Conscription in Germany
overview about the conscription in Germany
Between 1956 and 2011, Germany conscripted men subject to mandatory military service (German: Wehrpflicht, German: [ˈveːɐ̯ˌp͡flɪçt] ). After a proposal on 22 November 2010 by Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the German Minister of Defence at the time, Germany put conscription into abeyance on 1 July 2011. While the German constitution retains the legal instruments for reintroducing conscription in Germany, currently only men over 18 years of age can be conscripted whilst women cannot under any circumstance (auf keinen Fall) be required to "serve with a weapon" (Dienst mit der Waffe).
The constitution (called Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany) and several special laws (e.g., Wehrpflichtgesetz) regulate these duties and exceptions. In the last year of active conscription, men were obliged to either (1) serve six months in the military, which they could refuse, or alternatively (2) complete an alternative civilian service of at least six months in hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, care of disabled people or a civil defence organisation. Families of those who were victims of or oppressed by the Nazi regime (predominantly Jews) were exempted from conscription, although some volunteered to serve.
History
Military service for conscripts
Men who did not state that they were conscientious objectors and did not request civil service were by default conscripted into military service (Wehrdienst) in the Bundeswehr. Basic training (Allgemeine Grundausbildung) comprised three months of combat training, then three months' service at an assigned post. The conscript would normally reach the rank of Obergefreiter (NATO code OR-3, comparable to U.S. Army Private First Class). During his service, he received free health care, housing, food, and railway travel between his home and military base.
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