German army bows to 'lazy' Gen Z as it offers 'flexible working' to attract new soldiers

German army bows to 'lazy' Gen Z as it offers 'flexible working' to attract new soldiers

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GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 05/01/2024

- 18:03

Gen Z is said to be sceptical of whether the Bundeswehr can offer a healthy work-life balance and flexibility

Germany has bowed down to younger generations 'lazy' lifestyles as it has launched flexible working roles aimed at Gen Z amid a decline in troop numbers.

It comes as the defence minister’s call to convert Germany into a "war-ready" nation.


There is also talk in the German government of bringing back conscription for male school leavers.

The practice, which was ended in 2011, was dubbed as a 'mistake' by the defence ministry.

Soldiers

German army bows to 'lazy' Gen Z as it offers 'flexible working' to attract new soldiers

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German military officials say recruitment figures are back in decline, prompting them to launch fresh advertising campaigns.

A spokesperson from the Bundeswehr said: “Growing demand is offset by an overall decreasing number of potential applicants.

"The reason is the declining number of school and university graduates as well as changing expectations of the so-called ‘Generation Z’, who want a high degree of flexible and individual freedom to shape their professional lives."

They added that the German army was also looking into flexible working and “optimising” the application processes.

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Germany military officials say recruitment figures are back in decline

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One of the ways in which German officials are accomplishing this is the Youtube series Save, a dramatic series of adverts promoting life in the German army as a medic.

The series features scenes of young medics racing through the German countryside in armoured personnel carriers on exercise, accompanied by pumping techno music.

German defence minister Boris Pistorius, has warned that Europe could be facing direct conflict with Russia within the next five to eight years.

He said in December: "[Putin’s] threats against the Baltic states, Georgia, and Moldova must be taken very seriously. This is not just sabre-rattling. We could be facing dangers by the end of this decade."

\u200bGerman defence minister Boris Pistorius

German defence minister Boris Pistorius

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It comes as a recent study by the Allianz Foundation found that 60 per cent of Germans aged 18-39 believe the country is becoming less secure due to international conflict.

Nozomi Pfaff, a 19-year-old considering a career in the Bundeswehr told German newspaper Die Zeit: "I think the military is cool but that’s a matter of personality. I don’t believe in general obligations."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a major speech declared a turning point in German defence policy, which includes a €100billion (£80billion) spending package.

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