Overview

• Nearly ten million Germans now qualify as Bundeswehr veterans under a definition that includes active duty and honorably discharged personnel.
• The Bundeswehr recorded 4,302 deployment-related psychiatric illnesses from 2011 through 2024, including 2,580 new PTSD diagnoses.
• Support networks and charities, notably Aktion Pfötchen, have raised over €200,000 to train PTSD therapy dogs for veterans.
• Figures such as Thomas Röwekamp and Jens Spahn advocated preparing for mandatory conscription even as parties like Die Linke cautioned against societal militarization.
• Veteran testimonies from Carsten Schmidt’s PTSD struggles to Maik Mutschke’s combat injuries highlighted ongoing challenges in recognition and care.