Almost a quarter more new soldiers from Saxony

111 minors recruited from Saxony

The proportion of underage recruits has fallen in Saxony: 111 new soldiers were only 17 years old at the time of recruitment, which corresponds to a proportion of 13.3 percent (previous year: 14.1 percent). This puts Saxony above the national average of 10.9 percent.

The Ministry of Defense explained that applicants are only recruited at the age of 17 at the earliest and only with the consent of their legal guardians. Applicants would also have to pass a physical and psychological aptitude test.

The profession of soldier is a special one, which is why all applicants must have considered both the opportunities and risks of the service in detail. The 17-year-olds would also not take part in guard duty or foreign missions and would only use weapons for training purposes.

408 of the new soldiers from Saxony began their service as temporary soldiers. A further 411 signed up as voluntary military service conscripts and 13 as voluntary military service conscripts in homeland security.