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“Your year for Germany”: today begins the application for the new “Voluntary Military Service in National Security” with the Bundeswehr. Not only is the opposition not very enthusiastic about it.
By Birgit Schmeitzner, ARD capital studio
It should be an additional offer for young people who are interested in the Bundeswehr, but not so much that they want to commit more time or even risk an assignment abroad. The pilot project “Military service in national security” is based, as the name suggests, on the participants being deployed close to home.
Kramp-Karrenbauer is already seeing early successes
The Bundeswehr advertises itself with the slogan “Your year for Germany”. According to Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer with initial successes: “Even before the start on September 1, around 1,800 interested parties were registered and we organized almost 800 consultations with our career advisor,” said the CDU politician.
Around 1000 places will be allocated
And all this for about 1,000 places that will be assigned initially. When asked who the Bundeswehr wanted to approach with the new offer, Kramp-Karrenbauer replied: a passion for civic engagement is important.
And there are a few more requirements: Those who want to participate must be at least 17 years old, have German citizenship, have completed compulsory education, and be fit both in terms of character and health. Training begins in April and lasts for seven months.
“So you stay committed to the reservist service for a few years. But in such a way that you can also combine it very well with your private life,” Kramp-Karrenbauer said.
In the event of a disaster, says the defense minister, the reservists could be activated and deployed quickly. Referring currently to the corona pandemic, for example, it would be conceivable for men and women to help establish and operate test facilities.
Criticisms of the opposition
A pilot project, as I said. And one that receives criticism from the opposition. For example, with defense politicians Matthias Höhn (Left Party) and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP):
“Prerequisites must be created to accommodate people, to train them, it is not done overnight. And for that reason alone, the question arises whether the effort is worth it and I say: it is not worth it.” says Höhn.
“It is a CDU public relations campaign. Ms. Kramp-Karrenbauer, still the party leader, carries the issue like a mantra, but is not really interested in the problems and needs of soldiers,” says Strack-Zimmermann.
Unnecessary competition?
And welfare institutions are also skeptical and speak of unnecessary competition for existing voluntary services. Also, because you only get a pocket money of a few hundred euros. Anyone participating in the Bundeswehr pilot project receives around 1,550 euros a month, the salary of the soldiers.
“This new offering reflects what the Bundeswehr defines: we serve Germany. And our soldiers serve Germany abroad, but also internally, and now they are also helping in national security,” explains Kramp-Karrenbauer. In his opinion, this is not competition, but a useful addition.
