Germany is advancing plans to reintroduce national service as part of a broader initiative to enhance both national and NATO defence capabilities to deter Russia.
In an announcement from the German Ministry of Defence, it was revealed that new legislation, recently approved by the Cabinet, will be debated in the Bundesrat and Bundestag early next year.
In a tweet on November 6, the official account for Germany at NATO (@GermanyNATO) outlined the purpose behind this move:
“GERMANY is planning to reintroduce national service to strengthen its national and collective deterrence & defence capabilities and build up a strong reserve. The new legislation was approved by the Cabinet today and will be debated in the Bundesrat and Bundestag early next year.”
Under this proposal, all men will be required to complete a digital questionnaire upon turning 18, while women will be given the option to participate. The Bundeswehr will then select the most qualified and motivated candidates to serve a term of six to 23 months.
Under the new system, men will have to fill out a digital questionnaire when they turn 18, while women will have the option of doing so. The #Bundeswehr will choose the best and most motivated candidates, who will do military service for a period of six to 23 months. 2/2
ā Germany at NATO (@GermanyNATO) November 6, 2024
This system aims to create a more efficient process for identifying suitable candidates, ensuring that Germanyās armed forces remain well-staffed and capable in an era of heightened security concerns.
A follow-up tweet from @GermanyNATO added further details on the new system:
“Under the new system, men will have to fill out a digital questionnaire when they turn 18, while women will have the option of doing so. The #Bundeswehr will choose the best and most motivated candidates, who will do military service for a period of six to 23 months.”
The reintroduction of national service follows years of debate, reignited by the war in Ukraine, over the potential benefits of conscription in bolstering Germanyās military ranks. When conscription was abolished in 2011, Germany also ended the registration of 18-year-olds for military call-ups, resulting in a lack of a structured database of eligible recruits.
The new questionnaire is intended to address this gap, allowing the Bundeswehr to more effectively identify and select individuals who meet the demands of military service.
Given the German Government has also effectively collapsed and will be going for elections in the New Year as well, it will be interesting to see if this gets through before that.
Good. Starmer take note.
Conscription in the UK is nearer than we might think. A reduced commitment to European defence under a Trump administration would require serious consideration in Westminster. Another reason to consider ‘National Service’ is one way to stem the growing right-wing elements witnessed in the 2024 summer riots.
How do you suppose they stem the left wing elements that led to this situation in the first place? It’s illogical to expect the USA to take European defense more seriously than you do.
Don’t understand your logic…sorry.
“left wing elements that led to this situation in the first place?” yeah you’re gonna have to explain that one to us
The UK needs National Service like it needs a hole in the head, it will cost a substantial amount of money which isn’t there.
I don’t think you understand just how serious the situation could become if there is a drawdown of US military commitment regarding Europe. National Service may be the only way to increase our land forces so more menial tasks can be cascaded to NS personnel, thus releasing trained professionals for the frontline. As for costs, this new government has got a shock coming in terms of defence spending along with all major European countries.
It would be a start if we approached reserve training like the Swedes do.
It is an expected part of the social contract. A lot of people enjoy it.
… but presumably (by your logic at least) there’s no need to apply it to the well funded and organised left-wing elements that have been prevalent on our streets every weekend for the last 13 months attached to Palestinian protests?
No thank you, I’m skeptical on their usefulness and the costs required, like Sunak’s proposal pre election gimick.
However, can we look again at the Regular Reserve and make efforts to resource it? If that is even possible I am not sure what resource would be required?
Create “Shadow Regiments” along County lines paired with a Regular formation, each County Regiment having sub units of specialists depending on what they did in their time of regular service – Logistics, Medical, Infantry, and so on??
Why waste skills and experience that so much money and treasure has been expended to create?
Did this come along with a huge order of broom sticks?
Given that the weapons recapitalisation is funded how are they going to manage a large upswing in people without the funds for barracks kits and synergic training aids?
Square bashing wonāt help anyone.
I’m guessing men don’t have the option of not doing national service? haha.
They could probably deliberately muck up the questionnaire so there is no way of ever getting selected but yes, that gender distinction is a bit odd.
can’t say i agree with it being optional based on gender
I wonder if this proposal breaches German gender equality laws. We might see widespread transitioningš
A daft idea that won’t happen.
For the UK, increasing the volunteer reserve is a much better option to increase capability.