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A Dwindling Army Tempts New Recruits With a Charm Offensive A Dwindling Army Tempts New Recruits With a Charm Offensive
(30 days later)
BERLIN — The German Army is fighting for survival. But not on the conventional battlefield. BERLIN — The German Army is fighting for survival. But not on the conventional battlefield.
Barely six months after becoming the first woman to serve as her country’s defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen has mounted a most unusual campaign and, this being Germany, given it a very long name: an Attraktivitätsoffensive. (Roughly translated, a charm offensive.)Barely six months after becoming the first woman to serve as her country’s defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen has mounted a most unusual campaign and, this being Germany, given it a very long name: an Attraktivitätsoffensive. (Roughly translated, a charm offensive.)
On paper, this program to woo soldiers and modernize the armed forces reads like a mixture of an Ikea catalog — “new furniture sets planned, light, modern, livable” — and a management manual, peppered with promises of “das Coaching” for officers, and an “e-recruiting platform.” There are provisions that allow for more working from home and job sharing for parents, and for extended child care that matches the hours of shifts.On paper, this program to woo soldiers and modernize the armed forces reads like a mixture of an Ikea catalog — “new furniture sets planned, light, modern, livable” — and a management manual, peppered with promises of “das Coaching” for officers, and an “e-recruiting platform.” There are provisions that allow for more working from home and job sharing for parents, and for extended child care that matches the hours of shifts.
While many might smile, the reason for the courtship is coldly pragmatic: Germany is confronting a demographic crisis, and its all-volunteer army is just one of many enterprises seeking ever-scarcer skilled labor. In order not to lose a prospective soldier to the cozier realms of Deutsche Bank or the auto assembly lines at Opel or Mercedes-Benz, the army needs to appear more attractive.While many might smile, the reason for the courtship is coldly pragmatic: Germany is confronting a demographic crisis, and its all-volunteer army is just one of many enterprises seeking ever-scarcer skilled labor. In order not to lose a prospective soldier to the cozier realms of Deutsche Bank or the auto assembly lines at Opel or Mercedes-Benz, the army needs to appear more attractive.
The conscription pinch, which comes as Germany is debating just how boldly to assert itself amid the crisis in Ukraine and tensions with Russia, presents a signal challenge to the country’s future security.The conscription pinch, which comes as Germany is debating just how boldly to assert itself amid the crisis in Ukraine and tensions with Russia, presents a signal challenge to the country’s future security.
“The time when we could pick and choose from a large pool of conscripts is over,” Ms. von der Leyen said when rolling out the program, which will cost more than $130 million. “We are facing a huge challenge,” competing more than ever with other employers, and must offer training, conditions and a career path that keep pace, she said, playing down the obvious risks involved in military life.“The time when we could pick and choose from a large pool of conscripts is over,” Ms. von der Leyen said when rolling out the program, which will cost more than $130 million. “We are facing a huge challenge,” competing more than ever with other employers, and must offer training, conditions and a career path that keep pace, she said, playing down the obvious risks involved in military life.
Ms. von der Leyen, a mother of seven, has taken a fair bit of criticism for being so, well, feminine. Malcontents in the military muttered that a woman who had previously served as family minister and then labor minister was focusing on what she knew how to do, rather than the really serious business of combat doctrine and acquiring multibillion-euro weapons systems.Ms. von der Leyen, a mother of seven, has taken a fair bit of criticism for being so, well, feminine. Malcontents in the military muttered that a woman who had previously served as family minister and then labor minister was focusing on what she knew how to do, rather than the really serious business of combat doctrine and acquiring multibillion-euro weapons systems.
Ms. von der Leyen “clearly has no idea about the military,” said Harald Kujat, the retired inspector general of the armed forces. Berthold Meyer, an expert on Germany’s armed forces, or Bundeswehr, said, “Many people are still very irritated that there is a woman in that job.”Ms. von der Leyen “clearly has no idea about the military,” said Harald Kujat, the retired inspector general of the armed forces. Berthold Meyer, an expert on Germany’s armed forces, or Bundeswehr, said, “Many people are still very irritated that there is a woman in that job.”
