Let me share a few thoughts with you on the occasion of the awarding of the Naval Officers' Association's Best Training Award for the best training course for military officer at the Naval Academy Mürwik on 18 March 2022.
The prize is associated with important ideas of Admiral Johannesson, one of the founding fathers of our modern navy, regarding the training of officers. These include the consistent implementation of the principle of internal leadership and, as a lesson from Admiral Johannesson's personal life story, the critical examination of his own history that he demanded. Johannesson's ideas still guide us today.
Since its formation in 1955, our navy, then still known as the "Bundesmarine", has undergone several changes in terms of its main tasks and missions.
Designed from the outset as an alliance navy, it successfully contributed to the gradual restoration of our state sovereignty after the Second World War and to the protection of the Western community of values against the threat posed by the Warsaw Pact.
With reunification, it became the navy of German unity and, as the "German Navy", an armed force on a global mission to promote peace and uphold international law on the oceans. The recently completed, almost seven-month mission of the frigate BAYERN is an example of this type of deployment.
Firmly integrated into NATO and the European Union, we are once again making our contribution to the joint defence of freedom and the values of our Western democracies. We are challenged by regimes that see freedom of expression, democracy and the rule of law as an existential threat. They do not even shy away from using military means in the face of this threat.
After a long period of peace in Europe, war has returned to our continent for all to see. Our navy is currently facing major challenges as a neighbour in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. It is important that we focus on these. Our navy's Internet motto "Not on our watch" puts it in a nutshell.
The Naval Officers' Association, as the spiritual, cross-generational home of naval officers who feel closely connected to our navy during and after their service, must visibly show its colours in this situation. It must fulfil its role as a multiplier for our armed forces in society. It must say what it stands for. It is fitting to award top prizes for outstanding course achievements under the name of our association.
The Naval Officers' Association's Best Award recognises the achievements of officer cadets who set an example for their comrades during their training with above-average commitment and motivation, exemplary and comradely behaviour during the course. The award therefore recognises the coherent overall image of the officer candidate over the entire training period. I think it is important and appropriate to recognise this example with an award of honour.
For the first time since the pandemic-related restrictions, I was once again able to personally present the Naval Officers' Association's Best Award on 18 March 2022 following the ceremonial presentation of the officers' letters by the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, Mr Daniel Günther.
I would like to congratulate this year's award winner, Chief Petty Officer OA Heiko Niemann, on winning the best prize of the Naval Officers' Association.
Thorsten Kähler, Rear Admiral (ret.), Chairman of the Naval Officers' Association
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