By GEIR MOULSONROSTOCK, Germany (AP) — Germany has committed billions to beefing up its military’s equipment after years of neglect. Germany suspended conscription for men in 2011 and subsequently struggled to attract large numbers of short-term volunteers. In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000 — compared with 300,000, more than a third conscripts, in 2001. Persuading more people to serveThe Cabinet last month approved plans for a new military service system meant to tackle the personnel challenge. “I think what is happening now is above all preparation for compulsory service that is possible later, because not only was compulsory service suspended in Germany 14 years ago, but also the whole apparatus to administer compulsory service was scrapped,” Wiegold said.