"Michael Giss discusses the topic of providing official support for the Bundeswehr"
In light of Germany's ongoing efforts to modernise its military and reassess its defence strategy, public understanding and support are crucial. This is according to Michael Giss, a prominent figure in the country's defence discourse.
One of the key challenges facing the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, is a severe personnel shortage, with a particular lack of reservists. To address this issue, Michael Giss suggests that fostering a culture of military readiness among citizens is essential.
Public awareness campaigns, educational programmes, and community engagement are proposed as effective strategies to achieve this goal. Utilising local and national media outlets, organising public forums, integrating military topics into school curricula, and conducting community workshops are some of the methods being considered.
Furthermore, partnerships between the military and civilian organisations, volunteer programmes, and digital platforms are also being explored to promote mutual understanding and support. Annual or bi-annual defence reports, public outreach offices, and social media campaigns are among the initiatives being proposed to keep the public informed and engaged.
Collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and participation in community events are also being considered as means of amplifying messages and reaching a broader audience.
The Interior Minister, Strobl, has made civil defence a priority, and the State Ministry has formed a round table for defence economics. The youth officers in Baden-Württemberg are relatively well utilised, but there are too few of them, according to Michael Giss.
The attack on Ukraine has awakened people, according to Michael Giss, as Russia's non-peaceful behaviour could already be observed years ago. The Minister of Economics has focused on defence economics, and the State Ministry has expressed concern that only one in four people in the country are willing to take up arms to defend it in case of war.
The regional command in Baden-Württemberg will participate in the BOS Day of the State Gazette, a specialist conference on civil-military cooperation, on November 11, 2025. The state governments are implementing the federal government's communication of the new situation very differently, with details in Baden-Württemberg yet to be provided.
Michael Giss believes that creating awareness about war and the need to protect the country should start at a young age. He also emphasises the importance of understanding that each citizen has a role to play in the overall structure, state, and prosperity of the country.
In conclusion, by implementing these strategies, Germany can effectively educate and sensitise its citizens about military readiness and security challenges, thereby strengthening its defence capabilities and ensuring the protection of its liberal democracy.
Economic and social policy must incorporate efforts to increase public awareness and support for defence modernization and strategy, given the ongoing challenges facing the Bundeswehr and Germany's defence sector. To achieve this goal, Michael Giss advocates for partnerships between the military and civilian organizations, public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and community engagement. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of understanding each citizen's role in national security and the need to foster a culture of military readiness among the general public. Politics and general news should cover these initiatives, as they are critical for maintaining a strong and prosperous country.
