Fireside Chat: Strategic and Operational Reserve from a Civilian Perspective

Deterrence and warfighting capability are not exclusively military concepts. Rather, they are societal or even whole-of-society responsibilities. The sovereign people grant the armed forces their mandate, as the military represents, defends, and is drawn from the population. The primacy of politics also means that citizens not only elect and can be elected to political leadership but also serve in the armed forces. While professional soldiers dedicate their lives to service, the Bundeswehr as a whole is recruited from the depth and breadth of society. This civilian society constitutes the Bundeswehr’s entire capacity for expansion and, in times of crisis, also forms its reserves.

In the digital age, it is this civilian world that drives innovation and manages economic resources on a scale far exceeding what security agencies have at their disposal. It acts independently and without formal orders—purely out of its own initiative. This is evident in the mobilization of civilian resources and capabilities, enabling their rapid and flexible integration into Bundeswehr operations.

Matthias Wittenburg has launched such an initiative: a digital platform that connects interested citizens with the Bundeswehr for service and reserve duty. A seasoned professional—a former bank executive and entrepreneur—Wittenburg is also an Ironman competitor. Yet, even with his extensive experience, it is clear that every initiative must align with existing institutions. These insights will be the focus of our fireside discussion.