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Transforming Germanys Armed Forces
by Maxim Worcester
The current emotional debate surrounding the possible abolishment of national service is
overshadowing the core problem faced by those wishing to reform the armed forces of the
country.
Those clinging to the idea of national service believe that the establishment of a professional
army would lower the standard of recruits as national service ensures that recruits come from
a true cross section of the population. There is some truth in this, however higher motivation
of volunteers and a longer period of service can more than compensate for this. Countries
such as Belgium, France and Holland, who have recently abolished conscription, confirm that
this is the case. Furthermore, a volunteer defence force would also mean that recruits can be
selected on the basis of suitability for the job. Critics of a volunteer army also believe that the
end of conscription would result in the armed forces loosing their place in society; given the
general lack of acceptance and relatively low standing of soldiers in German society this
argument is weak and not truly convincing.
Germanys “baggage of history”, 1933 – 1945, and the role the Armed Forces played during
this period is also frequently cited as a reason to maintain a citizens army rather than a
professional army, which might develop a momentum of its own and escape the control of
Government. Given that Germany today is a model of democracy this argument too has little
merit and is hardly a convincing argument for clinging to a conscript Armed Forces.
One argument for the retention of national service in Germany is the effect abolishment
would have on social services in the country. Conscripts can make their case in front of a
selection board to either opt for the Armed Forces or volunteer to work for little money in the
social services. Such work involves working in hospitals, for the Red Cross or looking after
the aged who are no longer able to care for themselves. In the case of abolishment, the
Government would have to create a structure which would not impact on the social services,
hardly an impossible task and not one which needs to stand in the way of abolishing
conscription.
These debates overlook a key issue which is overshadowed by the debate surrounding
conscription – the Government has no option than to reduce the amount of money it spends on
its Armed Forces and at the same time must take steps to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of its Forces. It also must adapt its Forces to the kind of external threats the
country faces and is likely to face in the future.
