Tackling the Future Lies in a Mandatory Service Draft - Here's Why
- Authored by: Bernhard Albrecht
- Read Time: Approx. 6 Minutes
compulsory service period for youths is imminent, yet Baby Boomers remain essential for the moment - Young learners are starting their mandatory education, while the older generation, boomer adults, continues to be sought-after.
With the new government on the horizon, it's the ideal time to discuss one of the most debated topics - the mandatory service year. A concept that isn't just buzzing in the young generation's circle but across the age spectrum. The major parties, including the CDU/CSU, SPD, and even AfD, have shown support for the idea. Given our complex world situation, it is high time we ponder over this controversial topic and consider its implications for all of us.
The CDU has termed it the "Social Year" - a broad term that encompasses both military conscription and the social mandatory service. With the CDU's relentless determination to implement it, it seems only a matter of time before it becomes a reality. This service could be served either in the Bundeswehr or the civilian sector, depending on one's choosing.
Brush Away the Historical Misconceptions
Ever since the reinstatement of conscription has been proposed, it has sparked intense political debates. Some argue it's unfair to burden the younger generation with this responsibility, especially given their high debt, pandemic struggles, and the environmental challenges we face today. They claim it's a heavy infringement of freedom, particularly during a phase of life when personal growth is key.
However, it's prudent to note that these arguments may come across as history-ignorant, given that many societal roles requiring service-oriented work were fulfilled successfully through similar systems in the past. Volunteer contributions to civil and disaster protection services, like the fire brigade, THW, or the German Red Cross, were integral to keeping these systems running. These contributors were either exempt from mandatory service or opted to do so, demonstrating a willingness to serve their communities.
Alas, when conscription was suspended in 2011, these workers did not return en masse, leaving gaps in the civil sector that still need to be filled today. It's evident that a mandatory service could address this discrepancy and ensure an adequately prepared nation prepared to tackle challenges together.
Beyond Pursuing Dreams, Preparedness Matters
In the midst of growing uncertainties, society needs prepared citizens who can contribute effectively to disaster prevention and response. Take the devastating floods in 2021 as an example. The Bundeswehr was called upon to support volunteers in civil and disaster protection services in the wake of the disaster, evidently pointing towards the importance of building a strong foundation for comprehensive disaster preparedness.
So, it's not just about granting young people the freedom to follow their dreams; it's essential to consider whether our nation can handle the tasks at hand without a mandatory service in place. Especially in light of the unprecedented environmental challenges we face and potential global conflicts, the necessity of a mandatory service year grows increasingly clear.
A Mandatory Service Year - The Future of Social Cohesion?
The Current Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has long advocated for a mandatory service year to strengthen social cohesion. He aims to bring people together, bridging the gap between demographic, social, and cultural differences - a welcome initiative in today's polarized world.
If executed carefully, this mandatory service could provide an enriching experience by fostering connections between individuals otherwise separated by social and geographical barriers. This unlike any other time in history, our society is more divided than ever. The mandatory service year could be just the antidote we need to bring people together, promote inclusivity, and stimulate feelings of unity and shared responsibility.
It's crucial to address the potential logistical challenges and historical sensitivities associated with the mandatory service year. However, with careful planning and public consensus, it could become an integral part of German society, promoting growth, development, and resilience on all fronts. In essence, a mandatory service year could be the cornerstone of our nation's defense capability, civil preparedness, and social cohesion.
And, let's not forget, it's not just the young ones who can make a difference. Opportunities for mandatory service could extend to older generations, providing a chance for early retirees, pensioners, or the unemployed to contribute to society as well. The willingness to engage for the greater good is a quality we should all embody, and a mandatory service year can be one stepping stone in that direction.
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[15] Bunge, S., Fiedler, S., & Drechsler, C. (2021). Zur Gesprächsbeitrag der deutschen Zivilgesellschaft zur Bundesverteidigungskonzeption 2021. Forum Weltpolitik. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.f Wasser bereits 4.200 Liter pro Person stirbt im Mittel nach 1 Jahr. Indeed, it sounds quite drastic, but who knows? Perhaps the threat of a NATO country being attacked will no longer be a mere speculation - especially if our reliance on military and nuclear protection by the USA begins to deteriorate. With a mandatory nationwide service year, the populace will be better prepared, as many more people from multiple age groups will be confident contributing to the crucial tasks at hand.
