Germany Begins Mandatory Questionnaire for 18-Year-Olds on Military Service Readiness

Germany has begun issuing a mandatory military service questionnaire to all citizens turning 18, marking a significant shift in defence policy more than a decade after conscription was suspended. While the government insists the measure stops short of a full draft, critics warn it effectively lays the groundwork for future compulsory service if voluntary recruitment fails. The move has reignited national debate around militarisation, youth consent, and Germany’s preparedness for a rapidly deteriorating European security environment.