Bundeswehr

f; nur Sg.; MIL. (German) armed forces Pl.

* * *

die Bundeswehr

(Deutschland) German armed forces

* * *

The Bundeswehr is the name for the German armed forces. It came into being in 1955, originally as a volunteer army. Since 1956, however, every male between the ages of 18 and 30 has been liable for Wehrdienst (military service), or a non-military alternative. Currently the Bundeswehr is composed of men performing their military service, soldiers serving voluntarily for a set period of between 2 and 15 years, and professional soldiers. Women are not liable for military service but since 2001 have been able to join the forces as volunteers. See: → Bundeskanzler, Wehrdienst

* * *

Bun·des·wehr

f Federal [or German] Armed Forces

* * *

die [Federal] Armed Forces pl.

•• Cultural note:

Bundesverfassungsgericht

As the supreme court in Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe is the guardian of the Grundgesetz and the final arbiter in any German legal appeal. It passes judgement on constitutional complaints and has the power to order a party's dissolution if it is unconstitutional and possibly poses a threat to democracy. The Federal Government has to accept the judges' ruling, however controversial the case may be. The Bundesverfassungsgericht consists of two panels, each with eight judges who are elected for a single twelve-year term. Half of the panel is elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat.

Bundeswehr

This is the name for the German armed forces, which come under the control of the defence minister. The Bundeswehr consists of professional soldiers and conscripts serving their Wehrdienst. Until 1994, the Grundgesetz did not allow German forces to be deployed abroad, but they now take part in certain operations, notably UN peacekeeping missions

* * *

Bundeswehr f; nur sg; MIL (German) armed forces pl

* * *

die [Federal] Armed Forces pl.

•• Cultural note:

Bundesverfassungsgericht

As the supreme court in Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe is the guardian of the Grundgesetz and the final arbiter in any German legal appeal. It passes judgement on constitutional complaints and has the power to order a party's dissolution if it is unconstitutional and possibly poses a threat to democracy. The Federal Government has to accept the judges' ruling, however controversial the case may be. The Bundesverfassungsgericht consists of two panels, each with eight judges who are elected for a single twelve-year term. Half of the panel is elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat.

Bundeswehr

This is the name for the German armed forces, which come under the control of the defence minister. The Bundeswehr consists of professional soldiers and conscripts serving their Wehrdienst. Until 1994, the Grundgesetz did not allow German forces to be deployed abroad, but they now take part in certain operations, notably UN peacekeeping missions

* * *

f.

German armed forces n.