Steinmeier calls for general compulsory military service: path to a strong Bundeswehr!

Steinmeier calls for general compulsory military service: path to a strong Bundeswehr!

On November 12, 2025, the Bundeswehr celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding, an occasion that prompted Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to fundamentally reflect. At the ceremonial vow in which 280 recruits swore their loyalty to the Federal Republic of Germany, he spoke out emphatically in favor of a general duty of service that includes both military service and social missions. In his speech, Steinmeier made it clear that such a compulsory period would be the fairest solution to the current challenges. “We need more recruits and reliable procedures for the Bundeswehr,” said the Federal President, who emphasized that steps in this direction should soon be taken with the new military service law.

The celebrations also included a look back at the founding of the Bundeswehr on November 12, 1955, when the then Defense Minister Theodor Blank presented the first soldiers with their certificates of appointment. “When setting up the Bundeswehr, there was not only time pressure at the beginning, but up to 500,000 soldiers had to be made available for the Western defense alliance,” recalled Steinmeier. Given the current geopolitical situation, particularly the threat from Russia, a credible military deterrent is essential.

Resource bottlenecks and staff shortages

The need for more personnel in the Bundeswehr was also emphasized by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. According to a statement that daily news published, the government urgently needs additional resources and staff. The plan envisages expanding the Bundeswehr by 60,000 to 80,000 soldiers in order to respond to the current security policy challenges. “The Bundeswehr must become more attractive,” emphasized Pistorius, pointing to higher financial incentives to attract new recruits.

A new military service law, which is largely voluntary, is in the pipeline. From 2026, a questionnaire will be sent to young men to gauge their interest in voluntary military service, while women will also be given the opportunity to register. However, critics such as André Wüstner from the Bundeswehr Association express concerns about the voluntary nature and call for better preparation for potential conscription.

The path to conscription | Discussions and requirements

The political discussion about a possible return to compulsory military service has increased, especially after the Union demanded that compulsory military service be automatically reintroduced if the planned personnel target is not met. Conscription was introduced in West Germany in 1956 and in the GDR in 1962, but was suspended in 2011. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has reignited the debate about Germany's defense capability.

Defense Minister Pistorius made it clear that there could be no easy return to conscription. “We must find out how we can strengthen the resilience of our armed forces to ensure peace and freedom,” he said. At the same time, Daniela Broda, chairwoman of the German Federal Youth Association, called for more say for young people in the discussion about military service and compulsory military service.

In her contribution to the ceremony, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner praised the Bundeswehr as a “protection mechanism for our freedom” and highlighted its close integration into democracy. In these uncertain times, it is clear that the discussion about military service is not only necessary, but also central to the future of Germany.