7 Dutch Defence Units strengthen vitality with Lifeguard
Since 2017, Lifeguard has been working with the Dutch Ministry of Defence. What began as a vitality program for the Submarine Service has since expanded into seven customized programs across different branches of Defence. Through the ‘Boost’ program, Lifeguard supports Defence in improving employee vitality, mindset, and adaptive capacity.
Berend van de Kraats, initiator and former submarine commander:
“We’re a highly technical organization—we know everything about the submarine. But what does it do to a person when you’re underwater for seven weeks straight, with 62 people in a 67-meter vessel? As a commander, I was genuinely interested in how the crew was feeling. I wanted to take good care of them.”
“It wasn’t just about the physical aspects—it was about changing our organizational culture. Creating openness, vulnerability, a desire to contribute, meaningful work, and good employer-employee relations. A new atmosphere emerged on board—one that couldn’t be stopped.”
“For me, the true impact of Boost lies in the mindset shift. Boost is not a one-off—it’s a movement, a commitment to continuous development.”
Following the successful pilot with the Submarine Service, the program was also rolled out to the Airmobile Brigade.
The success of the Boost program in numbers
More cases like this one.
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15% of the Airmobile Brigade rated the BOOST program a 10
of participants would recommend the BOOST program to colleagues.
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250 vacancies filled thanks to Lifeguard at the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at Schiphol
vacancies filled.
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Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science reduces absenteeism by 55% thanks to Lifeguard
Teams saw team energy rise from 7 to 33.
