The Local Germany

Why Germany is talking about compulsory national service again

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:36:29 +0200

It is one of Germany’s most controversial topics. Conscription, including compulsory service to support the military, is being debated again after a politician suggested holding a referendum on the issue.

Govt paper mulls bringing back army conscription

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 12:16:48 +0200

In its new concept paper on civil defence, the federal government discusses the concept of conscription, five years after it was abolished.

Ex-generals: Bring back conscription

Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:29:00 +0100

Mounting tension in the Crimea is prompting calls for compulsory military service to be reintroduced in Germany.

A third of volunteer military recruits drop out

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:50:00 +0100

Nearly one in three of Germans who volunteer to join the armed forces leave before the end of their six-month trial period, figures released this week show.

Hitler bomb plot ceremony marred by row

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 17:09:00 +0200

A high profile ceremony for new voluntary recruits to the Bundeswehr, marking the botched attempt to assassinate Hitler in 1944, was marred on Saturday as a row blew up over the decision to change the location.

Bundeswehr begins new era as conscription ends

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:32:00 +0200

Germany’s armed forces has officially ended conscription, heralding a new era for the now all-volunteer Bundeswehr.

Military faces looming soldier shortage

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:37:00 +0100

The German military could find itself short thousands of soldiers once conscription ends because few volunteers appear to be interested in signing up.

Army eyes school dropouts to fill ranks

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:02:00 +0100

German military officials are considering pursuing high school dropouts to fill the Bundeswehr's ranks following the end to conscription, a media report said Tuesday. But a plan to recruit foreigners is encountering resistance.

Last Bundeswehr conscripts report for duty

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:25:00 +0100

Germany’s final batch of military conscripts, some 12,000 young men, reported for duty on Monday, as the country moves toward a smaller, professional armed forces.

Military conscription to be suspended in July

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:04:00 +0100

Germany's defence minister said late on Monday that the government aimed to suspend military conscription from July 1 next year, calling it "responsible and right."

End to military conscription could overwhelm universities

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:28:00 +0200

Germany’s planned end to military conscription and its alternative Zivildienst public service could burden universities with up to 50,000 additional students next year, experts warned on Tuesday.

Conservatives approve end to conscription

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:14:00 +0200

The road is clear for conscription to be suspended after Angela Merkel’s conservatives agreed to the measure in an effort to modernize the Bundeswehr as a smaller, more professional force, officials announced Monday.

Military reforms could alienate soldiers, Bundeswehr commissioner warns

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:38:00 +0200

Germany's parliamentary watchdog for the armed forces on Wednesday criticised Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg’s plans to streamline the military, saying that “clear cutting” Bundeswehr facilities would alienate soldiers from the rest of German society.

Guttenberg to slash military, end draft

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:50:00 +0200

Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said on Monday he planned to cut Germany's armed forces by one-third while scrapping compulsory military service.

Guttenberg wants military reform by 2011

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:41:00 +0200

Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg intends to get his planned reform of the armed services passed before the end of the year he said on Sunday – including the controversial axing of compulsory military service.

Defence Ministry plans troop reduction to 165,000 volunteers

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:50:00 +0200

German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg’s new model for the Bundeswehr includes ending conscription and reducing troops from 250,000 to 165,000 volunteers, a media report said on Friday.

Majority of Germans want to end conscription

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:05:00 +0200

Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg's proposal to end conscription in Germany has the support of the majority of Germans, according to a new survey published Sunday.

Germans undecided about military service

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:59:00 +0200

A new survey suggests that Germans have not yet decided whether they would like to see the end of conscription.

Westerwelle urges quick end to conscription

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:59:00 +0200

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is pushing for a quick end to military service, which he said Wednesday could be scrapped before the next federal election in 2013.

Military plans exclude conscripts

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:45:00 +0200

A looming fight within the governing coalition over whether to scrap military service seems to have already been decided, with the Defence Ministry already planning to make do without any new troops from next year.