Headquarters Eurocorps invited at Belgian National Day

A very specific training schedule gathered Eurocorps Headquarters’ soldiers on the parade ground of the Aubert de Vincelles barracks these days. One could hear parade commands while people were keeping those knees waist high when “marking time”. Then, on one single syllable, they moved again, to the right, then to the left, saluting, swaying arms at shoulder height. Foot drill or drill stems from time in antiquity when soldiers used to march into battle. Now much of it is ceremonial or implemented as a core part of training.

 

Eurocorps' drill sessions had a specific aim. The headquarters was invited to participate in the Belgian military parade on its national day celebrations, this July 21st, honouring in 2007 the 50th anniversary of the European Community. A Eurocorps’ multinational marching detachment including the flags of its five framework nations would therefore be part of the ‘EU 50 Years’ group in the Belgian military parade.

 

78 soldiers, NCO’s and officers were training hard to march in perfect order. Because of a dense training program, only a few rehearsals had to prepare the selected soldiers for this event. Different nations means different kinds of drill. Therefore a specific Eurocorps drill is taught and co-ordinated by national Drill Control Teams.

 

On July 19th the Eurocorps detachment drove from Strasbourg (France) to Brussels (Belgium). While being hosted in the lodging facilities of the Belgian Armed forces, they integrated on July 20th in the ‘EU 50 Years’ group. Together with the other marching detachments of the Belgian troops they participated the entire day in the final rehearsals for the parade held in the Major Housiau barracks in Peutie (near Brussels, Belgium).

 

On July 21st , after some ultimate preparations and controls, the Eurocorps detachment joined the center of the city of Brussels. They waited for the departure of the parade at the ‘Wetstraat – Rue de la Loi’. After the inspection of the troops by the King of the Belgians, HRH Albert II, they marched through the crowded streets and in front of the royal palace, proudly showing multinationality. After an emotional day the honour detachment of HQ Eurocorps rejoined its homebase in Strasbourg (France) the same evening.

 

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