The Bundeswehr’s Personnel Strategy after 2016

Abstract

As a result of the reform of the Bundeswehr, which began in early 2010, its personnel have been drastically reduced.  However, according to the new foreign and security policy  guidelines developed during 2014–2016, the ‘Munich  Consensus’, Germany must take a stronger international  and military role, which requires the development of the  armed forces, including personnel reform. Despite years of  underfunding, bureaucratic hurdles and a series of  scandals, the Bundeswehr has managed to increase its  personnel since 2016, while launching some initiatives to  make it a more attractive employer. The question remains  whether all this will be enough to achieve the new German  strategic ambitions.