Bundeswehr increases mandatory examinations for 18-year-old men

The German Federal Ministry of Defence has reported an increase in mandatory medical examinations (Musterungen) for 18-year-old men. Despite the new military service law aiming for nationwide mandatory examinations for all 18-year-olds starting in July 2027, the Bundeswehr is currently accelerating its process based on available capacity.

Since July, nearly one thousand 18-year-old men have been summoned for these mandatory examinations, even if they previously indicated a lack of interest in military service via questionnaires. The military is currently building 24 modern examination centers across Germany to facilitate full-scale implementation for the 2008 birth year and onwards.

Data shows that of the 231,700 men contacted by the end of August, approximately 96 percent responded to the questionnaires. In contrast, the response rate among women, who are not required to answer, remains extremely low at 3.5 percent.