""The new military service is initially based on voluntary service," is the key sentence of the draft bill, which will go before the German parliament in December. In future, however, there will be mandatory physical assessments for all 18-year-old men. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) plans to launch the new voluntary military service with better conditions and pay than old-style conscription at the start of January."
""Other European countries, especially Nordic ones, have shown that the principle of voluntary service combined with attractiveness works and I expect it to be the same here, " said the Social Democrat after the coalition leaders reached an agreement. "The number of applicants is increasing, the recruitment figures are rising," stressed Pistorius. The aim is to recruit 20,000 new volunteers by 2026. They will receive 2,600 ($3025) per month before tax."
The Bundeswehr currently has around 182,000 soldiers but needs tens of thousands more to meet defense requirements. At least 260,000 personnel will be needed by 2035 to fulfil NATO obligations. The new military service will initially be based on voluntary enlistment while introducing mandatory physical assessments for all 18-year-old men. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to launch the voluntary service at the start of January with better conditions and pay. The recruitment goal is 20,000 new volunteers by 2026, each receiving 2,600 per month before tax. Conservative parties urged a return to conscription; Social Democrats rejected compulsory service.
Read at www.dw.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]