Overview

• Since the suspension of mandatory service in 2011 the Bundeswehr has retained names for roughly one million ex-conscripts but lacks their addresses and phone numbers
• An estimated 100,000 Afghanistan veterans are among the unreachable reservists who are considered high-value for potential deployment
• The Reservists Association receives €24 million annually but cannot assess reservists’ fitness or willingness to serve without current contact details
• The Defense Ministry is exploring reforms to align EU and national privacy laws with requirements for updated reservist registration under a new service model
• Officials estimate that re-recruiting about 250,000 trained personnel would meet the Bundeswehr’s needs in a defense scenario