Editor's Note: The following text is from GlobalPost, which provides views — important, moving or just odd — from around the world.
By Siobhan Dowling, GlobalPost
The German military is changing. What was once a male bastion has slowly been taking on a more female hue, with women accounting for almost one in 10 of those serving in the armed forces.
Now the military, or Bundeswehr, says it wants to see even more women in its ranks. “Currently 9 percent of all soldiers are women,” Chief of Staff Volker Wieker told Bild am Sonntag this month. “Our goal is a combined ratio of 15 percent.”
To achieve that, the army intends to make itself more attractive to female recruits, in particular by improving family-friendly structures. Yet problems persist.
Already, the transformation has been rapid, with the Bundeswehr only really opening up to women just over a decade ago. While women were first allowed to join the Bundeswehr in 1975, they were confined to serving in the medical and music corps.
The idea of female soldiers serving in active combat, however, was still very much taboo. In fact, a ban was even anchored in the constitution.
That proved controversial. Some feminists wanted equal rights for women extended to the military. Others rejected the army as a pillar of patriarchal structures, while many on the left rejected anything to do with the military. Conservatives, meanwhile, were firmly against the notion of women fighting. Former Defense Minister Volker Rühe, a member of the conservative Christian Democrats, once said: “I don’t think much of women in tanks.”
Nevertheless, the ban was finally overturned in 2000 — not by German politicians but after a young electrician by the name of Tanja Kreil took her case to the European Court of Justice. She argued that her application to join the Bundeswehr had been rejected on the basis of her gender rather than qualifications. The court found in her favor, ruling that Germany was contravening European Union equality legislation.
As a result, Article 12a of the German constitution, known as the Basic Law, had to be changed. Instead of stating that women could not carry weapons, it now says women cannot be forced to carry weapons.
And once that hurdle was removed many more women began signing up.
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While there were around 4,500 women in the military in 2000, there are now just over 18,000, out of a total of 197,000 active soldiers. They can be found in all sections of the army, serving as military police officers, working as sonar technicians on U-boats or flying Tornado fighter planes. In fact Ulrike Flender, the first female fighter pilot, has been named one of Germany’s “100 greatest women” by mass circulation newspaper Bild.
Yet the opening up of the army to women has always been on a voluntary basis. That was not the case for men, until recently. They had to either do a year’s military service or opt for an alternative such as working in a hospital.
In 2011 conscription was scrapped as part of an overhaul of the German armed forces. A new streamlined professional army was to be created, more in keeping with Germany’s new military role in the world. With foreign deployments in places like Kosovo and Afghanistan, recruits that just spend a year in the forces are of little military use, yet training them is expensive. By cutting out the conscripts, the army is expected to save €8.3 billion ($11 billion).
Yet changing demographics, with fewer young people leaving school, as well as plummeting unemployment and even a looming skills shortage have meant that the army has had to up its game when it comes to recruiting professional soldiers. And that focus very much includes women, a relatively untapped potential source of new recruits.
Chief of Staff Volker Wieker insists that the Bundeswehr is making an effort to become more attractive to female recruits. “We have already built [daycares] in some of the bigger barracks,” he told Bild am Sonntag, adding that the intention is to further expand on the provision of daycare. "It's quite clear, we must clearly improve compatibility of family and career.”
Since 2005 there has been a so-called soldiers’ equality law, which is supposed to make it easier to combine a family with a military career, and includes flexible work schedules. Another aim of the legislation is to root out discrimination in the forces. Equality officers are assigned to units to ensure that it is adhered to.
However, the latest annual report by Hellmut Königshaus, the parliamentary commissioner to the military, found that the Bundeswehr was failing to deliver sufficiently on these family friendly measures, such as providing enough parent-child rooms or daycare facilities. The report pointed out, for example, that another 1,000 daycare places were still needed.
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Meanwhile, other problems persist for the women soldiers.
In a book written to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening up of the army to women, Bärbel Reichardt, herself an officer, related the experiences of these new female soldiers and revealed the discrimination they can sometimes face. “Somehow we always have per se a special position,” she wrote. “During officer training at the Bundeswehr, one is either treated very carefully by the male officers or rejected.”
That is echoed in a report by the Bundeswehr Institute of Social Sciences from 2008 which argued that the process of integrating women into the military “cannot be described as having been completed.”
For a start, it found that many male soldiers were not happy about the presence of female soldiers, and that they rated their female comrades’ abilities lower than other male soldiers. It also found that male soldiers saw women as competition when it came to promotion opportunities.
As a result of its research the institute recommended that intensive gender training be institutionalized in the army.
