THE GERMAN MILITARY IS COMING STATESIDE TO PARADISE


By bblouin
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Tracy W. King, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF) commander and Sgt. Maj. David M. Elliott, sergeant major of MARFOREUR/AF pose for a group photo with German Army soldiers after a ceremony at the Belleau German military cemetery on May 27, 2023.

Today, the German military, also known as the Bundeswehr, is one of our biggest allies in Europe. Both the United States and Germany are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ramstein Air Base, about an hour and a half away from Frankfurt, Germany. In many cases, our interests are in alignment. This is why it makes perfect sense that Germany’s military is headed to Hawaii for patrol deployments throughout the Pacific Ocean. Suggested read: Can the New Women Teams Initiative Help US Navy Recruiting?

How Big Is the German Military?

While it’s hard to tell exactly how many people are a part of the German military, it’s estimated that active duty personnel is nearly 182,000. More than 81,000 civilians also helping with operations. The German military Bundeswehr ranks as one of the largest in the world. It is the second-largest in Europe trailing only France. Various service branches make up the military in Germany. This includes the German Army, Navy, Air Force, Joint Support Service, Joint Medical Service, and Cyber and Information Domain Service. Whether or not the size of those serving among the German military ranks grows from foreign fighters could change over the next few years. Some movements have an interesting way of increasing troops for the nation’s defense. Related read: 5% of Army Jobs to Be Cut, However, Soldiers Still Needed

Can Foreigners Join the Bundeswehr?

According to Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany is weighing the idea of allowing foreign citizens to serve in the German military. The proposal would include the possibility of Europeans from non-European Union (EU) countries. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius introduced the idea to address a severe personnel shortage. Now, the idea is gaining support from lawmakers across party lines, though implementation details remain unclear. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), is suggesting opening the German Army to EU and non-EU European countries. Strack-Zimmermann emphasizes the need for a broader, more European perspective, aligning with efforts towards a European army, while also a potential NATO involvement. While the proposal aims to spark discussion on the future of the Bundeswehr, not solely to address personnel shortages, this is still a major consideration. The involvement of NATO is contingent on political developments in member countries like the US and Canada. Additionally, it could provide an opportunity for non-German residents in Germany. This includes those born and raised there but without German citizenship, to serve in the Army and potentially expedite their citizenship process. Conflicts around the world are highlighting the need for a strong fighting force. Leaders within the German military, along with politicians, believe the Army should boost its capabilities over the next five to eight years.

The German Military Says Aloha to Hawaii

Summer 2024 is going to be a sunny one for members of the German military as they prepare to deploy to the Pacific. To top things off, Deutschland is looking to set up a permanent military position in Hawaii. Aiming to shift its strategy, the Bundeswehr would add a permanent military liaison position at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM). This isn’t an overnight development as Germany is looking to have more of an established presence in the Pacific. This includes previous deployments and exercises in the South China Sea. Paradise will have both Germany’s Air Force and Navy take part in the largest naval war game in the world, the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), which takes place between June and July 2024. Throughout 2023, German military officials were holding meetings with American leaders in preparation for the moves. This all comes as Germany shifts its view on China as a rival. This is due to the nation’s aggressive tactics in the South China Sea. Powerful displays in the South China Sea means that China is establishing a greater presence in a vital trade route. This includes putting military bases on disputed islands and attacking fishermen from other nations. On its way to the South China Sea, the German Navy is going to stop in India, Singapore, and even Japan before arriving in Hawaii, and San Diego. The German military has other deployments involving France and Spain. This will see its air force reach Alaska and Japan around the same timeframe. Once in Japan, half will go to RIMPAC with the other half heading to Australia. Read next: Discover LA’s Japanese American National Museum


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