This weekend marked 30 years since the Berlin Wall came down unifying the country of Germany.
Last year I was fortunate to serve alongside an incredible German Officer. He was hand-selected by NATO to serve as the Spokesman for NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.
This officer was experienced, proud and professional. He had way more years of experience than I did and had a lot to teach us. He was an example for everyone on the team.
He was performed very well at the art and science of public affairs. He knew the European media. He understood nuance between state-owned and international news outlets. He rocked interviews with the Afghan media, the international press, and German outlets.
He cared, deeeeeeeply about the mission. He cared about our history together – the history we were making and the history our nations made. He cared about the alliance.
He served under an American commander and alongside an American PAO, I’m sure it wasn’t super easy.
He did PT with us, he ate shit food and carried on like the rest of us for a long deployment. We did interviews together. We talked smack about our higher headquarters. We stayed in and got out of trouble, side by side.
What a guy.
“Allies and partners are a great strength of the United States. They add directly to U.S. political, economic, military, intelligence, and other capabilities. Together, the United States and our allies and partners represent well over half of the global GDP. None of our adversaries have comparable coalitions.” – US National Security Strategy
He grew up with his country divided. He served under the shadow that his country had once committed great atrocity. He never took for granted his freedom, and what it meant to serve. For him, every effort was wrapped in the greater purpose – the greater good of international alliance, the greatness to prove that nations can heal, the power of friendship across oceans.
I’m a better officer for having worked with him. America first, yes; but partners always.
Courtesy Photo Allied Joint Force Command Naples
