About two years ago, the Department of Defense launched attractiveness measures to attract young recruits for extended service in the military. The package of measures under the motto “My service for Austria” is not exactly a blow, as the current figures show. Initially there were more than 600 interested parties, now there are just over 100.
As part of making basic military service more attractive, since March 2021, after completing basic military service in the form of a functional service (FD), there has been the option to volunteer for security guard assistance at the state border for three months. This FD is renewable once for another three months. The soldiers receive a net amount of more than 3,000 euros per month.
This was, among other things, intended to create an attractive bridging opportunity for young military personnel, for example until they start studying. But also the possibility to win considerably more conscripts for the army
interest has plummeted
In the beginning there was a lot of interest in the model, there were more than 600 interested in April 2021, but the first malaise came in July 2021 with just over 20 reports, in the first half of 2022 there were again more than 200 volunteers, in July 2022 only 140 – currently there are just over 100.
Ministry locates Motivation problem
The Ministry of Defense cites several reasons for this development: the majority of conscripts have already served three months at the border in Eastern Austria as part of their basic military service and are therefore not interested in another three months. A conscript called up in western Austria is difficult to motivate to complete the security police assistance mission after basic military service in eastern Austria.
Advertising should be increased
In addition, the labor market has been consolidated in recent months. The demand for labor is increasing. Also with the police. And, according to the ministry, Generation “Z” (born between 1995 and 2010) have a different approach to “work-life balance”. Money alone no longer plays such an important role, according to the interpretation of the department. And there are different indent dates. High school graduates would accept the offer much more than others, according to the ministry, which now wants to increase advertising measures for “Mein Dienst für Österreich”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