There is also another serious problem that many female soldiers face: sexual harassment and even assault.
Research by the institute found that 58 percent of female soldiers said they had been the subject of sexist or salacious comments, while 19 percent had had to deal with unwanted physical contact or attempts at such contact. Meanwhile 4.6 percent said that they were aware of sexual assault, including rape, or attempted assault in their units.
Nevertheless, in his latest annual report, parliamentary commissioner Könighaus was upbeat about the developments in the Bundeswehr. “Individual cases of misogynistic behaviour, including comments by comrades or superiors, or sexual harassment have been reported,” he wrote.
“Where this was proved, it has been punished either through disciplinary action or at times prosecution.”
Yet, on the whole the situation was improving, he found. “Aside from these individual cases, in areas with a high percentage of women the tone has become more respectful.”
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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When I was in the Germany Army, there were less than 40 women - all doctors and veterinarians. I never saw a female musician. I'm concerned also about the quota of 15% women - does that mean women will be turned away when 15% are already present, or that men will be turned away when they reach 85%? I hope Germany continues to enjoy the services of the best qualiified, not best qualified by gender.
Please give me more details on your time in german army.
You idiot jew, stop using my name.
Yes, there are still remnants of the Third Reich in today's "Bundeswehr". Those men would rather prefer that women could stay at home and take care of children, just in the old days when the three Ks – Kinder (children), Küche (kitchen) and Kirche (church), were part of the gender cliché. Indeed Germany doesn't have a dynamic demography and could do with a higher birthrate.
Joining the Army can feel like a big step. There’s a process which helps check that you’re right for the Army, and that the Army is right for you. As part of this process, you’ll also get help choosing a job.
100 % ethio, watch your mouth or someone will kick your natzi sorry a$$ . german army is a joke . you know it i know it . shut your pie hole . losers
I am not using your name, I am using mine.
i'm gay
me too, I gay, you want to boogie!
"Doctors and veterinarians".....Veterinarians ARE doctors.
Perhaps they should put a few on their national soccer team! And so should Italy! Hey, you never know, they might win the European Cup next time around!
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe and the Americas. It has a vivid and interesting history in the world of sports. Early evidence of soccer being played as a sport finds occurrence in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC.
No need any women personal. Nazis cry like little girls when they loose wars.
Keep it "loose" brother.
Women who played with themselves in an MRI machine helped scientists show that, from buildup to peak, an O lights up your brain like the night sky on the Fourth of July.
Soccer rules!
Jihad rules!
Camel steaks rules!
Couscous rules!
Thanks for using my name! If you want to respond to someone's comment, you should use your own name! Moron!
90% of jew morons are Psychopathic. Since, their is no correct medication created, all sick Jews are spewing their ill-feelings here.
Go and fight to expand the Jewish State, before you retired.
********
Having a female Soldiers is good.
NO!? WHAT? Actually jews are much smarter than germans . you are just jealous . you seem very barbaric and uneducated to be honest, typical .
90% of them are smarter than you too.
Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer – Jihad rules nothing! Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer – Who are you calling a moron? Moron!
LOL! OK, you can use my user name for now but try to be a little more civil!
That is as long as you perpetuate the hate against anything no islamic, we can come to an agreement.
Thanks in part to movies featuring loser teens abusing freshly baked pies, playing with yourself has a rep as a last resort for the desperate and dateless. Not true. It's practically a national pastime–and not just for guys. In a 1993 survey by psychologist Carol Rinkleib Ellison, Ph.D., the author of Women's S, 75 percent said they had thrown a party for one in the past three months.
j
100 % ETHIO Who are you calling a Jew?
I'm calling you a Jew!
What's your problem, you don't like posting to me? I am you! We are not Schizos!
So Germany wants more female fighters. The question here is, just who are they going to fight against, seeing that Germany has no current enemies? The only reason that they even have troops in Afghanistan is at the behest of Washington for PR purposes.
I see that Phunnie boy is back. Now I expect him to mimic what I just said above!
Oops sorry but Phunnie boy is one of my many monikers. I forgot. It must be the brain tumour!
I love all Jews and I wish I could convert.
100% piece of crap is an islamist piece of crap who has no idea what he is talking about. Ignore him!
Patick-2, you show your ignorance. The reason Germany is in Afghanistan is because of their commitment to abide by their NATO treaty! Any Nato member that is at war, can request assistance from any other Nato member.
Who are you calling ignorant, stoopid.
I tells it like it is.
Even an army composed solely of German females would be enough to roll over France.
Lo to funny.
