The Evolution of Germany’s Veteran Culture: Lieutenant Colonel Marcel Bohnert on the Changing Role of Veterans in German Society

Germany’s post-Cold War military engagements, particularly in Afghanistan, marked a turning point for the Deutsche Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and its veteran community. In this interview, Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Marcel Bohnert reflects on the challenges faced by returning soldiers, the slow societal and political recognition of veterans, and the efforts to establish a German veteran culture. He explores how combat deployments have reshaped perceptions of military service, the role of veteran organizations in advocating for soldiers’ rights, and the significance of the recently established National Veterans Day. Bohnert also addresses the Bundeswehr’s internal struggle to integrate veterans’ experiences into its institutional memory and the broader implications of shifting European security dynamics. His insights highlight the ongoing transformation of Germany’s military identity, and the work still needed to ensure lasting recognition for its veterans.