Patrick Zensburg, who chairs the Union of German Reserves and once served as a CDU member of the Bundestag, has voiced a blunt assessment of the German Bundeswehr reserve. He argues that the reserve has been left to drift and is now in a state closer to neglect than to readiness. The comments came during an interview with a German publication, the Stuttgarter Zeitung, in which Zensburg laid out his concerns about how the reserve is currently functioning and what would be needed to restore its effectiveness.
Zensburg observed that, at present, the reserve is largely symbolic rather than operational. He described a force that sits largely on paper, lacking the equipment, training, and organizational cohesion required to act as a credible deterrent. In his view, this is not just an issue of morale but a practical deficiency that could undermine national security if a crisis were to arise. To address the shortfalls, he called for a comprehensive overhaul that includes better gear, improved infrastructure, and a more robust organizational framework for the reserve.
A key point made by Zensburg centers on participation in training. He noted that reservists currently enjoy a degree of voluntariness when it comes to taking part in exercises. His proposal would shift this dynamic by requiring a minimum commitment: every two years, each reservist would be expected to undergo at least 14 days of military training. He framed this as a necessary step to ensure that the reserve maintains a baseline level of readiness and can be mobilized effectively when needed. The idea is to anchor readiness in repeated, predictable training rather than leaving proficiency to chance or personal choice.
The German reserve force is sizeable, consisting of more than 115,000 personnel. This substantial pool represents a significant potential for rapid expansion and specialized capability if properly organized and equipped. The discussion around strengthening the reserve has been part of a broader strategic debate in Germany about how to balance conscription policies, voluntary service, and the need for a ready defense posture. In February 2023, the Free Democratic Party of Germany proposed an emphasis on bolstering the Bundeswehr’s reserve as an alternative to restoring compulsory military service, which had been discontinued in 2011. This political proposal reflects a wider public conversation about efficiency, sustainability, and the best model for sustaining long term national defense.
There is also a public accountability dimension to this topic. Former German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has asserted that the Bundeswehr would face significant challenges in defending the country if an attack occurred in the near term. His assessment underscores the urgency of addressing gaps in both structure and capability, including the reserve, so that Germany can deter aggression and respond decisively. The combined perspective from Zensburg, the 115,000-strong reserve roster, and political and defense leadership highlights a national security debate that touches on funding, modernization, training mandates, and the balance between voluntary service and mandatory components.
The core issue across these discussions is the gap between the theoretical importance of a large, capable reserve and the practical means to maintain it in a state that can be deployed effectively. Preparedness is not just about having people in uniform; it is about ensuring those individuals have current training, reliable equipment, and a clear obligation to participate in exercises on a regular basis. Without these elements, a reserve force cannot act as a credible deterrent, and it may struggle to integrate smoothly with active-duty units when rapid mobilization is required.
Proponents of reform emphasize a multi-faceted approach. Investment in modern gear and communications systems can bridge the distance between reserve and active components. Strengthened training pipelines, standardized readiness criteria, and improved logistics support would help move a largely paper-based status into a practical, ready-to-deploy capability. Additionally, creating more consistent participation requirements could help sustain the discipline and skill level necessary for effective joint operations. In practice, a plan of this nature would need to align with broader defense budgets and procurement timelines, ensuring that equipment availability, maintenance cycles, and training facilities keep pace with the stated goals.
Experts and policymakers alike stress that reform is not about compulsion for its own sake but about ensuring that the reserve remains a reliable and credible option in any future security scenario. A reoriented reserve could serve as a flexible augmentation for active forces, provide critical support during large-scale exercises, and contribute to regional stability through rapid mobilization when political and strategic circumstances demand it. The debate also touches on the role of reserve personnel in peacetime activities, humanitarian missions, and international deployments where a skilled reserve can bring valuable capabilities to multinational operations.
In summary, the discourse around the German Bundeswehr reserve centers on turning a sizable but underprepared pool of personnel into a functional, dependable arm of national defense. The proposals call for better equipment, a comprehensive reorientation, and a structured training mandate that ensures all reservists participate regularly. The goal is not merely to preserve a ceremonial status but to build a deterrent that is credible, interoperable with active forces, and capable of operational deployment when the nation faces threats. As policymakers weigh these changes, the outcome will likely shape the future balance between voluntary service and mandatory participation, as well as the overall posture of Germany’s defense readiness in an evolving security landscape.