Dramatic return of the muster: This is how it affects the young people in MV!

Dramatic return of the muster: This is how it affects the young people in MV!

There was a solemn occasion in Ueckermünde last weekend: 40 recruits from the 413 Jäger Battalion took their oaths on the market square. Together with their relatives and the public, they symbolized service to their country. But this ceremony could soon become the norm for many young men in Germany, as the federal government plans to return the muster, which is set to come into force on January 1, 2026. That's how he reports Northern Courier.

The impending muster requirement affects all 18-year-old men born on or after January 1, 2008. The planned draft law is to be presented to the Bundestag next month and passed there. For the boys, this means that they have to fill out a questionnaire about their suitability and motivation, which is mandatory for men and voluntary for women. In the past, 52 district military replacement offices were responsible for this task, but were abolished in 2011. New mustering centers are now intended to create the necessary capacity to adequately look after the young recruits.

The path to muster

What exactly can the young men expect at the muster? This includes sporting, medical and psychological tests to determine suitability for military deployment. The controversial “egg control procedure”, a special examination to determine health aspects, is also carried out. The entire process takes about six hours. Plus he knows BR that it is also necessary for trans men to fill out the questionnaire if they have assumed the male gender.

From July 1, 2027, participation in the muster will be mandatory for the affected age groups. Those responsible are expecting around 20,000 volunteers in the first year, with a cohort of around 300,000 men to follow later. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there are currently 14,704 people who were born in 2008, of which 7,550 are men. Most of them can be found in the Mecklenburg Lake District (1215 men) and Vorpommern-Greifswald (1030 men). Such numbers already provide a glimpse into the Bundeswehr's future soldier base, which is expected to grow to a total of 460,000 soldiers by 2035.

Difficulties and reactions

While the return to muster is pending, politicians are critical. Jan van Aken, leader of the Left, announced a guide that will give tips on how to avoid military service. This opinion is controversial among the population. The fact that men alone are required to carry out military service is also a source of discussion. The BR points out that this approach is required by the Basic Law, but something could change in the future.

The issue of military service and military service will certainly concern society in the coming years. With the legally stipulated entry in January 2026, a new chapter in the history of the Bundeswehr will open, so real changes are in sight. The common good is the responsibility of younger people - a step that will only become a reality in four years, but exciting times are already around the corner.