It is all very well to say that Germany is rearming and will once again become a stabilising force in Europe. The facts suggest something quite different. In November, a new voluntary model was introduced, together with mandatory registration for 18-year-old men. Yet despite around 300,000 being contacted, the initiative produced only 530 new recruits.
The result says a great deal. It says that the rising generation has no interest in defending the country. Ever since they were children, they have been taught that war belongs to the past. Politicians seem to believe they can turn on a sixpence and conjure up a new kind of young people.
Or do they really believe that soldiers raised on Pride and “love whomever you want” can become capable, battle-ready troops?
It certainly appears so. Today’s elite is now attempting to resurrect a reality that it has itself destroyed.
Germany is struggling to recruit soldiers and must decide whether to reintroduce conscription no later than July 2027, according to the chairman of the national parliament’s defence committee.
Conscription was abolished in 2011.
The German armed forces currently number 185,000 personnel. The German authorities have set a target of increasing that figure to 260,000 by 2035.
Conservative politician Thomas Roewekamp believes Germany must return to conscription if it fails to meet its targets through voluntary recruitment.
The decision must be taken by 31 July next year, says Roewekamp, who chairs the Defence Committee of the German federal parliament, the Bundestag.
“During the first half of next year, we must have held fundamental discussions about whether it is possible to meet the highly ambitious growth targets for active forces and reservists on a voluntary basis,” he said, adding that he has serious doubts that this will be possible. (NTB)
Another issue is the reliability of the recruits. Does the German state dare train Muslims in the use of weapons? That question is not asked aloud, but it must surely be in the back of politicians’ minds.