Maurenceley Clerge, a 21-year-old smartphone repairman in downtown Port-au-Prince, couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the announcement on the radio: Haiti’s military was recruiting. For him, this was more than just a job opportunity—it was a chance to change his life. Two weeks later, he stood in line with hundreds of others, eager to enlist and find a path out of poverty.
Clerge isn’t alone in his ambition. Thousands of young Haitians are seizing the rare opportunity to join the military as gang violence ravages their country. For many, like 20-year-old Samuel Delmas, this decision comes with great risk. Despite the dangers of being kidnapped, tortured, or killed, Delmas, who fled his home two years ago due to gang violence, feels a strong desire to protect his fellow citizens.
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Haiti’s government has not disclosed how many soldiers it plans to recruit, but recent documents indicate that over 3,000 people were selected for the next phase of the process. If all are hired, this would more than double the country’s military strength, which stood at around 2,000 soldiers early last year.
The Haitian military, once disbanded due to its history of coups and human rights abuses, was reinstated in 2017 as gang violence began to spiral out of control. Now, with the country in crisis, the military is being mobilized once again to restore order. Newly appointed General Derby Guerrier has called on the armed forces to “close ranks” and help bring peace to Haiti.
Despite the immense challenges ahead, young Haitians like Clerge and Delmas are hopeful. They dream of a Haiti where people can move freely, where gangs no longer terrorize neighborhoods, and where everyone has the chance to work and live in safety. For them, joining the military isn’t just about earning a paycheck—it’s about being part of the solution to a problem that has plagued their country for far too long.
