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{{expand German|Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr|date=February 2021}}
{{expand German|Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
| post = Inspector General
| post = Inspector General
| body = the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}
| body = the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}
| native_name = {{small|{{lang|de|Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr}}}}
| native_name = {{native name|de|Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr}}
| insignia =
| flag = Flagge Generalinspekteur Bundeswehr.svg
| insigniasize =
| flagsize =
| insigniacaption =
| flagborder =
| insigniaalt =
| flagcaption = Flag of the Inspector General of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}
| flag = Flagge Generalinspekteur Bundeswehr.svg
| insignia =
| flagsize =
| insigniasize =
| flagalt =
| insigniacaption =
| flagborder =
| image = Eberhard_Zorn_180919-D-PB383-004_(44066821474).jpg
| flagcaption = Flag of the Inspector General
| imagesize =
| image = Germany Chief of Defense Gen. Carsten Breuer Participates in a Public Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - 52791770623 (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| imagesize =
| incumbent = General [[Eberhard Zorn]]
| alt =
| acting =
| imagecaption =
| incumbentsince = 19 April 2018
| incumbent = General [[Carsten Breuer]]
| type =
| acting =
| status = Active
| incumbentsince = 17 March 2023
| department = [[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence]]
| department = [[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence]]
| style =
| style =
| member_of = [[Ministry of Defence Executive Group (Germany)|Ministry of Defence Executive Group]]
| type =
| reports_to = [[Federal Minister of Defence (Germany)|Federal Minister of Defence]]
| status =
| residence =
| abbreviation = IGBW
| seat =
| member_of = [[Ministry of Defence Executive Group (Germany)|Ministry of Defence Executive Group]]
| nominator =
| reports_to = [[Federal Minister of Defence (Germany)|Federal Minister of Defence]]
| appointer =
| residence =
| appointer_qualified =
| seat =
| termlength =
| nominator =
| termlength_qualified =
| appointer =
| constituting_instrument =
| appointer_qualified =
| precursor = {{lang|de|[[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht]]}}
| termlength =
| formation = 1 June 1957
| termlength_qualified =
| first = General [[Adolf Heusinger]]
| constituting_instrument =
| last =
| precursor = {{lang|de|[[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht]]}}
| abolished =
| formation = 1 June 1957
| succession =
| first = General [[Adolf Heusinger]]
| abbreviation = GenInspBw
| last =
| unofficial_names =
| abolished =
| deputy = {{flagicon image|Kommandozeichen Stv Generalinspekteur der BW.svg}} Deputy General Inspector of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}
| superseded_by =
| salary =
| succession =
| website = {{website|https://www.bmvg.de/en/organisation/the-chief-of-defence|Official Website}}
| unofficial_names =
| deputy = Deputy Inspector General of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}
| salary =
| website = {{website|https://www.bmvg.de/en/organisation/the-chief-of-defence|Official Website}}
| footnotes =
}}
}}


The '''Inspector General of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}''' ({{lang-de|Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr, GenInspBw}}), is the highest-ranking military position held by a [[commissioned officer]] on active duty in the {{lang|de|[[Bundeswehr]]}}, the present-day armed forces of [[Germany]].
The '''Inspector General of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}''' ({{langx|de|Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr, GenInspBw}}), is the highest-ranking military position held by a [[commissioned officer]] on active duty in the {{lang|de|[[Bundeswehr]]}}, the present-day armed forces of [[Germany]].


All Inspectors General have been of the rank of a ([[four-star rank|four-star]]) [[general (Germany)|general]] or [[Admiral (Germany)|admiral]], and they head the {{lang|de|Führungsstab der Streitkräfte}}, the German Defence Staff within the [[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence]], and is the direct military advisor to the [[Federal Minister of Defence (Germany)|Federal Minister of Defence]] who, in peacetime according to the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]], is the [[Commander in chief#Germany|default holder of the supreme command authority]] ({{lang-de|Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt}}) to ensure [[civilian control of the military]].
All Inspectors General have been of the rank of a ([[four-star rank|four-star]]) [[general (Germany)|general]] or [[Admiral (Germany)|admiral]], and they head the {{lang|de|Führungsstab der Streitkräfte}}, the German Defence Staff within the [[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence]], and is the direct military advisor to the [[Federal Minister of Defence (Germany)|Federal Minister of Defence]] who, in peacetime according to the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]], is the [[Commander in chief#Germany|default holder of the supreme command authority]] ({{langx|de|Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt}}) to ensure [[civilian control of the military]].


