Following convictions of three former soldiers of the Berlin guard battalion for violent sexual initiation rituals, leading figures in German politics and the military have addressed the issue of such practices and customs within the armed forces. Reports indicate that while young conscripts can still expect forms of robust camaraderie and esprit de corps, clear boundaries must not be crossed.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) stated clearly in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung: “Violence, extremism and sexism have no place in our Bundeswehr”. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a high reporting rate of such incidents, adding: “We want to achieve that as many cases as possible are reported. We take every suspicion seriously, we investigate and act consistently.
Pistorius highlighted the significance of a modernized training approach within the new conscription program, noting: “In simplified terms, we are turning over every stone. It’s not just about introducing new modules, such as drone training”. The aim is to cultivate confident recruits treated with respect from the outset, recognizing that all soldiers must be able to rely on each other “in every situation”. He stated that camaraderie “holds the unit together and strengthens readiness.
Conversely, Pistorius stressed that failure to report incidents “damages cohesion”. Regulations have been adapted and legal frameworks sharpened in recent years “to remove perpetrators more quickly from the armed forces.
André Wüstner, chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, a union-like organization, acknowledged the existence of traditions within military communities but cautioned against overstepping boundaries. “Initiation rituals can be a good thing for spirit and community feeling” he said. “They find their limits where they violate human dignity, physical integrity, laws, or Bundeswehr regulations. If people cross these limits, they will rightfully be held accountable.
Henning Otte, the German Bundestag’s military ombudsman, stated in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung: “Practices or so-called rituals that rely on degradation and violence are unacceptable. They must have no place in our Bundeswehr and must be prevented by supervisory personnel.
The case that triggered these discussions involved multiple older soldiers from the guard battalion who subjected a younger recruit to sexual harassment and humiliation. The defendants admitted that the “suppository ritual” was common in their companies, as were other initiation exercises elsewhere. Last week, another soldier was convicted of serious bodily harm and failure to provide assistance to his subordinate. Several accomplices remain undetected or are on the run. Currently, the Bundeswehr and prosecutors are investigating potential incidents related to initiation rituals at the Panzergrenadierbataillon in Marienberg.