By Angelika Hellemann
The Bundeswehr has the ISoLa warning system. This stands for “Internal and Social Situation”.
If there is a case of right-wing extremism, suicide, violence or sexism anywhere in the force, an ISoLa report is sent to the management of the Ministry of Defense.
One of these warnings is causing quite a stir among the troops. Of all people, the commander of the Internal Command Center, two-star general Markus Kurczyk (58), is said to have sexually harassed a soldier.
The allegations are violent: Kurczyk, who is responsible for the leadership culture in the Bundeswehr, is said to have tried to kiss the officer on the mouth against his will. And grabbed his bottom.
Kurczyk, on the other hand, should deny these attacks.
The incident happened at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. An international sports competition for soldiers who have been wounded in body or soul in action.
At the closing ceremony on Friday two weeks ago there was a fatal encounter in the middle of the guests in the VIP lounge. Kurczyk, an avowed heterosexual, welcomed the openly gay officer. The two know each other from the Bundeswehr, but are not directly employed.
There are supposed to be witnesses, but they probably contradict each other. Some people “just” want to have seen a hug from Kurczyk. To others it was said to have looked like an attempted re-enactment of Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales’ kissing scene.
What is emphasized again and again: Kurczyk, who was there with his partner and his 11-year-old son, appeared very upset. He was in the Afghan war for almost three years.
One who met him there said: “He howled like a castle dog, let himself be carried away by the celebratory atmosphere, and lay in each other’s arms with other soldiers.”
Kurczyk’s defenders have started the #comrademarkus campaign on Instagram and are posting pictures of hugs with the general. Kurczyk is considered by his supporters to be unusually approachable for such a high-ranking soldier.
His critics believe that Kurczyk behaved in a detached manner throughout the evening and that he did not live up to his rank in any way.
Four days after the incident, the officer is said to have contacted the general by telephone. Only they know what the two of them talked about. In the Air Force, to which both belong, it is said: Kurczyk offered the officer a one-on-one conversation to clarify things. But this did not happen.
Three days later, the officer’s complaint was received by the ministry. Inspector General Carsten Breuer (58) acted consistently. Temporarily relieved Kurczyk of his position on Saturday and informed the Bundestag. Since then, the general has been on vacation. And the investigation is ongoing.
Stricter rules in the Bundeswehr
What makes the Kurczyk case even more explosive: Shortly before, it became known that Brigadier General Frank Reiland (56) from the personnel office had been sentenced to a disciplinary punishment for sexual harassment two years ago.
In the presence of a young intern, Reiland said to her father: “When I see your daughter, I get dirty thoughts.” Nevertheless, the ministry appointed him head of the new “Personnel Task Force”. When his case became public, Reiland was released from his new job and returned to the human resources office.
In the armed forces Stricter rules have been in effect for a week. The service regulations on sexual misconduct stipulate: Superiors must intervene not only in the event of physical assault, but also in the event of sexual comments and pornographic images.
The Center for Internal Leadership has developed a campaign for an anti-sexism decree. It says, among other things: The service is free from unwanted touching and harassing physical proximity.