apparently this is just an American thing? I

Yes it is, but I am not giving you a hard time for it and JFeldhaus is exaggerating. I just don't feel like it is needed. I did my year like any other citizen and don't think I deserve any recognition for it. I got my deed and a wet handshake from the Army when I left and was sent home. It is a normal thing for us.

There is also a big difference between conscript and "Soldier" as a profession. For example, as a conscript, you pledge on the flag during the ceremony: "I pledge to serve the Federal Republic of Germany and bravely defend the rights and freedom of it's people". A Soldier would say "I swear". (https://youtu.be/5mxcZ5kJ-X4?t=2558)

They also cannot order you into a conflict zone, unless it is in the country, hence, defending Germany. I actually wanted to go to Bosnia back then, but they only needed translators for the languages spoken down there, at that time. I didn't know any, but I would've been on a flight within a few hours if I would have.

So yeah, it is not the same.