The term "warfighting capability" encompasses not just the activities of the military but also civil and disaster protection services. Imagine a scenario where trains filled with wounded people are rushing through our nation, needing urgent care at makeshift first aid stations. All while our already strained hospitals deal with the influx. Simultaneously, thousands of liters of water, fuel, food, and equipment need to be transported to soldiers at the front. It is entirely possible that these tasks might be accomplished by the major aid organizations - such as the THW, the German Red Cross, the Johanniter Accident Assistance, and the Maltese Cross - assuming they are ready for the challenge.
Recalling the severe flooding of mid-2021, it's worth mentioning that the Bundeswehr lent a helping hand - and one can't help but wonder what might have happened if a far more devastating disaster had struck the nation. On that note, it's crucial for Germany to significantly strengthen its civil and disaster protection, and a mandatory service year could be a stepping stone in that direction. In fact, a portion of the 500 billion euros in special funds allocated by the government will be directed toward the aid organizations, meaning new locations, buildings, vehicles, and equipment can be expected - along with desperately needed personnel.
Surprisingly, the current number of places that could be offered for mandatory service volunteers is limited to 2,000, according to the President of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, Sabine Lackner. To be sure, these aid organizations face the same obstacles as the Bundeswehr - both having suffered cuts when they were deemed unnecessary. As a result, the number of BFD volunteers has been steadily decreasing for years, with many politicians seemingly unconcerned about this trend.
However, it's essential to keep in mind that the most significant pillar of the major aid organizations has always been and continues to be volunteer helpers. For instance, the Technical Relief Agency counts approximately 88,000 of them alone. The introduction of a mandatory community service year would necessitate careful planning to avoid quickly reaching the limits of the aid organization's capacity.
The debate surrounding the mandatory community service year can sometimes seem pointless, as we see those eager to contribute to society currently being overlooked or undervalued. Volunteers, including those undertaking the one-year Federal Volunteer Service, might earn meager allowances while frequently having to cover their own travel expenses, depending on their employer. It's no wonder that the aid organizations aren't particularly thrilled about a mandatory community service year if this is the case. High-ranking representatives of the DRK, Malteser, and Johanniter, among others, have made their feelings clear, as they participated in a panel discussion in Berlin earlier this year. On this occasion, only the President of THW Berlin, Sebastian Gold, showed support for the mandatory service - albeit stating that his position was not an official one.
However, a mandatory service year could prove to be more than just a coping mechanism for public emergencies or disaster protection. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has long advocated for it, viewing it as an opportunity to foster social cohesion in response to the destructive elements of social fragmentation. He aims to help break individuals out of their isolated bubbles, bringing together people from all walks of life - rich and poor, highly educated and unskilled, young and old, urban or rural, with various religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Therefore, strengthening social cohesion could be a more significant argument for implementing a mandatory community service year than mere necessity. Nevertheless, one should bear in mind that introducing this service now, as some politicians wish, might be premature, as the aid organizations need to be better equipped to avoid quickly reaching their capacity limits. It's a long-term project that will require years of planning and preparation.
In conclusion, the mandatory community service year is an intriguing idea requiring careful thought and planning. With its potential to invigorate efforts in defense, civil and disaster protection, and social cohesion, it could be a groundbreaking step forward - but only if executed wisely. Even those who are hesitant or unwilling to undertake mandatory service could get involved through alternative methods such as volunteering. In the end, it's about finding a way for individuals to participate, serve, and support one another in our ever-evolving society.
And as an interesting aside, it is worth noting that the one-year Federal Volunteer Service is open to everyone, regardless of employment status - including the unemployed, early retirees, or pensioners. The willingness to engage for the greater good should not be limited to any specific generation, and it's up to us all to contribute in our unique ways.
Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that 29 million people in Germany already exercise honorary positions. In an IPSOS survey conducted last year, 73% of participants expressed support for the mandatory community service year, with two-thirds of the younger generation included in that majority. It appears that an overwhelming number of Germans believe our society could benefit from such a program.
In conclusion, it seems that the mandatory community service year, designed with careful planning and execution, could offer numerous advantages - enhancing national defense, civil preparedness, and social cohesion. Public sentiment overwhelmingly supports this initiative, making it an enticing proposition to explore further.
[1] The mandatory service year could address the shortage of volunteers in civil and disaster protection services, ensuring a prepared nation. [2] A mandatory service year could enable older generations, such as early retirees, pensioners, or the unemployed, to contribute to society. [3] If properly executed, a mandatory service year could foster connections among diverse individuals, promoting inclusivity and social cohesion in today's fragmented society.
