Högl Urges Swift Parliamentary Decision on Military Service

The Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl, has expressed concerns regarding the current state of the German military, highlighting significant personnel challenges. The number of active soldiers remains around 181,000, while the average age of service members has risen notably over the past five years.

Högl emphasized the urgent need for the Bundestag to address the proposed military service model that was presented by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Due to the recent national elections, the proposal was not passed. She advocates for the prompt discussion and decision-making regarding the introduction of a new military service model and mandatory community service.

One of her primary concerns is the re-establishment of a system for identifying potential recruits, which was eliminated following the suspension of conscription in 2011. As a result, the state lacks vital information on who could be activated for military service, even three years after the shift in defense policy known as the 'Zeitenwende.'

Högl pointed out that this lack of data prevents a comprehensive understanding of eligible birth cohorts and their willingness and capabilities to serve. Despite this, the legal obligation for male citizens to serve remains in place as stipulated by Article 12a of the German Constitution and the Military Service Act.

Moreover, Högl, who acts as an advocate for soldiers under Article 45b of the Constitution, noted that her five-year term is set to conclude this May. Her annual report outlines various aspects of the military's current condition.

In terms of financial resources, the defense budget for 2024 was approximately EUR52 billion, reflecting an increase of about EUR1.8 billion from the previous year. Although the expenditures reached around EUR50.3 billion, an additional EUR19.8 billion was allocated from special funds, with EUR17.2 billion already utilized by the military. Högl urged that the Ministry ensure that available funds are effectively spent.

Högl also pointed out ongoing issues related to military infrastructure. The total investment requirement is currently estimated at around EUR67 billion. Many military facilities are reportedly in poor condition, with some projects experiencing significant delays; for instance, a weapons depot that has been awaiting construction since 2017.

Regarding bureaucratic processes, the report indicates that the military often complicates matters due to excessive regulations and their detailed implementation. This is exacerbated by slow progress in digitalization, with reports of cumbersome paperwork, such as the need for 16,000 pages to deploy a company to a mission.

On gender representation, in 2024, there were a total of 24,675 female soldiers. Despite improvements, women still represent only 9.89 percent of personnel outside the medical corps, and 13.62 percent overall. Female service members continue to face challenges, including discrimination and instances of sexual harassment. The Commissioner received 48 reports of sexual misconduct during the reporting year, alongside observing 376 incidents requiring investigation related to sexual offenses.

Additionally, the Military Counterintelligence Service conducted 305 intelligence operations in 2024, targeting various forms of extremism, including right-wing extremism, which constituted the majority of cases. The report also highlighted a troubling increase in suicide rates among military personnel, with 29 reported suicides and 44 attempted suicides in the past year.

Lastly, the military faced 185 incidents of attacks or crimes, a notable rise from the previous year, including assaults on military property and personnel. Högl urged recognition of the often-overlooked life-saving and support efforts provided by military personnel during various crises.