New Conscription System in Germany Due to Military Personnel Shortage
Germany’s cabinet has approved new legal amendments to introduce a new conscription system amidst growing concerns over military personnel shortages.
What Are the Changes?
According to the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), on Wednesday, November 6, Germany’s cabinet agreed to the legal amendments proposed by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for implementing a new conscription system.
The announced goal of this new system is to require all male youths turning 18 next year to fill out a digital questionnaire disclosing their readiness and ability to perform military service. Women can also choose to follow these steps voluntarily.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has previously stated that “the new military service law will allow us to re-establish a registration system for military service, which has been non-existent since the suspension of compulsory military service in 2011.”
- In Case of Defense Emergencies: Pistorius noted, “If a defense-related incident occurs tomorrow, we would not know whom we could call upon because there is no complete database.”
- Previous System Dismantled: He added that with the suspension of conscription, the registration and monitoring system for military service was dismantled, despite legal obligations.
The Associated Press quoted the German Defense Minister saying that these new legal amendments would enable sending letters to all 18-year-olds (approximately 400,000 annually) asking about their willingness and ability to serve in the military.
Under these amendments, recipients of the letter must respond to the questions, after which the army will invite those interested to undergo a medical examination, selecting the most qualified for service periods ranging from 6 to 23 months.
Rising Threat Levels
Speaking to journalists in Berlin, Pistorius clarified that the threat levels have changed from what they were a few years ago, according to “Associated Press.”
Reuters reported that the re-emergence of military service discussions in Germany is linked to the war in Ukraine, sparking debates about reintroducing conscription, which ended in 2011, to bolster the dwindling forces in response to Russian aggression.
- Current Military Numbers: The German army currently has 180,000 soldiers, aiming to increase this to 203,000 by 2031, plus an additional 60,000 reservists, as per “Reuters.”
- Post-Conscription Challenges: With the end of mandatory conscription in 2011, Germany ceased registering 18-year-olds for military service, leaving the country without a reliable database for emergency mobilization.
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