Bundeswehr: Military Commissioner complains: Bundeswehr is missing thousands of soldiers

The Bundestag’s defense commissioner, Eva Högl, is calling for more efforts to recruit personnel for the Bundeswehr. The SPD politician told the German Press Agency in Berlin that around 20,000 men and women are still missing from the target of 203,000 soldiers.

“In addition, many positions are not filled,” she complained. And the actual operational readiness in many associations is only around 50 percent. “That is clearly not enough,” warned Högl, given the tense security situation after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She had already complained in her annual report in the spring that the force was continuing to age and shrink.

Högl further told the dpa: “I think personnel is the important topic for 2025.” She also advocated a new approach to a broader compulsory service for young men and women.

According to Article 45b of the Basic Law, the Commissioner for the Armed Forces helps the Bundestag to control the armed forces. But she is also seen as an advocate for the soldiers, who can turn to her at any time. Högl’s five-year term ends this May.

“The personnel situation must receive the utmost attention from all those responsible for politics,” demanded Högl. The measures taken so far could hopefully help to maintain the level. But that is not enough.

Högl reinforces the call for compulsory service with a year of service

Regarding a broader compulsory service for young men and women, she said: “I favor a year for society and I would like it if it were compulsory. With a range of options: culture, environment, social area, emergency service organizations and the Bundeswehr – and that for all genders,” says Högl. This would also strengthen social cohesion.

Such a plan would go beyond the military service model of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). Pistorius intends to reinstate military registration and introduce an obligation for young men to provide information about their willingness to do military service.

“Boris Pistorius wanted more, but more was not possible with the previous government coalition,” said Högl, referring to the traffic light coalition. “His suggestion would have been a good start and first step. It would be good if the next Bundestag discussed and decided on the issue quickly.”

“Not yet at the finish line” when it comes to the goals of the new era

Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022 changed the Bundeswehr. “This turning point is also a mandate for further reforms and more speed. This affects materials, personnel and infrastructure. And we have not yet reached our goal,” said Högl.

With a view to the new Bundestag elections planned for February 23rd, she called for the affairs of the Bundeswehr and defense policy not to be discussed in the logic of the opposition and the government. What is needed is great unity and broad majorities in the Bundestag. The defense budget must also grow in order to keep good personnel in the Bundeswehr.

Bureaucracy in the force is “getting worse and worse”

“In the end, the full operational readiness of our Bundeswehr costs a lot of money – and the money must be made available. It is money well invested in peace and freedom,” said Högl. And: “Parliament will decide how it will be financed. I will not get involved in this debate.”

She describes the crippling administrative burden in the armed forces as an unsolved problem. “The whole team complains about bureaucracy, and it’s getting worse. Added to this is the lack of digitalization,” said Högl. “There is still no electronic health record for our soldiers and no digital time recording. However, many processes still run on the basis of Excel tables that are faxed from A to B. This is not up to date and hinders operational readiness.”

Special Forces Command needs “more space”

Högl announced that he would once again devote special attention to the Special Forces Command (KSK) of the Bundeswehr at the end of her term of office. She has visited the association several times, which was in serious crisis following right-wing extremist incidents years ago and has completed a successful reform program.

“The association has changed a lot in recent years. I have accompanied this intensively during my term of office and am pleased about this change – and that the KSK is looking forward and taking on tasks in alliance and national defense,” said Högl.

She commented positively on considerations of giving the KSK a second location in addition to the home barracks in Calw in Baden-Württemberg, possibly in eastern Germany. Högl said: “We shouldn’t start a discussion about the location now – but it is clear that the KSK needs more space. And perhaps a second location would make sense for the changed order.”