Back to compulsory military service?

Compulsory military service - yes or no? In view of the shifting geopolitical situation, this debate has become topical again in Germany. And yet it had seemed as if compulsory military service was already a thing of the past. We look briefly ahead to the future and review the current discussion. 

To increase Germany’s security during the Cold War and create a broad-based sense of responsibility in society for national defence: that was the goal when Germany introduced compulsory military service in 1956. All men aged 18 and above were required to complete a period of military service lasting between six and 18 months. As an alternative, they could opt to do “civilian service”, which involved some type of social work.  

The end of the Cold War also resulted in the end of compulsory military service 

Compulsory military service was suspended from 2011, the Bundeswehr being transformed into a professional army. The German government justified this decision by citing among other things the end of the Cold War and the need for a more professional army. The focus switched from national defence to worldwide missions to promote peace and security, human rights and the protection of minorities. Bundeswehr deployments always formed part of collective security or defence missions under the auspices of organisations such as the United Nations, the European Union (EU) or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

Bundeswehr to grow to around 200,000 soldiers 

For some years now there has been increasing discussion of the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service. The reasons for this include the new security situation in Europe, the possibility that the USA will no longer act in a protective capacity and the Bundeswehr’s goal of growing from around 180,000 to 200,000 soldiers by 2031. While supporters of compulsory military service stress the importance of social responsibility and defence capability, opponents criticise the resulting infringement of personal freedom.

Different models for military service 

There are different possible models for military service, however. Suggestions include everything from the conventional model to an optimised version of voluntary military service and a variety of new approaches. Such as  

• a general social service: this would involve all citizens having to complete one compulsory year of service, either in the military or in social institutions. 
• Compulsory military service based on the Swedish model: this sees only some of each year’s cohort actually being conscripted - based on aptitude and demand.  

Whether one of these models becomes a reality in Germany will depend on political decisions - and further developments in the area of security policy.