Transition from retirement homes to military service: Former civilians enlist in the federation
Germany's Armed Forces See Increase in Former Conscientious Objectors
DÜSSELDORF/COLOGNE — A shift in societal attitudes towards national security and military service is becoming apparent in Germany, as evidenced by a growing number of former conscientious objectors expressing their willingness to serve. One such person is Thomas Hüser, a 54-year-old former conscientious objector who has withdrawn his objection and expressed interest in joining the German Armed Forces.
As a caregiver for the elderly in the 1990s, Hüser had served his country outside of traditional military service. However, with the escalating global threats, his perspective has changed. "In the face of global threats, serving the military is a matter of solidarity," he said. "Strong armed forces are crucial for our protection."
The Federal Office for Family, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth in Cologne confirmed a rise in the withdrawal or revocation of conscientious objector status since 2022. The spokesperson stated that there were 487 declarations of conscientious objection in 2022, compared to 536 in 2023, with a further increase expected for the current year. If this trend continues, the total for 2023 would exceed 900.
Ulrich Fonrobert, spokesperson for the North Rhine-Westphalia Regional Command of the Bundeswehr in Düsseldorf, is pleased with the change in sentiment. He highlighted the opportunities available in homeland defense, particularly for individuals with professional backgrounds like Hüser. However, integrating as a reservist into the Bundeswehr can take time, involving health check-ups, security checks, and two 14-day training periods for untrained personnel.
For a 55-year-old like Hüser, the age may pose a challenge. Homeland defense regiments, such as the one in Münster, primarily require younger individuals due to the physical demands of infantry tasks.
The impacts of such decisions extend beyond the individuals themselves, serving as inspiration for others. "These decisions provide meaningful role models for younger people," emphasized Fonrobert.
Supporting Hüser in his decision, his employees and the board of directors at his zinc foundry in Nordenham (Lower Saxony) have been encouraging. Meanwhile, Henner Pasch, president of the IHK in Wuppertal and CEO of an IT company, has registered with the "Bund" as a former conscientious objector. He sees the potential benefits, particularly in times of emergency, stating that "we are not very resilient in crises, as COVID-19 has shown."
Both Pasch and Hüser stress that they do not seek out conflict, but rather wish to protect their democracy from attack. Whilst they have no military experience, they are prepared to contribute through their leadership skills and extensive networks. "I've never fired a real gun," Pasch explained. "But if our democracy is under threat, we cannot bury our heads in the sand."
As the trend of former conscientious objectors expressing interest in military service continues to grow, it may lead to a wider societal discussion about the role of conscientious objectors and their integration within the military and society overall.
In the context of increasing global threats, discussions about the role of conscientious objectors in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news have become more prominent, as evidenced by the growing number of former conscientious objectors like Thomas Hüser expressing their willingness to serve in the military. The shift in societal attitudes is reflected in the rise in the withdrawal or revocation of conscientious objector status, as seen in the decrease in declarations of conscientious objection, from 487 in 2022 to an expected exceeding of 900 in 2023.
