The Chairman of the German Bundestag’s Defence Committee, Thomas Röwekamp, is advocating for a universal mandatory year of service encompassing both men and women, as well as foreign residents of Germany. He argues that relying solely on voluntary service or reinstating conscription for German men would be insufficient for long-term recruitment needs and would create societal inequities.
Röwekamp, in a recent interview, stated his belief that society can reasonably expect all individuals – regardless of gender or national origin – to dedicate a year to service. His proposed solution involves obligating every person to contribute to society through a chosen institution for a period of one year.
He highlighted that approximately 700,000 young people exit the German education system annually and emphasized the importance of instilling in them the understanding that the preservation of peace, freedom, democracy and prosperity requires active participation, not merely passive benefit. This principle, he argues, should apply equally to women and foreign nationals residing within Germany.
Röwekamp expressed concern that current regulations unfairly exempt women from mandatory service and that limiting service obligations to German citizens would be insufficient to foster societal cohesion. He stressed the need for solidarity across an entire generation.
Acknowledging the significant legislative hurdles, Röwekamp conceded that implementing a universal service year would require a constitutional amendment, a measure for which current parliamentary support is lacking. Consequently, he asserted the necessity of initiating public discourse and building support for this “new idea of service to society” in the coming years.
