At DeltaQuad, we build technology that supports defence and security missions. For Edine, one of our engineers, that mission became personal when she voluntarily completed a two-week condensed Air Force reservist training programme with the Dutch military.

We believe it is important that employees who want to serve as reservists have the space and support to do so, and we actively support this commitment. For Edine, the programme was also a personal step: a way to explore a long-standing interest in military service while contributing to defence and security in a more direct way.

A long-standing interest becomes a decision

Edine had always considered joining the military, but for a long time it remained only a thought. What ultimately moved her to apply was a growing awareness of the geopolitical situation and a desire to contribute more directly to the security of our society and values.

“When I look at the geopolitical situation in the world today, I’m convinced I made the right call,” Edine says.

The decision to apply to the Air Force felt natural. In 2024, Edine was still finishing her Aviation Engineering degree and already working in the aviation sector. Becoming a reservist was a way to connect her professional background with a more direct form of service.

“It made sense to combine what I was passionate about with the opportunity to serve,” she says. “I felt broad support and understanding in combining my work at DeltaQuad with this commitment.”

When she told the people closest to her, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Friends and family supported her decision from the start.

Twelve weeks of training compressed into two

The two-week programme was designed to be intensive, combining physical training, theoretical classes and practical exercises in a condensed format. Edine trained in areas including military first aid, military law and rights, shooting practice and field exercises. The second week also included a bivouac: a form of survival training in the forest.

For Edine, the value of those two weeks went beyond the training itself. The experience strengthened her ability to stay focused under pressure, communicate clearly and rely on others. These are lessons she brings back not only as a reservist, but also as an engineer at DeltaQuad.

The toughest moment came during the obstacle course.

“Physically, the obstacle course pushed me the hardest,” she says. “But what got me through it was the group. Your buddies don’t let you stop, and somehow, being able to laugh together in the middle of something brutal makes it manageable.”

That sense of shared effort stayed with her.

“I learned a lot about what it means to do hard things alongside other people.”

Moments that put service into perspective

Some parts of the training made the responsibility of military service feel very real. Handling a firearm and firing live ammunition for the first time was one of those moments.

But just as memorable were the stories shared by instructors about their missions and the memorial wall at the building’s entrance. It featured the faces of soldiers who lost their lives in service. That puts everything into perspective very quickly.

Seeing DeltaQuad’s mission from the inside

DeltaQuad works closely with defence organisations and NATO. During training, that context felt different.

“When drones and the situation in Ukraine came up during exercises, it played out differently, given what I know from working at DeltaQuad,” Edine says.

The connection also worked the other way around. Returning to the office, Edine felt she had gained a clearer understanding of the environment in which DeltaQuad’s technology operates.

“Being back at the office now, I have a much clearer sense of the world that our technology operates in and the people who depend on it.”

As a reservist, Edine is now on standby, but she is clear that the role is more active than many people might assume.

“Being a reservist is more active than people might think. It is not just waiting to be called up,” she says. “It includes supporting NATO events, acting as a training opponent for full-time soldiers and stepping in wherever the military needs an extra pair of hands.”

For Edine, the connection to DeltaQuad’s work is direct.

“We already support defence organisations and NATO missions through our technology, and now I feel I understand that world from the inside too. The experience has sharpened my perspective on the impact we can have, and on the value of bringing greater clarity, focus and discipline into how we work.”

Lessons brought back to DeltaQuad

The experience gave Edine more than she expected.

“The biggest lesson: our bodies and minds are capable of far more than we give them credit for,” she says. She also returned with a stronger appreciation for clear and direct communication, a better sense of how much can fit into a single day, and the ability to let go of what is outside her control. “I also came back with a renewed appreciation for being offline, and for something we can easily forget: that freedom is not a given.”

That sense of responsibility has only grown since she first applied: “The world has changed, and being part of the response to that, even in a small way, feels meaningful.”

Advice for those considering a similar path

For anyone who is quietly considering something similar, Edine’s advice is simple.

“Do it,” she says. “I genuinely believe there is real value in having people from the tech and defence industries within the military, and vice versa. The cross-pollination of mindsets matters.”

She also believes DeltaQuad can learn lessons from the military environment.

 “There are also lessons from the military environment around clarity, discipline and focus that can be valuable in a company like DeltaQuad.”

And for anyone who wants to know more, her door is open.

“If you are curious, doubting, or just want to know more, come find me. I am happy to talk.”

Why this matters 

At DeltaQuad, the people behind the technology matter just as much as the technology itself. Edine’s experience is a reminder that our mission of building reliable, high-performance systems for defence and security is not abstract. It is personal, human and deeply connected to the world we operate in.

Having team members who understand the defence environment from multiple perspectives helps us build better, more relevant systems and strengthens our sense of purpose as a company.

We are proud to support Edine in this commitment and grateful that she brought the experience back to share with all of us.

Learn more about the Dutch reservist programme ​