As of 31 May 2024[update], theBundeswehr had a strength of 180,215 active-duty military personnel and 80,761 civilians,[4] placing it among the 30 largest military forces in the world, and making it the second largest in theEuropean Union behindFrance. In addition, theBundeswehr has approximately 34,600 reserve personnel (2024).[5] With German military expenditures at $66.8 billion (2023),[9] theBundeswehr is the seventh highest-funded military in the world, though military expenditures have until recently remained low at an average at 1.5% of national GDP,[9] well below the non-binding NATO target of 2%. In 2024, Germany fulfilled NATO obligations of spending 2% of its GDP on its armed forces.[10] Germany is aiming to expand theBundeswehr to around 203,000 soldiers by 2025 to better cope with increasing responsibilities.[11]
Following concerns from theRussian invasion of Ukraine, Germany announced a major shift in policy, pledging a €100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr – to remedy years of underinvestment – along with raising the budget to above 2%GDP.[12] In 2025, theGerman constitution was amended, exempting military andintelligence spending above 1% GDP from theSchuldenbremse (debt limit).
The nameBundeswehr was first proposed by formerWehrmacht general andLiberal politicianHasso von Manteuffel.[13] TheIron Cross(Eisernes Kreuz), a symbol that has a long association with the military of Germany, is its official emblem. TheSchwarzes Kreuz is derived from theblack cross insignia of the medievalTeutonic knights; since 1813 the symbol has been used to denote a military decoration for all ranks.
When theBundeswehr was established in 1955, its founding principles were based on developing a completely new military force for the defence ofWest Germany. In this respect theBundeswehr did not consider itself to be a successor to either theReichswehr (1921–1935) of theWeimar Republic orHitler'sWehrmacht (1935–1945), and did not adhere to the traditions of any former German military organization. Its official ethos is based on three major themes:[14]
One of the most visible traditions of the modernBundeswehr is theGroßer Zapfenstreich. This is a form ofmilitary tattoo that has its origins in thelandsknecht era. TheFRG reinstated this formal military ceremony in 1952, three years before the foundation of theBundeswehr. Today it is performed by a military band with 4 fanfare trumpeters and timpani, a corps of drums, up to two escort companies of theBundeswehr'sWachbataillon (or another deputized unit) and Torchbearers. TheZapfenstreich is only performed during national celebrations or solemn public commemorations. It can honour distinguished persons present such as the German federal president, or provide the conclusion to large military exercises.
Another important tradition in the modern German armed forces is theGelöbnis: the solemn oath made by serving professional soldiers, and recruits (and formerly conscripts) during basic training. There are two kinds of oath: a pledge for recruits, and a solemn vow for full-time personnel.
The pledge is made annually on 20 July, the date on which a group ofWehrmacht officers attempted toassassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. Recruits from theBundeswehr'sWachbataillon make their vow (Gelöbnis) at theBendlerblock in Berlin. This was the headquarters of the resistance and also where the officers were summarily executed following the failure of the attempt. National commemorations are held nearby within the grounds of theReichstag. Similar events also take place across the German Republic. Since 2011, when conscription was suspended, the wording of the ceremonial vow for full-time recruits and volunteer personnel is:
"Ich gelobe, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen."
"I pledge to serve the Federal Republic of Germany loyally and to defend the right and the freedom of the German people bravely."
The Federal Republic of Germany joinedNATO in 1955.
After World War II the responsibility for the security of Germany as a whole rested with the four occupyingAllied Powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, France and theSoviet Union. Germany had been without armed forces since theWehrmacht was dissolved followingWorld War II. When the Federal Republic of Germany was founded in 1949, it was without a military. Germany remained completely demilitarized and any plans for a German military were forbidden by Allied regulations.
Some naval mine-sweeping units such as theGerman Mine Sweeping Administration (Deutscher Minenräumdienst) continued to exist, but they remained unarmed and under Allied control and did not serve as a national defence force. TheFederal Border Protection (Bundesgrenzschutz), a mobile, lightly armed police force of 10,000 men, was formed on 14 March 1951 and expanded to 20,000 men on 19 June 1953. A proposal to integrate West German troops with soldiers of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy in aEuropean Defence Community was proposed but never implemented.
