Bundeswehr recruits Thousands of Minors
The Bundeswehr urgently needs soldiers and soldiers. Now it seems that the profession is popular among young people. The Defense Ministry reports an increase in recruitment of 17-year-olds and rejects a criticism from the Left.
The Bundeswehr recruited a total of 7681 minors under 18 years old in the past five years. This is according to an answer from the Federal Ministry of Defense in response to a query from the Left faction in the Bundestag. The highest number was recorded last year with 1996 recruits under 18 years old, compared to 1773 the previous year. A total of 18,800 soldiers and soldiers were enlisted according to Bundeswehr figures.
Voluntary service in the Bundeswehr is permitted with the consent of parents from the age of 17. Interested parties would be at a disadvantage if they had to start their training until they reach the age of 18, as stated by the Bundeswehr. 17-year-old soldiers and soldiers would not be sent into combat.
The number of young recruits is an issue for Nicole Gohlke, the education policy spokeswoman for the Left in the Bundestag: "The federal government seems to have given up protecting minors from militarization altogether," she said, and also criticized the appearances of junior officers of the Bundeswehr in schools. Schools should be a politically neutral and secure place, and political education should be independent and age-appropriate. "This deliberate and increasing recruitment of young people is unacceptable."
Ministry rejects accusations
The Defense Ministry rejects the accusation of militarization, including in relation to junior officers. They also participated in discussions with militarily critical positions. "Junior officer women and junior officers do not engage in recruitment," it says in their annual report.
Responsible for this matter are the career advisors of the Bundeswehr. Junior officers should inform about military and security policy basic questions and about deployments of the Bundeswehr and come to schools on invitation.
According to the Defense Ministry's response, 85 of 94 service positions for junior officers were filled as of mid-July this year. They held a total of 3460 lectures at schools and universities last year, reaching approximately 90,000 students and pupils.
The Left criticism of the Federal military's recruitment of 17-year-olds is based on their concerns about militarization in schools, as evidenced by the presence of junior officers. Interestingly, Statistics from the Defense Ministry show that there was a significant increase in recruitment of minors last year, with 1996 17-year-olds enlisted, compared to 1773 the previous year.
