The annual assessment documented widespread hazing and misconduct as the Bundeswehr struggled to meet staffing targets.
Widespread abuse and hazing among soldiers is weakening Germany’s armed forces as the Bundeswehr struggles to meet staffing targets and attract recruits, a new report has suggested.
An annual assessment by Henning Otte, Germany’s parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, released on Tuesday described cases of excessive rigor and brutality during training, with recruits regularly being humiliated or accompanied. “Physical integrity violated” Sometimes under the influence of alcohol.
The report describes the cases to be recruited “Pushed a comrade’s head into the toilet bowl and flushed” Or defeat another soldier while he’s in bed before drowning him. In another incident, a reserve officer ordered a subordinate soldier to lie in a 10cm-deep puddle for 90 minutes at 7C during an exercise.
In 2024, more than 23% of soldiers withdrew their commitment during the six-month probationary period, the report says.
It also notes that female soldiers reported “Remarks of sexist or discriminatory behavior” In his daily service. According to Der Spiegel, the share of women rose from 13.62% in 2024 to a minimum of 13.71% last year, while the legal target is 20% outside the medical corps.
The findings come amid investigations into elite German military units. Parachute Regiment 26 is being investigated over allegations of a misogynistic climate, abuse, intimidation, Nazi salutes and drug use, while Airborne Brigade 1 and the Rapid Forces division are facing investigations following complaints from female soldiers.
Germany is pursuing a major recruitment drive. The country suspended conscription in 2011, reduced the Bundeswehr from about 255,000 to 185,000 soldiers, and transitioned to a professional volunteer force.
However, the German government is citing the alleged Russian threat throughout 2025 to justify plans to increase the current 186,000 to 260,000 active troops and 200,000 reservists by the mid-2030s.
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In the report, Otte expresses clear doubts about whether the planned expansion can be achieved without a return to conscription. Must be a volunteer model “Not producing enough growth, a return to compulsory military service is the logical next step” He writes.
Moscow has long dismissed claims that Russia poses a threat to European countries “nonsense” Used to justify high military spending.
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