NVA soldiers excluded from veteran status: a clear cut!

NVA soldiers excluded from veteran status: a clear cut!

Deutschland - On June 13, 2025, the profound topic of the NVA veterans and their status within the German veteran community was again examined. According to a spokesman for the veteran day, the official definition of veterans from other German armies excludes. This means that soldiers of the former National People's Army (NVA) are not recognized as veterans.

Marcel Bohnert, the deputy federal chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, stated that the NVA acted as a socialist class and party army that worked as part of the Warsaw Pact and under the ideology of the GDR. This assessment has contributed to the official classification of the NVA as not traditional in Germany. In addition, the unification agreement stipulates that NVA veterans cannot be included in the term veteran.

The role of the veterans in Germany

The question of what role veterans play in Germany is repeatedly discussed controversially. The concept of the veteran is closely associated with the protection of the free democratic basic order of the Federal Republic. In order to be considered a veteran, soldiers must have stored an oath or a vow in this regard, which does not apply to the members of the NVA.

In the Bundeswehr, veterans are of great importance. They are not only part of the military tradition, but also an important part of society. Information and resources are provided on bundeswehr.de who deal with the life of the veterans after service and their integration into society.

past versus present

The topic of the NVA and the veteran also has an impact on society. While veterans are celebrated as a sign of national honor in many countries, the NVA remains controversial in German history. The Bundeswehr endeavors to consider a differentiated view, which takes into account both the historical experience of the soldiers and their integration into today's society, as is explained to bundeswehr.de

The discussion about the recognition of the NVA as veterans opens another chapter in dealing with German history and the definition of honor and service to the nation. The awareness of these topics remains essential to promote dialogue about the past and its importance for the present.