• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

Guttenberg kick-starts shorter conscription periods

Published: 17 Mar 10 11:55 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100317-25931.html

Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is to bring forward the government’s scheduled reduction of compulsory military service from 2011 to this autumn despite criticism from the ranks, a media report said Wednesday.

The centre-right government coalition had agreed to reduce the conscription period from nine to six months in early 2011, but broadcaster ARD reported that Guttenberg would bring the move forward to October 1.

The defence minister also plans to increase the number of new recruits each year from 40,000 to 50,000.

But outgoing parliamentary commissioner for the Bundeswehr, Reinhold Robbe, slammed Guttenberg’s plan in an interview with daily Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

“Among the troops the reduction is seen with overwhelming scepticism, because there they can’t yet see what direction this is going,” he told the paper, adding that the military had to guarantee that recruits still understand the meaning of their service.

Meanwhile Robbe said there was a growing demographic problem when it came to recruitment.

“The quality of the applicants is going down,” he said.

The alternative to Bundeswehr service, compulsory community service, or Zivildienst, would also be shortened but the government is considering allowing voluntary extensions, as many community groups believe six months would not be long enough to make the service worthwhile.

However the government would have to approve additional funding to support people's service if they choose to work longer than six months.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

14:31 March 17, 2010 by Adamts
6 months? I understand the logic Germany uses to justify conscription, but 6 months? I hope Germany finally end this practice entirely and transition to a purely professional military.
16:31 March 17, 2010 by Thames
6 moths is simply not enough time to train troops.
19:37 March 17, 2010 by Der Grenadier aus Aachen
6 months? That's playtime. That doesn't make a proper soldier. 6 months doesn't prepare you to be a functioning part of an army. The entire reason that we have conscription is so that we don't have to have a large standing army that would be necessary to put Germany into a credible military role when you consider the resources of our neighbors and nearest possible threats. This is a complete joke. 2 years should be the minimum.
04:28 March 18, 2010 by Thames
Basic Training is just that basic.

Soldiers need to be integrated into a unit for a period of time to build on what was learned in basic training. They also need to take part in combined arms operations. And perhaps some joint training with NATO this can not be accomplished is such a short time. Beside avoiding an unneeded war the best thing you can do for a soldier is to give him proper training.
16:00 March 18, 2010 by Henckel
@ jmjdk: I'm reminded of the subterfuge used in 1807-12 when the Prussian army was limited to 42,000 men by Napoleon; men were trained and held in service for a shorter period, meaning that when Prussia was able to change sides in 1812-13 they had a huge pool of trained manpower to draw upon.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Drunken golfer practices in central Cologne

A man was arrested on Saturday for using the centre of the historic German city of Cologne as a driving range, after one of his wayward iron shots hit a taxi. READ »

Photo: DPA

Islamist urges 'death for far-right party members'

A German Islamist has called for the murder of members of a far-right party that regularly provokes ultra-conservative Muslims using cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, it was reported over the weekend. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

NATO gives OK to European missile shield

NATO leaders on Sunday gave the go-ahead for the new European missile shield, provoking anger in Russia. The US air base in Ramstein, western Germany, will host part of the system. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Obama and Merkel with other G8 leaders. Photo: DPA

Obama and Merkel agree: austerity and growth

US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on Saturday the eurozone should not abandon fiscal reforms even as it pursues measures to revive growth, the White House said. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Pressure increases on new Berlin airport team

After the embarrassing cancellation of the new Berlin airport opening and the shock of the new date being in nine months, the team is under extra pressure to make sure it works this time. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Migrant medics: 'pizza order German' no good

Foreign doctors who work in Germany should be made to take a language test, to ensure they can do more than order a pizza in their adopted country, the German Doctors’ Association has decided. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

German woman dies of fright in Italian quake

A German woman died of fright after an earthquake shook northern Italy on Sunday morning, killing at least six other people, and leaving buildings in ruins. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Munich mired in misery as Chelsea fans celebrate

Plans for a victory parade through Munich holding aloft the Champions League trophy were hastily shelved on Saturday night after Bayern Munich’s loss on penalties left the city heartbroken. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

More National
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
This week’s Local List turns the spotlight – sorry, the megawatt interrogation lamp – on Germany’s cold-blooded coterie of Hollywood film villains.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: May 17 - 23
Photo: Tony Streeter
NATIONAL »
The British Military Train took soldiers between Berlin and West Germany during the Cold War. It took to the rails one last time, laden with former regulars. James Gheerbrant was there.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: LuAnne Cadd
SOCIETY »
German policeman and dog trainer Marcel Maierhofer told The Local about a new project to team up bloodhounds with rangers in Congo to help fight poaching.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Pee sitting down and make eye contact while clinking glasses and you can't go far wrong. This week's Local List collates essential etiquette tips for foreigners in Germany.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Football violence is increasing in Germany, but the Bundesliga is booming. The Local asked Jacob Sweetman of No Dice magazine to square the circle.
Photo: Steffen Shellhorn
SOCIETY »
Nelson the baby parrot at Leipzig Zoo, dubbed Germany's ugliest bird, has been rejected by his mother, paving the way for what could be a Knut-esque career in the limelight.
Photo: Poker Listings
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Suck-outs and failed bluffs
Photo: Contiki
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Ten great reasons to travel this summer
Photo: Mobilitas
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move
Photo Highland Titles
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Become a Scottish landowner - and a Laird, Lord or Lady in the process.
Photo: Eurail
SPONSORED ARTICLE
The ten best railway stations in Europe



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

1094 jobs available
770 new jobs this week
105 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
ERICON Broker GmbH
Spectrum Int. aLC Master Agent for int. Private Health Ins. also offering all kinds of NATO/ BFG Insurances, Tel.: 0049 (0)2451 910 94 50, Email: info@ericon-broker.com
www.ericon-broker.com
Frustrated by your US Expat Taxes? Greenback can help!
Whether you need to file for multiple years, have a complicated tax situation, or just need to stay compliant, Greenback Expat Tax Services can help. We offer flat fees ($349 for a federal return) and you work directly with one of our 6 CPAs or EAs
www.greenbacktaxservices.com
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!