There was a discussion among the United States, the United Kingdom and France over the issue of a revived (West) German military. In particular, France was reluctant to allow Germany to rearm in light of recent history (Germany had invaded France twice in living memory, inWorld War I andWorld War II, and also defeated France in theFranco-Prussian War of 1870/71). However, after the project for aEuropean Defence Community failed in theFrench National Assembly in 1954, France agreed to West German accession toNATO and rearmament.
With growing tensions between the Soviet Union and the West, especially after theKorean War, this policy was to be revised. While theGerman Democratic Republic (East Germany) was already secretly rearming, the seeds of a new West German force started in 1950 when former high-ranking German officers were tasked by ChancellorKonrad Adenauer to discuss the options forWest German rearmament. The results of a meeting in the monastery ofHimmerod formed the conceptual base to build the new armed forces in West Germany.
TheAmt Blank (Blank Agency, named after its directorTheodor Blank), the predecessor of the laterFederal Ministry of Defence, was formed the same year to prepare the establishment of the future forces.Hasso von Manteuffel, a former general of theWehrmacht andFree Democratic Party politician, submitted the nameBundeswehr for the new forces. This name was later confirmed by the West GermanBundestag.
TheBundeswehr was officially established on the 200th birthday ofScharnhorst on 12 November 1955. In personnel and education terms, the most important initial feature of the new German armed forces was to be their orientation as citizen defenders of a democratic state, fully subordinate to the political leadership of the country.[15] A personnel screening committee was created to make sure that the future colonels and generals of the armed forces were those whose political attitude and experience would be acceptable to the new democratic state.[16] There were a few key reformers, such as GeneralUlrich de Maiziere, GeneralGraf von Kielmansegg, andGraf von Baudissin,[17] who reemphasised some of the more democratic parts of Germany's armed forces history in order to establish a solid civil-military basis to build upon.
TheBundeswehr was the first NATO member to use the Soviet-builtMiG 29 jet, taken over from the formerEast German Air Force after reunification.
After an amendment of theBasic Law in 1955, West Germany became a member of NATO. The first public military review took place atAndernach, in January 1956.[18] In 1956,conscription for all men between the ages of 18 and 45 was reintroduced, later augmented by a civil alternative with longer duration (seeConscription in Germany). In response,East Germany formed its own military force, theNationale Volksarmee (NVA), in 1956, with conscription being established only in 1962. TheNationale Volksarmee was eventually dissolved with thereunification of Germany in 1990. Compulsory conscription was suspended – but not completely abolished as an alternative – in January 2011.
During theCold War theBundeswehr was the backbone of NATO's conventional defence inCentral Europe. It had a strength of 495,000 military and 170,000 civilian personnel. Although Germany had smaller armed forces than France and the United States, Cold War historianJohn Lewis Gaddis assesses theBundeswehr as "perhaps (the) world's best army".[19] The Army consisted of three corps with 12 divisions, most of them heavily armed with tanks and APCs. TheLuftwaffe owned significant numbers of tactical combat aircraft and took part inNATO's integrated air defence (NATINAD). The Navy was tasked and equipped to defend theBaltic Approaches, to provide escort reinforcement and resupply shipping in theNorth Sea and to contain theSoviet Baltic Fleet.
The primary task of these special units was to clandestinely acquire Soviet weapon technology, including armor for combat helicopters, vehicles, landmines, modern ammunition such as uranium rounds, rocket warheads, night vision devices, and navigation technology. Collaboration with the insurgent Mujahideen was central to this covert operation.
During this time theBundeswehr did not take part in combat operations. However, there were a number of large-scale training exercises resulting in operational casualties. The first such incident was in June 1957, when 15 paratroop recruits drowned in theIller river, Bavaria.[20]
At a festive event on German Unity Day, Federal Defense MinisterGerhard Stoltenberg takes over command of thearmed forces of the former GDR.
