According to findings by FAZ, paratroopers are currently facing serious accusations of right-wing extremist actions, sexual harassment, and drug abuse. The scandal erupted after two female service members approached the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces. Military justice, the prosecutor's office, and the military counterintelligence service (MAD) are currently conducting an investigation, including checks at the 26th Parachute Regiment located in Zweibrücken, Rhineland-Palatinate. The first reactions to the situation have already emerged: dismissals, a ban on wearing military uniforms, and a change in the regiment's command. According to FAZ, problematic practices such as right-wing extremist slogans and anti-Semitic insults have existed in the paratrooper units for many years, accompanied by excessive alcohol and drug use.
Female service members have also reported instances of sexual violence and humiliating comments, creating an atmosphere in which any complaints were perceived as betrayal. In some companies, women were viewed as a hindrance rather than as equal comrades.
Those who wished to protect themselves from incidents faced isolation or transfers to other units, while the accused often remained in their units. Official rituals, such as the forced attachment of the parachutist badge, also raise questions: despite their traditional explanation, they can be seen as legally problematic. Participants in these rituals were subjected to physical pressure, and refusal to participate was often punished.
The Ministry of Defense states that such practices are unacceptable and subject to criminal prosecution under the German Military Penal Code.
Problems in the Bundeswehr's Elites
The situation in the paratrooper units is not unique: similar problems are observed in the Special Forces Command (KSK) in Calw. In both cases, similarities can be noted: fragmented units, high physical and psychological stress, and a culture in which loyalty to the group is prioritized over formal rules.
According to information from MAD, warning signals have also been ignored in the KSK for many years. From 2017 to 2021, the service investigated about fifty cases of right-wing extremism in this unit, leading to the dismissal of several soldiers, transfers, and the disbandment of one company.
The case involving Sergeant Major Philipp S., who in 2020 stored weapons and ammunition from Bundeswehr supplies on his property, caused public outcry. Despite the presence of extremist materials, the court could not prove the motives for the crime, and the soldier was convicted only for violating weapon laws.
As a result, the second company of the KSK was disbanded due to manifestations of right-wing extremism and toxic culture, as noted in the final report by Inspector General Eberhard Zorn.
Current reports from MAD indicate that right-wing extremism remains a relevant issue in the Bundeswehr: in 2024, 1,159 cases of suspected extremism were recorded, including 216 new cases of right-wing extremism.
Why Are Measures Taken So Late?
According to §10 of the Soldiers Act, Bundeswehr officers are required to immediately report cases of extremism and serious service violations. Company and battalion commanders bear special responsibility for documenting and investigating such facts.
Officers and non-commissioned officers are expected to set an example, supervise, and care for their subordinates. Their orders must comply with the law and international standards, as well as demonstrate restraint both in service and outside of it. However, in isolated elite units, complaints have long been ignored due to concerns about combat readiness and reputation.
Disciplinary measures, such as dismissal or demotion, are often only applied at later stages when clear evidence of leadership failure is required.
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