70 Years of the Bundeswehr: Solemn Oath and Debate in the Bundestag - Germany Debates Mandatory Military Service on Bundeswehr’s 70th Anniversary
Bonn marked the 70th anniversary of the Bundeswehr with a ceremony on November 12, where the first 101 volunteers received their appointment certificates. The military's establishment in 1955 came amidst the Cold War and ongoing East-West tensions. Now, a parliamentary debate in Berlin will discuss the potential reintroduction of mandatory military service, sparked by Russia's war against Ukraine.
The SPD has long favoured voluntary military service, prioritising quality training over large numbers of conscripts. However, a compromise reached on November 13, 2025, may change this. Men born after January 1, 2008, will now be surveyed and undergo physical examinations. Conscription will only become mandatory if recruitment targets are not met or the security situation demands it. The Bundeswehr's creation in 1955, ten years after World War II, was a significant step in Germany's post-war history.
The anniversary will be commemorated with a solemn oath ceremony and a parliamentary debate. The debate will centre around the ongoing discussion of reintroducing mandatory military service, highlighting the evolving security landscape in Europe.
The 70th anniversary of the Bundeswehr has sparked a renewed debate about the role of military service in Germany. The SPD's compromise on conscription, along with Russia's actions in Ukraine, has brought this topic back to the forefront. The parliamentary debate in Berlin will explore these issues and potentially shape the future of military service in Germany.
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