Ceremonial oath of the Bundeswehr: Difference between revisions

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Cadets of the German Navy in formation for their ceremonial pledge in front of the German Naval Academy (*Marineschule Mürwik*)

There were originally two types of soldiers serving in the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence): regular units and conscripts. Consequently, there were also two types of oaths. Conscripts recited a pledge, since their service was compulsory and not unconditionally voluntary. Regular soldiers recited an oath in its true sense.

Conscripted personnel

Soldiers speaking the pledge for conscripted personnel

Conscript's pledge:

"Ich gelobe, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen."

Translation:

"I pledge to loyally serve the Federal Republic of Germany and to courageously defend the right and the liberty of the German people."^[1]

Conscripts are allowed to decline taking the pledge, but this forfeits any chance of promotion during service. This refusal does not constitute conscientious objection to military service, since German conscripts are also allowed to render alternative social service in its place.

Professional soldiers and Soldiers for a Time

Oath for other enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers and officers serving for at least two years (Soldiers For a Time) or for lifetime (professional soldiers):

"Ich schwöre, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen, so wahr mir Gott helfe."

Translation:

"I swear to loyally serve the Federal Republic of Germany and to courageously defend the right and the liberty of the German people, so help me God."

The religious adjunct used with the oath was optional, the replacing of "ich gelobe" (I pledge) with "ich schwöre" (I swear) was not.

References

^ "Commemorating German resistance fighters". Bundesregierung: The Federal Government. Retrieved 23 October 2020.

[1] "Commemorating German resistance fighters". Bundesregierung: The Federal Government. Retrieved 23 October 2020.

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Refimprove|date=October 2020}}
-There are two types of soldiers serving in the [[Bundeswehr]] (Federal Defence), regular units and conscripts. [[Conscription]] currently lasts 9 months.
+[[Image:Vereidigung-msm-2006.jpg|thumb|300px|Cadets of the [[German Navy]] in formation for their ceremonial pledge in front of the German Naval Academy (''[[Mürwik Naval School|Marineschule Mürwik]]'')]]
-Thus there are two types of [[oath]]s, the one for conscripts, is only a solemn vow, since conscripts are possibly involuntarily soldiers. The oath for regular soldiers is sworn.
+There were originally two types of soldiers serving in the ''[[Bundeswehr]]'' (Federal Defence): regular units and [[Conscription in Germany|conscripts]]. Consequently, there were also two types of [[Military oath|oaths]]. Conscripts recited a pledge, since their service was compulsory and not unconditionally voluntary. Regular soldiers recited an oath in its true sense.
+==Conscripted personnel==
-For conscripts:
+[[Image:Geloebnis.ogg|thumb|Soldiers speaking the pledge for conscripted personnel]]
+Conscript's pledge:
 :''"Ich gelobe, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen."''
@@ Line 8: / Line 11: @@
 Translation:
-:''"I vow to faithfully serve the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] and to bravely defend the right and the freedom of the German people."''
+:''"I pledge to loyally serve the [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]] and to courageously defend the right and the liberty of the German people."''<ref>{{cite web |title=Commemorating German resistance fighters |url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/commemorating-german-resistance-fighters-402858 |website=Bundesregierung: The Federal Government |accessdate=23 October 2020}}</ref>
-Any conscripted soldier is allowed to deny taking the oath. He (as only males are subject to conscription) does forfeit any chance of promotion in this case . German conscripts have the right to deny armed service in the military for reasons of conscience. In that case they are obliged to do alternative civilian service in the social sector (in hospitals, orphanages and so on, or in ''[[Technisches Hilfswerk]]'').
+Conscripts are allowed to decline taking the pledge, but this forfeits any chance of promotion during service. This refusal does not constitute conscientious objection to military service, since German conscripts are also allowed to render alternative social service in its place.
+==Professional soldiers and Soldiers for a Time==
+Oath for other enlisted personnel, [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]] serving for at least two years (Soldiers For a Time) or for lifetime (professional soldiers):
+:''"Ich schwöre, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen, so wahr mir Gott helfe."''
-For other enlisted personnel, [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[commissioned officer|officers]] (serving for a longer period of time or for lifetime):
+Translation:
-:''"Ich schwöre, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen (, so wahr mir Gott helfe).''
+:''"I swear to loyally serve the Federal Republic of Germany and to courageously defend the right and the liberty of the German people, so help me God."''
-Translation:
+The religious adjunct used with the oath was optional, the replacing of "''ich gelobe''" (I pledge) with "''ich schwöre''" (I swear) was not.
-:''"I swear to faithfully serve the Federal Republic of Germany and to bravely defend the right and the freedom of the German people (, so help me God)."''
+==References==
-The religious part is optional in any case.
+<references />
-{{Germany-mil-stub}}
+[[Category:Bundeswehr]]
 [[Category:German military law]]
-[[Category:State ritual and ceremonial]]
+[[Category:State ritual and ceremonies]]
+[[Category:Military oaths]]
+[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
-[[de:Gelöbnis]]