Category: Armed Forces

From pride to demarcation - what a uniform is all about...

From pride to demarcation - what a uniform is all about...

Posted by | 10 Jun 2021 | , , | 8

The clothing worn by soldiers or police officers is the embodiment of state power. It represents the monopoly on the use of force, combatant status and the right of enforcement. The uniform documents the actions of the actors, whether customs or coast guard. It needs to be recognisable so that the projected authority is also accepted. The intended effect is similar for civilian variants - I'm thinking of the railways - without national colours, which has also led to humorous confusion. Speaking of which, when this is brought about maliciously, it's called a Köpenickiade. And that brings us to the - careful contradiction! - uniformed individual. The uniformed individual is characterised by rank insignia and all sorts of other things...

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Letter to the editor on uniforms in the navy

Letter to the editor on uniforms in the navy

Posted by | 9 Jun 2021 | , | 1

"A picture is worth a thousand words..." Commentary on the cover picture of Marineforum issue 05/2021 Anyone who deals with press relations and in particular with the use of print media is already taught in the first lessons that good writing, a clear message or well-researched reporting are the basis of success. However, the selection of the corresponding images/cover pictures and thus the presentation of the title (headline) makes a decisive contribution to the effective overall result. It is not for nothing that the major newspapers have their own editorial teams to formulate this crucial accessory and the saying goes: "A picture is worth a thousand words...". "...

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Procurement for the navy - looking ahead to the 2021 federal election

Procurement for the navy - looking ahead to the 2021 federal election

Posted by | 2 Jun 2021 | , , , , | 7

Berlin, the navy & procurement The year 2021 continues to promise excitement: in the second year of a global pandemic, there are signs of noticeable change and transformation in the political firmament of the republic in view of the upcoming Bundestag elections in September. It is understandable that Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) are endeavouring to get as many of the planned military procurement projects signed and sealed: A total of 31 so-called €25 million submissions - if an armaments project exceeds this price threshold, it must be submitted separately to the parliamentary budget committee - are to be approved in the last two weeks of the parliamentary session before the summer break (23 & 25....

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The emperor's admirals

The emperor's admirals

Posted by | 12 May 2021 | , , | 6

Dear visitors of marineforum.online,

What is heritage, what is tradition? The decision has been made in favour of Kiel, but this is not a "therapeutic debate". The process is not yet complete and there will be further reviews. So far, almost exclusively senior citizens with naval ties have spoken out. What do younger people think, what do citizens think? Go ahead, the comment function is open. And do me the favour of remembering netiquette.

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"Improve operational capability!" - a replica from the BAAINBw

"Improve operational capability!" - a replica from the BAAINBw

Posted by | 4 May 2021 | , | 2

Counterpoint to the article "Improve operational capability!" in MarineForum 3-2021. The bureaucratisation in the military administration and troops mentioned by the author of the article is undeniable. Therefore, approaches to examine the existing processes in procurement and the use of defence equipment in terms of their usefulness and efficiency are to be welcomed in principle. However, the above-mentioned article makes a number of statements that are factually incorrect and in some cases demonstrate a questionable understanding of the constitution and the law, which is why I would like to take this opportunity to make a few clarifications: The current international rules and conventions on shipping (e.g. SOLAS, MARPOL, etc.) do not apply to warships. The German Ship Safety Act does not apply to ships of the German Armed Forces...

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