Drill on the high seas - As a marine on the Gorch Fock

Germany is arming itself and is desperately looking for soldiers, especially in the navy.

Author Lukas Wiehler in the rigging of the "Gorch Fock". Photo: HR/Martin Sündermann

Reporter Lukas Wiehler has the exclusive honour of sailing on board the "Gorch Fock" as editor of the first TV team in 15 years. He gets an insight into everyday training on the German Navy's sail training ship and experiences at first hand what it means to become a naval officer in the Bundeswehr in these times. For ten days, he lives between the Azores and Ireland as a crew member with the officer candidates. Ten days between drill, obedience and camaraderie. In the film, it becomes clear how the committed journalist reflects on his own choice of words, which has been influenced by the reporting of recent years, how he has a new experience of "drill" and how he relentlessly involves himself. He faces the questions critically and clearly and does not shy away from the discussion with the officer candidates.

Community, discipline and routines: During the training voyage on the "Gorch Fock", the crew members become comrades. Picture: HR/Martin Sündermann

Hessian frigate captain Elmar Bornkessel, who has steered the Gorch Fock many nautical miles through the seas, will also be there. The experienced naval officer, who has already commanded a frigate and has many years of operational experience on warships, answers the journalist's questions. Wiehler wonders what kind of young people train in the navy. How do they deal with the growing threat of war, with the fulfilment of duty, pressure and rough seas? And how does the reporter experience the crossing on the large sailing ship? It is considered one of the toughest training missions in the navy. Does the reporter, who has not done any military service and was previously unfamiliar with the Bundeswehr, need to rethink his attitude on board? From our point of view, the colleague did everything right: he did not choose the security of the visitor, but became a participant. He faced up to the task with reflection. In the end, it becomes clear that he will not become addicted to seafaring. But that's a good thing: the "Gorch Fock" sorts the sailor from the non-sailor in its own way. A great documentary about a profession that is not everyone's cup of tea and a ship that will always polarise opinion.

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