State defense: Putability in the head: “There is no second winner”

The Bundeswehr’s deployment scenarios have fundamentally changed more than 40 months of war in Ukraine and the threat of Russia. “Effect goes with cover, because there is no second winner,” says the army inspector, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais. Should a military defense of Germany and its NATO partners ever be necessary, it is not an option to wait in a safe field camp. This was still possible in missions abroad, and the Bundeswehr was long aligned – but the challenges of the state and alliance defense are now at the center of the tasks.

The course of the war in Ukraine has many long -serving soldiers and reservists. A German brigade, ready to combat, is stationed in Lithuania. The debate is whether and how Germany could participate in security guarantees for Ukraine.

The young people have become much more serious

Young advertising, which was long as the offer of a normal employer, is also more military again. “I believe that our soldiers all know what can happen to them. And we notice that too. In the conversations with the young people, I experience that they have become much more serious,” says Mais, who will be at the top of the land forces in September, the German press agency. “Someone who reports to the Bundeswehr today knows that there is war in Europe.”

The tensions have increased in recent months. Sabotage and spying in Germany, also the preparation in the event of military incidents are changing the troops. The bloody defense struggles of the Ukrainians are teached.

In addition: a military discussion can begin at the wrong time. “We have to be aware that when the bell goes, it can affect us in a not optimal condition or at a not optimal time. This means that the commanders have to deal with mentally,” says Mais.

In order to survive in the event of an attack against the Russian military apparatus – but also for credible deterrence – it needs to be determined beyond the armament. One can call it “mindset” or mindset, a will for defense even in situations that can demand a lot – sometimes inhumanely a lot – to the individual. A deeply civil society is difficult.

Fight with an opponent: no job like others

Oberstabsfidewebel Jan Hecht experienced this situation in the summer of 2009 on a patrol in Afghanistan. “The fight lasted five hours, five very intensive hours,” said the non -commissioned officer, who is awarded the cross of honor for bravery.

He and his 36 -man train should examine a rarely used connecting road for explosive traps in the province of Kundus, when a German spy team is blown up north of them and is involved in the change of shooting. Hecht lets up and wants to fight the scay troop. If the enemy is immediately approached: Around 80 attackers – so it was found later – have been ambush.

“Time and space are difficult to describe afterwards. This is a situation where time is no longer palpable,” he says. “It passes very quickly. And then there are phases again, they take extremely long and you have the feeling that it is hours. In reality, a few minutes have passed.” The soldiers fight freely and are involved a little further into a second fight.

No feelings like aggression or anger

“When you first meet the enemy, fire everywhere is a lot of instinct. What is coming next? Everything instinct, experience, working through what you have ever experienced,” says Hecht. “The goal of drill training is to work in chaotic situations without having to think about acting. And a combat situation is so intense that rational thinking about what I do next, in fact, is not possible.”

He could not feel feelings like aggression or anger. Hours under adrenaline were under high pressure and he was relatively emotionless. “There is such a certain determination that you have to show in order to insist in such a situation. If you don’t have this determination, you may come to a hesitation that can be disadvantageous,” says the soldier.

“Bravery is a reflected process”

So far, 33 soldiers have been awarded the Cross of Honor. They are a role model for energy and leadership for the group – and bravery beyond normal.

Every soldier swears with the oath that he is brave. “Bravery is a reflected process. Dealing that I can happen that I may be tired of someone,” says Mais.

“If courage is added in the concrete situation, then we have people who are capable of exceptional performance. People who put themselves in special situations to protect the comrade, to rescue it, or to fulfill the order even in the greatest resistance.”