The German armed forces (Bundeswehr) conducted over 2,000 school visits across the country during the first quarter of this year, according to data obtained by the publication from the Federal Ministry of Defense in response to an inquiry by the Left party. This figure includes scheduled visits for the period.
Bayern accounted for the vast majority of these school visits, totaling 562 appearances. This represents roughly half the number of visits expected for the entire year 2025, when the Bundeswehr is projected to have conducted just over 1,100 appearances in the state. North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, was also a frequent location for military presence, with 291 scheduled events. Following these were Lower Saxony (269) and Baden-Württemberg (219), ranked third and fourth, respectively. Additionally, 20 visits took place at universities nationwide.
Although the Bundeswehr is permitted to visit schools and discuss security policies, it is fundamentally not allowed to conduct active recruitment for service. In recent years, the number of these school visits has shown a significant increase.
Nicole Gohlke, the Left party’s spokesperson for education policy and a Member of the Bundestag, criticized this trend. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” she stated, “Despite the assurances from the Ministry of Defense, the figures clearly show that the intention to recruit cannot be dismissed”. Gohlke added that the presence of uniformed youth officers and career counselors at schools are strategic means intended to accustom minors to the military.