Although women have been admitted for 10 years, they still make up only about 10 percent of the 183,000 armed forces, short of a 15 percent target, Mr. Meyer added. “The military in Germany is really still seen as a domain for men,” he said.Although women have been admitted for 10 years, they still make up only about 10 percent of the 183,000 armed forces, short of a 15 percent target, Mr. Meyer added. “The military in Germany is really still seen as a domain for men,” he said.
But Ms. von der Leyen, a brisk, center-right career politician often seen as a rival and potential successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has recognized a problem that goes beyond gender.But Ms. von der Leyen, a brisk, center-right career politician often seen as a rival and potential successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has recognized a problem that goes beyond gender.
The children who might be the new soldiers of 2024 have, experts noted, already been born. There are just under 700,000 of them, and about half of those are girls less likely to choose the military than their male peers. Encouraging even 10 percent of the approximately 300,000 boys with German citizenship to consider the Bundeswehr is a tall order — and yet Ms. von der Leyen says 60,000 applicants are needed in order to select the best.The children who might be the new soldiers of 2024 have, experts noted, already been born. There are just under 700,000 of them, and about half of those are girls less likely to choose the military than their male peers. Encouraging even 10 percent of the approximately 300,000 boys with German citizenship to consider the Bundeswehr is a tall order — and yet Ms. von der Leyen says 60,000 applicants are needed in order to select the best.
Hence the charm offensive and new ads that promote the military as “Out Ahead. Active. Attractive. Alternative.”Hence the charm offensive and new ads that promote the military as “Out Ahead. Active. Attractive. Alternative.”
But no matter how much the excitement is emphasized, Mr. Meyer noted, “the soldier’s profession per se is not really friendly to families.”But no matter how much the excitement is emphasized, Mr. Meyer noted, “the soldier’s profession per se is not really friendly to families.”
Even with Germany’s mission in Afghanistan ending this year, he noted, “you have to accept that you are going to get sent somewhere on a mission in which it is a case of life and death. There is only so far you can go to make that palatable to human beings.”Even with Germany’s mission in Afghanistan ending this year, he noted, “you have to accept that you are going to get sent somewhere on a mission in which it is a case of life and death. There is only so far you can go to make that palatable to human beings.”
In Germany, where history looms large, there is a special difficulty in making the military tempting. A century after German militarism helped set off World War I and 75 years since the start of World War II, the pacifist impulse is strong. As a result, the military here is held in nothing resembling the regard often accorded members of the armed forces in the United States, Britain or France.In Germany, where history looms large, there is a special difficulty in making the military tempting. A century after German militarism helped set off World War I and 75 years since the start of World War II, the pacifist impulse is strong. As a result, the military here is held in nothing resembling the regard often accorded members of the armed forces in the United States, Britain or France.
“In America,” said Hellmut Königshaus, the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, “if someone in uniform arrives somewhere, people may go up and shake their hand, and thank them for their service. In Germany, that is almost unthinkable.”“In America,” said Hellmut Königshaus, the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, “if someone in uniform arrives somewhere, people may go up and shake their hand, and thank them for their service. In Germany, that is almost unthinkable.”
Michael Wolffsohn, a professor and military expert, said, “That Germans have been so de-Germanized is actually wonderful,” referring to Germany’s brutal history. But he conceded that, practically, diffidence about the military plays out in ways destined to put people off a military career.Michael Wolffsohn, a professor and military expert, said, “That Germans have been so de-Germanized is actually wonderful,” referring to Germany’s brutal history. But he conceded that, practically, diffidence about the military plays out in ways destined to put people off a military career.
It would be unthinkable for American officers to have to house themselves and their families, but the Bundeswehr has no obligation to house junior recruits over the age of 25. Junior forces are often cramped three or four to a bare-bones room with clunky cupboards, no computer and a bathroom in the corridor.It would be unthinkable for American officers to have to house themselves and their families, but the Bundeswehr has no obligation to house junior recruits over the age of 25. Junior forces are often cramped three or four to a bare-bones room with clunky cupboards, no computer and a bathroom in the corridor.
Mr. Königshaus, whose job as independent watchman over the military makes him a conduit for about 5,000 complaints a year from soldiers, cited cases of junior officers expected to make a salary of about $2,820 a month stretch for their own housing in an expensive city like Munich, and perhaps separate accommodation elsewhere for their spouse or partner and children.Mr. Königshaus, whose job as independent watchman over the military makes him a conduit for about 5,000 complaints a year from soldiers, cited cases of junior officers expected to make a salary of about $2,820 a month stretch for their own housing in an expensive city like Munich, and perhaps separate accommodation elsewhere for their spouse or partner and children.