At the time of reunification, the German military boasted a manpower of some 585,000 soldiers.[11] As part of theGerman reunification process, under theTreaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (Two-Plus Four Treaty), which paved the way for reunification, theBundeswehr was to be reduced to 370,000 personnel, of whom no more than 345,000 were to be in the Army and Air Force. This would be Germany's contribution to theTreaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, and the restrictions would enter into force at the time the CFE treaty would. As a result, theBundeswehr was significantly reduced, and the former East GermanNationale Volksarmee (NVA) was disbanded, with a portion of its personnel and materiel being absorbed into theBundeswehr.
About 50,000Volksarmee personnel were integrated into theBundeswehr on 2 October 1990. This figure was rapidly reduced as conscripts and short-term volunteers completed their service. A number of senior officers (but no generals or admirals) received limited contracts for up to two years to continue daily operations. Personnel remaining in theBundeswehr were awarded new contracts and new ranks, dependent on their individual qualification and experience. Many were granted and accepted a lower rank than previously held in theVolksarmee.
In general, the unification process of the two militaries – under the slogan "Armee der Einheit" (or "Army of Unity") – has been seen publicly as a major success and an example for other parts of the society.
With the reduction, a large amount of themilitary hardware of theBundeswehr, as well as of theVolksarmee, had to be disposed of. Most of thearmoured vehicles andfighter jet aircraft (theBundesluftwaffe – due to reunification – was the only air force in the world that flew both Phantoms and MIGs) were dismantled under international disarmament procedures. Many ships were scrapped or sold, often to theBaltic states orIndonesia (the latter received 39 formerVolksmarine vessels of various types).
With reunification, all restrictions on the manufacture and possession of conventional arms that had been imposed on theBundeswehr as a condition for West German rearmament were lifted.[21]
Military spending: Constant 2022 USD million (1953–2023)[22]
A major event for the German military was a series of defense spending cuts and the suspension of the compulsoryconscription for men in 2011. These were introduced by ChancellorAngela Merkel and Finance MinisterWolfgang Schäuble as part ofausterity measures in response to theGreat Recession and theEuropean debt crisis.[23] In 2011/12, a major reform of theBundeswehr was announced underThomas de Maizière, further limiting the number of military bases and soldiers. The land forces of the Bundeswehr would have three large units at divisional level. There are currently five. The number of brigades decreased from eleven to eight.[24]
German military expenditures are lower than comparable countries such as the United Kingdom, or countries of theEuropean Union such as France, especially when taking into account Germany's larger population and economy. This discrepancy is often criticized by Germany'sNATO allies, as far back asObama-eraUS Secretary of DefenseRobert M. Gates.[25][26]
As one result of the2014 NATO Wales summit which was attended by both Merkel andUrsula von der Leyen in September 2014,[27] theBundeswehr acknowledged in October chronic equipment problems that rendered its armed forces "unable to deliver its defensive NATO promises". Among the problems cited were dysfunctional weapons systems, armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels unfit for immediate service due to a neglect of maintenance, and serious equipment and spare parts shortages. The situation was so dire in 2016 that it was acknowledged that most of Germany'sfighter aircraft andcombat helicopters were not in deployable condition,[28][29][30] although the Air Force had almost 38,000 soldiers,[24] and von der Leyen's daycare system to boot.[31][32]
In 2015, as a result of theAnnexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Germany announced what was termed "a major increase" in defense spending. In May 2015, the German government approved an increase in defense spending, at the time 1.3% of GDP, by 6.2% over the following five years, allowing the Ministry of Defense to fully modernize the army.[33] The 2015 reform set a required strength of 185,000 soldiers.[34] Plans were also announced to significantly expand the tank fleet to a potential number of 328, order 131 moreBoxer armored personnel carriers, increase the submarine fleet, and to develop a new fighter jet to replace thePanavia Tornado.[35][36][37][38] Germany considered increasing the size of the army,[39] and in May 2016 it announced it would spend €130 billion on new equipment by 2030 and add nearly 7,000 soldiers by 2023 in the first German military expansion since the end of the Cold War.[40][41] In February 2017, the German government announced another expansion, which would increase the number of its professional soldiers by 20,000 by 2024.[42]
