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Germersheim (dpa / lrs) - The first 21 voluntary military service in homeland security in the air force were welcomed in Rhineland-Palatinate on Wednesday.
"I warmly welcome the young women and men and am pleased with their commitment and their decision for us," said the Deputy Inspector of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Ansgar Rieks in Germersheim.
According to the Bundeswehr, the soldiers are now starting their three-month basic training at the Roth (in Bavaria) and Germersheim locations.
For the Bundeswehr, the added value of the new voluntary service lies in the targeted training of reserve forces who, for example, could be called upon to protect air force properties throughout Germany in a crisis situation.
But these would also be used in severe natural disasters to help people in need.
The Bundeswehr intends to use the new voluntary service to provide additional personnel for crisis and disaster operations in Germany.
1000 men and women are to be trained in the first year.
The service consists of seven months of military training and reservist assignments over the next six years.
There is also criticism of the new service.
Among other things, the left-wing defense politician Alexander Neu had declared that it made more sense to adequately finance blue light organizations like THW.
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