Bundeswehr uses postcard trick: Advertising for minors!

Bundeswehr uses postcard trick: Advertising for minors!

The Bundeswehr has drawn attention to itself with a new advertising campaign in the current year by sending personalized postcards to 16- and 17-year-olds. The aim of this initiative is to win offspring for the armed forces. The postcards apply for an information day, the "Talent Scout 2025", which will take place on June 28 and promises exclusive experiences and modern equipment. According to rbb24 this year, around 650,000 such personalized information nationwide were distributed.

This advertising campaign is part of a strategy that has been carried out once or twice a year since 2011, especially since the military service was suspended. The Bundeswehr has to actively advertise young people because it is in competition with other employers. The contact details of the 16- and 17-year-old Germans are sent to the Federal Office for HR management by the registration authorities, whereby only first name, family name and address are passed on. The Bundeswehr is obliged to delete this data after one year.

recruitment of minors

In the past time there was also an increase in the number of minors who enter the service of the Bundeswehr. According to Tagesschau , a total of 1,996 17-year-olds were discontinued in 2023, which makes up to 10.6 % of the new recruits. This number increased compared to the previous year when the proportion was 9.4 %. Nevertheless, the use of minors is subject to strict regulations. You are not allowed to take part in security services or foreign missions and may only use the weapon for training purposes.

The ZDF reports that a total of 7,861 minors have been recruited in the past five years. Of the 18,800 newly hired soldiers in 2023, 1,996 under the age of 18 were. The coalition agreement of SPD, Greens and FDP stipulates that the training and service to the weapon are only reserved for adult soldiers.

criticism and concerns

The aggressive recruitment policy of the Bundeswehr attracts criticism. Critics express concerns about advertising for minors, especially with regard to the possible dangers and traumatizations that can be combined with a military service. For example, Nicole Gohlke from the left demands better protection against militarization and attaches great importance to the fact that schools should remain politically neutral. The Bundeswehr Association, however,, represented by Colonel André Wüstner, calls for more investments to deter.

The Bundeswehr sees itself in a massive personnel problem, as is listed in the military report and has over 20,000 vacant positions. In order to counter this challenge, a clear strategy for recruiting young people and adult soldiers is necessary, especially in a current political climate that is characterized by security -political uncertainties.