German Central Manual A-2620/1 “Political Education within the Armed Forces” requires Germans serving in multinational headquarters and units to having regularly political education. Topics should be focussed on historical developments, political and military structures, and procedures of the contributing nations. It goes without saying that the manual applies to the four German soldiers serving in the JCBRND COE as well. Consequently, COL Volker R. Quante, in his capacity as German Senior National Representative, and in close cooperation with the German Military Attaché in Prague, LTC (GS) Stefan Halberstadt, organised a one-day educational event in Prague on 6th November 2017.

At the end of the day, MSGT Dirk Mueller and MSGT Vojtech Horejsi, the latter working for the German Embassy, did most of the work, though. The tight schedule comprised visits of the library of Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter), of the Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) with the Basilica of St. Vitus, of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church (“Operation Anthropoid” – the Heydrich assassination), and last but not least of the Palais Lobkowicz, the home of the German Embassy. From the foundation of the Prague Castle 870 A.D. to the Velvet Revolution 1989 nearly 1.120 years of European history were covered. After an excellent dinner in a local restaurant close to the German Embassy, COL Quante thanked the German Attaché Staff for the outstanding support, and expressed his wish to repeat the event someday.

Text: LTC Bernd Allert, (DEU A)

Photo: MSGT Vojtech Horejsi, (DEU A)