The German-American exchange program for reserve officers has existed since 1985. The aim is to expand the existing lively connections between the two armed forces. On the basis of this agreement, German and American reserve officers from all branches of the armed forces take part in the exchange program every year. One of the 20 participants this year was Lieutenant Nathaniel Ritter. As the youngest in rank, the 26-year-old from Walldürn had the honor of taking part in the 38th German-American reserve officer exchange in the USA for a period of three and a half weeks. The trip took him to Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California and Maryland.
Integrated into a large-scale exercise
In front of the German embassy in Washington DC (Photo: private)
The exchange then took the young German reserve officer to his host unit in Fort Hunter-Liggett, California. There he was deployed to the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), where he took part in a large-scale logistical exercise for two weeks. The association, which represents a divisional equivalent of conducting operations in any logistical area, immediately welcomed the German exchange officer professionally and warmly, integrated him and fully integrated him into the forward divisional command post. In the scenario, the large unit supplied an entire theater of war, including several of its own divisions, civilian population and war refugees on the one hand, and in reality around 7,000 soldiers from the USA, Canada and Germany on the other. The higher-level unit, the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, as a pure reserve unit with the subordinate reserve units, ensures around 29 percent of the logistical supply of the entire US Army (active and reserve).
Despite intensive cooperation in the forward division command post, the Americans insisted on presenting their various skills to the German exchange officer. This included, among other things, a helicopter flight with the UH-60 Black Hawk ordered by the general personally, a tour and ride in a Stryker combat vehicle and even driving a Humvee. Extensive training on the US machine guns was also a must.
Professionalism that impresses
The professionalism deeply impressed the Walldürn exchange officer. He had the impression that active and reserve personnel within the US Army worked without distinction: their own leadership and organization, their own training, their own equipment, all career paths from private to two-star general. “As a US Army reserve, you not only orientate yourself towards the active troops, but also try to surpass them by using civilian qualifications. A spirit from which the reserves in Germany can still learn a lot,” stated Ritter. Thanks to NATO standardization, the integration basically worked without any problems. Both structures and working methods are very similar.
All exchange officers spent their last full day in the United States together at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, near Washington DC, where they conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“Overall, taking part in the 38th German-American reserve officer exchange was an honor and a unique experience in my life,” says Lieutenant Nathaniel Ritter. “The exchange makes sense for the personal and military development of the participants, for the friendship between the USA and Germany and for deepening and further integration into NATO structures.”
The Bundeswehr has further information about the exchange program summarized here.
