Naiive, misguided youngsters…?

Forced conscription isn’t the best way to fill the ranks and fight a war. But ironically this mandatory service actually lowers the odds of people being forcefully conscripted during an actual crisis.

Military service incentivizes people to join the military afterwards. Having a large swat of the populace receive basic military training, also helps fill the ranks faster and better in the outbreak of a war.

Both of which are the whole point imo. Those extra recruits are something Germany could really, really use badly and without a ready military there can’t be any convincing deterrence.