PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – June 21 – Suriname’s Ministry of Defense has announced a groundbreaking new youth initiative designed to address long-standing personnel shortages in the National Army while opening new opportunities for personal and professional growth for the country’s young people. The Defense Craft and Training Program (DAP), unveiled by Defense Minister Uraiqit Ramsaran during budget debates in the National Assembly, aims to equip participants with critical life skills, work-ready competencies and clear future pathways, while supporting the military’s long-term staffing needs.
The DAP was specifically designed for young Surinamese seeking structured guidance, mentorship and intentional personal development. Over the course of the program, participants will complete comprehensive training in core areas including personal discipline, physical and mental resilience, hands-on vocational skills, and leadership development. Trainees will also be introduced to the fundamental values that guide Suriname’s defense sector: camaraderie, sense of duty, and personal accountability. To remove common barriers to participation, the program will provide all enrollees with a monthly stipend to cover basic expenses such as transportation and meals.
One of the program’s most inclusive features is its bridging pathway for candidates who narrowly miss the admission requirements for the military’s Elementary General Training. Instead of being rejected outright, these young applicants will get a second chance to build their qualifications through a dedicated preparatory transition year, after which they can reapply to join the National Army. Minister Ramsaran confirmed that Suriname’s defense sector has faced declining personnel numbers for years, and the DAP is intended to create a consistent, long-term pipeline of new qualified recruits for the military. Importantly, he emphasized that enrollment does not commit participants to a military career, framing the program as an investment in youth regardless of their ultimate professional path.
During the parliamentary debate on the initiative, multiple members of the National Assembly called for expanding the program’s scope to better prepare participants for roles across the broader civilian labor market after completion. In response, Ramsaran noted that the defense ministry is open to exploring collaborative partnerships with other government departments to expand the program’s reach, but reaffirmed that the core priority of the initial launch is to strengthen the military’s personnel capacity.
For the Surinamese government, the DAP represents a dual-purpose investment: it advances national security by strengthening the National Army, and it addresses youth development gaps by providing structured opportunities for young people who are still seeking direction and access to economic opportunity in the country.