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Name: Dominik Wullers

"I hope they read the biography of a German who shows that, despite all differences, there is a Germany that unites us."

AM: Why did you join the Bundeswehr? Your book talks a lot about it, but what was the decisive moment?

Dominik Wullers: That was almost 23 years ago. Back then, I was directionless. I had always thought I’d become a doctor, but with my poor high school grades, I had no chance of studying medicine. At that exact moment, I received the conscription notice—back then, military service was still mandatory. I found the idea of the military exciting, the thought of running through the woods with a rifle. It was a mix of a thirst for adventure and the realization: “I won’t get this chance again.” So I said, “I’m doing this now.”

And then you enjoyed it so much that you stayed?

Not at all, at first! The start was tough, especially as a high school graduate who had to quickly switch roles. But after the first steps, I started to like it. The turning point was an officer I met during a training course. He was in an airborne reconnaissance unit and an incredibly impressive person. He told me about his life, and I thought, “That’s what I want too!” After that, I immediately applied to become a career soldier.

"He showed me that you can do something exciting even if the dream of medical school falls through."

Was it the study opportunities that appealed to you?

The studies were secondary. It was really this man—his work, his presence. He showed me that you can do something exciting even if the dream of medical school falls through. His job—parachuting, reconnaissance behind enemy lines—was very action-packed, exactly what appealed to me back then.

You also write about being part of something bigger. Was that a motivation?

I didn’t think about it abstractly back then, like in terms of state theory. It was very practical: the work was exciting, the camaraderie intense. That’s what drew me in as a 19-year-old, not the idea of standing for some grand cause.

Your career took you to West Point and Harvard—impressive milestones. How did that happen?

A lot of it was luck. In 2009, I was studying at the Bundeswehr University in Hamburg, and there was an exchange program with West Point. Surprisingly, most people wanted to go to Australia, to the beach. West Point is no vacation—it’s a strict schedule from 5:30 a.m. to late at night, even on weekends. But I thought, “I’ll never get this chance again.” So I did everything to secure a spot. Harvard came later, through a classmate who told me about a second semester abroad. I applied, traveled to Boston, introduced myself to the professors there, and made it happen.

Your experiences at West Point must have been intense. How did the training there differ from that in Germany?

The difference was stark. In Germany, the focus back then was on training officers in the field for three years, so they’d know every level of the hierarchy. In the U.S., like in Britain or France, it’s more academic. At West Point, you study for four years at a military academy, wear uniforms, have some military training, but barely any contact with actual troops. But the behavior is very militaristic—strict, with a lot of discipline and obedience. There are draconian punishments among cadets, things that don’t exist in Germany. It was like the military you imagine from movies.

"For me, liberal patriotism is a sense of belonging based on values, not on origin or history. As the son of an African and a German, I long had no German identity."

You talk about “liberal patriotism” in your book. What does that mean to you?

For me, liberal patriotism is a sense of belonging based on values, not on origin or history. As the son of an African and a German, I long had no German identity. I found it in the modern, liberal Germany that the Bundeswehr defends. In a diverse society—over 40% of children under five have a migrant background—we need a “we-feeling” that connects everyone. A patriotism based on the Constitution and liberal values like citizenship can give us confidence, regardless of background.

"Of course, you have to be careful that patriotism doesn’t tip into nationalism, but using that as an argument to not even try is nonsense."

The word “patriotism” is sometimes viewed critically, even labeled as right-wing. Do you have issues with that?

Patriotism, to me, means love for the homeland without rejecting others, as Charles de Gaulle said: “Patriotism is love for one’s own country, nationalism is the rejection of others.” Of course, you have to be careful that patriotism doesn’t tip into nationalism, but using that as an argument to not even try is nonsense. You can also call it a “sense of belonging”—what matters is that it strengthens us.

Your experiences as a soldier with a migrant background are a big theme. Was skin color an issue in the Bundeswehr?

Differences are always there, including in the Bundeswehr. But my takeaway after all these years is: in the barracks, in uniform, I felt more comfortable than outside. You get to know each other quickly, especially when you’re crawling through the mud together. Racism exists, as it does in any large organization with 250,000 people, but the Bundeswehr gave me a sense of belonging.

You write about a divided society. How do you see the current tensions in Germany?

The division has been visible for years, since Thilo Sarrazin’s book Germany Abolishes Itself or the founding of the AfD. Migration, economic crises, debates about gender—everything gets mixed together, and two camps form. With over 40% of children having a migrant background, this discussion won’t go away. The question is how we argue without despising each other. A liberal patriotism could unite us by creating a common goal.

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

I hope they read the biography of a German who shows that, despite all differences, there is a Germany that unites us. My story of an insecure boy searching for identity is also the story of many others. We don’t have to be divided; there’s more that connects us than separates us.

You currently represent Germany at NATO. How does that feel?

It’s surreal. In a room with 32 representatives, I’m not speaking for myself but for Germany. Saying, “Germany wants” or “Germany is against,” is something special. It’s what motivated me to write this book. I’ll probably only fully realize the honor of it in hindsight.

What’s next?

I’m moving to the European Commission to work on European cooperation in the defense industry.

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