Fit in fatigues: German army presses recruitment drive

Cologne, Germany -

Wearing a gas mask, a young man performs a rapid series of push-ups, jumps and squats at the German military's recruiting booth at FIBO, the world's largest fitness expo, held in Cologne.

Germany hopes to grow its armed forces, winning tens of thousands of new volunteers — a tough task in a country where many young people view military service with skepticism.

To find new recruits, the Bundeswehr must rely on the power of persuasion, and sees the FIBO fair — a celebration of bulging muscles and displays of sweaty stamina — as a natural venue to win the soldiers of tomorrow.

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