The Bundeswehr and the Community : Germany

In peacetime supreme command of the armed forces lies with the Federal Minister of Defence, in the event of war with the Federal Chancellor. Parliamentary control of the Bundeswehr is exercised by the Bundestag committees, especially the Defence Committee. An important role is also played by the Defence Commissioner of the German Bundestag, who is elected by parliament for a five-year term. His task is to protect the constitutional rights of servicemen. Every member of the armed services has the right to complain to him directly without going through his superiors.

The Commissioner may demand information and access to files from military units and visit any Bundeswehr facility unannounced. He submits an annual report to the Bundestag on the complaints he has received. General conscription indicates a country’s intention to defend itself and at the same time serves to integrate the armed forces into the community as a whole. Apart from having the civic duty to serve in the armed forces, the individual has a basic right to refuse on grounds of conscience. Under Article 4 of the Basic Law, no one may be forced against his conscience into military service involving armed combat. Anyone recognized as a conscientious objector is no longer under obligation to serve in the armed forces. Instead he must complete 13 months of alternative civilian service.