- cross-posted to:
- globalnews@lemmy.zip
- cross-posted to:
- globalnews@lemmy.zip
Germany’s armed forces reported a 28% surge in soldier recruits from January to late July, compared with the same period last year, bolstering plans to boost NATO defences in response to what it sees as an increased threat from Russia.
The Defence Ministry said on Thursday more than 13,700 people had joined the Bundeswehr - the army, air force, navy and other forces - in that period, in what it said was the steepest rise for years.
Germany wants to have 260,000 active soldiers by the 2030s, from 183,000 now, to meet new NATO force targets and strengthen its defences - part of a planned surge in military spending underpinned by this year’s decision to loosen budget constraints.
Interest in joining the armed forces also rose, with initial consultations rising by 11% and applications by 8%, while civilian sector applications jumped by 31%, the ministry said.
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Well, I never.
For the ones thinking about joining up, there’s a poem, written by a young soldier coming home in the 40s.
He’s famous in post war Germany. All schoolchildren read it at least once, the message seems largely forgotten, it’s called:
Then there’s only one thing to do!
There’s an English translation at the end.
Others have a different view in Germany apparently. It’s up to them unlike in other countries like Russia, where the Kremlin is just to introduce a new law with ‘eternal conscription’ coming
As an addition: It is noteworthy that unlike in Germany, in Russia you can’t criticize military conscription or the military in general without being imprisoned to say the least …
It’s up to them:
This is what the poem is pretty much about.
But then again, you surely aren’t conveniently omitting the fact that mandatory military service is being called for by large parts of the German government and might be coming pretty soon?