Germany's final batch of conscripts are beginning their military service ahead of an overhaul of the country's armed forces.
About 12,000 recruits have been called up - the last before conscription ends on 1 July.
The German government is seeking to make the armed forces smaller and more focussed, with professional soldiers.
The BBC reports the changes are the biggest since the German military was reformed after World War II.
Last year Germany announced it would suspend conscription and transform the military into a fully professional army.
That process would see the size of the standing army reduced from 240,000 to about 185,000 soldiers.
However, volunteers will still be able to serve for up to 23 months.
