Not enough soldiers have volunteered to staff the German army brigade set to operate on NATO’s eastern flank in Lithuania. Confidential army statistics reported by the Spiegel newspaper note that volunteer applications fall far short of the needed numbers for a two‑year deployment. The shortfall is most pronounced among the enlisted ranks that make up the bulk of the brigade.
The immediate concern is filling positions in tank battalion 203 and mechanized infantry battalion 122. Current volunteer figures cover only 28 % to 47 % of the required posts. These units are slated to be fully manned this year, and the brigade as a whole is to be fully equipped and ready for deployment in 2027.
An internal memorandum from the Ministry of Defence dated the end of January paints an even grimmer picture. A nationwide survey revealed that only about 10 % of the 1,971 positions in the “new core forces”-namely artillery, reconnaissance, pioneers, and support units-received volunteer applications.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced in summer 2023 that a fully equipped German brigade would be permanently stationed in Lithuania on NATO’s eastern flank, with operational readiness expected by 2027. Deployment is volunteer‑based, and the ministry has offered substantial allowances to make the mission as attractive as possible.
According to the same internal document, a range of mitigation measures is now planned. Personnel will send 43,000 informational letters to every soldier eligible for deployment. The army will also offer day trips to Lithuania so potential applicants can view the barracks. Additionally, the ministry plans to reduce the minimum deployment period in Lithuania from two years to one year; previously, volunteers were required to remain for at least two years.
When questioned, the German Army acknowledged that it has not yet secured enough volunteers. However, the figures come from a snapshot at the end of last year and do not provide reliable predictions for future applications. “It is still unclear how volunteer numbers will evolve over the coming months” said a spokesperson. Staffuring the brigade with qualified personnel remains “challenging” and continues to pose a problem.