...and the "marine" us sissyboys
The German females are the most beautiful, intriguing little things in the entire universe...
lol good one
Who doesn't? Hahahahahahahahaha
I thought the name of the German Army was the Wehrmacht?
Germany's Army was called Wehrmacht from 1935 to 1945. Bundeswehr was formed after the fall of the Nazis. Loosely translated, Bundeswehr means "federal defense force".
The world is over populated. Women need to go to work instead of raising children.
And some men should be clipped.
well I guess someone has to cook and clean.
calm down it was just a joke.
Were there to be any real fighting, these units which function more as social welfare providers than military units would be overrun by any army worth its salt. Germany might as well disband its army entirely if it has forgotten that the whole point of a military is to fight, not to promote liberal values.
LEAPS AND LEAPS OF LOGIC!
hmm, since European women done shave as American women do, that could be quite hairy!! LOL
Why not? They've had nine of them for quite a while. Just listen to Wagner.
Everybody knows the following things about Spider-Man:
1) He can spin a web, any size.
2) He catches thieves, just like flies.
3) He's totally rad
I am impatiently waiting for your next grunt!
Go OINK OINK!
Eat like a piggy!
Which side of Angela Shelf Medearis do you know? The feathers-and-sequins-wearing cookbook author who has strutted her culinary prowess on "Dr. Oz" and the "Today" show, not to mention her own public television cooking program? Or the prolific children's book author (as in roughly 100 of them)?
The opposite of technology is silence.
I have an office at work, where I sit alone. But it’s never silent. I have a regular phone that rings and a cell phone that buzzes with each text or call I receive. I have my Facebook profile open, so I see when someone has tagged me or posted on my wall. And of course there are e-mails, work and personal. Then I have my blogs – the ones where I read and write and comment. At any given time I can be carrying on three to five conversations simultaneously. Thanks to technology, I never have to be silent. But I do have to clear out some silent space if I’m ever going to get work done. So I put the phone away. I close a few tabs on my browser and I focus. But if I’ve got a phone and a computer, just about anybody can reach
Crying Wolf, you are stupid jew.
You are the leftovers from Dr. Hitler.
You never contributed for the establishments of Canada and U.S., but you simply got shelters by running-away from Dr. Hitler.
The jew never respected me, so why do I?
If Germany (and US) stops fighting Israel's wars, there would be no need for additional soldiers.
Germans can have millions of women in their army if they want to but if you go to war with civilized world again you will get the same punishment you got in the past. Hiding behind women will not save you. let this be a warning to german army
me.
I translate for you.
If only could disown Israel, we could take them on easier-maybe-I dont know but still I went see Jews by themself so that I can kill him.
Awww, pumpkin, sounds like you put your panties on backwards this morning?
Trolls suck .
I didn't post anything above. Why someone is using my name? That's Utter.
No, that's Butter!
No, No I mean Cutter! ha crabs!
Krav Maga Women
Women have played a role in Israeli fighting history from the very beginning.
Today Krav Maga/Israeli self defense training, is being used to empower women around the world by preparing them for whatever might come their way. The style is perfect for today's independent busy woman and, in fact, has been adopted by many as their exercise and safety plan of choice.These women develop practical skills and practical strength and fitness; combat fitness.
For years Krav Maga has been providing training and education to Israeli women in:
Awareness – Know what is out there
Prevention – Know how to avoid trouble
Response – Knowing how to respond to a threat or attack in real-time.
Self-Realization – Knowledge of your own physical power, confidence that you know how to handle yourself.
Today this is available to anyone who wants it and is willing to invest in themselves.
Shill
A person engaged in covert advertising. The shill attempts to spread buzz by personally endorsing the product in public forums with the pretense of sincerity, when in fact he is being paid for his services.
what's the difference between a shill and a troll?
They are both called Yoshi.
Islamic punk!
it would be very interesting to see a future scenario of high ranking woman of the militaries making combat ready planning and missions
bs
its sad to see what germany has become...
Females are the most beautiful, intriguing little things in the entire universe...
How the hell is The Fatherland supposed to reconquer Europe and create The Fourth Reich with an army of women??
They will scream at the enemy or pull their hair...
Mit a lot of Wienersshnitzl?
Fraulein, you say the cutest things.
I confess. I am Jewish! It's so good to finally get it off my chest!
I lie so well dont I.
Actually, I am a jihadist trying to confuse you.
I am doing good, yeah?
Why are you trying to confuse me? Are we confused? Why? We are Jewish! Admit it and we'll have peace.
No confused.
My imam told me to go to CNN and lie and lie and lie...
