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Working for the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force : Julia Wehner

Working for the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force : Julia Wehner

Bei manchen Mobilgeräten und Browsern funktioniert die Sprachausgabe nicht korrekt, sodass wir Ihnen diese Funktion leider nicht anbieten können.

Julia Wehner is 25 years old and has been working for the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr), Koblenz, since 2016.

After completing her training for the higher-level non-technical administrative career at the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences (Departmental Branch of Federal Defence Administration) in Mannheim, she was assigned to BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr at her own request, where the civil servant, among other things, monitors projects of the AINAusrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung organizational element for the timely materiel buildup of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force ).

As a perfect supplement to this, Julia Wehner has served as a reserve soldier since 2019. Her parent unit will then be the lead unit of VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force 2023, 37 Armored Infantry Brigade based in Frankenberg, Saxony.

A blonde woman in a red pantsuit standing in front of a whiteboard

The planning board helps Julia Wehner to keep track of the many meetings on VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force capability development

Bundeswehr/Theobald
A blonde female soldier in front of a green cross-country vehicle

As a reservist, Julia Wehner dons a uniform. For this period of time, she changes her official title ("Regierungsoberinspektorin”) with the military rank of first lieutenant.

Bundeswehr/Klimke

Bei manchen Mobilgeräten und Browsern funktioniert die Sprachausgabe nicht korrekt, sodass wir Ihnen diese Funktion leider nicht anbieten können.

8 Questions to Julia Wehner

Regierungsoberinspektorin

Ms. Wehner, how come you joined the Bundeswehr?

Many of my friends and acquaintances serve in the Bundeswehr. Their stories inspired and intrigued me, so that I finally opted for the Bundeswehr as my employer.

What does VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force actually mean and what is linked to this project, in particular for BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr?

VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force stands for Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. This is a rapidly deployable task force as part of the NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization Response Force. From 2022 onwards, this NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization spearhead will be under German command. It is supposed to be ready for action anywhere within very few days. As providing equipment to our forces is one of the core tasks of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr, our office of course plays a significant role in the materiel buildup of VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force . Our staff was thus established to monitor and coordinate all measures and to ensure that VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force has the required equipment on time.

What do you like most about your current job?

My task is to monitor projects and products for VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force , which requires a high degree of system understanding across all levels. For as soon as disruptions become apparent in the projects, we have to find creative and effective solutions to avoid jeopardizing VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force . To this effect, we exchange information with the managers of the respective projects at BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr and with the troops. All this is very demanding and interesting – and that is exactly what I like. For me, no two days are alike, and all the planning may be overcome by events from one minute to the next. This is both motivation and inspiration for me.

How come you, as a civilian, became a reservist?

I’d say by chance. Initially, I wanted to volunteer for service in an operation abroad. That is why I did my military training. I still haven’t been deployed abroad, but training up to now has only sparked my interest more. At quite an early stage, it became clear to me that I wanted to get involved as a reservist. For me, this is a way of getting to know and appreciating the Bundeswehr from a different perspective.

And why did you specifically choose this VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force brigade?

During my previous assignment, I accompanied 37 Armored Infantry Brigade on a duty trip to Lithuania as early as 2018. This is how the first contact was established. From 2022 onwards, the unit will provide the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force brigade. Thus, due to my work in the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force Headquarters, cooperation is increasing and we are forming some sort of symbiosis.

What are the advantages of your being a reservist for you, but also for BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr?

I think the motto “By the troops for the troops” hits the nail on the head. In my opinion, it is best to be part of the troops to understand what the soldiers need to execute their missions. By changing my perspective from that of a civil servant at BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr to that of a soldier serving in 37 Armored Infantry Brigade, I am in a position to scrutinize problems and unanswered questions from a different angle. This opens your eyes for new approaches. So this leads to a win-win situation for both the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force Headquarters and 37 Armored Infantry Brigade, and I have the feeling that I have done the best one can for the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force brigade in terms of materiel equipment, having considered “all angles”.

And how do you find balance amid your demanding daily work?

I like to do sport as a counterbalance to my work. After a hard day’s work, there is nothing I like more than going for a run. Also, I regularly take part in organized runs and I am a member of the “Bundeswehr and Reservists Running Team” too.

Finally, a rather unconventional question: Who would you like to meet in person?

Dr. Peter Tauber. Not only is he the patron of our running team, he is also a role model for me. For me, he embodies the essence of a good politician and soldier and I admire the way he openly deals with topics that unfortunately are considered taboos still today.

This is what Julia Wehner’s jobs are

  • A blonde woman sitting at her desk and making a phone call

    In her daily work as a desk officer, a computer and a telephone are the tools of the administrative specialist's trade

    Bundeswehr/Theobald
  • A blonde female soldier working on the engine of a cross-country vehicle

    As#enn a soldier, Julia Wehner must also know how to service military vehicles

    Bundeswehr/Klimke
  • A young blonde woman in a red pantsuit walking in front of a historic building

    On her way to the next meeting: The exchange between the troops and those responsible for the projects helps to provide the best possible materiel equipment to the VJTFVery High Readiness Joint Task Force brigade.

    Bundeswehr/Theobald
  • A blonde female soldier and a male soldier discussing something in front of a computer

    As a soldier, she can listen carefully during her reserve duty and find out where the proverbial shoe pinches the soldiers.

    Bundeswehr/Klimke

Other people in the AINAusrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung Organization