Sebastian Beug: What is your occupation as a youth officer?
Martin Wiemann: Youth officers are speakers on safety policy. This word was created shortly after the establishment of the Bundeswehr in the context of the re-arming of Germany. We explain safety policy and the basis of the Bundeswehr — not just young people, but everyone. I teach or participate in panel discussions. Anyone curious in safety policy can book us free of charge: associations, political parties or schools to which I devote most of my work. Especially advanced school teachers due to the fact that safety policy is rooted in politics lessons.
You have been a youth officer since 2021 and the war in Ukraine began in 2022. How did this affect your work?
The requests have changed. Earlier, we were frequently invited to give lectures on abroad missions — the best we could, despite the coronavirus. I was frequently asked about my experience with the ISAF mission in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, another questions have been raised: are we safe in Germany? What mechanisms would work if Russia threatened us? erstwhile does the NATO alliance apply?
Has the interest in safety policy increased over the last 3 years?
Definitely. Now the parties besides ask me what didn't truly happen in my first year of work. Now there's a real discussion going on. Students ask much more questions — about the war in Ukraine, about safety guarantees. The interest has increased considerably.
In local CDU or SPD organizations, many members held compulsory military service and so have ties to the Bundeswehr. Schools are different. How is national defence discussed with 15 or 16-year-olds?
The debate on compulsory military service is very popular in schools. What are the arguments for and against? How is compulsory military service regulated by the Basic Law? Do we request mandatory military service or universal compulsory service? Many students then say: “I could imagine a year in Germany. possibly with the right to choose between service in the armed forces or in THW or the Red Cross."
Was it different before 24 February 2022?
There was no specified debate before. erstwhile I explained that compulsory military service was suspended in 2011, I first had to explain to the students what that meant. How I felt erstwhile I received a letter erstwhile I was 18, “you are subject to compulsory military service and you will shortly be incorporated into the army.”
Is compulsory military service Is it controversial?
Yeah. There are those who say they can imagine military service. There are besides those who do not want to take arms, but are open for a mandatory year of service to Germany. I seldom meet young people who say: I do not want you to force me to do anything. At least in my region, Frisia, specified reasoning is not common.
This is interesting due to the fact that this is the position of the popular 27-year-old undercaster Ole Nymonen. any consider him libertarian, others consider his rejection of any responsibilities as hedonism. And you say there is no specified attitude in the country.
I've never seen it before. But, of course, not everyone in the 30-person class participates actively. As an introduction I frequently give up-to-date press articles to the class so that they can get an opinion. As I said, I sense that the students are ready to do something for Germany. They realized that the threat had changed. The crucial thing is that many of them imagine defending Germany with a weapon in their hand.
Are there differences between different types of schools?
Not really. The attitude in the elder class is no different from the attitude in the elder class.
And by gender? Israel besides obliges women to military service.
I've never heard a student say that both sexes should be obliged to military service. And with the choice model for both sexes, that question is inactive unnecessary. Incidentally, there is no difference between age groups.
What about migration? In many classes there are children whose families have come from Ukraine or Syria in fresh years. The war must be much more tangible to them.
Ukrainian students frequently inactive have a language barrier. It is so hard to include them in the discussion. erstwhile Syrian students are in class, they do not talk very much in our discussions — especially on compulsory military service. As long as they are not German citizens, they are not affected.
"We must address safety policy at an earlier stage"
How do you view the debate on arms supply?
There is frequently a consensus on arms supply. Very rarely, students say that money for weapons would be better spent in Germany. There is definitely an knowing to support Ukraine.
Some experts say Russia may attack NATO by 2030 at the latest. There are ballistic missiles with atomic warheads stationed in the Royal. erstwhile you talk about the geopolitical situation, do you sense any kind of fear of war among your students?
I wouldn't talk about fear of war. But sometimes students ask me, will we shortly be attacked? Then I wonder what mechanisms will work. Since 2017, we have NATO troops in the Baltic States. The Bundeswehra stationed a brigade in Lithuania, which officially began its work on 1 April. Russia would besides gotta plan and prepare the attack. Our intelligence services would inform us of this. The attack would not be as easy as in a Hollywood film. No 1 has to fear that we are on the verge of invasion.
Young officers besides organize simulation games in schools. What is this?
One of our simulations is called POLIS — Politics and global Security. We've divided the planet into 13 regions. Students play the function of head of government, minister of economy, minister of abroad affairs and minister of defence of their region. They are trying to find political solutions within the United Nations. It may happen that 2 economical ministers want to conclude an agreement, but abroad ministers disagree on the border conflict. The game raises awareness Realpolitik. Students gotta work in a band and sometimes even give speeches.
One last question: what do you deficiency in the debate on the compulsory military service and defence capabilities of Germany?
We must address safety policy at an earlier stage. I'm little competitive than advanced school, due to the fact that there's just little political lessons there. But anyone who is 16 can vote in elections to the Euro-Parliament. I would so like to see safety policy anchored in the curriculum at a younger age. And I inactive see the possible for this subject to be deepened in adult education centres. The debate would thus scope a wider audience.
