During the new military service selection, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said there will be no humiliations. “The medical professionals will determine which examinations are necessary” he told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” after it was noted that many men previously felt especially intimate examinations to be humiliating. “And this will of course comply with principles of humane treatment” the minister assured.
Pistorius also responded to criticism from the Protestant church regarding the Bundeswehr advertising slogan “Do what really counts”. “We want the younger generation to contribute to security – in the country where they live in freedom”. This can be with the Bundeswehr or in civilian organisations. “Because what really counts is security. Without security, nothing matters”. He clarified, “No one has to join the Bundeswehr if they don’t want to. However, based on discussions with young men and women, I know that many say: Living in freedom is so important to me that I would like to serve for a few months after my schooling”.
