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German Cabinet Backs Voluntary Military Service With Path Back to Conscription

Parliament now faces a vote on a six-month program to raise troop numbers for NATO readiness.

Soldados de la Bundeswehr. Photo: Malin Wunderlich/dpa
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El ministro alemán de Defensa, Boris Pistorius, durante la rueda de prensa para presentar el nuevo servicio militar voluntario.
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Overview

  • The draft establishes a six-month voluntary service with more attractive pay, training options and flexible short-term commitments.
  • Recruitment targets start at 20,000 in 2026 and rise to 38,000 by 2030, with conscription possible by parliamentary decision if goals are not met.
  • Beginning next year, all 18-year-olds will receive questionnaires on willingness and capacity to serve, and medical exams become mandatory for young men from mid-2027.
  • Defense Minister Boris Pistorius cites Russia’s aggression as the driver for growth and says limited barracks and trainers prevent an immediate universal draft.
  • The Bundeswehr reports a 28% increase in new recruits to more than 13,700 between January and July, while conservatives push for an automatic trigger for compulsory service.