There’s a crisis in Europe’s armies: soldiers are leaving en masse – Politico

European soldiers are leaving the military “precisely when NATO needs them.” People are being deterred by chronic overtime and months-long absences from home. Western authorities are striving to convince military personnel to stay in service as the West faces a shortage of army personnel.

This is reported by Politico.

“The focus is no longer so much on recruiting new soldiers as it is on convincing existing military personnel not to leave,” the article states.

For example, in France, soldiers are staying in the army on average one year less than before. In the UK, the annual personnel shortfall amounts to 1,100 soldiers, equivalent to two infantry battalions. Meanwhile, in Germany, over 1,500 soldiers left the Bundeswehr in 2023, reducing its strength to 181,514 individuals.

Soldiers are reluctant to extend contracts, and in many cases, they opt for civilian service due to more attractive financial conditions. Many EU countries are preparing to increase salaries and pensions for military personnel, introduce various bonuses, including the possibility for spouses to change jobs to keep the family together.

Western countries want to expand their armies, and some are even considering reinstating conscription amid statements about the threat of war between NATO and Russia.