"Breaking: Germany reinstates conscription for 18-year-olds, requiring mandatory medical screenings. Explore the implications for military readiness and citizen duties."

All male citizens turning 18 must complete a medical examination to assess their fitness for military service.

If the number of volunteers falls short, a draft lottery will be implemented to select individuals for service in the Bundeswehr, Germany"s armed forces.

Women will also be included in the process, receiving a questionnaire designed to evaluate their potential readiness to serve in the military.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand the German military, with a target of increasing the number of active troops to 260,000 and reservists to 200,000. The duration of mandatory service is set at six months, with half of that time dedicated to basic training, ensuring that recruits are adequately prepared for their roles.

For those who choose to volunteer for military service, the compensation is approximately €2,600 per month. Additionally, individuals who sign contracts for longer than one year will be granted “short-term contract soldier” status, which includes pay comparable to that of professional military personnel.

  • Tenderizer78@lemmy.mlEnglish
    3·
    2 hours ago

    I was diagnosed with autism in my early 20’s. If I were German, 18, and drafted then I probably would be dead today.

    If I had to make a draft work, I’d probably give people some kind of way to avoid military service but at great cost (like higher taxes or even mandatory civil service). Forcing a communist to go to war on your behalf will get people killed.

  • Dessalines@lemmy.ml
    197·
    20 hours ago

    The west just keeps passing the baton to see who will fail next at conquering eastern europe. France fail, germany fail, USA/NATO fail, now germany’s up to bat again.

    • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.ml
      7·
      14 hours ago

      I mean just look at the backgrounds of people like Merz or von der Leyen, these are descendant of the fascists who think this is their second chance.

    • TwentyEight@lemmy.mlEnglish
      911·
      17 hours ago

      Clearly it is Russia ‘up to bat again’, as you put it, with Europe knowing they can no longer rely upon the US to fulfill its obligations to NATO.

      • lemonwood@lemmy.ml
        3·
        2 hours ago

        The US never had or fulfilled and obligations in NATO. NATO is part of the US empire.

        • TwentyEight@lemmy.mlEnglish
          32·
          4 hours ago

          This is a kind of ‘straw man’ argument.

          You change what I said then attacked that.

          Boring and predictable. Now fuck off back under whatever rock you came out from.

          There is a definite Russian propaganda issue with lemmy.ml.

  • iguessimlemming@lemmy.ml
    11·
    22 hours ago

    Starting in 2026, 18-year-old men must declare willingness to serve, while women can volunteer. The plan offers flexible terms from six months and pay of €2,600 to attract recruits, aiming for 270,000 personnel by 2035. If voluntary enlistment falls short, conscription could return. DW Close, and fucked up, but not quite there yet. For precision’s sake.