This new law does not instill much confidence in the quality of drafted German troops. Realistically, how much training are draftees going to receive over the course of six months compulsory service? I just hope for their sake that none of these drafted troops are deployed to Afghanistan or a similar hot spot.
The German parliament passed a law June 17 that cuts compulsory military and civil service from nine months to six months. The three ruling parties won the ballot in parliament with 303 votes, against 248 by the three opposition parties.
According to its legislative proposal, the government expects the move to increase costs up to 262 million euros ($322 million), which could change with the number of citizens who would be drafted. Currently, basic pay and additional ancillary benefits for those in compulsory military service total about 454.7 million euros, the department of defense says.
At the moment, department officials expect the total number of drafted troops to rise from 40,000 to around 50,000 a year because of the reduction of length of service.
The law officially takes effect Dec. 1, but those drafted July 1 will need to serve only six months.
By: Shelldrake
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I'm surprised they haven't gotten rid of the draft completely, given the other economic austerity measures Germany has imposed.
Less than a quarter of the Bundeswehr is conscripted. I agree six months is about long enough to learn how to shine your boots, fire a rifle, and suck up to the sergeant....
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