Some days, 24 hours is too much to stay put in, so I take the day hour by hour, moment by moment. I break the task, the challenge, the fear into small, bite-size pieces. I can handle a piece of fear, depression, anger, pain, sadness, loneliness, illness. I actually put my hands up to my face, one next to each eye, like blinders on a horse. Every time I see a children holding hands with their parents, or just plainly sitting together with their parents, I look away. It’s not that I hate seeing pretty lovely things like that. But because it reminds me of a question nobody can answer…”Where’s mine?”
German military personnel provide relief worldwide when people are in need due to natural disasters, serious accidents or epidemics. In this international disaster assistance, the Bundeswehr cooperates closely with governmental and non-governmental partners and relief organisations.
There is more to the Bundeswehr than weapons and equipment, more than commands and obedience. Values, standards and the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany guide the actions of the Bundeswehr’s military personnel and its employees, and shape the identity of the Bundeswehr accordingly. These values and standards are conveyed through leadership development and civic education, as well as traditions. The focus is not only on a sense of duty, comradeship, discipline and loyalty, but also on tolerance, fairness and diversity. The identity of the Bundeswehr holds its members to a high standard, which can be summarised in a few words: “United we serve Germany”.
