Military service plan proposes a structured schedule.
According to a piece in "World," the Ministry of Defense is contemplating alterations to legislation to implement a fresh military service structure. The report suggests a policy that sets a specific deadline, as mentioned in the report, drawing from a proposed bill. This would trigger the re-registration process for men born on or after December 31, 2006. These men would be obligated to provide details about their military service readiness and capabilities, as well as their education and other qualifications, in a digital form.
As per the "World," men reaching adulthood after January 1, 2025, would be compelled to complete this digital questionnaire, potentially facing fines for failure to comply. Women and individuals of non-binary genders, however, can voluntarily participate in this process. The Ministry of Defense, however, refrained from providing any clarification on these plans during a press conference on Friday. It was earlier suggested that the Bundestag would debate and approve any necessary legislative changes by the coming spring. Only then could these changes be enacted.
In June, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) proposed his blueprint for this new military service model, serving as a foundation to swiftly bolster the Bundeswehr during national defense emergencies. From an annual pool of 400,000 potential recruits, it was proposed to draft an additional 5,000 conscripts annually, starting from 2025. This potential could be expanded further in the future. The proposed model would entail a six-month compulsory military service with the option to extend this service by an additional 17 months upon voluntary enlistment.
During a speech in Lithuania's parliament a day prior, Pistorius reaffirmed his advocacy for a policy shift. He criticized the abolition of military service in Germany and described it as a mistake. The defense minister further emphasized, "Germany must establish a new variant of military service to sustain its armed forces in the event of a war."
The media report by "World" further discusses the potential fines for men who fail to comply with the digital questionnaire about their military service readiness. After the legislative changes are approved, the detailed reporting by the media will be crucial in keeping the public informed about the implementation of the new military service structure.