As a consequence of improved Dutch-German cooperation, since 2014 two of the threeRoyal Netherlands Army Brigades are under German Command. In 2014, the11th Airmobile Brigade was integrated into the German Division of fast forces (DSK). The Dutch43rd Mechanized Brigade will be assigned to the1stPanzer Division of the German army, with the integration starting at the beginning of 2016, and the unit becoming operational at the end of 2019.[43] In February 2016 it was announced that theSeebatallion of the German Navy would start to operate underRoyal Dutch Navy command.[44] The Dutch-German military cooperation was seen in 2016 by von der Leyen and Dutch Minister of DefenceJeanine Hennis-Plasschaert as an example for setting up a European defense union.[44]
According to a policy dictated by von der Leyen in February 2017, theBundeswehr is to play a greater role as "anchor army" for smallerNATO states, by improving coordination between its divisions and smaller members'Brigades.[45]
A further proposal by Minister of DefenceUrsula von der Leyen, to allow non-GermanEU nationals to join theBundeswehr, was met in July 2016 by strong opposition, even from her own party.[46]
As of 31 December 2022[update], the number of active military personnel in theBundeswehr was 183,051.[4] Military expenditure in Germany was at $52.8 billion in 2020.[48]
At the end of February 2022, in light ofRussia's invasion of Ukraine,chancellorOlaf Scholz announced a plan to increase the power of the German military, pledging €100 billion ($112.7 billion) of the 2022 budget for the armed forces and repeating his promise to reach the 2% of gross domestic product spending on defense in line with (as editorialized byDeutsche Welle) NATO "demands".[12]
According to information from defense politicians of the federal German parliament, representatives of the armaments industry and other experts, in October 2022 the Bundeswehr only had enough ammunition in stock for one or two days during wartime.[49]
A report made by the Ministry of Defence revealed problems in theBundeswehr such as limited preparedness and lack of equipment. In the letter accompanying the report which was sent to the federalGerman parliament, the Minister of Defence noted that the situation would improve but "closing the gaps takes time".[50]
With the growing number of missions abroad it was recognized that theBundeswehr required a new command structure. A reform commission under the chairmanship of the former PresidentRichard von Weizsäcker presented its recommendations in spring 2000.
In October 2000 theJoint Support Service, theStreitkräftebasis, was established to concentrate logistics and other supporting functions such as military police, supply and communications under one command. Medical support was reorganised with the establishment of theJoint Medical Service. In 2016, theBundeswehr created its youngest branch theCyber and Information Space Command.
The Minister of Defence is supported by the Chief of Defense (CHOD,Generalinspekteur) and the service chiefs (Inspekteure:Inspector of the Army,Inspector of the Air Force,Inspector of the Navy) and their respective staffs in his or her function as commander-in-chief. The CHOD and the service chiefs form the Military Command Council (Militärischer Führungsrat) with functions similar to those of theJoint Chiefs of Staff in the United States. Subordinate to the CHOD is theArmed Forces Operational Command (Einsatzführungskommando). For smaller missions one of the service HQs (e.g. the Fleet Command) may exercise command and control of forces in missions abroad. TheBundestag must approve any foreign deployment by a simple majority. This has led to some discontent with Germany's allies about troop deployments e.g. in Afghanistan since parliamentary consent over such issues is relatively hard to achieve in Germany.
The combat forces of the Army are organised into three combatdivisions and participate in multi-national command structures at thecorps level. The Air Force maintains three divisions and the Navy is structured into two flotillas. The Joint Support Service and the Joint Medical Service are both organized in four regional commands of identical structure. All of these services also have general commands for training, procurement, and other general issues.
The Armed Forces Operational Command (Einsatzführungskommando der Bundeswehr) is the only joint military command of the Bundeswehr. It controls all missions abroad. The command is located at Henning von Tresckow Kaserne (Schwielowsee) nearPotsdam and is headed by aGeneralleutnant (3-star general).
The role of theBundeswehr is described in theConstitution of Germany (Art. 87a) as absolutely defensive only. Its only active role before 1990 was theKatastropheneinsatz (disaster control). Within theBundeswehr, it helped after natural disasters both in Germany and abroad. After 1990, the international situation changed from east–west confrontation to one of general uncertainty and instability.
