Racing bike instead of uniform: State commander Popielas leaves

It pays to stand up for the values of our society

However, Popielas also draws optimism from this point. After all, experience from the Cold War has shown that firmness, strength and defense capabilities ultimately contribute to greater stability and security. The expert therefore takes a positive view of the current efforts to strengthen defensive capabilities in Germany and throughout Europe. He combines this with an appeal to those who are perhaps already distancing themselves from the Bundeswehr in view of the new military service. "We should be aware of the value of our society. It is worth standing up for it."

Popielas does not believe that the abolition of compulsory military service in 2011 was a mistake. The decision was not made in isolation from social developments. "It was sensible and understandable at the time." At the time, the Bundeswehr was involved in stabilization missions - for example in Afghanistan and Mali. However, conscripts were not suitable for these missions, only soldiers who volunteered for service.

Highly technical army requires well-trained soldiers

Popielas hopes that the new military service regulations will motivate enough young people to serve in the armed forces. The aim is to significantly increase the number of soldiers so that the fighting force is ultimately increased and there is a balanced relationship between the fighting force and support forces. "A highly technical army requires well-trained soldiers who are able to operate appropriately with their equipment depending on the mission requirements." In addition, sufficient reservists are needed in case of defense.

The colonel is unable to see that the current young generation is not capable of doing this. It is possible that running times over 100 or 5,000 meters are no longer quite as good in today's average population as they used to be, he says jokingly. Nevertheless, the core of the job has not changed. "We need three constants: physical, mental and spiritual fitness. You can train that." This requires a stable framework of values that gives service in the Bundeswehr a sense of purpose.

The Bundeswehr is also perceived positively abroad

Popielas has noticed during his own deployments abroad how positively the Bundeswehr is perceived elsewhere - always when it comes to providing people with security. Now, he says, people are once again focusing more on protecting their own country. Perhaps this is the reason why the image of the Bundeswehr and its positive perception among the population has grown in recent years - and not just because the soldiers have been deployed to help with forest fires or floods.

The colonel knows that people in Germany are now paying very close attention to the security situation. "They see how Russia is trying to change borders in Europe using military force. This makes us all aware again of the value of our state, that our society is worth protecting and preserving." The Russian war of aggression has made it clear that Europe must also invest in its own defense.

When Popielas gives his final speech at the farewell appeal, he will probably also address this.

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