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An interview with a former soldier of the Grenztruppen Der DDR, Border Guards of the former East Germant
An interview with a former soldier of the Grenztruppen Der DDR, Border Guards of the former East Germant
For privacy reasons, the soldier will simply be referred to as Grenzer/G.
He was drafted at age 20 and released at age 21, during 1981/82.
This interview is translated from German and adapted to fit this thread.
He was drafted at age 20 and released at age 21, during 1981/82.
This interview is translated from German and adapted to fit this thread.
K: Overall, did you enjoy your time?
G: The first three months were downright sore, it was the training. 2 NCOs were stupid because they were stupid in general education. But was is the training good? The time was good for me and strengthened me to go further in life.
G: The first three months were downright sore, it was the training. 2 NCOs were stupid because they were stupid in general education. But was is the training good? The time was good for me and strengthened me to go further in life.
K: I think military training is useful in general. How else did it help you?
G: So in my professional life, not at all, as I only did basic military service. Otherwise in life it made me a man, I always say that “gone as a youngster, returned as a man”
G: So in my professional life, not at all, as I only did basic military service. Otherwise in life it made me a man, I always say that “gone as a youngster, returned as a man”
K: I assume that you as border troops were ideologically the purest. After serving under the GDR, do you have the feeling that your personal views tend to be left or right?
And do you think your service has influenced your beliefs today?
And do you think your service has influenced your beliefs today?
G: No, serving at the border as a conscript had nothing to do with ideological attitudes, as a soldier you couldn't choose where to go or when, others decided. Of course, the parents and the Auffälligkeit played a role in whether the mission was the NVA or Border troops
G: I was transferred to watch duty in the inland because I was engaged to a Polish Citizen, due to the risk posed (of potential flight). I have always had my own opinions and asked my own questions.
K: Ah okay, that makes sense! Do you ever have nostalgia for the GDR? I've seen some facts that said a large proportion of East Germans over 30 were still drawn to it. Is there anything you miss?
G: The only thing I miss is the cohesion in the neighborhood.
G: The only thing I miss is the cohesion in the neighborhood.
G: Nothing else, I have a small company, and so far live well. I really like to think about my time at the GT, (Grenztruppen) but I don't miss the GDR
K: Oh wow okay. that definitely makes sense. Do you think that you were treated unfairly by the Federal Republic during and after the reunification? if not you specifically, but East Germans in general. Many people said they felt left behind.
G: I feel that I have been treated unfairly as a soldier because I reportedly served in a non-exisiting army. Other than that I am not accusing the FRG of anything. I have lived in Münsterland for many years and I am lucky that I am my own blacksmith.
G: In capitalism nothing is given to you. As a small business I feel myself from all parties let down. I’ll pay my taxes as an SME( German designation for Small/Medium Enterprises) and other than that I will not complain.
G: I will add one more thing I am resentful about
G: I will add one more thing I am resentful about
(Letter received by the Grenzer from the Bundesrepublik)
Dear Mr. Grenzer,
Thank you very much for Your kind request.
Dear Mr. Grenzer,
Thank you very much for Your kind request.
From today's legal point of view, your status as a former private in the NVA is described as "served in foreign armed forces" or "served outside of the Bundeswehr".
Since the armed forces of the NVA no longer exist and the Bundeswehr is no legal successor, there is no longer any designation for you. You are not allowed to refer to yourself as Gefreiter dR or Gefreiter aD.
You are also not an active reservist in the Bundeswehr and are also not allowed to call yourself that. Names like General aD (NVA), as you unfortunately see them from time to time, are not permitted.
We regret that we cannot give you any other feedback.
We regret that we cannot give you any other feedback.
Kind regards
On behalf of the
Citizens' Dialogue Team
On behalf of the
Citizens' Dialogue Team
G: This makes me feel offended due to my time as a soldier
K: Thank you very much for your time! It was very informative and I learned a lot. I appreciate that you took the time to answer my questions
K: Thank you very much for your time! It was very informative and I learned a lot. I appreciate that you took the time to answer my questions
