The defense minister’s proposals for a new military service are awaited with interest. The subsequent discussion is likely to be difficult. The Bundeswehr Association is already providing flank cover.
The chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, André Wüstner, has called for decisive steps towards a new military service. The number of personnel in the Bundeswehr fell this month to its lowest level since 2018, the colonel told the German Press Agency in Berlin.
He hopes that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) will stick to the planned compulsory portions when he presents his military service model, which is scheduled for this Wednesday. “In my opinion, it won’t work with voluntary participation alone,” said Wüstner.
What the minister has indicated
Pistorius plans to inform the Defence Committee of his plans late this morning and explain them to the public in the afternoon. He has had various models of compulsory military service examined – partly in light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
During a government questioning in the Bundestag, he let it be known that he does not believe in making military service completely voluntary. He repeatedly stressed that Germany must become “war-ready” in order to be able to credibly deter people together with its NATO allies.
What ideas the SPD (does not) have
SPD leader Saskia Esken is relying on voluntary participation in the new military service model. “For me, the experience of self-determination is crucial for the acceptance of democracy,” she told the newspapers of the Funke media group. Voluntary participation “is also the right principle with regard to involvement in the Bundeswehr and the great responsibility for Germany’s security that comes with it.”
According to SPD defense expert Andreas Schwarz, the focus will be “on the registration of people fit for military service, which will lay the foundation for a steady increase in the number of troops.” This will involve additional investments in barracks, equipment and training, he told the editorial network Germany. “If the principle of voluntary participation does not work, further mandatory elements must also be discussed in view of the threat situation.”
What is the staffing situation
Wüstner said that the Bundeswehr’s personnel requirements today are far higher than the politically set target of 203,300 soldiers. The Bundeswehr’s capability profile from 2018 had already provided for more than 240,000 men and women. Due to additional political orders since February 2022 and increasing NATO commitments, “the number is currently likely to be much higher.” Despite a personnel offensive, the Bundeswehr shrank to 181,500 soldiers last year.
Wüstner said that a “new form of military service” would help, because in the past many conscripts had decided to stay in the Bundeswehr, and some had even become professional soldiers. Back then, the Bundeswehr could be described as a “mirror of society” more than it can now. Conscription was also the foundation for the formation of a strong reserve. It served to increase the capacity for growth, to replace troops in the field, and thus to provide deterrence and defense capabilities.
What the Bundeswehr Association now expects
“The coming days will show who has actually seen a change in their understanding, at least in terms of defense policy, since the announcement of the end of the era,” said Wüstner, looking ahead to the upcoming debate. “Because anyone who claims that – and I hope that at least the politicians do – will not be able to speak out against a new form of defense or a new type of conscription.”
Pistorius is not leading the debate “for fun and games” and has already received “massive opposition” from his own party and even from Chancellor Olaf Scholz himself, said Wüstner. And: “I completely understand people who worry that we could accidentally end up in a war. But it is just as important that we are not naively or naively surprised by war again – this time perhaps in alliance territory!” Wüstner said that political will is now the deciding factor. “Or as the saying goes: If you want something, you will find ways, if you don’t want something, you will find reasons!”
Why there is no longer conscription
Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in 2011 after 55 years. In practice, this was tantamount to abolishing military and civilian service. At the same time, practically all the structures required for compulsory military service were dissolved. However, the law still stipulates that compulsory military service for men will be reinstated in times of tension or defence.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
