Military alternative service
As alternative military service (referred to in Article 12a para. 2 of the Basic Law "alternative service") refers to services instead of military service for serving their military service can be made. In principle, military service is the normal form. There is no right to choose between him and civilian service as alternative military service. On the basis of Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Basic Law, there is a right to be recognized as a conscientious objector for reasons of conscience. Other forms of alternative military service are generally recognized by the legislature due to their non-profit nature and can be recognized with the consent of the competent authority.
Alternative service in Germany until June 2011
In Germany, some groups of people were exempt from compulsory military service (e.g. police officers and priests). Others were not required to do military service due to their state of health. There were also opportunities to complete military service through a multi-year commitment at z. B. to replace the volunteer fire brigade or the technical relief organization. And there was the possibility to refuse military service and to do community service. With the suspension of compulsory military service in Germany on July 1, 2011, community service was also suspended. For volunteers, the Federal Volunteer Service was launched on July 1, 2011 as a “successor” to community service .
Community service as a result of conscientious objection
Conscripts who submit an application for conscientious objection (“ conscientious objection application”) are exempt from military service after they have been recognized, but can be used for civilian activities in the event of a defense . As a rule, recognized conscientious objectors performed civilian service as alternative military service.
Recognized objectors also had the opportunity to do another service abroad (ADiA). In the context of international understanding, recognized conscientious objectors performed various missions. The service lasted two months longer than regular community service.
Recognized conscientious objectors who, for reasons of conscience, were unable to do community service (e.g. Jehovah's Witnesses ) were given the opportunity to work in a hospital or other facility for treatment, care and support instead. The employment relationship lasted a year longer than the community service.
Obligation in civil or disaster control
A multi-year obligation to participate in civil or disaster control in accordance with Section 13a of the Compulsory Military Service Act or Section 14 of the Civil Service Act could replace military service. The commitment period changed with the length of the military service. In contrast to civil or military service, you could continue your usual life, as the duties in addition to z. B. to study or work. Recognition as a helper, however, presupposed that the responsible disaster control authority had given its approval.
The service in civil or disaster control could be performed at the following organizations:
- technical aid organization
- German Life Saving Society
- German Red Cross
- Johanniter Accident Aid
- Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Germany
- Maltese relief service
- Management units of the disaster control authorities
- Volunteer fire brigade (the service last lasted four years)
Development service
Development workers from recognized development aid organizations were no longer used for military or community service after two years of activity.
Voluntary social or ecological year
From June 2002 it was possible for recognized objectors to do their service in the form of a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or a Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ).
Law enforcement service
Persons who belonged to the enforcement service of the police of a state or the federal government or were accepted for this by written notice were not used for military or community service. Likewise, it was not used who was obliged to perform border patrol duty .
Alternative service in the GDR
In the German Democratic Republic (DDR) of the alternative military service meant a service in the People's Police , the Transport Police , the Ministry of State Security , the units of the civil defense or the units of the National People's Army ( construction soldiers ). In addition to training in military activities, there were other specific training contents. In the "barracked units of the MdI" of the GDR for the (motor) rifle units, for example, the actions as closed formations in the maintenance of public order.
There was no choice between military service and “alternative military service”; one could either be called up for military service with the NVA or for alternative military service with the riot or transport police. MfS and ZV selected potential candidates beforehand; Conscientious objectors were usually called up to the construction soldiers (coll. "Spatensoldaten"). Due to the fact that these facts were largely unknown in the civilian sector, it could happen that the stamp "WED" on the military service card would later lead to disadvantages.
