Recruitment drive

The German military has really been banging the drum of late, in a bid to tempt young men and women to sign up for a voluntary period of military service.

But while satisfied soldiers talk on-screen of the benefits of having the Bundeswehr as an employer, the advertisements are failing to have a major impact.

It's something that doesn't particularly surprise military sociologist Detlef Buch, from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Every military in every country that has abolished military service has experienced similar problems, he says, being forced into a desperate search for new talent. The army simply does not have the same wide field of candidates to choose from that it once did.

"The army needs to put more money into recruiting volunteer soldiers from the free labor market, whether for a period of service or a career," he said.

The Netherlands, France and Spain - which all did away with compulsory military service more than 10 years ago - have each arrived at the same realization.

Fighting for the best

It was only last year that the German government decided to do away with the system of compulsory military service that has been in place since 1957. The development is part of a bigger package of reforms intended to make the German military smaller but more flexible.

Alongside posts for career soldiers, the new military will have up to 15,000 short-service posts for between 12 and 23 months. Winning over the best minds will not be easy if the lessons of other nations are to be learned, warns military expert Buch.

"After the end of compulsory conscription, more people tend to enter the forces who are not as well-qualified as before and who do not conform as well to the physical requirements," said Buch.

It's a phenomenon that provided a real headache for the Spanish government, which responded to initial staff shortages by lowering its requirements for applicants to the military. The required IQ was lowered and physical standards were also relaxed.

Since the abolition of compulsory service in Spain in 2001, that country's army has become filled with immigrants whose native language is Spanish. The prospect of citizenship is offered to tempt them.

Admission of foreigners who live in Germany could also help solve the Bundeswehr's problems, provided that they speak excellent German and the necessary arrangements are in place with their own countries.

You get what you pay for

Although initial interest in volunteering is muted, the German Defense Ministry sees no reason to panic. Financial perks, free housing and good career opportunities could all be used to make the services more attractive.

However, that all costs money at a time when the government is trying to make savings.

A look at the experiences of the other NATO members has therefore shown that, in fully professional armies, personnel costs are higher. Savings are only made insofar as there are fewer troops. According to Buch, it will take at least 10 years to see any fall in expenditure.

He likens the reforms to moving from a four-bedroom apartment to one with two bedrooms that is better equipped. "At the beginning it costs more, but in the long term you do save money."

Author: Nina Werkhäuser / rc
Editor: Martin Kuebler