I happy to lie and lie and lie...
I know nothing so I lie and lie and lie...
Are we confused yet?
We are not confused. We are clear in that we are Jews mascarading.
To us Muslims, it is in our nature to be invidious of anyone better than us like the Jews.
Or Americans
or Mexicans
Or Indians
or Malian
or Bangladesh
or Nepalese
or Mormons
but never muslims
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooops, sorry allah!
The Congolese female Pygmy troops are a vast array of cunning runts, The German female troops are a vast array of running...
islamic punk!
another islamic punk!
No you are.
i know you are but what am I?
You're a lumberjack and you're okay.
I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay I sleep all night and I work all day
Really sorry for the dual display of personalities. Sometimes, when I forget to follow the treatment prescribed for my condition, I do things like dual posting. Will try to be better, I don't promise.
There is a chemical imbalance in my brain. Makes me do all sort of things.
100% Ethio: What do you do at Website.com?
One problem here might be that the German women are not quite as nihilstic as the American ones are. Seriously speaking here, neither men nor women should see any glory in killing other people. Killing is but one thing, bad, bad and bad!!!!
That was well stated even if I do say so myself! Thank you, Patrick.
Hey, wait a minute, I did say so myself!
ahahahahaha...
Thank you Phunnie boy!
nudge nudge wink wink say no more you know what I mean?
Does she go does she go?
I so smart.
Hey, I take that back. I was suffering from brain tumour. I no no what I was saying. Ahh crabs!
Stop screwing around and get back to work.
Hey all you Morons, us Latino's are the smartest, hard workinest, innovative race in the whole world. So kiss my brown As*! AAAAAeeeeeeeliaaaaaaalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalal!
SuperHombre=islamic pig
Esse, learn to spell then come back and post.
Thay gust sent one to Canada ?pnm.
Maybe you have no idea what your say!
Dude, that was painful... what the fudge did you just write?
Germans can have millions of women if they want to but if you go to war with civilized world again you will get the same punishment you got in the past. Hiding behind women will not save you .
I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.
These women will kick your islamic butt all over the fukking desert. Moron|!
Please qwriters, let's not have any more of this filthy Tea Party lingo here on this web site. It has no place here!
I collect tea cups.
I am abssesses with tea cups. They are so dainty. I lift my pinky when I drink tea.
I see that Phunnie boy managed to usurp your name too, Joseph. He seems to be doing it to all of us here. I want to say Joseph, that I too have a loathing for that filthy Tea Party lingo and that's something that Phunnie boy can't do anything about!!!!!!!!
Who is funny boy?
Well, he is my evil twin.
Mom says I have to look after it.
Yo yo yo dawg... abssesses?
Do you really want the world to know you're dense?
I didn't realize the Bundeswehr had fighters. I thought they were all designated for noncombat roles.
Maybe the men weren't tough enough and they're trying a different approach.
So I played it smart and did a minimum of research and here is what I found to answer my own question,
What is the Buneswehr:
The German Bundeswehr (Germany's National Defense Force, Recognized as the German Army) is Arguably Europe's most Advanced and well Trained Military. Their Infantry's Equipment is almost completely German with only a few Exceptions. Their Armament consists of the Heckler&Koch G36K Karabiner Main Assault Rifle, the HK USP .40 Pistol, HK MP5 (Various Models), MG3 Heavy Machinegun, the HK21 Light Machinegun, and is Supposed to soon be Armed with the Futuristic HK G11 Assault Rifle to add on to the Already Formidable Armament. They also have Various Eurocopters, almost all License Built in Germany like the EC635 and the EC725.
The Bundeswehr's most Recent Missions, per se, is Peacekeeping Missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan as the ISAF.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_good_is_the_bundeswehr#ixzz1znJDhK85
maybe more women will make a better joy for foreign troops.
A big LOL to you NorCalMojo, german army is definitly not the most advance army at all.German army/military has always been beaten in history. Hitler knew this . hitler told his people a(master race)lie , germans bought it and tough that being racist and delusional help them to win wars. result: Germany got the worst military defeat in history. being racist did not make them a master race but the most defeated race .
You have done research and come to this conclusion.
Or, you pulled these "facts" out of your entry.
Hello folks. Everyone is always welcome to visit – thestarofkaduri.com
Europe, although it’s a small continent has culture steeping all through it. Compare East European women with West European women and you will find a world of differences. Women from the western part of the continent are perhaps more attuned toward the American way of life but if it is mystery you are looking at you should concentrate on the beautiful East European ladies.^'
Best regards
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