After a ruling of theFederal Constitutional Court in 1994 the term "defence" has been defined to not only include protection of the borders of Germany, but also crisis reaction and conflict prevention, or more broadly as guarding the security of Germany anywhere in the world.[51] According to the definition given by Defence MinisterPeter Struck (2002 to 2005), it may be necessary to defend Germany even at theHindu Kush. This requires theBundeswehr to take part in operations outside of the borders of Germany, as part of NATO or theEuropean Union and mandated by the UN.[citation needed]
Since the early 1990s theBundeswehr has become more and more engaged in international operations in and around the formerYugoslavia, and also in other parts of the world likeCambodia orSomalia. After the11 September 2001 attacks, German forces were employed in most related theaters exceptIraq.
FrigateKarlsruhe of the German Navy rescuing shipwrecked people off the coast of Somalia where it is patrolling
Currently (1 April 2024) there are 1,084Bundeswehr soldiers deployed in:[4]
In addition to the numbers above, 51 soldiers are on permanent stand-by for medical evacuation operations around the world in assistance of ongoing German or coalition operations (STRATAIRMEDEVAC).
In support of Allied stabilization efforts in Iraq, theBundeswehr is also training the newIraqi security forces in locations outside Iraq, such as theUnited Arab Emirates and Germany.
Since 1994, theBundeswehr has lost about 100 troops in foreign deployments, includingin Afghanistan.
According to the new threat scenario facing Germany and itsNATO allies, theBundeswehr is currently reorganising itself. To realise growth in mobility and the enlargement of the air force's capabilities, theBundeswehr is going to buy 53Airbus A400M transports as well as additionalEurofighter Typhoon[52] fighters,F-35 fighters[53] and also severalunmanned aerial vehicle models.NH90 helicopters (49 of them in the naval version) are being delivered while 60Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy transport helicopters will be delivered in 2027.[54]
For the ground forces it plans to procure 579Puma infantry fighting vehicles, at least 503Boxer MRAV, started to introduce a novelland soldier system and a new generation of transportation vehicles and light vehicles, such as theFennek, andMowag Eagle. Further, the German Navy is going to build 6 newF126 class frigates,[55] new spy ships, support vessels and additionalType 212 submarines in an enlarged version.
The service uniform is theoretically the standard type ofBundeswehr uniform for general duty and off-post activity,[56] but is most associated with ceremonial occasions.[citation needed] The army's service uniform consists of a light grey, single-breasted coat and darker grey trousers, worn with a light blue shirt, black tie, and black shoes.[56] The peaked, visored cap has been replaced by theberet as the most common form of headgear.[56] Dress uniforms featuring dinner jackets or double-breasted coats are worn by officers for various social occasions.[56]
The battle and work uniform consists ofFlecktarn camouflage fatigues, which are also worn on field duty.[citation needed] In practice, they are also used for general duty and off-post at least at barracks where there is also field duty even by others, and for the way home or to the post, and generally regarded as theHeer uniform.[57] In all three services, light sand-coloured uniforms are available for duty in warmer climates.[56] In 2016 a newMultitarn pattern was launched, similar to theMultiCam uniforms of theBritish Army orUS Army.[58][59][60]
A different, traditional variety of the service uniform is worn by theGebirgsjäger (mountain infantry), consisting of ski jacket, stretch trousers, and ski boots. Instead of the beret, they wear the grey "mountain cap". The field uniform is the same, except for the (optional) metalEdelweiss worn on the forage cap.
A German infantryman stands at the ready with hisHeckler & Koch G36 during a practice exercise in 2004 as U.S. troops watch in the background. All rifles in the photo are equipped withblank firing adapters.
