Germany's
defense minister has announced plans to overhaul the country's military to make
it more attractive to volunteers. The multi-million dollar reforms include
better childcare for children of recruits.
Deutsche Welle, 4 June 2014
Defense
Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday set out plans to pump 100 million
euros ($136 million) into reforming the image of the Bundeswehr, Germany's
military, over the next five years.
The reform package,
known as the "attractiveness offensive," includes flexible working
hours, more modern accommodations and better career opportunities. In a bid to
make the military more family friendly, more daycare facilities for children of
service people will also be created.
Von der
Leyen, who became Germany's first female defense minister in December, said the
Bundeswehr needs to aim for about 60,000 young applicants a year. Currently the
Bundeswehr has more than 260,000 soldiers and civilian employees.
Since abandoning
conscription in 2011, Germany's Bundeswehr faces competition from business for
new recruits in a humming economy that is facing only 6.6 percent unemployment.
"We
want the best," she said. "People who are young and qualified have a
multitude of offers today ... and they choose the employer who, among other
things, makes the most interesting offers."
According
to official figures, the Bundeswehr spent 30 million euros for recruitment
campaigns and advertising, up from 16 million in 2011.
Unemployment
in Germany stands at 6.6 percent - far below double-digit rates in many other
European nations.
The plans
have, however, received criticism.
Retired
General Harald Kujat told German daily broadsheet the Süddeutsche Zeitung that
the plans appeared to have been "drawn up by people who don't know the
Bundeswehr." Once Germany's top military officer and chairman of the NATO
Military Committee, Gen. Kujat argued that modernizing Germany's military
equipment is more urgent.
"Rather
than kindergartens, it would much more helpful to a soldier's family if they
knew that everything is being done for his safety in deployment," Kujat
said.
Von der
Leyen dismissed that criticism, saying it's right for Germany to invest
billions in good equipment, "but is that a reason not to think about at
least investing millions in the people who have to operate this highly complex
equipment?"
hc/crh (AP, dpa)
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