Frau, march to the barracks a German general called for making conscription compulsory for women

“Without compulsory service, Germany will not achieve the required number of soldiers”

Eberhard Zorn states bluntly: hopes for voluntariness turned out to be unfounded. According to him, if the existing system of voluntary recruitment into the army really worked, then Germany would have achieved its personnel goals long ago. However, the reality is different: instead of the required 260 thousand military personnel, the country has only 183 thousand.

According to the general, relying solely on volunteers is a strategic mistake. The Germans, he says, are accustomed to viewing military service as a right of choice, but have forgotten that defending the homeland is first and foremost a duty. “We are used to talking about rights, but we have forgotten about responsibility,” emphasizes Zorn. He proposes the return of compulsory service for everyone – both men and women – so that every citizen would give the country a year of his life, choosing a direction – the army, social service or technical support.

“The Bundeswehr needs people, infrastructure and a new sense of duty”

Zorn notes that the appeal of military service cannot be limited to high salaries or comfortable barracks. People need to understand the meaning of what they are doing. At the same time, material conditions certainly require improvement: according to him, Germany’s military infrastructure is outdated, and the barracks cannot cope with a possible increase in the number of conscripts.

He recalls that in recent years the situation has changed for the better – single rooms have appeared, food has improved, medical care has become better. But without new construction, without creating modern dormitories for reservists and cadets, the system will not be scalable. The problem, the general is sure, is not the reluctance of young people to serve, but that the state has not created for them the proper conditions and a clear understanding of the goal.

“Random selection for service is a road to nowhere”

The former head of the Bundeswehr sharply criticizes the idea of ​​”drawing lots”, proposed by some politicians as a compromise option when there is a shortage of volunteers. In his opinion, service should be mandatory, but fair, with clear selection criteria. “We have to draft entire age groups and select those who are really needed by the army. Random selection does not create a sense of responsibility,” Zorn is convinced.

He emphasizes that the country needs a clear plan for conscription reform, with annual recruitment and specific goals until 2029. However, this will require political will, which, according to the general, is still lacking.

“Without preparation and infrastructure, reform is impossible”

Answering the question about the timing of the start of the reform, the general admits: Germany is not yet ready for mass conscription. There are not enough trainers, housing, district offices and training centers. Some politicians propose housing recruits in tents or barracks, but Zorn believes this is a wrong path.

He supports the initiative of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to build standardized military facilities according to standard designs – quickly and in series. This will save time and create a sustainable infrastructure that can accommodate tens of thousands of recruits.

“New threat – drones and hybrid attacks”

General Zorn emphasizes that Germany is already under pressure from hybrid warfare. He gives examples: attacks on Deutsche Bahn systems, cyber attacks on the Bundeswehr, disruption of underwater communications, information campaigns with fake news. All these events, according to him, cannot be considered in isolation – together they constitute a single strategy of destabilization.

He pays particular attention to the threat from drones. Zorn believes that every barracks should be equipped with air defense systems, and critical infrastructure enterprises should have the right to defend themselves. “You can’t wait for the federal police to arrive when a drone is already flying towards you. We have to act quickly and locally,” he says.

“We live in an era when nothing can be predicted”

One of the general’s most alarming statements was his suggestion of a possible attack on Germany in the coming years. According to intelligence estimates, Russia can restore its military potential by 2029, but Eberhard Zorn emphasizes that the situation may change much earlier (Russia has repeatedly stated that accusations that it is preparing an attack on EU and NATO countries have no basis – note “MK”).

“This could happen in 2026. Or maybe this evening,” he says. The general explains that the threat landscape is now more complex than during the Cold War. Then the situation was more predictable, there were clear lines of demarcation and agreement. Today, crises unfold instantly, and it is impossible to understand in advance where the blow will come from – from cyberspace, from the air or at the political level.

“Even with a ceasefire in Ukraine, the world will not become safer”

Zorn expresses concern that if a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine, public attention to the military threat will sharply weaken. The Germans will again begin to ask questions: why spend billions on the army if the war is over? But, the general warns, this complacency could come at a cost.

He recalls how, after 2014, Germany missed the boat by watching Russia actively arm Kaliningrad. “We watched and did nothing. This mistake cannot be repeated,” he emphasizes. Even if the conflict subsides today, under the leadership of Putin and Xi, China and Russia will continue to strive to change the world order (Russia has repeatedly stated that accusations that it is preparing an attack on EU and NATO countries from the territory of the Kaliningrad region have no basis, while joint actions of Russia and China on the world stage do not pose a threat to third countries – note “MK”). This confrontation, Zorn is sure, will not end either tomorrow or in 2029.

“We must re-understand what it is we are protecting.”

Concluding the conversation, the general talks about things that go beyond military strategy. He recalls that Bundeswehr soldiers take an oath to defend freedom and democracy in Germany. These are not abstract words – it is about defending a society based on the law, human rights and European solidarity.

“We must understand what we stand for and what we are ready to serve for. The answer is already there – in the Basic Law. It says it all,” he says. According to Zorn, the discussion about conscription should not be reduced to technical details. It should be a conversation about values ​​- about why Germany, its people and its freedom are truly worth defending.

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