Captain Lars Kell - a programmer with a special “hobby”
Captain Lars Kell - a programmer with a special “hobby”
Captain Lars Kell’s workday routine is characterized by working at a computer with the utmost concentration. In his private life, Kell started running and has developed a special passion for it.
As a programmer, Lars Kell mainly works at a computer. Without personal exchange during meetings, however, successful software development would hardly be possible.
Bundeswehr/BransmöllerThe military instructor became an SAP programmer
Kell works in Directorate G of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr). The directorate is responsible for ITInformationstechnik support. He is in charge of processes in personnel management and individual training, which consists of course-based initial, extension and follow-on training. Prior to that, he had various military assignments, including as an instructor for the Bundeswehr general military training and in the international environment of the former Army Office.
During his time in the Bundeswehr Personnel Office, the 50-year-old was chief of section for personnel selection and career prospects conferences. Within the scope of this office, he contributed decisively to transferring the agency-related ITInformationstechnik support into the world of “Standard Application Software Product Families”. SASPFStandard-Anwendungs-Software-Produkt-Familien, as it is better known, represents ITInformationstechnik support for specific processes within the Bundeswehr which concentrates on the current requirements and processes.
Transferring to BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr was the logical continuation of his previous work. This time, however, he was one of the people providing the appropriate solutions. Today, Lars Kell works as an SAP programmer.
Mr. Kell, what exactly are your tasks in the directorate and what do you like best about them?
In principle, I develop programs for the ITInformationstechnik support in the area of individual training. I mainly work in what is called the integrated training management system, which is the Bundeswehr data processing system for course-based initial, extension and follow-on training. As a second-level support staff member, I am in close contact with the users of the system and deal with their error messages and support requests.
My day-to-day work as a programmer basically consists of mere computer work. Therefore, I am grateful for the many meetings in the vast area of individual training. The exchange among fellow soldiers and colleagues is necessary to coordinate the manifold requirements, align them and implement them purposefully in the end.
At your workplace, you mainly work in a seated position. What do you do to maintain a good work-life balance?
From very early on in my career I have had full office assignments. It has therefore always been important for me to maintain a good work-life balance and keep fit mentally and also physically. I go for long walks and on hiking trips with my wife for mental time outs, or I read a really good book.
As to my athletic ambitions: I was a competitive handball player and, for a while, I played soccer in a “veteran’s” team. Then one day, I discovered running, which ultimately became my athletic focus. It has got to a point where I have started a charity running campaign.
Running for a “good cause”: a very special personal commitment
Bundeswehr/BransmöllerTell us more about your charity campaign. What are your goals?
The campaign I started in order to give additional meaning to my sporting commitment is called “LarsLoift 2021”. The project relates to my personal running performance throughout this year. For every kilometer I run in the course of my training or in competitions, I will donate 15 cents to the outpatient children’s an youth hospice service in Cologne. Additionally, I will hand over the same amount of money to the Bundeswehr Welfare Association at the end of the year. In my opinion, both associations provide indispensable and valuable services, especially in view of the fact that their activities can only be realized by means of donations. The campaign in support of children with special-needs living in Bundeswehr families (“Aktion Sorgenkinder in Bundeswehrfamilien”) run by the Bundeswehr Welfare Association is an issue that is particularly close to my heart. I communicate my goals and results via my web page larsloift.de.
