The biting winter air on a military training ground in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, offers a stark contrast to Carlotta's usual classroom in Cologne. At just 16, she’s observing a powerful howitzer 2000 firing live ammunition, the deafening roars mitigated only by earplugs. This isn't a field trip; it's her personal exploration into the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr. Accompanied by two dozen other young aspirants in uniform, Carlotta is participating in "Discovery Days," a short internship designed to showcase military life, complete with early morning drills and camaraderie-building evenings. She sees herself potentially serving for three to eight years but firmly rejects compulsory military service, stating, "You shouldn't force anything on people. It's much better to join voluntarily than to be forced, because then you lose your motivation." Her sentiment reflects a broader societal debate sparked by Germany's recently approved military service modernization act.
A New Vision for Voluntary Service
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius champions this new legislation, which passed the Bundestag on Friday, as a strategic effort to boost voluntary enlistment. The core idea is to make military service an attractive option rather than a mandated duty. Key incentives include significantly improved remuneration: starting in early 2026, new recruits will earn a substantial €2,600 ($3,000) pre-tax monthly salary for a minimum six-month commitment. Those who sign up for at least a year will also receive a subsidy for driving lessons, a practical benefit appealing to many young people. Pistorius hopes these measures will prevent a swift return to full conscription, a concept his own center-left Social Democrats (SPD) largely oppose. "Military service will remain voluntary if everything goes as well as we hope," he affirmed during the parliamentary debate.
The Tug-of-War Over Conscription
Despite the SPD's optimism, the efficacy of relying solely on voluntary recruitment to address personnel shortages remains contentious. Conservative parties, including the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), express skepticism. They advocate for reinstating national service, which Germany suspended in 2011, believing it's essential to meet the Bundeswehr's ambitious targets. The new law meticulously outlines the path to recruiting 80,000 additional soldiers by 2035, aiming to expand the standing army from approximately 182,000 to 260,000 troops, a crucial commitment to NATO in light of the perceived Russian threat. An additional 200,000 reservists are also envisioned. The Defense Ministry is now mandated to provide bi-annual progress reports to the Bundestag.
Mandatory Steps Towards Future Preparedness
Months of coalition infighting preceded the final "Military Service Modernization Act," with proposals like a controversial lottery system — which drew outrage from young people — ultimately being discarded. The new compromise maintains voluntary service for now but introduces new obligations for 18-year-old men. From early 2026, they will receive a mandatory questionnaire inquiring about their willingness to serve, physical fitness, and educational background. For women, this questionnaire remains voluntary, reflecting constitutional restrictions on requiring them for military service. A more significant step is slated for mid-2027: all men born in 2008 or later will be required to attend a fitness test. This measure aims to assess their potential for military service in a conflict scenario, establishing a pool of eligible individuals should conscription become necessary. The Bundeswehr expects to have the capacity to process these recruits starting mid-2027.
Public Outcry and Conscientious Objection
The compulsory medical examination, a key component of the fitness test, has become a focal point of criticism. Opponents view it as a slippery slope, a precursor to full conscription, and fear the discarded lottery system could be reintroduced if voluntary numbers fall short. In such a scenario, a "needs-based conscription," drafting a portion of young men, remains a parliamentary option. The day the law passed, protests erupted in numerous German cities. Student organizers of the "school strike against conscription" vehemently rejected the prospect of being "locked up in barracks... trained in drill and obedience, and taught to kill." Leo Reinemann, a student organizer in Koblenz, articulated the generation's sentiment to SWR: "We feel neglected as a generation, and we don't see why our generation should jump into the trenches for the government."
Meanwhile, the fundamental right to conscientious objection persists, and its exercise is surging. By late October, the federal office recorded over 3,000 applications for conscientious objection, a new high since conscription's suspension in 2011, encompassing both new applicants and existing soldiers or reservists. This rise underscores the deep-seated resistance within society to compulsory military service, even as the government seeks innovative ways to bolster its defense capabilities.