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German Civilians Join Bundeswehr Reserve
German civilians are joining the Bundeswehr reserve in response to the war in Ukraine, leading to new challenges and opportunities for the military.
German
Germany
Germany MilitaryUkraineLabour MarketMilitary TechnologyDefenseRecruitmentCivilian
BundeswehrNatoSparkasse Hanau
Nora BreyerDavid UhlyBoris PistoriusKarl-Theodor Zu GuttenbergVladimir Putin
- What motivated Nora Breyer and David Uhly to enlist?
- Both Nora Breyer and David Uhly joined the Bundeswehr reserve due to the war in Ukraine, viewing it as a natural response to the threat. They describe their decision as unpretentious and straightforward.
- Describe the training experience of the new recruits.
- Breyer and Uhly's training involved a compressed basic course, including weapons training, and a challenging 36-hour exercise. They found both the positive camaraderie and some of the unnecessary rigid military traditions challenging.
- What is the Bundeswehr's aim in recruiting civilians?
- The Bundeswehr's recruitment drive targeted civilians for its new Homeland Protection regiments, aiming to expand its reserve forces. This initiative comes after years of declining defense spending and increased concerns about Russian aggression.
- Why are German civilians joining the Bundeswehr reserve?
- The war in Ukraine prompted Germany to bolster its defenses, leading to an increase in civilian participation in the Bundeswehr reserve. Two new recruits, a teacher and a bank employee, share their experiences.
- What are the motivations and perspectives of Breyer and Uhly?
- Uhly emphasizes the importance of strong defense as deterrence, and both he and Breyer highlight their desire to contribute to society and protect their values. They acknowledge the potential personal risk involved but feel compelled to act.