The soldierly heritage in the best Germany that ever existed. . For the cultivation and further development of soldierly traditions offers them manifold opportunities to internalise their role in state and society. Values and role models serve as practical help in their lives. Especially in dangerous situations, they are a helper-in-need. The joint work on selecting the soldierly heritage contributes to the cohesion and fighting strength of military units. And as a soldierly statement of values, they are an important confidence-building measure vis-à-vis politics and society.
Cultivating tradition, however, means hard work. It requires a comprehensive understanding of German and European history. Historical, political and ethical education are indispensable components of the soldiering profession. Higher superiors in the Bundeswehr should see themselves as caretakers and guardians of the heritage of the German soldier in the 21st century - within the Bundeswehr, but also in public debates. The focus of this introduction is a change of perspective. From the difficult fatherland as the previous point of reference for soldierly traditions, we direct our gaze more strongly to Germany in the 21st century. It is pride in this fatherland, in the best Germany that ever existed, that should guide the commitment of all citizens to the cultivation of tradition.
