But Ms von der Leyen defended the plan, saying the army had to modernise to compete with businesses in recruitment. “In a society that is changing rapidly, so do the individuals’ expectations of work,” she said. “We have to react very flexibly as an employer, otherwise we will soon face empty hallways and an empty parade ground.” The new scheme, with its heavy influence on childcare, has been linked to the rising number of women serving in the Germany army, currently at 10 per cent and expected to rise further in coming years.