Friedrich Merz has big plans for her Bundeswehr. It is intended to become the “conventionally strongest army in Europe”. But that’s missing at least 50,000 additional soldiers and soldiers. Anyone who turns 18 will soon be sent a questionnaire and will have to answer the question: Am I prepared to do military service?
The decision to join the Bundeswehr or not is still voluntary. The service should be more attractive higher pay make. Instead of 1,800 euros, volunteers will now receive 2,600 euros gross per month, and there is also a financial subsidy for a driving license.
Reports on Hitler salutes and Nazi parties
Such incentives seem urgently needed, as the image of the Bundeswehr has suffered massively recently. In the Paratrooper Regiment 26 In Zweibrücken there are said to have been Hitler salutes, Nazi parties and rape fantasies among the troops. Also The time recently reported on barracks where soldiers were touched, urinated on and whipped. This raises the question: Is the Bundeswehr a good place to work?
We would like to know from people who were or are still in the Bundeswehr: How commonplace are racism, sexism or rituals of violence in the troops? What situations have you experienced yourself? How was discriminatory misconduct dealt with? What else bothered them in their interactions with each other?
More than a quarter of the newcomers leave the force during their probationary period, many of them voluntarily. Are you thinking about leaving the Bundeswehr or have you already done so? If yes, why?
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