Boris Pistorius wants to reform the military service – what does that mean for MV?

Boris Pistorius wants to reform the military service – what does that mean for MV?

In the midst of a tense security situation, the topic of compulsory military service is currently shaping the political discussion in Germany. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has presented plans that provide for a fundamentally new orientation of military service. A new military service law, which is to be introduced into parliament at the end of August 2025, should contain both voluntary elements and options for activating compulsory military service if the number of voluntary military service is not sufficient [NDR].

The aim is to significantly increase the number of personnel in the Bundeswehr. The current troop strength is around 180,000 soldiers, but an additional 60,000 soldiers are urgently needed to ensure Germany's defense capability. In the long term, the Bundeswehr is to be increased to around 250,000 to 260,000 soldiers in order to meet the current challenges, according to Tagesschau.

Reorganization of military service

The draft law stipulates that men between the ages of 18 and 25 will have to submit a declaration of commitment in the future. Women have the opportunity to volunteer. In an emergency, the federal government could, with the consent of the Bundestag, call up conscripts to respond to an acute shortage of personnel. In addition to higher pay, better accommodation options should also be created for recruits so that the service becomes more attractive, as Süddeutsche adds.

The planned changes also include the reintroduction of muster training, which will be mandatory for all young men from 2027. A questionnaire that will be sent to all 18-year-olds from 2026 is a central part of these reforms. Critical voices come from various political camps that view the introduction of compulsory military service as an infringement on the freedom of young people or express concerns about data protection practices.

Political reactions

Approval of Pistorius’ plans varies depending on political orientation. While the CDU in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania supports the ideas, it is calling for faster implementation. The SPD agrees in principle, but emphasizes that implementation requires extensive human and material resources. On the other hand, the left firmly rejects the reintroduction of compulsory military service and sees this as an excessive interference with the freedom of young people. The AfD, on the other hand, supports the abolition of the suspension of compulsory military service and calls for more intensive mobilization, but without supporting the associated security measures.

Military historian Sönke Neitzel advocates the immediate reintroduction of compulsory military service, while Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) emphasizes the need for a systematic security structure. The SPD parliamentary group leader, Matthias Miersch, also expressed resistance by only seeing compulsory military service as an issue for a later electoral period.

Overall, it is clear that the discussion about compulsory military service is not an easy topic and brings with it both advantages and numerous challenges. The coming weeks and months will decide how the political winds in Germany continue to turn in relation to this sensitive area.