The traditional arm-of-service colours appear as lapel facings and as piping on shoulder straps.[56] Generals wear an inner piping of gold braid; other officers wear silver piping.[56] Lapel facings and piping are maroon for general staff, green for infantry, red for artillery, pink for armour, black for engineers, yellow for communications, dark yellow for reconnaissance and various other colors for the remaining branches.[56] Combat troops wear green (infantry), black (armour), ormaroon (airborne) berets.[56] Logistics troops[citation needed] and combat support troops, such as artillery or engineers, wear red berets.[56] A gold or silver badge on the beret denotes the individual branch of service.[56]
The naval forces wear the traditional navy blue, double-breasted coat and trousers; enlisted personnel wear either a white shirt or a navy blue shirt with the traditional navy collar.[56] White uniforms provide an alternative for summer.[56] The officer's dress cap is mounted with a gold anchor surrounded by a wreath.[56] The visor of the admiral's cap bears a double row of oak leaves.[56]U-boat captains wear the traditional white hat.
The air force service uniform consists of a blue jacket and trousers with a light blue shirt, dark blue tie, and black shoes.[56] Olive battle dress similar to the army fatigue uniform is worn in basic training and during other field duty.[56] Flying personnel wearwings on their right breast.[56] Other air force personnel wear a modified wing device with a symbol in its centre denoting service specialisation.[56] TheseTätigkeitsabzeichen come in bronze, silver, or gold, depending on one's length of service in the specialty.[56] Wings, superimposed over a wreath, in gold, silver, or bronze, depending on rank, are also worn on the service or field cap.[56]
Service uniform of the German Army (Heer)
Service uniform of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
In general, officer ranks are those used in the Prussian and pre-1945 German armies.[citation needed] Officer rank insignia are worn on shoulder straps or shoulder boards.[56] Army (Heer) and air force (Luftwaffe) junior officers' insignia are four pointed silver stars while field grade officers wear silver (black or white on camouflage uniforms) stars and an oak wreath around the lowest star.[citation needed] The stars and wreath are gold for general officers.[citation needed] In the case of naval (Marine) officers, rank is indicated by gold stripes on the lower sleeve of the blue service jacket and on shoulder boards of the white uniform.[56]
Soldier and NCO ranks are similar to those of the Prussian and pre-1945 German armies.[citation needed] In the army and air force, aGefreiter corresponds to the NATO rank OR-2 andObergefreiter as well asHauptgefreiter to OR-3, while OR-4 stands forStabsgefreiter andOberstabsgefreiter. AnUnteroffizier is the lowest-ranking sergeant (OR-5), followed byStabsunteroffizier (also OR-5),Feldwebel andOberfeldwebel (OR-6),Hauptfeldwebel (OR-7/8),Stabsfeldwebel (OR-8) andOberstabsfeldwebel (OR-9).[citation needed] Ranks of army and air force enlisted personnel are designated by stripes, chevrons, and "sword knots" worn on rank slides.[56]
Naval enlisted rank designations are worn on the upper (OR 1–5) or lower (OR-6 and above) sleeve along with a symbol based on an anchor for the service specialization (rating).[56] Army and air force officer candidates hold the separate ranks ofFahnenjunker (OR-5),Fähnrich (OR-6) andOberfähnrich (OR-7/8), and wear the appropriate rank insignia plus a silver cord bound around it. Officers candidates in the navySeekadett (sea cadet; equivalent to OR-5) andFähnrich zur See (midshipman second class; OR-6) wear the rank insignia of the respective enlisted ranks but with a gold star instead of the rating symbol, while anOberfähnrich zur See (midshipman first class; OR-7/8) wears an officer type thin rank stripe.
Medical personnel of all three services wear a version of the traditional caduceus (staff with entwined serpents) on their shoulder straps or sleeve.[56] The officers' ranks have own designations differing from the line officers, the rank insignias however are basically the same.
Women have served in the medical service since 1975. From 1993 they were also allowed to serve as enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers in the medical service and thearmy bands. In 2000, in a lawsuit brought up byTanja Kreil, theEuropean Court of Justice issued a ruling allowing women to serve in more roles than previously allowed. Since 2001 they can serve in all functions of service without restriction, but they are not subject to conscription. There are presently around 23,066 women on active duty[4] and a number of female reservists who take part in all duties includingpeacekeeping missions and other operations. In 1994,Verena von Weymarn becameGeneralarzt der Luftwaffe (Surgeon General of the Air Force), the first woman ever to reach the rank of general in the armed forces of Germany.
