Statement on the draft of the Military Service Modernisation Act

The German Federal Youth Council (DBJR) comments on selected points of the draft Military Service Modernisation Act (WDModG) from the perspective of young people. Points in the draft that have not been commented on do not constitute approval.

Basic position
The DBJR firmly rejects any form of compulsory service - whether military or civilian. The commitment of young people is based on voluntariness, not coercion. Young people who decide to serve in the Bundeswehr must be able to do so of their own free will - uninfluenced, well-informed and aware of the risks involved. Any form of direct or indirect unilateral influence on this decision is unacceptable in the view of the DBJR. The introduction of legal obligations - such as mandatory declarations of readiness, call-ups or conscription authorisations - is in clear contradiction to this principle.

Mandatory declaration of readiness for young men
(cf. Section 15a WPflG-E "Declaration of readiness")

The mandatory declaration of readiness for male conscripts born in 2008 or later represents a new form of state registration - although general conscription is still suspended. At the request of the authorities, those affected must provide personal information on qualifications, physical fitness and their interest in military service.

The supposedly "preparatory" nature of this measure disguises its actual effect: it creates pressure of expectation, institutionalises availability and in fact introduces a structure for possible later conscription. It is particularly critical that the collection of data serves a dual purpose: on the one hand, it is intended to promote interest in military service and, on the other hand, to be used to prioritise call-ups in the event of tension or defence. There is a risk here that young people are not fully informed about the consequences of their statements.

Furthermore, according to the speaker's draft, the enquiry is limited exclusively to military deployment options. However, a modern understanding of social responsibility must also give equal consideration to civilian involvement. The one-sided focus devalues other forms of volunteering - for example in the social, ecological or cultural sector - and degrades them to subordinate alternatives.

The targeted focus on young age groups, who are apparently considered to be particularly available and flexible, is also worrying. The draft law openly argues that this age group is "not yet sustainably established" - an expression that reveals a problematic perspective: Young people are perceived as less worthy of protection in the reality of their lives. Their life plans - often characterised by training, studies or professional orientation - are therefore seen as less binding. This attitude contradicts the right to self-determination and respect for young biographies. The flexibility of young people must not be turned into a strategic lever of state access policy.

In addition, demographic change means that the number of young people is continuously decreasing. The attempt to develop a sustainable personnel basis for military service from this group alone therefore falls short of the mark. Within the Bundeswehr, too, it is increasingly emphasised that it is not just about recruiting "at arms" - there is a growing need for qualified specialists, for example in areas such as logistics, infrastructure maintenance or technology. However, a sustainable build-up of capacities and so-called "backbone structures" cannot be realised solely through readiness enquiries among young people.

Compulsory enlistment
(see Section 17 WPflG-E "Mustering")

From 1 July 2027, all conscripts born after 31 December 2007 - starting with the 2008 cohort - will be required to undergo a physical examination according to the draft bill.

In the DBJR's view, a draft without an active conscription obligation exposes young people to a generalised suspicion of military suitability. In the DBJR's view, conscription should only take place on a voluntary basis.

Authorisation to issue ordinances on conscription for basic military service
(cf. Section 2a WPflG-E "Authorisation to issue ordinances")

§ Section 2a WPflG-E enables the Federal Government, with the consent of the Bundestag, to issue an ordinance ordering that unpaid conscripts be called up for basic military service in accordance with Section 5 if the defence policy situation urgently requires a rapid increase in the armed forces that cannot be achieved on a voluntary basis. The duration of basic military service shall be specified in months in the statutory order and shall be at least six and at most twelve months. The ordinance does not require the approval of the Bundesrat.

In the view of the DBJR, this regulation marks a break with the previous legal system. Since the 2011 Act Amending Military Law, conscription for basic military service has been suspended; under current law, the mandatory call-up of young men was only permitted in the context of a formally established case of tension or defence - an exceptional situation that is clearly defined in the Basic Law and subject to high hurdles (cf. Art. 115a Basic Law). The newly introduced Section 2a WPflG-E enables a mandatory call-up in the event of an unspecified "defence policy situation". In future, even politically tense but not constitutionally exceptional situations could be used as a sufficient basis for compulsory service - without an actual case of tension or defence within the meaning of the Basic Law having to be established.

