Twenty soldiers have successfully completed the Cursus tot Groepscommandant 2026-01 (Course for Group Commander 2026-01) at the Instituut voor Defensie Opleidingen (IDO, Institute for Defence Training). The training focused on leadership, discipline and the proper command of personnel.
The training lasted approximately four and a half months and consisted of a theoretical and a practical component. The soldiers have thereby been prepared for their responsibilities as group commanders within the Defence organisation.
Theory applied during field service
Captain Dyoma Blokland, commander of the Militaire School, explained that the theoretical component consisted of various modules. These focused on the knowledge and skills a sergeant needs to adequately carry out his or her duties.
During the practical component, the participants took part in field service. The theoretical knowledge acquired was applied and tested in practice.
Blokland called on the graduates to continue using the knowledge and skills they had acquired and to pass them on within the organisation.
“Take them with you and promote them in your work,” the captain said.
Link between leadership and implementation
According to Colonel Justus Hew A Kee, commander of the IDO, a group commander fulfils a crucial role within Defence. He emphasised that the participants already had extensive practical experience at the start of the training, which they had built up during their years of service.
What was still lacking, according to him, was the theoretical foundation. Through the training, the soldiers were able to connect their practical experience with the necessary theoretical knowledge.
“As a group commander, you are the pivot between higher leadership and implementation. You are the point of contact in crisis situations, the calm voice when the storm is raging and the person who stays the course when pressure is at its highest,” Hew A Kee said.
Leadership requires moral courage
The IDO commander pointed out that a group commander must demonstrate not only physical courage, but above all moral courage. According to him, this means daring to make choices, taking responsibility for mistakes made and standing up for personnel.
Group commanders must act firmly when necessary, but always remain fair. They also bear responsibility for the well-being of the people entrusted to their leadership.
According to Hew A Kee, leadership is not about power, rank or merely giving orders. It is mainly about influence, setting an example and creating a working environment in which soldiers can fully rely on one another.
