German Media: German Military Promotes Recruitment Through Multiple Channels

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Germany, Aoki] According to a report by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung on June 29, since the implementation of Germany's new conscription system, the Bundeswehr has frequently conducted promotional activities in schools, holding 3,790 public events in primary and secondary schools and vocational schools across the country in the first half of this year alone.

This data was disclosed by the German Federal Ministry of Defense in response to inquiries from left-wing parties. German media stated that if the frequency of activities in the first half of the year continues into the second half, the total number of school promotional events for the year will significantly exceed that of 2025. Data shows that the Bundeswehr held a total of 5,617 such events last year.

The Bundeswehr previously held a promotional tour in the northern small city of Braunschweig. The military set up an open exhibition area in the city center to showcase various military vehicles and weaponry. There were also career advisors on-site to answer questions from young people about joining the military. In July, the Bundeswehr will also release a series of documentaries titled "The Generation of Military Service" on social media, which will depict the experiences of young men and women during basic training, covering aspects from receiving uniforms and taking oaths to combat training and field camping.

Regarding the Bundeswehr's frequent school promotions, left-wing parties have expressed skepticism, stating that this action indicates a "systematic militarization" of campuses, "and the intensity is unprecedented."

The Berliner Morgenpost and Der Spiegel mentioned that in response to the security situation changes brought about by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bundeswehr plans to expand the active-duty force from 180,000 to 260,000, with the reserve force reaching 200,000. Germany implemented the new conscription system on January 1 of this year, where military service remains voluntary, and all German citizens born in 2008 or later who have reached adulthood, i.e., are 18 years old, will receive a questionnaire. Males must respond, while females do so voluntarily. All young people interested in joining the military will undergo further assessments to determine their suitability for service.

German media reported that since the new conscription system was implemented, the military has distributed nearly 300,000 service intention surveys, with over 1/5 of respondents expressing a willingness to enlist, but ultimately only about 530 interested youths have confirmed their intention to serve in 2026.

A spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and Civil Society told Süddeutsche Zeitung that as of the end of May, 2,667 applications for exemption from military service had been legally recognized, and this number is expected to reach the highest level since 2011 this year. The German Ministry of Defense is formulating new measures to increase the number of recruits. 

The German Ministry of Defense released its national military strategy for the first time in April this year, setting the goal of creating "the strongest conventional army in Europe." Some analysts believe that the mandatory conscription questionnaires and medical examination measures under the new conscription system highlight Germany's urgent mindset regarding recruitment.