After more than three and a half years of war in Ukraine and facing the threat from Russia, the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, have had to fundamentally rethink their operational plans.

“Effectiveness takes precedence over taking cover, because there is no second-place winner,” says the recently retired inspector of the army, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, about being involved in active combat.

If the military defence of Germany and its NATO partners were ever required, waiting in a secure field camp during foreign missions - the Bundeswehr’s traditional focus - would not be an option, he notes.

The shift has now been to focus on the challenges of national and NATO defence. A combat-ready German brigade is being stationed in Lithuania and discussions are ongoing on how Germany could participate in security guarantees for Ukraine.

Young people are much more serious

Recruitment efforts, which for a long time resembled those of an ordinary employer, have also become more military focused.

“I believe that all our soldiers know what they might face. And we notice that too. In conversations with young people, I find that they have become much more serious,” Mais tells dpa.

“Anyone who signs up for the Bundeswehr today knows that there is a war in Europe.”

Tensions have risen in recent months. Sabotage and espionage in Germany, numerous sightings of drones across many European airports as well as preparations for potential military incidents, are changing the armed forces.

Lessons are being drawn from the bloody defensive battles of the Ukrainians. A military confrontation could also begin at an inopportune time.

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“We must be aware that if the bell rings, it could catch us in a less-than-optimal state or at a less than optimal time. Commanders must mentally prepare for this,” the retired lieutenant general says.

To withstand an attack against the Russian military apparatus – and even to ensure credible deterrence – there has to be a determination or “mindset” beyond weaponry, Mais adds.

It is more like an attitude - a willingness to defend even in situations that demand a great deal - sometimes an inhuman amount – from individuals. A deeply civilian society struggles with this.

Fighting an opponent: a job like no other

Sergeant Major Jan Hecht experienced such a situation during a patrol in Afghanistan in the summer of 2009. “The fight lasted five hours, five highly intense hours,” says the non-commissioned officer, who was awarded the Cross of Honour for Bravery.

He and his 36-man platoon were tasked with inspecting a rarely used connecting road in Kunduz province for explosive devices when a German reconnaissance team to their north was hit by an explosive device and became involved in a firefight.

Hecht ordered his team to mount up and attempted to fight their way to the reconnaissance team.

Upon approach, they immediately came under heavy enemy fire: approximately 80 attackers - this was later determined - had set up an ambush.

“Time and space are difficult to describe in retrospect. It’s a situation where time is no longer perceptible,” he recounts. “Sometimes it passes very quickly. And then there are phases that seem to last forever, and you feel like hours have passed. In reality, only a few minutes have gone by.”

The soldiers fought their way free but were later drawn into a second battle further along.

No feelings like aggression or anger

“At the first encounter with the enemy, with fire everywhere, it’s mostly instinct. What’s next? It’s all instinct, experience, working through what you’ve experienced before,” Hecht says.

“The goal of drill training is to function in chaotic situations without having to think about your actions. And a combat situation is so intense that rational thinking about what to do next is practically impossible.”

Hecht notes that he did not feel emotions like aggression or anger, but rather experienced hours of adrenaline and high pressure, during which he remained relatively emotionless.

“There is a certain determination that you have to show to survive in such a situation. If you don’t have this determination, you might hesitate, which could be detrimental,” the soldier says.

“Bravery is a reflective process”

So far, 33 soldiers have been awarded the Cross of Honour. They serve as role models for the armed forces for their initiative, leadership and extraordinary bravery. Every soldier swears an oath to be brave.

“Bravery is a reflective process. It involves coming to terms with the fact that something might happen to me, that I might cause someone harm,” says Mais.

“When courage is added to bravery in a specific situation, we have people capable of extraordinary achievements. People who put themselves second in special situations to protect their comrades, to rescue them from danger, or to fulfil the mission despite the greatest resistance.”

Lieutenant General Alfons Mais during an interview with dpa in his office at the Bundeswehr barracks in Strausberg, just outside Berlin. Mais recently retired. Carsten Koall/dpa

Sergeant Major Jan Hecht, who served in Afghanistan, received the Cross for Honour for Bravery. Carsten Koall/dpa