The Inspector General is responsible for the overall military defense concept of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, including the overall planning, preparation, as well as assessment of the whole {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} operations. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bmvg.de/en/organisation/the-chief-of-defence |title= The Chief of Defence |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2022 |website=bmvg.de |publisher=Federal Ministry of Defence |access-date=25 February 2022 |quote=The Chief of Defence is the administrative superior of all the soldiers in the armed forces under his command. As both the military advisor to the Federal Government and the senior military representative of the Bundeswehr, he is a member of the Ministry of Defence Executive Group.}}</ref> Subordinate to the Inspector General are the commanders of the branches of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, the [[Inspector of the Army]], [[Inspector of the Air Force]], and [[Inspector of the Navy]], and the commanders of the [[Joint Support Service (Germany)|Joint Support Service]] and [[Joint Medical Service (Germany)|Joint Medical Service]].
The Inspector General is responsible for the overall military defense concept of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, including the overall planning, preparation, as well as assessment of the whole {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} operations. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bmvg.de/en/organisation/the-chief-of-defence |title= The Chief of Defence |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2022 |website=bmvg.de |publisher=Federal Ministry of Defence |access-date=25 February 2022 |quote=The Chief of Defence is the administrative superior of all the soldiers in the armed forces under his command. As both the military advisor to the Federal Government and the senior military representative of the Bundeswehr, he is a member of the Ministry of Defence Executive Group.}}</ref> Subordinate to the Inspector General are the commanders of the branches of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, the [[Inspector of the Army]], [[Inspector of the Air Force]], and [[Inspector of the Navy]], and the commanders of the [[Joint Support Service (Germany)|Joint Support Service]] and [[Joint Medical Service (Germany)|Joint Medical Service]].
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| officeholder_sort = Altenburg, Wolfgang
| officeholder_sort = Altenburg, Wolfgang
| born_year = 1928
| born_year = 1928
| died_year =
| died_year = 2023
| term_start = 1 April 1983
| term_start = 1 April 1983
| term_end = 30 September 1986
| term_end = 30 September 1986
Line 249: Line 254:
| officeholder_sort = Bagger, Hartmut
| officeholder_sort = Bagger, Hartmut
| born_year = 1938
| born_year = 1938
| died_year =
| died_year = 2024
| term_start = 8 February 1996
| term_start = 8 February 1996
| term_end = 31 March 1999
| term_end = 31 March 1999
Line 360: Line 365:
| died_year =
| died_year =
| term_start = 19 April 2018
| term_start = 19 April 2018
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2018|04|19}}
| term_end = 17 March 2023
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2018|04|19|2023|03|17}}
| defence_branch = [[File:Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg|50px]]<br>[[German Army|Land Force]]
| defence_branch = [[File:Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg|50px]]<br>[[German Army|Land Force]]
| alt_officeholder = [[Ursula von der Leyen]]
| alt_officeholder = [[Ursula von der Leyen]]
Line 368: Line 374:
| alt_officeholder3 = [[Christine Lambrecht]]
| alt_officeholder3 = [[Christine Lambrecht]]
| alt_officeholder3_sort = Lambrecht, Christine
| alt_officeholder3_sort = Lambrecht, Christine
| alt_officeholder4 = [[Boris Pistorius]]
| alt_officeholder_sort4 = Pistorius, Boris
| ref = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order = 17
| image = Germany Chief of Defense Gen. Carsten Breuer Participates in a Public Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - 52791770623 (cropped).jpg
| military_rank = General
| officeholder = [[Carsten Breuer]]
| officeholder_sort = Breuer, Carsten
| born_year = 1964
| died_year =
| term_start = 17 March 2023
| term_end = Incumbent
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2023|03|17}}
| defence_branch = [[File:Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg|50px]]<br>[[German Army|Land Force]]
| alt_officeholder = [[Boris Pistorius]]
| alt_officeholder_sort = Pistorius, Boris
| alt_officeholder2 =
| alt_officeholder2_sort =
| alt_officeholder3 =
| alt_officeholder3_sort =
| alt_officeholder4 =
| alt_officeholder4_sort =
| ref = –
| ref = –
}}
}}
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{{Chief of military by country}}
{{Chief of military by country}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1957 establishments in West Germany]]
[[Category:Inspectors General of the Bundeswehr| ]]
[[Category:Inspectors General of the Bundeswehr| ]]
[[Category:Chiefs of defence|Germany]]
[[Category:Chiefs of defence|Germany]]
[[Category:German military personnel of the Bundeswehr]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 22 November 2024

