Evaluating the labor-market effects of compulsory military service

This article considers the impact that Germany's compulsory military service (CMS) had on the lifetime earnings potential of those who served, compared to those born afterwards. The research discussed in this article finds that there may be observable benefits, for example valuable transferable skills learned, for those who completed compulsory service. However, the researchers question whether benefits are directly related to military service, or if in actuality it may be coincidental. For example, if healthier people were recruited into CMS then, irrespective of their military service, these people may have enjoyed higher earning potential than may their counterparts.