German military prepares for offensive operations.

[Pekka]

Sounds interesting. However, I doubt you need draft.

Interesting plans, we'll see how it develops. I think it's about the right time German military prepares for offensives as well.

[Hueij]

Originally posted by Pekka
I think it's about the right time German military prepares for offensives as well.

A German offensive force?? Not in my lifetime

[Tripledoc]

Originally posted by Ned
oedo, does Germany have the equivalent of our West Point, etc.?

There is the Universität der Bundeswehr München and the Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg.

[oedo]

I don´t think so, but I don´t know much about West Point.
I know about two universities the Bundeswehr owns, one is in Hamburg, another one in Munich.
Hamburg and Munich are comparable to civil universities and you can study subjects you can also study at a civil university. the difference is, going there means you have to join the bundeswehr for at least 8 years. they are said to offer a very good education.

also there´s an officer´s academy in Hamburg. (http://www.fueakbw.de/index.php) before you are promoted to a higher rank you need to pass certain seminars and tests there.

I don´t know any more details, but I hope that could answer your question.

[Ned]

I was just wondering why you needed a draft to get higher educated Germans to join the army. The United States, we have three military academies, one for each of the services, run by US government, the Virginia Military Institute, and numerous ROTC programs in other colleges.

[Tripledoc]

For a greater strategic picture.
Here is an interesting map of installed European Wind Energy. Note Germany's supremacy.

Accobatreader.http://www.ewea.org/documents/WIND_CAP_JUNE03.pdf

[Kirnwaffen]

I think that conscription is necessary in Germany largely due to an understandable distaste for most things military that is common there. And yes, the universities mentioned are roughly equivalent to the American military academies.

[oedo]

Originally posted by Ned
I was just wondering why you needed a draft to get higher educated Germans to join the army.

with high education I meant something different. going to university (no matter whether civil or bundeswehr)requires an "abitur". that´s the highest degree you can gain at school (maybe comparable to an highschool exam). problem is, least people with an abitur consider joining the Bundeswehr. even worse: among the "Abiturients" there´s the highest rate of people claiming conscious objection.
Kirnwaffen pointed the whole "problem" out.

[Tripledoc]

Didn't Germany introduce conscription for women too?

[Sava]

Germany preparing offensive forces...

that irks me a little more than Japan preparing offensive forces.

[Kirnwaffen]

that irks me a little more than Japan preparing offensive forces.

It really shouldn't. I think you'll find the German people of today a bit more responsible than they were in the 30s/40s. Besides that, part of an effective defense is an ability to hit back.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Hueij
A German offensive force?? Not in my lifetime

Why? It's well past time for them to get back to the national sport of invading France.

[Kuciwalker]

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Why? It's well past time for them to get back to the national sport of invading France.

Nah, we cheat, now that we have nukes.

[DinoDoc]

You'd surrender before pressing the button.