For women, lower physical performance requirements are required in the basic fitness test, which must be completed at the time of recruitment and later on annually.[61]
With the suspension of compulsorymilitary service in 2011 and the reorientation of the Bundeswehr, the military district recruiting offices were dissolved effective 30 November 2012. Their tasks were taken over by the newly created career centers of the Bundeswehr.The career centers of the Bundeswehr are the armed forces main way of presenting itself as a nationwide employer for both military and civilian careers.[65]
In the structure of the Bundeswehr's personnel recruitment organization adopted in 2019, there are five large career centers inHanover,Mainz,Düsseldorf,Munich andBerlin with assessment centers. There are 16 smaller, regional career centers, of which only those inWilhelmshaven,Stuttgart andErfurt have an assessment center. The 110 career counseling offices belonging to the career centers are combined with 86 location teams of the career development service to form 113 counseling offices.[66]The Bundeswehr offers numerous career paths:
Voluntary military service (FWD) in Germany is an employment relationship for soldiers in a career of the lower rank Bundeswehr personnel. It lasts at least 7 and at most 23 months. Its legal status is similar to that of conscripts.[67]
A temporary soldier (abbreviated SaZ, colloquially called Zeitsoldat) is a soldier who voluntarily agrees to perform military service for a limited time. A SaZ can enter all three categories (enlisted, non-commissioned officers and officers). SaZ recruited as NCOs and officers undergo general military, career and specialty training. The regular commitment period is a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 25 years, but may not extend beyond the age of 62.[68][69]
Professional soldiers for life (Berufssoldat) are selected from the group of temporary soldiers. In contrast to temporary soldiers, professional soldiers don't have contractual commitment periods but serve until retirement. The age of retirement varies with rank. It is possible for a professional soldier to ask for early discharge or to revert to temporal service.
Career in the Reserve: There are multiple career paths in the reserve of the armed forces for officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel, as well as for civilians who have no prior military training.[70]
^Fritz Erler, 'Politik und nicht Prestige,' in Erler and Jaeger, Sicherheit und Rustung, 1962, p.82-3, cited in Julian Lider, Origins and Development of West German Military Thought, Vol. I, 1949–1966, Gower Publishing Company Ltd, Aldershot/Brookfield VT, 1986, p.125
^Aberheim, 'The Citizen in Uniform: Reform and its Critics in the Bundeswehr,' in Szabo, (ed.), The Bundeswehr and Western Security, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1990, p.39.
^Donald Aberheim, 1990, p.37; Donald Aberheim, 'German Soldiers and German Unity: Political Foundations of the German Armed Forces,' California Naval Postgraduate School, 1991, p.14, cited in Artur A Bogowicz, 'Polish Armed Forces of 2000: Demands and ChangesArchived 22 February 2014 at theWayback Machine,' NPGS Thesis, March 2000, and Obituary for General Ulrich de Maizière, The Times, 13 September 2006
^Large, David ClayGermans to the Front West German rearmament in the Adenauer era University of North Carolina Press 1996 pp244-5ISBN0-8078-4539-6
^John Lewis Gaddis, 'The Cold War – a New History', Penguin Books, London, 2005, p.220
^Tooze, Adam (2018).Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World. New York, New York: Viking Press. p. 354.ISBN978-0-670-02493-3.OCLC1039188461.
^A soldier's joke about this situation runs thus: "The service uniform is called service uniform because it's not worn on service, while the field uniform is called field uniform because it's not worn in the field." (In the field they wear the battle uniform ("Gefechtsanzug"), an extended version of the field uniform.)
Searle, Alaric (2003).Wehrmacht Generals, West German Society, and the Debate on Rearmament, 1949–1959. Westport, CT:Praeger Publishers.ISBN978-0-275-97968-3.
Seppo, Antti (2021).From Guilt to Responsibility and Beyond: The Evolution of German Strategic Culture after the End of the Cold War. Berlin: Berliner Wissenschafts-Verlag.ISBN978-3-8305-5067-9.
Stengel, Frank A. (2020).The Politics of Military Force: Antimilitarism, Ideational Change, and Post-Cold War German Security Discourse. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.ISBN978-0-472-13221-8.
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