Frequent transfers make it ever harder, he said, for soldiers to live with partners who cannot get short-term jobs in a labor market that still favors long-term employment at one company. And the federal system that leaves education in the hands of Germany’s 16 states stymies easy switches between very different schools.Frequent transfers make it ever harder, he said, for soldiers to live with partners who cannot get short-term jobs in a labor market that still favors long-term employment at one company. And the federal system that leaves education in the hands of Germany’s 16 states stymies easy switches between very different schools.
More than 50 percent of men and women in the armed forces commute between their place of residence and their base, with 38 percent at home only on weekends, according to Mr. Königshaus, who said he had not visited one base last year that had adequate quarters to accommodate these “wanderers.”More than 50 percent of men and women in the armed forces commute between their place of residence and their base, with 38 percent at home only on weekends, according to Mr. Königshaus, who said he had not visited one base last year that had adequate quarters to accommodate these “wanderers.”
In light of all this, experts noted, it is also no surprise that the military has not proved to be a path — as in America or Israel — for minorities to assimilate, rise, and help avert any demographic crisis.In light of all this, experts noted, it is also no surprise that the military has not proved to be a path — as in America or Israel — for minorities to assimilate, rise, and help avert any demographic crisis.
A visit to the sprawling Julius Leber barracks in Berlin — the largest military base in any city in Europe, built for Hermann Goering and used by the French throughout the Cold War — illustrated that Germans in their 20s and 30s can feel well served by the army.A visit to the sprawling Julius Leber barracks in Berlin — the largest military base in any city in Europe, built for Hermann Goering and used by the French throughout the Cold War — illustrated that Germans in their 20s and 30s can feel well served by the army.
Four soldiers selected by the Defense Ministry to talk to a reporter relayed grumbles from others about frequent moves, inadequate housing or lack of family-friendly facilities — “I don’t know any soldier who loves moving every two years,” said Capt. Marija Wollweber, 28 — but all expressed contentment.Four soldiers selected by the Defense Ministry to talk to a reporter relayed grumbles from others about frequent moves, inadequate housing or lack of family-friendly facilities — “I don’t know any soldier who loves moving every two years,” said Capt. Marija Wollweber, 28 — but all expressed contentment.
Captain Wollweber, who works mostly propagating the army in schools, and two others had had their university studies financed entirely by the armed forces, and all three were planning to leave the armed forces after 12 or 15 years, which included the time at college.Captain Wollweber, who works mostly propagating the army in schools, and two others had had their university studies financed entirely by the armed forces, and all three were planning to leave the armed forces after 12 or 15 years, which included the time at college.
If Ms. von der Leyen succeeds in luring more soldiers, it will be good for both the German Army and perhaps an eventual bid by her for the chancellorship. If she fails, it might end her political career.If Ms. von der Leyen succeeds in luring more soldiers, it will be good for both the German Army and perhaps an eventual bid by her for the chancellorship. If she fails, it might end her political career.
But the defense portfolio is notoriously tricky in Germany; Ms. Merkel has had four defense ministers since taking power in 2005. Much to the consternation of Washington, no European country comes anywhere close to matching the United States in military spending. That includes Germany, whose defense budget of about $44 billion amounts to about 1.3 percent of its gross domestic product, compared with over 4 percent for the United States.But the defense portfolio is notoriously tricky in Germany; Ms. Merkel has had four defense ministers since taking power in 2005. Much to the consternation of Washington, no European country comes anywhere close to matching the United States in military spending. That includes Germany, whose defense budget of about $44 billion amounts to about 1.3 percent of its gross domestic product, compared with over 4 percent for the United States.
Now, in part because of the demands of Ms. Merkel’s coalition partners, the Social Democrats, the Defense Ministry faces even steeper budget challenges, Mr. Wolffsohn said. But when it comes to the army, he noted, Germans should learn: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”Now, in part because of the demands of Ms. Merkel’s coalition partners, the Social Democrats, the Defense Ministry faces even steeper budget challenges, Mr. Wolffsohn said. But when it comes to the army, he noted, Germans should learn: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”