In light of the growing threat posed by Russia and new NATO commitments, the German government is hoping to turn around the Bundeswehr’s chronic under-recruitment. To that end, the cabinet on Wednesday approved a new plan to have 260,000 active soldiers by the early 2030s, compared to 183,000 today. They also want the number of reservists to double in that time, with a goal of 200,000.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) called the law “a giant step forward.” Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) expressed confidence in the draft, sure that the targeted personnel numbers were within reach.
Under the new law, which still must be approved by parliament, military service itself remains voluntary. Nevertheless, the new law includes an obligation for all men to fill out a questionnaire when they turn 18.
Germany aims to boost Bundeswehr recruit numbers
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In Germany, conscription is enshrined in the constitution, but it was suspended in 2011. It could be reinstated, but only in its previous form, which allowed only for men to be drafted, while military service remains voluntary for women. So the new questionnaire will be mandatory for men only.
Young people who respond positively to the questionnaire will be invited to attend a medical examination to assess their fitness for service. Beginning in July 2027, the examination will become obligatory for men, even if they opt out of serving.
Free accommodation, healthcare, and travel
The Ministry of Defense wants to have an overview of the number of men eligible for the military. Since conscription was suspended, authorities no longer have any data on who would be available for service. The return to so-called ˈmilitary registrationˈ is intended to close this gap.
Under the new law, recruits will be trained over a period of six to 23 months. The first six months will be taken up with basic training, after which they can pursue further qualifications in one of the branches of the armed forces — the army, air force, navy, or cyber command.
Also part of the package is a plan to increase salaries, as well as provide them with free medical care, free accommodation, and free rail travel.
According to the Ministry of Defense, some 15,000 young people have signed up for basic training this year. “There is good reason to believe that we will see an increase of several thousand each year, reaching around 30,000 by 2029,” Pistorius said.
If the personnel targets are not met or Germany’s security situation deteriorates dramatically, the government could order a return to compulsory military service. This, however, would require parliamentary approval.
Is mandatory military service on its way back in Germany?
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Conservatives are skeptical of the voluntary scheme
Lawmakers from Chancellor Merz’s center-right CDU/CSU bloc wanted to see an automatic activation of conscription in the case that the scheme attracts too few volunteers. Conservative lawmakers have voiced significant doubts that the plan will provide the promised numbers.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) and Markus Söder, chairman of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) have expressed criticism of the new law. Söder said he sees “no way around” reintroducing conscription, echoing conservative lawmakers’ worries that the new plan will simply waste time and not increase recruitment at all.
The Bundestag’s Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte (CDU), accused Pistorius of shying away from unpopular decisions and jeopardizing the strength of the Bundeswehr.
The Bundeswehr Association, which represents the interests of soldiers, has also called for clearer targets and a mechanism that would allow a quick switch back to conscription.
The Social Democrats are fundamentally skeptical about the reintroduction of compulsory service. Pistorius has stressed that the Bundeswehr would currently be unable to accommodate and train all eligible men if they were conscripted at once.
Even Merz echoed this sentiment after the cabinet meeting, saying: “We don’t have enough barracks and we don’t have enough trainers. That means everything has to be rebuilt from the ground up.”
German army needs more volunteers to fulfill NATO tasks
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Young people are skeptical of conscription
Pistorius added to this argument that the number of applicants is already rising.
However, a recent survey shows that enthusiasm among young people is also limited. According to a YouGov poll, a majority have no desire to do military service or any other form of compulsory service. Fifty-five percent of 16- to 26-year-olds in Germany reject the introduction of universal compulsory service, while only 38% are in favor, according to the survey conducted in July.
Germany’s Federal Student Council believes that the concerns of young people have not been taken into account. “No decision should be made about young people without consulting them first,” Quentin Gärtner, secretary general of the student council, told AFP news agency. Quentin Gärtner, secretary general of the student council, told AFP news agency. “I have not yet received any request from the Ministry of Defense to discuss the matter with us.”
This article was originally written in German.
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