Leipzig Mayor Joins Homeland Protection, Citing Shift in european Security
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LEIPZIG, Germany – Ulrich Hörning, a mayor and deputy for general governance in Leipzig, is among those participating in homeland protection training. Hörning, who initially refused military service in 1992 and served as a community service provider in a homeless shelter in northern france, reversed his decision in 2019.
Hörning attributed his change of heart to the evolving security landscape in Europe. “With the realization that we have had a wholly different security situation in Europe since 2014, specifically with the Russian invasion of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine, it became clear that the freedom and sovereignty we enjoy in the Federal Republic is not a given,” Hörning said.
womens Participation Exceeds 20 Percent in Homeland Protection
According to Commander Schreiber,the average age of homeland protection recruits over the past five years is 38. Schreiber noted the high percentage of women participating. “What surprises me the most personally is that the quota for women is well over 20 percent,” Schreiber said.
By comparison,women comprised nearly 14% of the Bundeswehr in 2024,according to the Bundeswehr. Schreiber also commented on the performance of women in training. “I always tell the men very clearly, the women ultimately show what an edge is. because of the biology,they have some disadvantages,but they bite a lot better.” He added that dropout rates are lower in this training compared to standard basic training.
I always tell the men very clearly,the women ultimately show what an edge is.Because of the biology, they have disadvantages, but they bite a lot better.
Manfred Schreiber, Commander of the Homeland Protection Regiment 3 in Nienburg
The training program spans 26 days. Hörning has completed 10 days so far. “I think what is still due is the more active part, namely luggage march, bivouac and also shot on the shooting track. We have not yet done that,” Hörning said.”We have now only trained a lot in the classroom, so to speak, with military rights and free democratic basic order and basics of the guard service.”
Recruits are released from their regular duties for the duration of the training. Capt. Sebastian, deputy company chief of the training company in Nienburg, noted the demanding schedule. “I have to be so honest,the days are also very,very long,the service can last until 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., it starts at 6 a.m.,” Sebastian said.
Hörning added that self-study is also required outside of training hours, but manageable. Participation in the training requires agreement from both the recruit and their employer, a concept referred to as “double voluntariness.” public officials continue to receive their regular pay, while self-employed individuals and workers receive benefits under the maintenance security law.
Homeland Protection Tasks in Wartime
In the event of war, homeland protectors are tasked with safeguarding critical infrastructure, according to Capt. Sebastian. “This includes railway lines, railway lines… Streets can belong, we speak of bridges,” Sebastian said. “this starts with seaports, which are also part of the critical infrastructure, [and] can also be a substation.”
We secure the transport, we provide food, fuel. Everything that is needed is provided on the rest rooms.
Capt. Sebastian, Deputy Company Chief of the training company in Nienburg
Furthermore, homeland protection units are responsible for ensuring the mobility of both domestic and NATO troops, including securing transport routes and providing logistical support.
Leipzig Mayor Joins Homeland Protection: Your Questions Answered
This article provides answers to common questions about the homeland protection training program, drawing on the content of a report on the participation of leipzig Mayor Ulrich Hörning.
Q: Who is ulrich Hörning and why is he in homeland protection training?
A: Ulrich Hörning is the mayor and deputy for general governance in Leipzig, Germany. He is participating in homeland protection training, a decision he attributes to the changing security landscape in Europe. Specifically, Hörning cites the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine as significant factors that led him to reconsider his initial refusal of military service.
Q: What prompted Hörning’s change of heart about military service?
A: Hörning’s change of heart stemmed from his observations of the evolving security situation in Europe. He realized that the freedom and sovereignty enjoyed in Germany wasn’t a guarantee, especially considering the events in Crimea and Ukraine.
Q: What does the homeland protection training involve?
A: The training program spans 26 days.It includes classroom instruction on military rights, democratic principles, and guard service basics. Other components include a luggage march, bivouac, and shooting exercises.
Q: What is the schedule like for those in the training?
A: Recruits are released from their regular duties for the duration of the training. The schedule is demanding, with days starting at 6 a.m. and potentially lasting until 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. Self-study is also required.
Q: How many women participate in the homeland protection training?
A: The percentage of women participating in homeland protection training is “well over 20 percent,” according to Commander Schreiber.
Q: How does this compare to the percentage of women in the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) overall?
A: Women comprised nearly 14% of the Bundeswehr in 2024.
Q: What is the average age of homeland protection recruits?
A: The average age of homeland protection recruits over the past five years is 38.
Q: What are the tasks of homeland protection units in wartime?
A: In the event of war, homeland protection units are responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Q: What kind of infrastructure is protected?
A: Protected infrastructure includes railway lines, roads, bridges, seaports, and substations.
Q: What other tasks do homeland protection units perform?
A: Homeland protection units also ensure the mobility of domestic and NATO troops,including securing transport routes and providing logistical support.
Q: Where does the content of this blog post come from?
A: This blog post is based on the provided article content. All details,including quotes and statistics,is derived directly from the article.
