Question about German military life?

Question

Hi there.

I was wondering what it is like serving in the modern German military.

I live in the US but am a German citizen, and I heard that I might get that letter that makes me join the military.

What is it like to currently be in the Bundeswehr?

Also, how long do you have to serve?

Thank you.

Answer 1

If you get drafted, you still don't absolutely have to serve. It works like this: You get a letter that "invites" you (ha ha, that cracks me up every time, since you have to come, anyways) to "Musterung". You can than write them a letter and tell them that while you would be honored to come blablabla, you don't see any sense in it because... If you are in College or university or something like that, or if you are having your own one-man-business or something that does not allow you to stay away without ruining your education or income or something. This, of course, you will need to proof.

Anyway, once you have to go to "Musterung", wait and see if they will even sign you on as "able to serve". If they don't, you're out completely. If they do, you can try again telling them your future life would be absolutely ruined if you didn't graduate with your class or whatever other reason you can think of. If they still want you to serve, you can write them a letter telling them you decline the offer out of your personal moral and it would go absolutely against the grain for you to pick up a gun. But if you do that, you will have to do "civil service", which is something like work in a retirement home or with disabled people or children. You will have to work for a longer time than you would have to be in the military, but not much longer (I think 9 month military service, 1 year civil service, or 8 month m.s. to 10 months c.s.).

As for how it is to serve: I have no idea, sorry. You might want to ask that in the German Y!A!-section.

All in all, though, I'd say they won't bother with you, since you are out of Germany. They would have to either pay for your way to come over to Germany to go to the "Musterung" or send some military doctors over (most likely you are not the only one living out of state) so they could judge your ability to serve. And they are not sending out so many letters anymore right now. Too many young guys, not enough room.

Besides: if they send you that invitation, look for the "Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung" on the back or on seperate sheets. That tells you what you can do if you don't want to join.

Best of Luck!