Field jackets hanging at the Bundeswehr stand on August 21 2025 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne as the German army looks for new recruits at the Gamescom computer games fair | File Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa
Cologne: The German military is sending out the first questionnaires for 18-year-olds to complete under the country’s new military service programme.
The letters containing the documents have been packed and were to be sent out on Thursday, a ministry spokeswoman confirmed to dpa.
After months of deliberations, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration passed a law late last year to bring back military service – initially in a voluntary capacity – in an effort to boost troop numbers.
All teenagers are to receive the questionnaire after turning 18 as a first step to assess their suitability and motivation to serve in the Bundeswehr, Germany’s military.
Men are required by law to fill out the form, while it is voluntary for women.
The letters contain a QR code for the online questionnaire, as well as a brochure and legal information.
The first volunteers are expected to begin their service in the coming months.
The new military service law, which took effect on January 1, is a response to the threat posed by Russia, with Germany lagging in its NATO recruitment targets.
The programme is intended to assist in raising troop levels from 180,000 to 260,000, with an additional reserve force due to reach 200,000.
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