Inspector General of the Bundeswehr
Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr (German)
Flag of the Inspector General
Incumbent
General Carsten Breuer
since 17 March 2023
Federal Ministry of Defence
AbbreviationIGBW
Member ofMinistry of Defence Executive Group
Reports toFederal Minister of Defence
PrecursorOberkommando der Wehrmacht
Formation1 June 1957
First holderGeneral Adolf Heusinger
DeputyDeputy Inspector General of the Bundeswehr
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (German: Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr, GenInspBw), is the highest-ranking military position held by a commissioned officer on active duty in the Bundeswehr, the present-day armed forces of Germany.

All Inspectors General have been of the rank of a (four-star) general or admiral, and they head the Führungsstab der Streitkräfte, the German Defence Staff within the Federal Ministry of Defence, and is the direct military advisor to the Federal Minister of Defence who, in peacetime according to the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, is the default holder of the supreme command authority (German: Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt) to ensure civilian control of the military.

The Inspector General is responsible for the overall military defense concept of the Bundeswehr, including the overall planning, preparation, as well as assessment of the whole Bundeswehr operations. [1] Subordinate to the Inspector General are the commanders of the branches of the Bundeswehr, the Inspector of the Army, Inspector of the Air Force, and Inspector of the Navy, and the commanders of the Joint Support Service and Joint Medical Service.

Title and translations

[edit]

While official translations of the position is "Chief of Defence",[2] the German term "Generalinspekteur" – "Inspector General" – was specifically created to avoid the term of "Generalstabschef" ("Chief of General Staff") deemed historically compromised.[citation needed] When the Bundeswehr was created in 1955, many traditional military terms were considered inappropriate after the German Wehrmacht's conduct in World War II. Therefore, the Bundeswehr has no "General Staff", but the "Army Command" ("Kommando Heer").

