Overview
- The Bundeswehr confirmed it dispatched the initial questionnaires on Thursday to members of the 2008 birth cohort turning 18 this year.
- Each letter links via QR code to an online form, with young men required to respond within four weeks while women may reply voluntarily.
- Defence leaders said about 700,000 people will receive the survey as the first step before inviting suitable volunteers to muster.
- Reporting describes an initial 5,000 letters followed by roughly 12,500 per week, with registered follow‑ups and potential fines of up to €1,000 for non‑response.
- The rollout under a law in force since January 1 supports plans to expand the active force toward about 260,000 and build a large reserve, backed by higher pay and driving‑license subsidies to attract volunteers.