What does a ship's constable actually do?

SEvery Bundeswehr company (battery, inspection, squadron and similar) on land has one: the company sergeant (KpFw), the "mother of the company". The man or woman with the yellow cord, also known colloquially as the "spit".

KpFw are responsible for internal service for the unit commanders and, as leaders of the NCO corps, are jointly responsible for personnel management. On ships of the German Navy (battalion), the "Spieß" is called Schiffswachtmeister (SWM). One of them: Oberstabsbootsmann Andreas G. He is the Ship's Watch Master (SWM) on the Einsatzgruppenversorger "Bonn". His main tasks: Leading, advising, planning and coordinating.

A passionate carer

Andreas G. recently celebrated his 30th anniversary of service. He began his career in 1993 as a sailor in deck service, assignment series 11. During his training and further training to become a deck master, the senior petty officer in charge of all maritime duties, he served on various boats and ships in the German Navy. He was also one of the first crew members of the frigate "Sachsen" (class 124).

It was here that his current profession was foreshadowed. For four years, he was the ship's watchkeeper's permanent deputy. "I really enjoyed it, and I realised early on that I really wanted to make this my main job," says Andreas.

From the use for the use

Personnel management suits the 47-year-old. In 2008, he became Head of Personnel at the Bundeswehr Headquarters (SDBw), now the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Personnel Management (BAPersBw) in Cologne. There, he was responsible for the servicewomen and men in deployment series 11 - deck service, his original area of responsibility on board. At the time, this was the policy in SDBw III 3 - Personnel Development Uffz/Msch Marine: personnel managers come from the deployment series that they manage and develop.

Bonn" duty station: At 20,900 tonnes, the 174-metre-long ship is the largest vessel in the German Navy. Photo: Bundeswehr/Leon Rodewald

Seafaring is necessary

At some point, however, the longing gripped him again. So in 2011, he took the opportunity for the second time to take over a new ship from the shipyard as "commissioning deck master", this time the task force supply ship "Bonn".

"I wasn't able to become a ship's watchkeeper at the time, as I didn't have the standing time," explains the experienced seaman. "So it wasn't until 1 October 2014 that I was able to take on the role of watchkeeping officer, which I find absolutely fulfilling."

With over 12 years of service, the "Oberstaber" is the longest-serving soldier on board. This means that he is in great demand as a counsellor for the crew - regardless of rank - in all official and personal situations. In particular, when it comes to personal development, he can draw on his many years of experience, especially from his time in the SDBw in Cologne, and provide many a comrade with detailed advice.

Personnel management at sea

The main tasks at sea are comparable to the tasks in every unit on land. The development of personnel from crew rank to non-commissioned officer with a licence to serve is one of the SWM's many areas of responsibility. This includes personnel and career counselling, personnel planning on board (including the transfer of soldiers, also abroad), advising the ship's command on personnel matters, as well as contributing to the daily duty roster. He receives newly transferred comrades and assigns them their quarters and bunks (sleeping areas on board). He is also responsible for planning training courses for all crew members.

"First and foremost, I am an advisor to the chief officer and the commander in all personnel matters," emphasises the chief petty officer. "All personnel management goes over my desk, except for that of the officers, which is handled by the chief officer."

EGV "Bonn" - in addition to the regular crew of around 170 people, almost 70 people can be embarked as additional personnel. Photo: Michael Nitz

Flexibility required

During the ongoing EU mission Irini (United Nations arms embargo against Libya) in the Mediterranean, the "Bonn" was selected by the naval command in April 2023 as a base for a sea-based evacuation of German and foreign nationals due to the unrest in Sudan. Within a very short space of time, tonnes of material and up to 75 additional people were accommodated on the ship. With only 239 berths available but a total of 280 people on board, the entire internal service had to be reorganised. "For many people, everyday life on board was completely new and it was difficult to find their way around the ship at first. Questions about catering and the availability of toilets had to be clarified. The watchkeepers couldn't do all this on their own; it was only possible in close cooperation with those responsible in the main sections and the ship's command," says the SWM.

Family man

The seasoned sailor has had numerous memorable experiences during his time at sea. His sea voyages have taken him to the Pacific, the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa and the North Sea.

"But an absolute highlight during my entire time in the navy was travelling with my son on the "Bonn". He joined the ship for four months in 2021 as a crewman. He was a navigation guest and I was his ship's watch commander. That is an experience that I will never forget in my life," enthuses the father of the family.

And his family is hugely important to the husband and father of two. Without their support, serving in the navy would not be possible for him. Going to sea always means that the family has to put up with long absences, usually of four to six months. "My wife has been doing this since 1996," says Andreas thoughtfully. "Hats off, I say every time I come home. If my wife and children weren't behind me, it wouldn't work at all."

Seaman until end of service

After 23 years of service on board, the question of when to say goodbye to seafaring in order to spend his last years close to home and thus close to his family also came up for the experienced naval officer at some point. However, a planned transfer did not materialise, so Andreas extended his contract as ship's watch officer on the "Bonn" until 2027. "In 2030, however, it will be the end for me for good," says the Chief Petty Officer (OSB).

Thank you

In the coming years, the experienced superior will therefore be able to support numerous soldiers with valuable knowledge and give them important advice on their life's journey if required.

Men and women of the calibre of Andreas G. are "types" and indispensable for our navy.

"Bravo Zulu", Mr Chief Boatswain!

Source: Bundeswehr/Navy