Berlin moves to bulk up its military - but some 18-year-olds aren't convinced that signing up is a good idea.

Berlin

Germany is set to reintroduce voluntary military service for 18-year-old males, with notifications to be sent in the coming weeks. Females are not required to respond, while males who agree to serve will join the armed forces in 2027. The decision follows a recent parliamentary vote and has sparked protests among young people, though opinion polls show mixed support depending on age and whether service is voluntary or mandatory.

Government officials, including the chancellor and defense minister, view the measure as part of efforts to strengthen national defense in response to perceived threats from Russia. The initiative includes an accelerated recruitment program for the Bundeswehr, aiming to enhance deterrence capabilities. National service has become a central topic in German defense policy discussions.

Germany to reintroduce voluntary military service for 18-year-olds

These young recruits grew up in a country that had abandoned national service. Soon, many of those born in 2008 may have to embrace it. In a few weeks, a generation of young Germans will receive a letter asking if they're prepared to serve in the military. Females do not have to respond. Males must. Those who agree will enter the armed forces in 2027. Marty Dorman is an 18-year-old student who coaches at his local football club in his spare time. While he won't be getting an official letter, he says he wouldn't serve anyway. Right now, I don't feel ready to go to the army, because I don't understand why I should be dragged into these political crises, into the violent fantasies of others by politicians. When parliament passed the decisive vote a few weeks ago, thousands of young people took to the streets to show their disapproval. But a glance at the latest opinion polls suggests that not everyone sees things that way. Nearly half of those under 30 support voluntary national service. Among the over 30s, that number rises to 54%. But it's a different picture if the national service is mandatory. Nearly two-thirds of those under 30 oppose it, while amongst those over 30, nearly two-thirds are in favor of it. Perhaps because many of them had to do it themselves. During the Cold War, a form of service to the German state was compulsory on both sides of the old Iron Curtain. The current chancellor and defense minister served as soldiers in what was then West Germany. Now they see national service as part of their plan to resist the perceived threat from Russia. We have agreed an accelerated procurement and recruitment program for the Bundeswehr using the following logic. We must be so strong that no one attacks us. In other words, we must pose a credible threat to deter potential aggressors. No post-war chancellor has previously spoken so clearly of the need to rearm. Such is the lingering legacy of the Nazis or National Socialists. Now it is national service that is uppermost in ministers' minds. And that means putting more young Germans into uniform if needs be. Dominic Cain, Al Jazeera, Berlin.

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