„Semper
Communis! – This sentence describes what many people do and live
like in the German armed forces. They stand together in every
situation of their lifes.
This
is just one reason why young Germans decide to become an officer in
the German Air Force and feel the honour and pride that comes along
with the job.
Each
year in early October you can see many Young Germans at the age of 17
– 27 coming to Munich with the hope to become a German Air Force
Officer. Often they just finished school and many people would say
that they don’t know anything about life and what’s going on in
the world. Before they already passed a test that took three days
where only one quarter of the participants go through. So it is a big
privilege to even come to Munich. The critics can’t understand why
these young guys chose to fight in wars and risk their lifes in a war
that is obviously not there’s because they have to fight far away
from their own country.
Surely
there is some kind of understatement, but there are so many
opportunities that come along with the job, the critics may not know.
Standing
on your own feet and gaining much money may be a big motivation for
some of these young soldiers. Moreover, they have to go through a
selection-period of eleven months, passing exams, living in a
community, especially with their room-mates in small rooms, and
gaining live experience. Comradeship is the word that matters in the
German Armed Forces the most. It means that every Soldier will take
responsibility for each other and will stand by his side in every
situation. “Comradeship begins where friendship ends” supports
the strong meaning of being a part of the GAF to every soldier. After
passing these tests and getting the impressions of living
comradeship, they are allowed to take the next step.
University
life – That is determining the next four to five years. A German
Officer differs most in that point from other Armed Forces Officers.
So you have a very good student life on the one hand and on the other
hand the chance to make big points for the future life, maybe even
outside the Forces. So after twelve years, an Officer will be able to
get a highly-qualified job in the civil area as well as in the Forces
because they know how to handle the responsibility for many people,
material and objects that are worth much money.
Afterwards
student days are gone and the days of a real Soldier will begin when
the Lieutenants join their units. In Comparison to other people of
their age, these guys come from the university and stand in charge
directly. In my mind that is one of the biggest qualifications you
can get at that age. Leading other people means not just telling them
what to do, moreover it means training them, reaching their physical
and psychological limitations and making them better in what they do
every day.
To
refer to the beginning, the pride and honour that comes along with
the job is the biggest pleasure someone can achieve. Serving Germany
means fighting for freedom and for peace in the world. Surely
protecting not just the own family but moreover the citizens of the
whole country you love, is worth fighting every day! Concluding this
part, there is a soldier’s definition of Freedom: “99,7% of the
Germans wake up every morning and enjoy their freedom, while only
0,3% wake up every day and defend it”.
All
in all you can see that there may be critical voices about becoming a
GAF Officer but the positive facts that come along with the job like
comradeship, responsibility at young age, very high physical
qualification and working for the country you love are definitely
more important.