To strengthen the Bundeswehr
Pistorius plans deadline regulation for military service model
September 28, 2024, 6:05 p.m
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Preparations are underway in the Ministry of Defense for a new model of military service. According to a media report, men born in 2006 will be counted again and will have to fill out a questionnaire. From 2025 onwards, 5,000 additional conscripts will be recruited every year.
According to a report in “Welt”, preparations have begun in the Ministry of Defense for changes to the law to introduce a new model of military service. Plans provide for a deadline, as the newspaper reported, citing a draft bill. Accordingly, the registration anchored in the Conscription Act should be reactivated for men who were born on December 31, 2006 or later.
They should be obliged to provide information in a digital questionnaire about their willingness and ability to perform military service as well as their educational qualifications, other qualifications and interests. The “Welt” reported that for men who will come of age after January 1, 2025, answering should be mandatory under threat of a fine. Women and people of other genders could fill it voluntarily.
The Defense Ministry did not confirm any details about the plans on Friday. According to previous information, the Bundestag should decide on necessary changes to the law next spring. Only then can changes take effect. In June, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius presented his concept for a new military service – as a basis for quickly strengthening the Bundeswehr in the event of a defense.
From 2025 onwards, initially 5,000 additional conscripts, and later more, will be recruited from the pool of 400,000 candidates from one year group. The new model will consist of a basic military service of 6 months with an option for additional voluntary military service of up to an additional 17 months.
In a speech to the Lithuanian parliament the day before, Pistorius reiterated his call for a course correction and described the abolition of military service in Germany as a mistake. The defense minister said: “Germany must introduce a new form of military service. This is the only way the armed forces can survive in the event of war.”
