Alwin E
 |
Currently, you serve 9 months. When I got drafted, back in 1986, it was 15. But I don't think the situation has changed much: You go on basic training for 3 months, and that's where most Germans first learn how to use a gun and rifle. German gun laws are very restrictive, so most people won't have held a gun in their hands before entering the military. And then you serve the rest of your time on "homeland duty", because although nowadays there are German troops e.g. in Afghanistan, draftees can't be commanded out of the country, unless they volunteer.
As Germany has already too many young people to find reasonable use for them in the army, it's highly improbable that a draft will come upon you, the more that you're a foreign resident. So you'll never get that letter (it's called "Musterungsbescheid", btw) when you come to Germany as a tourist. It might be different if you decide to take up residence here again.
What is life in the Bundeswehr like? I think it's like in every army in the Western world as we know them. The difference to the US is that German soldiers don't wear uniform in public. That's strongly disencouraged, although not actually forbidden. You are supposed to only wear uniform when on duty.
German soldiers may be called in in case of emergencies, like a flood, and help stapling sandsacks and such. They do a good job in that, I think, and the army helicopters rescued many a vilage from being drowned. While on such a job, no German soldier is allowed to carry arms. Only the police are. (There's the possibility of the government calling out national emergency, but they never made use of that since WWII, afair.)
So serving in the German army as a draftee is a rather relaxed job, but you don't get paid much. They argue that you have food and accommodation for free in the barracks (which is true), get free clothing (which is debatable), and free medical treatment (which is true and mostly excellent). But the money, at least in my times, was never enough to even pay for car insurance, necessary repairs, and a flat outside the barracks. I used up most of my savings then to afford that "luxury".
But, well, how's the saying?
"Don't ask what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
The hell with it! They draft you, and then they try to persuade you to become a professional soldier, with the lure of better pay.
No Sir! I'm a pacifist! I will defend my friends, neighbors, and my country; but I will not join a war on foreign soil. Not in this life. |
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