60,000 More! But Where From? Let's Ditch Conscription - It Ain't The Solution, Says Expert
Military Draft Adviser Offers Insight into Why Compulsory Enlistment Isn't the Answer
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is beefing up its military presence, planning the largest buildup since the Cold War. Instead of the initial plan to grow by around 20,000 troops, the German army is looking at a whopping threefold expansion to 60,000 soldiers. But where in blazes are they going to find these troops, given that the force is currently shrinking? A Finnish military expert, Minna Ålander, at a panel of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation in Vilnius, hints at an alternative strategy to conscription, reports ntv.de.
ntv.de: Mrs. Ålander, is it appropriate for Germany to increase its troops by 60,000 for future NATO tasks?
Minna Ålander: The German military is currently having a hard time recruiting new personnel. While 60,000 seems feasible for Germany, it's uncertain whether that's enough. The outcome hinges on several factors, such as the US's military presence in Europe. Defense Minister Pete Hegseth recently stated that Europe should take charge of its military independence from the US. Changes in the military landscape are inevitable, but it's wise to aim for a realistic goal to keep morale high.
60,000 new soldiers may rekindle the debate on reintroducing conscription. Many argue that the current system - where men of a certain age need to register, volunteers can enlist, but no one is forced into the army - is inadequate. What's your take on that, Mrs. Ålander?
Conscription, whether mandatory or partial, won't offer quick help. The consequences might not be visible for at least five years, and realistically, it could take a decade or more. Moreover, the infrastructure is currently lacking. The German military is already stretched thin to meet all requirements and hardly has enough trainers. That's a challenge, considering the standing brigade for Lithuania and the additional 35,000 troops required for the new NATO structure.
How do the Scandinavians handle the increase?
Take Sweden as an example: In 2017, conscription was reinstated there. Today, the conscripts account for about 8,000 new soldiers per year. I'm not dismissing conscription's benefits, but it's a drop in the ocean compared to Germany's needs.
And Norway? Norwegian former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is aware of their practices.
Norway is another success story. Parents complain when their children can't serve in the military due to limited spaces. The situation is similar in Sweden. In both countries, the infrastructure needed for training and implementing conscription is growing slowly. The key lies in increasing personnel numbers before recruiting on a larger scale. That's the challenge when starting from scratch. Finland, which never interrupted conscription, manages to train 23,000 conscripts annually.
So, the focus should be on professional soldiers?
Absolutely. The priority should be on improving the Bundeswehr's image and increasing its social acceptance. Some progress has been made, but much more is needed. Forcing people into the military might backfire, fueling far-right sentiment and tying up resources that could be used elsewhere. A better approach would be encouraging young people to choose a military career now.
I'd still like to understand the old codgers' thinking on reintroducing conscription. Aren't civilians capable of contributing to national defense?
Certainly. In countries like Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic states, there's the concept of 'Home Guards' or 'Home Defense'. The focus is on local defense tasks, ensuring civilian life continues during war. Improving general awareness of national defense, raising the acceptance of the Bundeswehr, and working on the federal structure are essential steps toward building a stronger, more resilient German military.
Frauke Niemeyer spoke to Minna Ålander
Sources: ntv.de
- Germany Armed Forces
- Conscription
- NATO
- Sweden
- Norway
- Military Service
- Defense Policy
- In light of the debate on reintroducing conscription, it's worth considering alternative strategies for addressing the German military's recruitment challenges, as suggested by Minna Ålander during a panel discussion at the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation.
- The implementation of conscription may not provide immediate solutions, and the infrastructure required for its implementation might take several years to establish, making it a less ideal approach compared to focusing on professional soldiers and improved social acceptance of the military.
