Danish military is haemorrhaging officers

Some 50 percent more than expected have left

An increased number of Danish officers are turning their backs on the military because they've reportedly lost faith in their leadership, according to Berlingske newspaper.

A survey by the officers' union HOD showed that the number of officers who have left the military or who have applied for non-paid leave over the past year has risen to 118 people, 50 percent more than the military expected. A third of officers leave, not for a new civilian job, but just to get out of the military.

“This result fits well with earlier leaving investigations, which showed that the officers weren't necessarily leaving for something new, but primarily just wanted to leave the military,” an HOD spokesperson told Berlingske.

READ MORE: "Modernised" military structure undermines national defence, opposition argues

Ramifications of 2012 reform
According to HOD, many officers depart because of a lack of trust in their leadership, while others state that they are unhappy about the career development. Every fifth officer blamed poor wages.

In 2012, the military reform changed the educations in the military and cut into initiatives and employment conditions, which is likely one of the reasons for the exodus.

The HOD survey also showed that the officers believed that the communication within the military was terrible, there was a lack of spirit and recognition for their work, and that the military lacked future prospects for the individual officer from a structural perspective.

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