Germany: One in three Bundeswehr volunteers unfit for service, expansion at risk

Germany's Bundeswehr reports that one in three volunteer applicants is deemed unfit for service, complicating plans to grow from ~184,000 to 265,000 active personnel plus a 200,000-strong reserve. The fitness shortfall threatens force expansion targets amid heightened European defense needs. Uncertainty remains over how recruitment standards or training will adapt to meet the shortfall.