Ceremonial oath of the Bundeswehr
Encyclopedia
There are two types of soldiers serving in the Bundeswehr
(Federal Defence Forces): regular units and conscripts
. Consequently, there are also two types of oath
s. That for conscripts is a pledge, since the latter may be soldiers against their own will. The oath for regular units is an oath in the word's proper sense.
Translation:
Alternative translation:
Any conscripted soldier is allowed to deny taking the pledge. In this case, however, he will forfeit any chance of promotion during his service (this refusal is not to be mistaken for the conscientious objection to military service, which allows German conscripts to render a social alternative service).
s and officers serving for a perennial period or for lifetime:
Translation:
The religious adjunct used with the oath is optional.
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
(Federal Defence Forces): regular units and conscripts
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
. Consequently, there are also two types of oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
s. That for conscripts is a pledge, since the latter may be soldiers against their own will. The oath for regular units is an oath in the word's proper sense.
Conscripted personnel
Conscripts' 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 faithfully serve the Federal Republic of GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and to bravely defend the right and the freedom of the German people."
Alternative translation:
- "I pledge to faithfully serve the Federal Republic of GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and to bravely defend the law and the freedom of the German people."
Any conscripted soldier is allowed to deny taking the pledge. In this case, however, he will forfeit any chance of promotion during his service (this refusal is not to be mistaken for the conscientious objection to military service, which allows German conscripts to render a social alternative service).
Enlisted personnel
Oath for other enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officerNon-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s and officers serving for a perennial period or for lifetime:
- "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 bravely defend the rights and freedom of the German people, so help me God."
The religious adjunct used with the oath is optional.