Surinamese Armed Forces Begins First Conscription Training Before Independence

156 recruits reported for duty under Dutch command, marking the formal creation of a post-colonial military.

Date: January 2, 1975

First Conscription Class (75-01) of Surinamese Armed Forces Begins Training

Details:

  • The first conscription class (lichting 75-01) of the SKM (Surinaamse Krijgsmacht / Surinamese Armed Forces) began its training over 11 months before Suriname's independence.
  • 156 young men, former Dutch citizens of Surinamese origin, reported for duty at the Prins Bernhard Kazerne (later Ayoko Kazerne).
  • The group was addressed by Captain Lo Fo Wong, who congratulated them on being chosen to form the Surinamese army after independence.
  • Despite being the future Surinamese army, the conscripts wore Dutch uniforms, sang the Dutch national anthem, and were trained by white Dutch instructors and policed by white Dutch Military Police.

Significance:

  • Marks the formal beginning of the creation of an independent Surinamese military force, even while still under Dutch command and using Dutch customs.
  • Highlights the transitional nature of the period, with Surinamese soldiers being trained by their former colonial power to form the new nation's army.
  • The detail about Dutch instructors and customs underscores the deep institutional legacy the Netherlands had on the new Surinamese military from its inception.

Source:

REVO KRANT: EEN AANZET OM DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN DE REVOLUTIE VAST TE LEGGEN. “40 Revo: Dag Der Bevrijding En Vernieuwing.” February 24, 2020. (Text provided by user).

Link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/njjfdb0hhjajqoacwl3fz/Rapport-Surinaamse-Leger-1980-1983.pdf

Internal Link:

Date:
January 2, 1975
Categories:
Colonial Times, Log, Matthew Smith, Military & Intel, The Suriname Archive
Tags:
Decolonization, Military History, Press, Skm Formation
Boxes:
MW Zotero
Years:
1975
Persons:
Fo Wong Lo, Lo Fo Wong
META DATA
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