Re-introducing the Iron Cross?

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by AntEater

Basically, right wingers don't take the Bundeswehr serious because it is not like the Wehrmacht and left wingers hate the Bundeswehr because it is too much like the Wehrmacht

Nice summary!

Especially troublesome are the "Mail order ranks" (Neckermann-Dienstgrade) where specialists start at a higher rank. Instant feldwebels are simply not taken serious by real NCOs.

What the...? I did not even know that such things existed. Are they spared from basic training, or do they run it at already higher ranks?

I have a loose contact to two officers, who both have had time in Afghanistan. One of them said "We are running lower and lower on good seargents." I need to ask him next time if he meant it regarding quality, or quantity.