In Germany, more and more people are refusing military service. This was reported on Tuesday, July 14, by the media group Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), citing a representative of the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society (BAFzA). In the first half of this year (as of June 30), the office received 5,862 such applications. For comparison, the corresponding number for the entire year of 2025 was 3,867, and in 2024 it was 2,998. In 2011, when mandatory military service was suspended, according to RND, there were 4,348 refusals registered. ## ## The Reason for Refusals - Tense Security Situation The reasons are the tense security situation and the law on the reform of conscription into the Bundeswehr, which came into effect on January 1. Starting from July 1, 2027, all 18-year-old boys will be invited for mandatory medical examinations to determine their fitness for military service, even if they do not decide to serve in the army voluntarily. At the same time, mandatory service, which was suspended in 2011, may be partially reintroduced by a decision of the country's parliament. The so-called "military obligation as necessary" is planned to be activated if the required number of volunteers cannot be reached. By 2035, the number of active military personnel is expected to increase from 186,000 to 260,000. ## ## Some Germans Withdraw Their Refusals to Serve Mandatory service was suspended in 2011 but is still enshrined in the Basic Law. Thus, the right to refuse military service with weapons on grounds of conscience is maintained in accordance with Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Basic Law. Refusals of military service can be submitted not only by those who have not yet served but also by reservists and active military personnel. At the same time, there are also applicants who withdraw previously submitted refusals of military service. For instance, the newspaper Die Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung reported in April that there were 781 such cases last year, and 233 in the first quarter of this year.