"A picture is worth a thousand words..."
Comment on the cover picture 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 for 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 "a picture is worth a thousand words..." has been coined. ".
This seems to have been forgotten by the editorial team of the MF or perhaps already during the preparatory work by the PIZ(M) organisation for the production of Marineforum, issue 05-2021. What has happened?
With the imprint "Special Naval NCO School - Modern Training" on the cover, the Marineforum, issue 05- 2021 is presented, in which the traditional training of the Navy's UO Corps - which has always been the envy of the other TSK - is presented clearly and very convincingly. Sixteen printed pages of excellent and convincing information from competent authors who deliver what the sticker on the title page promises. So really nothing wrong! But this positive assessment is almost turned on its head by the selected cover picture.
The imprint on p. 5 explains the cover picture: "For years, cutter-pulling on Lake Plön has been part of the training at the Naval NCO School". It shows a cutter crew on boat duty, which makes the connoisseur rub his eyes in amazement and the less experienced wonder whether the picture has perhaps been confused with basic training at the army's pioneer school. The fact that the young - hopefully enthusiastic - NCO students are turning their backs on the viewer is debatable. (Perhaps this is also an expression of a contemporary comprehensive "protection of personality").
But...boat service with the navy in the Spot camouflage - Suit with headgear (at least uniform!), which may still look smart in the mountain troops if it is appropriately brushed, has something special about it - perhaps also an expression of "modern training". The corporal sitting on the first working strap on the port side wears gloves, an absurdity if you want to unroll and align the strap correctly when rolling. Instead, the skipper is wearing smart ¾ trousers with bare calves and bare feet in shoes that leave little impression of service at a distance (I avoid the comparison with "flip-flops"). One person - I assume it's the group leader - stands in the boat and supervises the crew entrusted to him with his back to the crew whose training he is supposed to lead!
Now you can dismiss my previous statement as the exaggerated comments of a former naval officer who still remembers "his MUS" as the incarnation of tradition-conscious and rigorous TSK training. Perhaps the image is also one of the didactic aids of modern training according to the motto: "find the mistake...!"
If it weren't for the "COMPASS MARINE", which was introduced to the troops at great expense in December 2020, and the subsequent daily order from the commander dated
09.03.2021 under the title: "COMPASS MARINE - What to do".
Although almost every single sentence from it would be appropriate, I would like to emphasise just two quotes here:
"... As a visible expression of our identity and attitude, we wear our Uniform with pride...!"
"The navy looks back on a unique tradition that deserves to be recalled again and again. It is part of our identity and beats
to the values that we still stand for today. This tradition encompasses many facets, from the navy's birthday to Seamen's Sunday and the Uniform. This tradition must be recognised and lived."
Against this background, one cannot completely avoid the question of why and on what grounds this Suit has obviously found its way into the framework service plan for the boat service of this group of NCO candidates? And finally, a little tip to the editors: If the picture from page 8 of the report had been placed on the front page, the world of the alumni would be right again!
G. High
Read more:
From pride to demarcation - What a uniform is all about... Blog #meerverstehen from 10 June 2021
English 
German
To round off my above-mentioned findings, I have a letter from the Kdr MSM with picture evidence, in which he makes it clear that the corresponding on-board suit (i.e. "BEGA") is also worn during on-board service. So it works!
It's not about whether the soldier identifies with his TSK through his suit, but rather about what is carried to the public with such images and the self-image of the navy.