Bundeswehr reform: New military service should attract 5,000 volunteers!

Bundeswehr reform: New military service should attract 5,000 volunteers!

The Bundeswehr has big plans, in the truest sense of the word. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has launched a new military service that will not only increase the number of soldiers but also modernize the recruitment process. This is currently being discussed in the federal cabinet and could be decided next spring. The laws stipulate that the Bundeswehr will expand from around 180,000 active soldiers to around 200,000, which also takes into account the growing demand for more reservists. Since compulsory military service was suspended in 2011, the Bundeswehr has relied exclusively on volunteers, but recruitment has been slow. Currently, around 10,000 young people do voluntary military service every year, and that is now about to change The mirror reported.

New recruitment process

The new process stipulates that young men will receive a letter with a QR code on their 18th birthday, which leads to an online questionnaire. Failure to comply will result in a fine, while women's participation is not mandatory. The questionnaire, with its few questions, including questions about physical fitness and readiness for military service, can be completed in about 15 minutes. The Bundeswehr sifts through this data and invites suitable candidates to the muster. In the first year, 5,000 people will be recruited for military service, which is considered realistic. However, this could be a real challenge because the Bundeswehr's training capacities are not yet sufficient for a greatly increased military service.

Older laws and need for adjustments

Participation in the new procedure is mandatory for men, while women still have to wait for a change in the law regarding compulsory military service. However, such a change to the Basic Law is not in sight, which makes the situation somewhat complicated. daily news highlights that military service begins with a basic service of six months, but can be extended up to 23 months under certain circumstances. Incentives for this extension could include special driving licenses or the crediting of military service when waiting for a place at university. The basic salary is around 1,800 euros per month, and the Bundeswehr is trying to use it to attract new recruits and at the same time remedy the existing shortage.

The future of the Bundeswehr is in jeopardy

In summary, it can be said that the Bundeswehr is facing a fundamental change. The defense minister's plans could permanently change the military structure in Germany. It remains to be seen whether these reforms will ultimately succeed and whether the goals will actually be achieved in the next few years. A lot depends on the approval of the Bundesrat and Bundestag. Ultimately, there is a lot at stake for the Bundeswehr and its future soldiers as society debates how to ensure that the Bundeswehr is well positioned to meet the challenges of the future. For those who like to shy away from the sound of tanks and bullets, it should be said: well-founded preparation is now important in order to increase the attractiveness of military service.