No, that would be a pathetic trick
It seems obvious: Russia is threatening Europe, so we need conscription. But that is a fallacy. The Bundeswehr should get more personnel, but we don’t need compulsory military service for that.
The main reason why the Bundeswehr has had too few people since compulsory military service was suspended in 2011 is that the federal government has failed to make the army an attractive employer. Bureaucracy, ossified hierarchies and poor work-life balance scare away young applicants who prefer to work in the private sector.
It would be a pathetic trick to force these young people into the army now with the threat of punishment – because that is exactly what conscription is. On top of that, it is an outdated model: The USA, France, Great Britain and Italy all have large, powerful armies – without any conscription.
Conscription would tie up the money and personnel needed to build a professional army. In addition, being forced to use weapons could weaken young soldiers’ willingness to learn: those who are forced to do something are usually less committed than those who learn and work of their own free will or even with enthusiasm.
After all, without compulsory military service, the Bundeswehr would avoid many problems: conscientious objectors, demonstrations, court cases and the image of a prison. Ideas like the recently adopted Veterans Day make far more sense: the soldier’s profession needs appreciation – but also of a financial nature. Then there will be more young people who want to do the job.
