Conscription in Germany - Exemption From Service

Exemption From Service

Women were not included in the draft, but they could serve voluntarily. Since 1975 women were allowed to serve in medical and music band functions. In 2001 the European Court of Justice ruled that limiting women to these functions was against European law. Subsequently all positions in the Bundeswehr were opened up for women.

Under a deal between the German Defense Ministry and the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Jews up to the third generation of Holocaust victims were exempt from military, but could still volunteer for military service. For decades, volunteering for military service was taboo in the German-Jewish community, but eventually, Jews began joining. In 2007, there were an estimated 200 Jewish soldiers serving in the Bundeswehr.

Men could be exempt from service for various reasons. The most frequent reason for exoneration was a medical exemption ("Ausmusterung"). All conscripts, including conscientious objectors but excluding those exempt for other reasons, had to attend a medical examination ("Musterung") at the local county draft bureau ("Kreiswehrersatzamt"). Those who did not fulfill certain standards did not have to serve, neither in the military nor in a civilian service.

Delinquents sentenced to more than a year or charged with a felony against peace, democracy, the state or state security were not drafted for military service.

Priests were not drafted. Another provision exonerated everyone from military service who has two siblings who have already served. Same was true for men whose father, mother or sibling died in a military or civil service. Men who are married, living in a registered civil union or have children were also free to choose.

Workers performing tasks in areas of important public interest could be exempted from military service on request. This mostly was valid for policemen, career firefighters and specialists in telecommunication or engineering services.