up ofyoung people aged about 12 to 18, organize themselves and conduct military-style training in forests and other outdoor locations, RTL reports.
Some of these groups go by names like the Dutch Military Youth Organization (NMJO), Zuid-Holland Youth Forces (ZHJF), and GhostReconGroup (GRG). Members wear complete military-style outfits and perform exercises similar to actual military training.
Participants and founders describe their activities as a hobby or an interest in military skills, including map reading, teamwork, and scenario exercises. Some youths view it as preparation for a possible future in the armed forces. The groups self-organize via social media and private messaging platforms, asserting they stay within legal boundaries, though interpretations of the law differ considerably.
The activities are part of a broader global trend known as Milsim, which is a form of military simulation. Platforms like TikTok and Discord allow these groups to create high-production recruitment videos that look like professional army ads.
Using tactical editing and POV-camera footage, these groups recruit members by promising an 'authentic' elite soldier experience that mirrors popular video games like Call of Duty, blurring the line between digital play and real-world paramilitary activity.
A lot of these youths use so-called gel blasters, replica weapons that fire small pellets and closely resemble real guns. Police have warned that carrying these replica weapons in public is prohibited. A report of someone carrying one of these weapons can prompt police to respond with guns drawn, which may result in hazardous situations.
One of the concerns regarding the groups is that the realistic appearance of the uniforms and gear can lead bystanders or law enforcement to mistake the youths for actual military personnel. Such situations create confusion and alarm, particularly in locations where the armed forces are conducting their own training.
To mitigate risks with police, the ZHJF recently updated their guidelines to permit only Nerf guns during training, explicitly banning gel blasters to ensure they are not mistaken for real military personnel.
Defense officials acknowledge the presence of these youth groups and express concern over their realistic military portrayals. The ministry stresses that the groups are not affiliated with the Royal Netherlands Army or any other official armed forces. Impersonating military personnel is a criminal offense if it leads to confusion or misleads the public or authorities.
Since the participants are underage, there are heightened concerns about safety, oversight, and responsible leadership. Local authorities have issued fines to participants for carrying realistic replica weapons and trespassing into prohibited areas.
To address safety concerns, some organizations now require signed parental consent forms for participants aged 13 to 16, emphasizing that activities are performed at the participant's own risk.
In response to the report, the National Police caution that using replica weapons that cannot be clearly identified in public is punishable and poses dangers. Experts note that even adding colored tape does not make a weapon instantly recognizable as a toy.
The rise of these groups coincides with a major push by the Dutch government to increase military readiness. In 2024 and 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Defense sent letters to all 17-year-olds, roughly 200,000 teens, informing them of their conscription eligibility and inviting them to fill out a voluntary survey about a military career.
By 2026, the Ministry plans to introduce a 10-week National Resilience Training program for vocational (MBO) students to boost societal preparedness. The government aims to more than double its military personnel by 2030.