List of officeholders

[edit]
No. Portrait Inspector General Took office Left office Time in office Defence branch Federal Minister of Defence Ref.
1
Adolf Heusinger
Heusinger, AdolfGeneral
Adolf Heusinger
(1897–1982)		1 June 195731 March 19613 years, 303 days
Land Force		Strauß, Franz JosefFranz Josef Strauß–
2
Friedrich Foertsch
Foertsch, FriedrichGeneral
Friedrich Foertsch
(1900–1976)		1 April 196131 December 19632 years, 274 days
Land Force		Strauß, Franz JosefFranz Josef Strauß
Kai-Uwe von Hassel		–
3
Heinz Trettner
Trettner, HeinrichGeneral
Heinz Trettner
(1907–2006)		1 January 196425 August 19662 years, 236 days
Land Force		von Hassel, Kai-UweKai-Uwe von Hassel–
4
Ulrich de Maizière
de Maizière, UlrichGeneral
Ulrich de Maizière
(1912–2006)		25 August 196631 March 19725 years, 219 days
Land Force		von Hassel, Kai-UweKai-Uwe von Hassel
Gerhard Schröder
Helmut Schmidt		–
5
Armin Zimmermann
Zimmermann, ArminAdmiral
Armin Zimmermann
(1917–1976)		1 April 197230 November 19764 years, 243 days
Navy		Leber, GeorgGeorg Leber–
6
Harald Wust
Wust, HaraldGeneral
Harald Wust
(1921–2010)		21 December 197611 December 19781 year, 355 days
Air Force		Leber, GeorgGeorg Leber–
7
Jürgen Brandt
Brandt, JürgenGeneral
Jürgen Brandt
(1922–2003)		12 December 197831 March 19834 years, 109 days
Land Force		Apel, HansHans Apel
Manfred Wörner		–
8
Wolfgang Altenburg
Altenburg, WolfgangGeneral
Wolfgang Altenburg
(1928–2023)		1 April 198330 September 19863 years, 182 days
Land Force		Wörner, ManfredManfred Wörner–
9
Dieter Wellershoff
Wellershoff, DieterAdmiral
Dieter Wellershoff
(1933–2005)		1 October 198630 September 19914 years, 364 days
Navy		Wörner, ManfredManfred Wörner
Rupert Scholz
Gerhard Stoltenberg		–
10
Klaus Naumann
Naumann, KlausGeneral
Klaus Naumann
(born 1939)		1 October 19918 February 19964 years, 130 days
Land Force		Stoltenberg, GerhardGerhard Stoltenberg
Volker Rühe		–
11
Hartmut Bagger
Bagger, HartmutGeneral
Hartmut Bagger
(1938–2024)		8 February 199631 March 19993 years, 51 days
Land Force		Rühe, VolkerVolker Rühe
Rudolf Scharping		–
12
Hans-Peter von Kirchbach
von Kirchbach, Hans-PeterGeneral
Hans-Peter von Kirchbach
(born 1941)		1 April 199930 June 20001 year, 90 days
Land Force		Scharping, RudolfRudolf Scharping–
13
Harald Kujat
Kujat, HaraldGeneral
Harald Kujat
(born 1942)		1 July 200030 June 20021 year, 364 days
Air Force		Scharping, RudolfRudolf Scharping–
14
Wolfgang Schneiderhan
Schneiderhan, WolfgangGeneral
Wolfgang Schneiderhan
(born 1946)		1 July 200226 November 20097 years, 148 days
Land Force		Scharping, RudolfRudolf Scharping
Peter Struck
Franz Josef Jung
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg		–
–
Johann-Georg Dora [de]
Dora, Johann-GeorgLieutenant General
Johann-Georg Dora [de]
(born 1948)
Acting		27 November 200921 January 201055 days
Air Force		zu Guttenberg, Karl-TheodorKarl-Theodor zu Guttenberg–
15
Volker Wieker
Wieker, VolkerGeneral
Volker Wieker
(born 1954)		21 January 201019 April 20188 years, 88 days
Land Force		zu Guttenberg, Karl-TheodorKarl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Thomas de Maizière
Ursula von der Leyen		–
16
Eberhard Zorn
Zorn, EberhardGeneral
Eberhard Zorn
(born 1960)		19 April 201817 March 20234 years, 332 days
Land Force		von der Leyen, UrsulaUrsula von der Leyen
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
Christine Lambrecht
Boris Pistorius		–
17
Carsten Breuer
Breuer, CarstenGeneral
Carsten Breuer
(born 1964)		17 March 2023Incumbent1 year, 256 days
Land Force		Pistorius, BorisBoris Pistorius–

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Chief of Defence". bmvg.de. Federal Ministry of Defence. 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022. The Chief of Defence is the administrative superior of all the soldiers in the armed forces under his command. As both the military advisor to the Federal Government and the senior military representative of the Bundeswehr, he is a member of the Ministry of Defence Executive Group.
  2. ^ "The Chief of Defence". bmvg.de. The German Government. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
[edit]
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