WILLEMSTAD – The Royal Netherlands Navy has awarded the prestigious ‘Het Uiltje’ Instructor Badge to three Curaçaoan and one Aruban soldier, officially recognizing them as qualified instructors for new Caribbean military recruits.
With this badge, the four are now fully authorized to train new recruits in becoming Caribbean military personnel. Their responsibilities include teaching core subjects such as infantry drill, military law, map reading and compass navigation, and marksmanship. They are also qualified to provide advanced training programs for active Caribbean military members.
According to the Ministry of Defense, this achievement underscores the critical importance of certified instructors, who play a vital role in the development, training, and mentorship of Caribbean military forces. Their work is considered of great value not only to the Caribbean region but also to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In addition to receiving the instructor badge, all four, along with three other Caribbean soldiers, earned the ‘ECOD Assessor’ certificate, giving them the official authority to administer Proficiency Tests to Caribbean military personnel.
These recognitions mark a significant step forward in professionalizing and empowering the region's military training infrastructure.