Zivildienst

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Zivildienst (German, translates roughly into "Civilian Service") is the name for the civilian branch of the national service systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is a mean for conscripted persons who are conscientious objectors to fulfill their national service typically in the field of social works (e.g. hospitals, retirement homes, emergency medical services), and sometimes, although rare, in the field of environmental protection, agriculture, and public administration.

1 Zivildienst in Germany
2 Zivildienst in Switzerland
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Zivildienst in Germany

Zivildienst is the primary form (by the number of serviceperson) of substitution for the conscription in the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr. Drafted persons must file a petition along with an essay describing the reasons, in order to become recognized as an objector. The "recognized objector" (anerkannte Kriegsdienstverweigerer) can then either negotiate for an accredited service institution himself, or assigned an institution.

Currently, the German Zivildienst has, like the Wehrdienst, a service duration of nine months.

It is interesting to note that currently more young men choose to do the Zivildienst rather than serve in the armed forces, thus the Wehrdienst (Military Service) becoming the (factual) substitute.