Reforming the armed forces

More than 18 months have passed since the mayor of the southwestern German town of Mengen-Hohentengen, Peter Rainer, created a new municipal folder whose title loosely translates as "Saving our local barracks." Much has happened in the interim, and the folder is overflowing.

The 43-year-old Christian Democrat mayor started what he called "a charm offensive for our soldiers" within his small community of 4,500 people. He held discussions with various politicians, seeking to stress the economic and cultural importance of the barracks - especially for his economically underdeveloped region in the southern state of Baden-Württemberg.

This Wednesday, his efforts all came undone, as Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced the next steps in reforming the German military, the Bundeswehr.

Mengen-Hohentengen base, a training post for young Air Force recruits, is one of 31 military facilities the government plans to shut down across the country. Another 33 facilities will be reduced to fewer than 15 people.

Germany is reforming its military - whose ranks were once bolstered by conscripts - into a force of career soldiers and volunteers, people who can serve in international missions such as Afghanistan. The number of troops is expected to drop from 220,000 to 185,000, or even fewer

Closing down entire barracks will have an impact on many regions. In fact, Rainer said his area can not do without its local "Oberschwaben-Kaserne" barracks.

Economic powerhouse

"This base is by far and away the biggest employer in the region," Rainer told Deutsche Welle, alluding to the purchasing power of the roughly 1,000 soldiers, civilian staff and auxiliary workers working in or around the barracks. "We presume the barracks generate roughly 10 million ($14 million) euros per year."

For small businesses and craftspeople in the region, military spending can account for anything between 10 and 70 percent of their total income. Many of the regulars at Eva Igel's butcher's shop are soldiers.

"I think it would be a big loss for us," Igel said, adding that she might have to lay off some of her 18-strong workforce.

Craftsman Rainer Kern has just finished installing new rolling shutters in a lecture hall at the training barracks. "There are many buildings within the barracks that require maintenance and cleaning," Kern said, and these jobs currently make up a large chunk of his income.

Rainer thinks the loss of as many as 800 young soldiers would impact heavily on the town. Schools and kindergartens would suddenly be under-subscribed, the already high levels of vacant residential and commercial properties would skyrocket, the amount of young people leaving for greener pastures elsewhere would probably rise as well.

"In total, it would be a very big economic loss, but it would also damage the structure and identity of our community," said Rainer.

Former soldier Roland Richter is most worried that there would be "no future use for the barracks" in this isolated town. The nearest passenger airport is about two hour's drive away, and it takes 60 minutes to get to the motorway network. Richter asked aloud who would possibly invest in such a place, answering his question with a forlorn shake of his head.

Career soldiers with most to lose

When the barracks close, the roughly 300 soldiers and civilian employees at the barracks who are responsible for training the young Air Force conscripts will be hardest hit. Marco Lössl moved to the town four years ago and says the numbers of cadets has already dropped dramatically from the former highs of 500.

"We are living in uncertainty," Lössl lamented. "I have lived in Hohentengen for four years, but it feels more like 20. If I can't work at or close to the Oberschwaben-Kaserne anymore, then I'd have to try to sell my house." Lössl remembers the difficulty he had doing this when his last base in Bayreuth closed, and said he would rather not repeat the process.

Former mayor Franz Ott also firmly opposed the potential closure of the barracks, saying it "would break up a part of the village community." He points to some 50 annual events attended by soldiers and civilians alike, including the traditional Oktoberfest that attracts roughly 2,000 people to the barracks each year. He suggested that barracks should be closed in places where they are not such an integral part of the community.

But local politician Rudolf Fischer, of Germany's rather obscure Party of Free Voters, said the local community has failed to look forward and seek to break its dependence from the base.

"Nothing gets produced in the barracks, at least nothing meaningful," Fischer told Deutsche Welle.

Fischer would like to see private sector money in the region instead.

"I think there are other projects that might be able to stand on their own two feet," he said. "The tourism business, for instance, that would bring new people into the region and provide new business opportunities for locals."

Locals in the village say they will maintain the region's 750-year military heritage no matter what happens to the Oberschwaben-Kaserne. That may be scant consolation for Mayor Peter Rainer, but even he is glad that the long wait for a decision on his base's fate is over. Now he will be able to open a new folder.

Author: Richard A. Fuchs / msh / db
Editor: Martin Kuebler