military service
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military service
Legally required or voluntary service in a country's armed forces. It includes military training and deployment for national defense.
Mein Großvater musste nach der Schule seinen Wehrdienst bei der Bundeswehr leisten.
After school, my grandfather had to do his military service in the Bundeswehr.
The word is made up of 'Wehr' and 'Dienst'. 'Wehr' comes from the verb 'sich wehren' (to defend oneself), and 'Dienst' means 'service'. So it is literally a 'defense service'.
Der Wehrdienst soll junge Bürger auf die Landesverteidigung vorbereiten.
Military service is intended to prepare young citizens for national defense.
The most common verb combination is 'den Wehrdienst leisten' or 'ableisten' (to do military service). If someone is forced into service, you say they are 'zum Wehrdienst eingezogen' (drafted for military service).
Er hat seinen Wehrdienst bei der Marine geleistet.
He did his military service in the navy.
For a long time, Germany had 'Wehrpflicht' (compulsory military service), which was suspended in 2011. However, the topic remains politically and socially relevant.
Viele Väter und Großväter in Deutschland mussten noch den Wehrdienst leisten.
Many fathers and grandfathers in Germany still had to do military service.
conscription
Both words relate to military service, but Wehrpflicht refers to the legal obligation to serve. Wehrdienst, on the other hand, is the service actually performed and can also be voluntary. Use Wehrpflicht when talking about the state-imposed obligation and Wehrdienst when talking about the specific period of service in the armed forces.
Sein Wehrdienst bei den Streitkräften dauerte nach der Schule fast ein Jahr.
His military service in the armed forces lasted almost a year after he finished school.
Wegen der Wehrpflicht musste er nach der Schule für eine bestimmte Zeit dienen.
Because of conscription, he had to serve for a certain period after finishing school.
