military service
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military service
Service in a country's armed forces, performed either voluntarily or as part of compulsory military service.
In vielen Ländern müssen junge Männer noch immer einen obligatorischen Militärdienst ableisten.
In many countries, young men still have to complete compulsory military service.
The word is a clear compound made up of 'Militär' (military) and 'Dienst' (service). So it literally means 'Dienst beim Militär' (service in the military).
Nach der Schule wusste er nicht, ob er studieren oder zuerst seinen Militärdienst machen sollte.
After school, he did not know whether he should study or do his military service first.
The most common and neutral verb used with 'Militärdienst' (military service) is 'leisten' (to perform, to do). You 'leistet seinen Militärdienst' (do/perform your military service).
Er hat seinen Militärdienst bei der Marine geleistet.
He did his military service in the navy.
Important expressions are also 'zum Militärdienst eingezogen werden' (to be drafted for military service), when it is compulsory, and 'den Militärdienst verweigern' (to refuse military service), when someone does not want to take part for reasons of conscience.
Mit 18 wurde er zum Militärdienst eingezogen.
At 18, he was drafted for military service.
service / duty
'der Dienst' and 'der Militärdienst' can both mean service in a state organization. However, 'Dienst' is much broader and can also mean other areas of government service or professional work in general. 'Militärdienst' is unambiguous: it is about service in a country's armed forces. If the military context is already clear, you can sometimes simply say 'Dienst'. Without this context, 'Militärdienst' is more precise and avoids misunderstandings.
Herr Hofmann spricht zu Hause oft über seinen Militärdienst.
At home, Mr. Hofmann often talks about his military service.
Beim Frühstück erzählt mein Bruder, dass der Dienst heute besonders früh beginnt.
At breakfast, my brother says that duty starts especially early today.