For the past decade, the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have been a presence at Gamescom, the world's largest video game trade fair held in Cologne. The event, running from August 26-30, is a magnet for young people, making it a strategic location for military recruitment.
Last year, two-thirds of non-industry visitors were male, with over 40% aged between 16 and 25. This is precisely the demographic the Bundeswehr needs to attract as it aims to expand its ranks to 260,000 active-duty soldiers by 2035. The German government has allocated hundreds of billions of euros to modernize its military in response to global security challenges.
The Bundeswehr first set up a booth at Gamescom in 2016 and has returned every year since. This year's main attractions include a new olive-green Caracal off-road vehicle and laptops from the Bundeswehr's Center for Cyber Operations, where visitors can try hacking under supervision.
Another station offers VR headsets for a glimpse into life aboard a naval vessel, with pilots, aircraft mechanics, and air traffic controllers presenting their professions in 3D. Fit mountain infantry soldiers also invite visitors to test their strength on a pull-up bar.
New this year is a career lounge offering "career counseling sessions." Lt. Gen. Robert Sieger, president of the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Personnel Management, emphasized: "War is not a game. We need people comfortable with technology, but not those who think we're playing a shooter." He sees the booth as essential for educating the public about the Bundeswehr's role in national security.
However, the Bundeswehr's presence has drawn criticism from peace groups. The German Peace Society — United War Resisters, along with activists like Marius Pletsch, argue that the military uses inappropriate slogans to lure young people and distorts the reality of military service. They have set up a booth outside the exhibition halls to inform visitors about conscientious objection.
Visitor opinions are mixed. Dennis, a 22-year-old computer science student, called the Bundeswehr "morally questionable, but a good employer," though he said it's not for him. Dominik, 26, welcomed the military's presence and is considering a career in cyber defense. This article was originally written in German.
Source: www.dw.com