Bundeswehr is criticized for an excessive presence of "administrative personnel" by the Association
The Bundeswehr, Germany's military, is facing criticism from various quarters, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius under scrutiny for prioritizing recruitment efforts over internal reforms. This approach, which includes plans to increase personnel numbers and propose a hybrid voluntary-conscription model, is seen as neglecting deeper structural and operational issues within the military.
The Association of Civil Servants and Employees of the Bundeswehr (VBB) has been vocal in its criticism, emphasizing the need for internal reforms. Imke von Bornstaedt-Küppers, the federal chairwoman of the VBB, has expressed her concerns to the "Tagesspiegel". She believes that by focusing solely on recruitment, Pistorius is overlooking the need to review which soldiers would be better placed in their units.
The VBB's criticism is rooted in several issues. For instance, the Bundeswehr is currently operating with a strength of 183,000 soldiers, below its intended strength of around 200,000. Moreover, there are concerns that too many soldiers are tied up in bureaucratic jobs, with only one of six submarines having a full crew and able to set sail. This indicates an effective demilitarization of the Bundeswehr as it takes on more and more bureaucratic tasks.
The low public willingness to serve further complicates the recruitment goals. Surveys show that nearly 60% of Germans are unwilling to fight to defend their country, casting doubts on the sustainability of simply expanding troop numbers. Additionally, some political factions press for a return to compulsory military service, adding controversy to Pistorius’s recruitment-centered plans and highlighting tensions within the government.
The implications of Pistorius’s recruitment-focused strategy include potential short-term gains in troop numbers but possible long-term risks if structural reforms, such as improving training, leadership, modernization of equipment, and organizational efficiency, are not adequately addressed. Without internal reforms, the Bundeswehr might struggle with operational readiness despite growing personnel, limiting Germany’s ability to fulfill its defense commitments effectively.
Imke von Bornstaedt-Küppers suggests that thousands of soldiers could be made available for better deployability if changes were made to the current approach. She emphasizes that the military does not reform itself and requires more determination from the leadership of the Ministry of Defense.
The criticism comes amidst time pressure from NATO, adding urgency to the need for reforms within the Bundeswehr. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how Pistorius will respond to the calls for internal reforms and whether he will adjust his recruitment-focused strategy accordingly.
- Despite the Commission yet to adopt a decision on the conclusion of the agreement, the ongoing politics surrounding the Bundeswehr's recruitment strategy and internal reforms continue to be a focus in the policy-and-legislation and general-news sectors, fueled by the criticism from various quarters, including the Association of Civil Servants and Employees of the Bundeswehr.
- The critical stance taken by the VBB, emphasizing the need for immediate internal reforms within the Bundeswehr, highlights the necessity for policy-and-legislation to address deeper structural issues in the military, beyond merely increasing personnel numbers and implementing a hybrid voluntary-conscription model.
