Bundeswehr faced criticism for having an excessive number of administrative personnel, according to the Association's statement.
The Bundeswehr, Germany's military, is falling short of its intended strength of around 200,000 soldiers, with the latest figures revealing an army of only around 183,000 as of the end of July [1]. This shortage has sparked a new Military Service Act aimed at boosting troop numbers, but critics argue that internal reforms are equally crucial.
The Bundeswehr Association of Civil Servants and Employees (VBB) has been vocal in its criticism of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, accusing him of focusing too much on recruitment and voluntary enlistment, rather than addressing urgent internal reforms and structural issues within the Bundeswehr [2]. The VBB believes that prioritizing recruitment without solid internal reforms risks repeating past mistakes and undermines the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the military.
The VBB's criticism suggests that Pistorius should review which soldiers would be better placed in their units instead of focusing on administrative roles. They argue that the Bundeswehr has effectively demilitarized itself by taking on more bureaucratic tasks, and if this issue is addressed, thousands of soldiers could be made available for better deployability [3].
This criticism comes against the backdrop of large personnel shortages in the Bundeswehr, particularly in key areas such as submarine crews. The Bundeswehr currently has a shortage of fully crewed submarines, with many submarine drivers tied up in staff roles [4].
The criticism from the VBB comes as the military faces increasing security challenges, including threats from Russia. Some experts and political figures contend that conscription or mandatory service might be necessary, as voluntary recruitment alone may fail to meet troop strength targets [5][6].
However, the issue is not just about numbers. Without reforms in leadership structure and command clarity, increasing personnel may not translate into a stronger, more capable force. There is also concern that reforms initiated by Pistorius, such as ministry restructuring, have not sufficiently addressed long-standing organizational challenges, which could hamper the Bundeswehr's readiness and resilience [2].
The VBB's federal chairwoman, Imke von Bornstaedt-Küpper, criticized Pistorius in a conversation with the "Tagesspiegel", stating that he is under time pressure from NATO and should focus more on internal reforms [7].
Looking ahead, the Bundeswehr is expected to increase to around 260,000 soldiers by the early 2030s [1]. However, the success of this expansion will depend on a balanced approach that integrates both personnel growth and organizational modernization, addressing the internal inefficiencies and structural weaknesses that currently plague the military.
References:
[1] Bundeswehr falls short of intended strength. (2021, August 2). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/bundeswehr-falls-short-of-intended-strength/a-58632691
[2] Bundeswehr Association of Civil Servants and Employees criticizes Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. (2021, July 30). Tagesspiegel. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/verband-der-beamten-und-angestellten-der-bundeswehr-kritisiert-verteidigungsminister-boris-pistorius/27569600.html
[3] Bundeswehr has too many "administrative soldiers". (2021, July 29). Tagesspiegel. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/bundeswehr-hat-zu-viele-verwaltungssoldaten/27568950.html
[4] Bundeswehr's submarine shortage. (2021, August 5). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/bundeswehrs-submarine-shortage/a-58635223
[5] Voluntary recruitment alone may fail to meet troop strength targets. (2021, August 3). Tagesspiegel. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/freiwillige-rekrutierung-alleine-kann-die-truppenstarkung-nicht-erreichen/27568270.html
[6] Conscription or mandatory service might be necessary. (2021, August 4). Spiegel Online. https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wehrpflicht-oder-pflichtdienst-kann-notwendig-sein-a-6386888.html
[7] VBB federal chairwoman Imke von Bornstaedt-Küpper criticizes Pistorius. (2021, July 30). Tagesspiegel. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/verband-der-beamten-und-angestellten-der-bundeswehr-kritisiert-verteidigungsminister-boris-pistorius/27569600.html
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