Pistorius wants to bring the “fittest, most suitable and most motivated” men into the Bundeswehr

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has presented his plans for a new military service. According to this, all men who turn 18 will be required to fill out a questionnaire and send it back to the Bundeswehr. Pistorius assumes that of the approximately 400,000 possible recruits in a year group, 40,000 to 50,000 young men will say they are interested in serving in the Bundeswehr. They will be invited to the medical examination. “This medical examination is compulsory,” Pistorius said at a press conference on Wednesday.

In essence, Pistorius’ plans do not include compulsory military service; the defense minister spoke of a “selective military service.” “Those who are the fittest, most suitable and most motivated should be selected for military service.”

All men of military age are required to fill out the questionnaire. In addition to qualifications, interests, inclinations and sporting activities, the questionnaire will ask whether they are interested in voluntary service in the Bundeswehr. Women who turn 18 will also be contacted. However, filling out the questionnaire will remain voluntary for them.

The new military service will provide the Bundeswehr with 5,000 additional recruits each year. The aim is to increase this number every year. Those selected will be able to complete basic military service for six months or sign up for up to 23 months.

However, compulsory military service in the Bundeswehr has been suspended for 13 years. Due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the changed security situation in Europe, Pistorius sees the need to increase the Bundeswehr’s personnel.

The reform is primarily intended to increase the number of reservists who have received basic training with the troops and who could be called up if necessary. The minister wants to “generate” around 200,000 new reservists through the reform. The number of active soldiers is to rise to around 200,000; at the moment there are around 181,000. In the long term, the Bundeswehr is to comprise around 460,000 soldiers – this number includes reserves and active soldiers.