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Bundeswehr Launches Digital Questionnaire for New ServiceStarting mid-January, 18-year-olds from the 2008 cohort receive a twelve-question digital form to modernize military recruitment.
- From mid-January, all 18-year-olds holding German citizenship receive a QR code to complete a digital questionnaire about their military service suitability.
- Men are required to respond truthfully within four weeks, while women may participate voluntarily.
- Medical assessments will begin in 2026 for volunteers, with full conscription screenings starting in 2027 across 24 centers plus eight career hubs.
- The reform aims to boost active Bundeswehr personnel to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035, alongside 200,000 reservists.
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research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents
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- Starting this month, the Bundeswehr imposes fines of up to 250 euros; the obligation to respond remains afterward.
- By the end of September, 492,800 questionnaires had been sent; about 253,000 went to men required to respond, and 239,800 to women and people of other genders.
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- The new military service law took effect at the beginning of the year, initiating the distribution of questionnaires to all 18-year-olds.
- Filling out the questionnaire is compulsory for males and optional for females; the 2008 birth cohort includes about 700,000 youths.
- The online form requires around 15 minutes and collects personal information, fitness level, and interest in military service.
- Failure to respond or providing false information can result in fines up to 1000 euros, with exceptions for special cases.
The new military service and the young people coming to us through the new military service are an essential part of the life insurance of the Federal Republic of Germany.— Lieutenant General Robert Sieger on the importance of the new military service for the Federal Republic of Germany.
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- From early 2026, men born in 2008 will receive official letters containing access codes to a mandatory military service questionnaire.
- Respondents have one month to complete the form, with reminders and possible fines imposed for delays or non-response.
- Collected information is strictly used for military service purposes and protected by data privacy laws.
- The government aims to increase the military's size from 183,000 to 270,000 personnel by 2035 to meet future needs.
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- Beginning in early 2026, all 18-year-old men and women will receive a military service questionnaire, which men are required to complete.
- Failure to submit the form or providing false information can lead to fines reaching 1000 euros, according to the Defense Ministry.
- Missing the mandatory medical examination without excuse may result in police being called to ensure attendance, excluding military police involvement.
- The Bundeswehr aims to increase its active personnel to between 186,000 and 190,000 by 2026, with further growth planned by 2035.
If a young man fails to comply with the obligation to fill out the questionnaire or makes false statements, a fine of up to 1000 euros may be the consequence.— A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Defense
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- From January 2026, all 18-year-old males will receive a digital questionnaire assessing motivation and suitability for military service.
- The survey includes questions about education, occupation, physical condition, and interest in Army, Air Force, or Navy roles.
- Completion is mandatory within one month, with penalties for missing or deliberately incorrect responses.
- The initiative aims to increase soldier numbers from approximately 280,000 to 460,000 through volunteers and conscripts.
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- From mid-January 2025, the German military will send questionnaires to approximately 650,000 young men in one birth cohort.
- The survey requests personal information including health, education, and willingness to serve; participation is not mandatory for women.
- Twenty-four assessment centers and eight career centers will handle examinations and evaluations of respondents.
- The new military reform aims to increase active personnel to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035.
For the recruitment, 24 recruitment centers and eight large career centers with assessments will be available in the future.— The Ministry of Defense in Berlin about the future recruitment centers.
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- The Bundestag approved a new voluntary military service aimed at increasing the army size to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035.
- From January 2026, all 18-year-old men must fill out a questionnaire and undergo screening; participation by women remains voluntary.
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