Germany wants to know who is willing to fight – DW – 11/06/2024
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Germany has been struggling to fill the army's ranks since abolishing compulsory military service. Under a new draft law, young men would be obligated to declare their interest in serving in the military.

Summary

Germany’s government approved a draft law requiring young men to indicate their willingness to serve in the military, aiming to increase military participation without reintroducing conscription.

The survey will target around 300,000 18-year-old males in 2024, with young women given the option to participate. This initiative follows years of recruitment challenges since Germany ended compulsory service in 2011.

With a growing focus on defense in response to Russian aggression, Germany seeks to increase its military personnel from 180,000 to 203,000 by 2030.

  • NeuronautMLEnglish
    1·
    4 hours ago

    Any person who, on grounds of conscience, refuses to render military service involving the use of arms may be required to perform alternative service.

    So men can refuse service at arms, but they can’t refuse service, so how is that better ? Either way you’re still drafted into war. Possibly into medical service as well. So it’s not harsher, it’s the same or worse, because you could be drafted to maintenance near the front lines, whereas medical is usually a ways back. Or as a woman you could volunteer to maintenance, logistics or recruitment before being drafted, then you’re not forced into medical. You’re likely not even put near the front lines as a woman.

    So your statement that it is harsher on women is not correct. It’s actually quite insensitive for the men who die in the front lines for the country.

    • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
      1·
      3 hours ago

      because you could be drafted to maintenance near the front lines,

      And field hospitals can’t be near front lines? If with “near the front” you mean “you’re running around with a sidearm” then that’s a combat role, combat mechanic isn’t a non-combat role, the actual maintenance is just as far back as hospitals are.

      So your statement that it is harsher on women is not correct.

      You cannot interpret “harsher” freely, without taking account what I called harsher, after the colon: Women who don’t have the stomach to go into the medical field don’t have an out, legally speaking. While the law says “Not all men are fighters”, it is saying “all women are nurses”. You see the difference in essentialism there, don’t you?