At the end of October, the Bundeswehr said it counted 181,383 soldiers in its ranks — that’s still some distance from the target of 203,000 that the German military hopes to reach by 2025. This has given rise to concern in times of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has once again reminded Germans how quickly conflicts can erupt in Europe.
Since taking office at the beginning of 2023, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has been thinking about ways to make the Bundeswehr more attractive as a career. He said he has received 65 concrete proposals from his ministry on recruitment and reforming training methods.
That will be a severe shot in the foot.
Professional, volunteer, military forces are a better solution. This only implies governments need to create conditions for people to want to join and the possibility to handle guns and use them against other human beings should be the bottom of an 100 items list, along patriotism and duty fulfilling towards national interest.
The last two plus an intriguing “character development” statement figured in a report for the reintroduction of mandatory military service in my country (Portugal), written by a civilian comitee, headed and divulged by a woman in her very early 30’s. Severe public backlash followed, which was met by very thinly veiled proto fascist rethoric from the same spokesperson.
Mandatory military service is a de facto control and pressure tool over the population. Never again. Anywhere. Governments exist to serve the country and the people, not to make use of it.
I’m unsure about the practices in Portugal. In Northern Europe we use the so called Scandinavian model..
This entails :1) gender-neutral and 2) selective and competitive, and therefore in principle still voluntary. Also there’s an opt-out option, and or a civilian service option. According to some comments, it appears to work that way as well.
Current voluntary system, to the extent of my knowledge, is open for all portuguese citizens, of legal age, regardless of gender. Level of education can be a factor taken into consideration for career and entry rank.
The system is voluntary only, as in those interested have to actively request entry and go through the selection process.
Civilian service, like firefighter duty, was an option for conscience objectors, that refused service, either by religious, philosophical or moral reasons, but no longer exists as the state ceased drafting/mandatory military service.
When a portuguese enters the military is solely by their own willing choice and that makes sure we fight for a cause.
Sounds pretty much like how it is in the North (Scandinavian model ) afaik.
added: example Dutch army chief article
"Some 600 youngsters took part in a voluntary year of service with the armed forces introduced this year along similar lines to Sweden. Wijnen said he hopes that in the future 2,000 to 3,000 youngsters will take part, around one third of whom will probably sign up for an army career. "
No.
Here, volunteering for military service already implies becoming part of whatever branch the candidate applies to. It isn’t a trial experience. Some will be integrated into the permanent ranks, others will serve a few years under contract and then relieved of duty.