The DBJR is strongly opposed to the introduction of this authorisation to issue ordinances. In the DBJR's view, conscription for basic military service should only take place under the conditions provided for in the Basic Law - i.e. only if the Bundestag and Bundesrat have formally established a case of tension or defence. The associated high constitutional hurdles - including the required qualified majority in the Bundestag - serve to protect fundamental civil liberties and the democratic control of state action. Turning away from these standards by simply circumventing the law not only weakens the constitutionally guaranteed protection mechanisms, but also undermines young people's trust in a reliable security and defence policy that is legitimised by the rule of law.

"Voluntary" declaration of readiness for persons not subject to compulsory military service
(cf. Section 58c SG-E)

Persons not subject to compulsory military service should be able to voluntarily declare their willingness to serve, supported by recruitment, counselling or incentive systems. Section 31b SG-E, for example, provides for a grant of up to 3,500 euros for volunteers to acquire a driving licence.

The DBJR emphasises that the decision to serve in the military must be free from economic pressure or state expectations. Access to education or career advancement must not be linked to military involvement. The DBJR also believes that the assumption that young people's willingness to do voluntary military service can be increased through a targeted approach, counselling and incentive systems is contradictory. Because if one believes that military service must be particularly advertised and made more attractive in order to be chosen voluntarily, this also means that this service is not of equal value or appealing enough on its own. If this argument were to be applied consistently to all forms of voluntary commitment, social, ecological or cultural services would also have to be specifically promoted using the same means. In the draft, however, it is primarily military service that receives special support, while civil society involvement receives comparatively little attention. This one-sided favouritism contradicts the principle of genuine voluntarism and the equal value of all engagement opportunities. The DBJR therefore calls for voluntary work - regardless of the area - to be strengthened through equal, fair framework conditions, without certain options being favoured through targeted state funding.

Lack of an overall strategy for civic engagement
(cf. Section 1 (2) KDVG-E, Section 25 and Section 11 (2) WPflG-E)

In the view of the DBJR, a consistent and future-oriented overall strategy for strengthening civil society engagement is still lacking - particularly in relation to the recruitment of personnel for the Bundeswehr as pursued by the Military Service Modernisation Act. Without such a strategic framework, there is a risk that voluntary civic engagement will lose importance and be increasingly replaced by mandatory formats. The DBJR is therefore calling for a coherent, participatory overall strategy that protects, strengthens and promotes volunteering - and consistently involves young people and civil society organisations. Volunteering must not be seen as a stopgap for state structures, but must be recognised as an independent and equal contribution to social responsibility.

Lack of participation by young people

Despite the far-reaching effects on young people, their perspectives have not yet been systematically included in the legislative process. Carrying out such a far-reaching intervention in their life planning and freedom rights without active participation contradicts fundamental principles of democratic participation.

In the DBJR's view, this shows a blatant lack of intergenerational solidarity: while young people are expected to be socially engaged, their concerns are too often disregarded in political decision-making processes. However, a society based on solidarity must ensure that all generations - especially those who are responsible for political decisions in the long term - are involved in shaping them. There is a need for binding, early and serious participation formats for young people - especially in the case of proposed legislation with far-reaching consequences for their lives.

The DBJR notes that the draft law encroaches deeply on young people's right to self-determination and creates structural conditions for a possible reactivation of compulsory military service - without an open, transparent and participatory social debate. The political involvement of those not yet entitled to vote remains inadequate.

The DBJR calls for

• the cancellation of the mandatory registration and enlistment regulations (Sections 15a, 17, 2a WPflG-E);
• the deletion of the planned authorisation to issue ordinances for conscription in peacetime (Section 2a WPflG-E) and the exclusive binding of compulsory military service to the exceptional cases provided for in the constitution;
• the avoidance of any legal construction that creates de facto pressure to opt for military service - especially towards socially disadvantaged groups (Section 58c SG-E);
• the binding, early and permanent involvement of young people in all political projects that directly affect the realities of their lives;
• the equal promotion of voluntary civic engagement under fair conditions - without structurally favouring military service; genuine voluntarism requires that all options are freely selectable without financial disadvantages and social hurdles;
• the initiation of a broad socio-political debate on compulsory military service, peace and security in which young people are taken seriously and listened to as equal stakeholders.

Berlin, 13 August 2025