The German Special Forces Command (KSK), the elite unit of the German Bundeswehr, is under increasing pressure due to repeated cases of right-wing extremism. The commander of the unit, Brigadier General Markus Kreitmayr, currently sees this in a „difficult phase“, as he told the „Welt am Sonntag“.
„We are not talking about isolated cases. For us, every single suspected case is one too many, ”says Kreitmayr. A certain corps spirit is quite desirable among Germany’s elite soldiers: „We need this – in a positive sense – committed community that submits to the mission and, when the going gets tough, stands up for one another,“ said Kreitmayr. “It is harmful when negative traits come into this community and displace the good. And we have to prevent this with all the rule of law and through our leadership, upbringing and education. ”
Elite soldier had set up arms stores
German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) told the „world“ that „the strictest requirements for the commitment to the liberal-democratic basic order“ should apply to the special forces. Structural changes in the Military Shield Service (MAD) have already taken a number of measures to combat extremism, and others should follow “based on the results of the investigation into the current cases”. It is about working even better with civil security authorities and fully clarifying all backgrounds, in particular possible network structures.
A KSK soldier was arrested a few weeks ago, who is said to have set up an arms store and is said to have shown extreme right-wing symbols. Reports indicate that the man may have belonged to an extreme right network within the command.
