German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on 23 July introduced voluntary military service in the Bundeswehr. The German Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on its website the same day that men and women can apply to serve a year of voluntary service for territorial and regional defence as of 1 September.
Volunteers will serve in one of the 30 Bundeswehr regional force protection and support companies. (Bundeswehr/Heyng)
Emphasising the societal and social character of voluntary service, the ministry said Germany must become more resilient in order to meet its responsibilities to Europe. The initiative aims to fill gaps in the Bundeswehr and strengthen the bond of the armed forces with the general public.
Volunteers will begin seven months of training for voluntary service starting in April 2021, beginning with three months of basic training with units of the Bundeswehr's StreitkrƤftebasis support command, followed by training as force protection soldiers. The remaining five months of service will be divided into shorter time segments spread over six years.
Training will be conducted in Berlin, Delmenhorst in northern Germany and Wildflecken in the centre of the country, where the MoD said volunteers would already establish contacts with their home regions. The five months of service will be served in one of the 30 Bundeswehr regional force protection and support companies spread throughout Germany.
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