Visual Storytelling & Environmental Memory

Jahrgang 2008

By Ella Seeger

In 2026, Germany's mandatory military service debate reaches a new reality. The birth cohort of 2008 receives its first mandatory questionnaire regarding military service readiness for the first time. Whilst politicians and the media discuss this generation at length, the young people themselves are rarely given a voice.

The essay-based work »Jahrgang 2008« (2026) follows several young people over the course of a year through photographic portraits, video interviews and documentary glimpses into their everyday lives. This project critically questions whether an identity rooted in state obligation can truly make space for the individual, examining the tension between personal self-determination and collective demand.

These documentary works are complemented by interludes that reflect the increasing portrayal and normalisation of the military and the Bundeswehr. From carnival floats and Bundeswehr advertising to the gamification of the military at events or fitness fairs, the project confronts this aestheticized narrative with photographs from the everyday lives of these young people.

The works presented here form the conceptual foundation of this ongoing project.

Three teenagers on their way back from the final event of the Bundeswehr's Young Scouts Day - an open day where young people can experience the armed forces from the inside.
Palma and his friends, a group of usually between four and fifteen young people, meet every day at Leopoldplatz in Dortmund. Palma was born in 2008, he hasn't received the compulsory military service questionnaire as he doesn't hold German citizenship. The square is one of the few places where they can get together. Although there are a few activities on offer for young people in the area, they spend most of their time simply hanging out together at the "Leopolder", as they call it.
Pupils at the first nationwide school strike against compulsory military service in Cologne. Around 50 participants had originally registered - by midday, the police had counted around 200 people, including teachers and parents who had come to show their support. The event was prompted by the vote on the Military Service Modernisation Act in the Bundestag, which also took place on the same day. According to the organisers, around 40,000 pupils took part nationwide in well over a hundred German cities.
Binita heard about the debate on compulsory military service through social media. She believes that a country must be able to defend itself in an emergency, but she doesn't think it's right that her age group, of all people, should be the ones to bear the brunt of it. Nobody at her school wanted to join the school strike against compulsory military service for fear of the consequences. She decided to come on her own. It felt a bit strange at first, but she was quickly welcomed into another group.
Sophie and Binita are celebrating their 18th birthday together. Sophie's dad has let them use his house for the occasion; the dress code is Ibiza style, and wearing black is forbidden. They're playing beer pong, chatting, dancing and sending many Snapchats.
The VIP area at the Bundeswehr's Armed Forces Day is open only to Young Talents and their family members. Numerous tents have been set up in a circle around the perimeter, including one selling Bundeswehr merchandise, a so-called 'scouting zone', and one where colourful slushies are available free of charge. The young people make their way through various stations, gaining an insight into everyday life in the armed forces.
Until a month ago, Tom had very long hair, but then he cut it off during a circus performance. Now, for the first time since then, his girlfriend is giving him a trim in the bath.
Palma, Jawad, Yassir and a friend of theirs at Leopoldplatz in Dortmund. At the 'Leopolder' they mainly just hang out. Sometimes someone brings a ball and they stand in a circle and try to keep it in the air for as long as possible. On other days, they watch TikToks together and check out the people walking past.
A dummy cannon on the so-called 'Battlefield', a paintball site near Mönchengladbach. Today, a Catholic youth group and a team of work colleagues are meeting here to shoot at each other with small balls full of paint.
A participant in the Young Talents programme watching the military display. At one of the stations, the young people had to wriggle through the mud on their stomachs to get under a barbed-wire fence. A little mud remained on her face.

The compulsory questionnaire, six months in

Men of Jahrgang 2008 written to by the Bundeswehr, January to 18 June 2026

Written to

153,200

Answered, as required by law

96%

Showed interest in serving

>1 in 5

Screenings and assessments held

c. 1,500

Firmly scheduled to serve in 2026

>530

The 2008 cohort numbers just under 700,000 young people in total. Service itself remains voluntary. Source: Federal Ministry of Defence, as of 18 June 2026, via dpa.

Tom and Lotta at the school circus's Wednesday training session. Both have been involved for years and met their group of friends here. Most of the others in their group were born in 2007 and are therefore not affected by the current debate surrounding the Bundeswehr questionnaire and the possible military conscription. Tom and Lotta, however, are. Tom, in particular, is very concerned and has already drafted his letter of conscientious objection.
Spectators watch the military display from the stands at the Military Day in Munster. Before entering the grandstand, all visitors are given ear protection and instructions on how to insert the earplugs correctly. This is because of the enormous noise levels produced by the armoured vehicles and gunfire during the display, which can damage hearing without protection. The staged combat scenario depicts, among other things, an attack by an opposing team on a small village.
Yassir and Nabil
Moritz turned 18 two weeks ago. He has already filled in the Bundeswehr questionnaire. He gave an honest assessment of his fitness level: he goes to the gym every week and cycles several hundred kilometres a week. Nevertheless, he rated his interest in serving in the Bundeswehr as rather low. He is planning to train as a retail sales assistant at the bike shop where he is currently working part-time. He has given it some thought, though, as the Bundeswehr's pay isn't bad.
First-aid station at Armed Forces Day. Using fake blood, participants practise how to apply a tourniquet correctly to an arm in the event of severe blood loss, in order to temporarily stop the bleeding.
A participant surrenders on the paintball battlefield near Mönchengladbach after being hit by a paintball. Apart from protective gear covering his groin, he is wearing no other protective clothing. A hit can be painful; the small, colourful balls fly at speeds of up to 300 km/h.