where it all started

when I was younger, I used to watch a lot of movies with my family. Throughout the years I became more and more obsessed with movies about the Army or in particular the Air Force. What started out as very innocent became more and more an ambition for me. I wanted to make it my future.

For most children at this age it's just a dream that fades away later on in their life, but for me it didn't.

The stories told by my father

I think I inherited my passion for aviation a little bit from my father. He always told me stories when I was younger. And after he realized that I had a passion for aviation as well, he told me about his admission tests for the Belgian Royal Air Force. I always enjoyed listening to him and after his stories I would always tell him that I wanted to join the Belgian Royal Air Force as well. Because he didn't pass for the admission tests back then, he would always tell me to try but never assume that I would be selected.

The movie "Top Gun"

I think we've all heard of the classic movie "Top Gun" once, right?

Well, it may sound a bit cliché but watching this movie for the first time made me even more obsessed with the the (U.S.) Air Force. I think a lot of young guys and girls where pretty excited and blown away by watching it.

The Belgain Air Cadets

As soon as I turned 15 years old, I registered myself for the admission tests of the Belgian Air Cadets. They are a non-profit association linked to the Belgian Air Force. Every year they give teenagers ranging from 15 to 16 years old a chance to start gliding. They do this for young people who have a view of starting a career in the Belgian Royal Air Force. 

So I thought I was perfectly eligible for this. After a whole year of preparing hard for these admission tests. The time had finally come. I really thought I had a good chance, and I really gave it my all during the tests. But in the end it was to no avail for me. I did not get through the admission selection. I was really disappointed to say the least. For a while I didn't have any motivation. Until...

KAC Weelde 

When I didn't pass for the admission test of the Belgian air cadets, I was quite disappointed. As a result, I had a harder time at school and didn't feel mentally well.

My parents felt bad for me and they tried to find another way to make me feel better. When my mother told me that I could go to a summer camp in Weelde, and learn how to start gliding I was overjoyed and very excited.

In this gliding club I made new friends, for which I will always be grateful.

In retrospect, it's quite funny that I started gliding at KAC because this gliding club is located at the same airfield as the Belgain Air Cadets.

The Royal Military Academy

When I became 17 years old and ended up in my last year of high school, I knew that I wanted to try the entrance exams of the Royal Military Academy. 

My mother didn't like that idea, and tried to talk me out of it. Logical, because she had already seen how disappointed I was after a rejection from the Belgain Air Cadets. How would I react after a rejection of the RMA?
My father on the other hand supported me, and told me to at least try once. This disagreement caused some tensions at times. But in the end my mother drove me to every exam in Brussels and supported me every single moment. Even though she didn't entirely agree with my choices.

After I finished taking all the exams throughout the year, I was unfortunately also told that I did not meet the requirements of the RMA. This was another hard blow for me but after all I was proud that I pushed myself to the limit during these entrance exams. 

I haven't given up on my dream yet. Not after my first bit of adversity. You go through life by trial and error. And yes, I don't like to fall, especially when getting up is so difficult. but I don't give in! I will always keep going and I will always get there. On my way!