The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) is launching a new YouTube series as part of its efforts to attract new recruits. The Ministry of Defence announced on Friday that the series, titled “Generation Wehrdienst,” is set to debut soon.
The show aims to document the experience of young men and women going through the newly modernized basic training, which was updated about a year ago. According to the ministry, the series will be completely unscripted, designed to capture “all the highs and lows”-from the initial arrival and receiving of uniforms and formal ceremonies, through combat training, and military bivouacs. The production plan also involves featuring input from friends, family members, and instructors.
The Ministry stated that the visual design and aesthetic of the series will align with current trends to appeal to the viewing habits of young adults. Furthermore, the production quality is expected to meet the high standard of documentaries found on major streaming platforms, such as Netflix.
Three seasons are planned for the series. It will be available on YouTube and Joyn every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 PM, starting between early July and November. Content will also be disseminated across platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Reddit.
The Bundeswehr noted that it already possesses positive experience with web series. Previously, “Die Rekruten” aired in 2016, followed by “Die Rekrutinnen” in 2019, both of which garnered more than 18.5 million views on YouTube.
