Ceremonial oath of the Bundeswehr

The oath of service or the vow of soldiers of the Bundeswehr is a - mostly ceremonial - Ceremony at the beginning of their period of service. The text of the formula differs here between conscripts and voluntary military service providers, which store a solemn vow and soldiers on time and professional soldiers who swear an oath of service, in accordance with the officials envy. The Defence Committee had in 1956 - after consulting among others well as representatives of churches - decided against swearing, but a solemn commitment of all soldiers. The decision to oath and solemn pledge in its present form began on March 6, 1956 in the German parliament with 221 votes in favor and 193 votes against with abstentions.

Oath of service or affirmation are defined in § 9 of the Military Law and to the integration of the young recruits in the soldierly Community support ( integration function), bind him on an emotional level to the soldierly duties ( backup function) and an educative effect on the soldiers in terms of its function in the state exercise ( Bewußtmachungsfunktion ). In addition when you drop the oath with the religious affirmation formula nor an ethical- religious function as additional Bindungsbekräftigung.

"I swear, the Federal Republic of Germany to faithfully serve and defend the rights and freedom of the German people brave, so help me God. "

"I swear, the Federal Republic of Germany to faithfully serve and defend the rights and freedom of the German people brave. "

The italics does not exist in the legal text, it serves to highlight the differences and particularities of the formulas. The oath longer serving soldiers can speak even without religious affirmation.

Oath of service

Large Vereidigungsveranstaltungen take place in the schools of naval officer ( MSM) and Air Force ( OSLw ) eg. Oaths in the army, see the cadet battalions and the Medical Training Regiment instead ( for medical cadets of the Army ), although their basic training courses have been conducted since 2007 largely common to both Battalions, as well as in the military school of the army. Furthermore, soldiers put their oath of service anywhere from where longer serving soldiers complete their basic training, that is, the swearing often associated with the vow of conscripts together instead.

The date for the taking of the oath service is usually in the middle of basic training, and also as a place the barracks is usually selected. Although in most cases a solemn frame is created to strengthen the oath as a symbol of solidarity with the Federal Republic of Germany and the German armed forces, this can also be quite take place eg in the office of the commander.

Since under the oath of service to be deposited soldiers usually are also soldiers who indeed attend the basic training for longer serving soldiers, but still a right of withdrawal on your appointment as soldiers on time ( ssl ) / professional soldiers (BS ) have usually afford some soldiers "only" their vows - the oath of service but will be rescheduled with the appointment to the ssl / BS.

Vow

→ Main article: Solemn Vow

Wherever basic training units are stationed on a regular basis - every quarter - solemn vows instead. To show what service do the young conscripts in the Company, and to anchor the Bundeswehr as an army in the middle of society ( ideal of the citizen in uniform, see also Internal Leadership ), find the vows - whenever possible - as a public vows instead. Until the 1980s, this was hardly have been possible due to protests and disturbances by the peace movement.

Expiration of Diensteidabgabe and vow

The sequence of Diensteidabgabe or vow is basically the same. He is not regulated by the soldiers law, but by the Joint Service Regulation ( ZDv ) 10/8 Military forms and celebrations of the Armed Forces, ch. 1

The procedure is first planned in detail and set out in the form of a command. First, the recruits draw and take a lineup. Following the arrival of the troops flag, which is escorted by a Ehrenzug under rifle and a military band and two accompanying officers carried flags. For larger events or on special occasions (such as at the 20th of July in Berlin or the 50 - year anniversary of the Bundeswehr in Bordenau ) a guard of honor of the guard battalion of the Federal Ministry of Defence ( FMOD ) is provided instead of the glory train. For pulling a traditional German army march is played.

The vow formation is reported to the decreasing officer, pacing off the front along with the one or more public representatives present (eg, mayor or district administrator ). These sounds of Präsentiermarsch, in practice - depending on the region - the Prussian or Bavarian Präsentiermarsch.

Then followed by addresses of a person's public life (Mayor, District, State Secretary Federal Ministry of Defence, Federal or foreign representative ), the commander of the unit in question, and for several years now and again one of the recruits. In between other military marches are still played, normally including the marches or the tradition of that association.

As an introduction to the actual vow the music corps plays the vow Choral " Altniederländisches Thanksgiving ( We stand to pray )" by Adrianus Valerius, instead of Bavaria follows the "Bavarian Military Prayer " by Johann Kaspar Aiblinger. Then contact the support of the troops flag together with detachments of recruits before, and the commander takes the recruits the vow. Then the national anthem, in addition Bayern anthem or in Schleswig- Holstein Schleswig -Holstein - song sung in Bavaria. For central events, such as in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, and then the European anthem is played. To the sound of the music corps carried the troops marched out of flag and Honour, and finally the departure of the pledge list of recruits.

Usually follows after (and / or even before that ), an open door, which presents the unity of the public and the families of the soldiers.

Importance of oath of service, and vow

Above all, the pledge has primarily symbolic importance as the promised fulfillment of the basic duty of a soldier is also independent of the bars of the pledge. Refuses a soldier to participate in the vow, it shall be excluded from the remainder of his service in the carriage, but otherwise basically no fear of sanctions. The refusal to drop the oath of service, however, has serious consequences for the soldiers on time / professional soldiers.

A considerable ideological significance of the release of the Diensteids or the vow for many recruits and their relatives and acquaintances, as the soldiers publicly " promise " their loyalty and commitment to the state and society. This spiritual meaning is also evident in specific traditions in the German armed forces, so it is common in many army units that the beret or the cord may be worn in such weapons color after serve the vow or oath of service.