"Sitting in the cramped interior of a Panzerhaubitze 2000 armoured vehicle, Tom, 20, hangs on every word coming from Achim, an officer with the German military, as he breathlessly talks students through the workings of the most modern tank in the world. What damage would you expect its ammunition to inflict? Tom asks. Achim replies: A standard round has a range of 30km, and anything within a 100-metre radius of that would be a direct hit, Achim says. The students exchange surprised glances."
"From 1 January, young men who turn 18 will have to fill out a questionnaire assessing their suitability for armed service, and in about two years will be expected to undergo an obligatory health test so authorities have on record who is potentially available in the event they are needed to fight in a full-scale war. In an attempt to attract more volunteers, army wages are to be boosted, while recruits will have access to language courses, subsidised driving licences, free second-class train travel (if they're in uniform)"
German armed forces are conducting a large-scale recruitment drive to increase the professional military by about 80,000 to 260,000 personnel and expand reservists by 140,000 to 200,000 within roughly ten years. Public outreach includes displays of vehicles and equipment at events such as the Essen Motor Show to reshape perceptions of soldiers as citizens in uniform. New administrative measures will require 18-year-olds to fill suitability questionnaires and undergo health tests to establish who is potentially available for full-scale war. Pay increases and benefits such as language courses, subsidised driving licences and free second-class train travel in uniform are being offered to attract volunteers.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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