Against a backdrop of escalating security instability across Haiti, the Caribbean nation’s Armed Forces (FAd’H) have taken a major step toward expanding their operational capacity, with a new cohort of graduates entering service and plans for mass recruitment in the coming weeks. On April 21, 2026, a solemn patriotic ceremony was held at Vertières Military Base to mark the graduation of 339 new soldiers from the 36th intake, a class that honors legendary Haitian figure François Capois.
In a charged atmosphere brimming with national pride, the newly minted service members took a formal oath of allegiance to Haiti. The new recruits pledged to uphold the country’s constitution and committed their service to protecting and defending the Haitian nation. Over four months of rigorous foundational training led by seasoned military instructors and mentors, the cohort not only mastered core combat and operational skills but also completed specialized coursework focused on human rights standards, gender equality, and civilian protection protocols. Of the 339 graduates, 200 will progress to advanced specialized training to reinforce the military’s existing operational task forces.
Addressing attendees and graduates at the ceremony, Colonel Neoxles P. Arné, the FAd’H’s head of training, extended a formal welcome to the new soldiers. He urged the cohort to uphold strict discipline, demonstrate mature judgment, and cultivate a relentless sense of duty as they step into their new roles defending the country. Colonel Arné also expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful training of the 36th class, and highlighted a growing trend of strong interest in military careers among Haiti’s youth, a development he called encouraging for the future of the armed forces.
The graduation and upcoming recruitment push form part of a broader strategy by Haiti’s Ministry of Defense to shore up the military’s operational capabilities amid a rapidly deteriorating domestic security landscape. The ministry’s end-of-year target is to bring roughly 3,000 new trained soldiers into the FAd’H ranks. Already, 570 qualified applicants are scheduled to begin their four-month basic training at Vertières Base in the third week of May. Looking ahead, the ministry will launch a recruitment drive for an additional 1,200 new soldiers in the immediate coming days. To facilitate this effort, three new recruitment offices will open shortly at the Anacaona Military Base, Petit-Goâve, and Les Cayes.
Infrastructure upgrades are also underway to support the expanded training pipeline. Once planned renovations to FAd’H training facilities are complete, the military will be able to train up to 900 new soldiers every four months: 500 candidates at the Vertières site and a further 400 at the Anacaona base, putting the force on track to meet its year-end expansion goals.