The Parliamentary Armed Forces Commission (PBHK) initiated a total of 195 complaints procedures in 2024. This was revealed in its 2024 annual report, which it presented on Wednesday during a press conference in Parliament. The grounds for complaint mainly related to personnel matters as well as training and service operations.
The PBHK Executive Committee, consisting of the Chairman Reinhard Eugen Bösch (FPÖ) (FPÖ) and the chairmen Friedrich Ofenauer (ÖVP) and Robert Laimer (SPÖ), addressed the central points of the report and explained the conclusions drawn from the complaints received. According to them, the personnel shortages – particularly in the militia – continue to represent the greatest challenge for the Armed Forces represented. In order to counteract bottlenecks, the basic military service in particular should be addressed. The three chairmen agreed that recruits should be seen as the “customers of the future”.
Bösch: Recruitment is a key challenge
The effects of the various worldwide crises and conflicts on the global security structure pose major challenges for European and Austrian defense policy, stated Reinhard Eugen Bösch, Chairman of the PBHK. He cited cyber attacks, sabotage, disinformation campaigns and other attempts at destabilization, which have led to a renewed focus on the capability development of the armed forces, and not only throughout Europe.
According to Bösch, personnel shortages were the main challenge in Austria. He specifically referred to the militia units, where only 58% of the personnel requirements for officers and 37% for non-commissioned officers could be filled. Measures, such as a recognition bonus, had already been taken to counteract these personnel shortages. However, further initiatives are needed, as “the system is failing” even among those who are willing to enlist in the militia, said Bösch.
Basic military service personnel must be seen as “customers of the future”. Accordingly, the way they are treated, the working atmosphere and their accommodation must be designed accordingly. The PBHK contributes to improving these factors by working together with the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces to clarify issues and help remedy deficiencies, explained Bösch.
Ofenauer: Conscripts have invaluable potential
Friedrich Ofenauer also focused on the 15,000 to 16,000 conscripts who join the armed forces each year, who would hold “invaluable potential” for recruiting personnel. It was clear that the recruits would have to undergo tough training. However, under no circumstances should this be accompanied by insults or humiliations such as those reported to the PBHK. As the Armed Forces are in competition with the private sector when it comes to recruiting personnel, Ofenauer also spoke out in favor of seeing the basic military diners as customers.
He also addressed the investigation procedures, which dealt with cases of sexual harassment and extremism in the armed forces, among other things. In the case of the latter, particular emphasis should be placed on raising awareness and promoting media skills. Another audit was carried out in the area of home care for conscripts, as Ofenauer reported. If they fall ill, army doctors decide whether they should be discharged to home care or sent to an army medical facility. Out of concern about being admitted to an army hospital, some recruits would also start their service ill and thus possibly infect the rest of the troops. The PBHK is therefore in favor of a “softening” of the approval practice for home care, said Ofenauer.
Laimer on the rise in psychological diagnoses when making a position
Robert Laimer discussed the psychological assessment of conscripts during their deployment. There has been an increase in diagnoses, particularly in connection with depression and anxiety disorders. According to Laimer, this is due to the Covid pandemic. The level of fitness is also decreasing due to physical impairments, such as obesity or a lack of hearing. However, the overall fitness rate has remained constant for years despite these factors, explained Laimer.
250 women took advantage of the voluntary basic military service, of which 150 have since been transferred to the service – a “very respectable rate” according to Laimer. The proportion of women in the armed forces rose by one percentage point to 6 percent in 2024.
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