Conscription Chatter

The US did away with conscription (the draft) in 1973.  It went to a basic recruitment plan, with benefits as the enticement.  Numerous other countries have gone to the voluntary situation over the decades. 

Germany left the conscription in 2011.  Again, the recruitment plan and benefits were the enticement.

So it's been brought up this week in Germany that a problem now exists, and to correct it.....Germany needs to return to the draft/conscription deal.  Yeah, it's a bit of a discussion topic.

ARD (public TV, Channel One) did a decent explanation over the deal.

This story revolves a commissioner who is supposed to review the quality of the force, and where things are going.  So this 'worry' has been brought up.  The people coming into the Germany army lean a bit to the right, and this fear of extremists gathering up within the Bundeswehr now exists.

The commissioner isn't recommending the draft return, but she advocates for an open discussion within political circles.    Within this dynamic, she advocates for women to be treated in the same way as men....if the draft were to occur.

General position among Germans?  If you go to Chancellor Merkel or AKK (the Defense Minister), this conversation won't occur.  I think if you brought this to the top one-hundred officers within the Bundeswehr, the vast majority will just laugh over the idea.  Around the public?  Maybe you can generate some concern or interest with 10-percent of society, but most don't see the problem existing or requiring a draft situation.

The truth about right-wing behavior?  If you went to a thousand young Germans and measured their 'lean'....the only ones with real interest to go and do three years or a career in the military....are people who lean slightly to the right, or heavily to the right.  To be additionally honest here, the vast number of 17 or 18 year old Germans just don't have interest in military time, and see better opportunities elsewhere. 

This problem that the commission may be discussing....probably does exist to some degree.  Part of this issue is the same that you'd see in the US military....the internet and social media are creating long-term issues. 

So.....expect some chats over the next year about conscription returning to Germany, and expect these to be pushed back by the majority of politicians (from both the left and right).  There just isn't going to be enthusiasm for this idea.