about us
My time in the forces
Hailing from the sunny landscapes of southern Germany, my journey started with a light bulb moment during my school days. I had become more and more interested in business and economics, leading me to study Business Administration in Sigmaringen.
Anyhow, as I pondered my future, a serendipitous encounter with the German military, opened new horizons. The promise of camaraderie and a mission beyond corporate profits beckoned. Cue a rainy day in 2014 when I strolled into the local military office in Donaueschingen. While the petty officer in charge was very eager to recommend me joining the Army, the Navy’s siren song of sailing the seven seas, and witnessing breathtaking sunsets, all while donning the snazziest uniform in the German forces, proved irresistible. Sorry, Army and Airforce, the Navy had me hooked.
Fast forward a year, fresh from submitting my bachelor’s thesis, I found myself among a sea of officer recruits at the German Navy academy, the Marineschule Mürwik. From sailing the training vessel SSS Gorch Fock to witnessing missile firing exercises in Norwegian waters, it was a whirlwind.
Post-initial officer training, my academic training within the forces took me to Elsfleth, a quaint little town in Lower Saxony to study International Logistics Management. Four years later, interspersed with semesters abroad in South Africa and Japan, I earned my second degree.
Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
Yokohama, Japan
The next chapter unfolded with the revelation of my first assignment— aboard an auxiliary unit, a Tender Class 404. But before that, a year of training awaited, from navigation to battling fires and leading at sea. The day finally arrived, standing on the plank of my future vessel, the FGS Mosel, undergoing repairs for a planned engagement.
Months of certifications and training followed, wearing multiple hats as the artillery officer and command advisor for CBRN risks. Witnessing the growth of my crew during training was the highlight. Unfortunately, medical issues prevented me from joining the subsequent engagement, leading me back to school, this time at the German military logistics school.
Fast forward three months, and I found myself ashore in the defense administration, serving as a Project and Product Management Officer at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support. Here, I bridge the gap between my business education and my active forces experience, ensuring our troops are equipped to face any challenge.
Insights beyond borders: Volunteering with InkuA
In a world teeming with diverse cultures and dynamic challenges, my curiosity led me to a profound interest in global affairs and sustainable initiatives. This passion found its purpose when I joined InkuA in 2022, a non-profit organization pioneering virtual work environments for professionals and students.
While starting there as an advisor, focusing on organisational structures and process optimisation I am currently working in business development establishing the InkuA brand globally.
Working with InkuA has been a journey of continuous learning and enlightenment. Collaborating on sustainable projects, for example with minds from Latin America and Ukraine has not only provided insights into local challenges but also global politics.
If you want to find out more about the organisation please follow this link: https://inkua.de/
Hobbys
When I bid adieu to my ship last year, I found myself in an unfamiliar territory — time on my hands. This led me to refocus on spending more time again on the things I enjoy but could not do during my time at sea.
First on the list — learning. Online courses became my virtual playground, exploring topics like programming, finance, analytics, and project management. Yet, there was a missing piece — a lack of that lively banter with fellow learners, that ebb, and flow of shared knowledge. The solution? Dive back into academia, but this time on a part-time basis. The journey led me to the esteemed UCD Smurfit, where I now find myself immersed in a master’s program in project management.
Then comes hiking, my refuge from screens and a journey into the calming embrace of green landscapes. To take it up a notch, I decided to join the German military marching delegation for the Dutch Nijmegen march, or as they call it, the 4Daagse. After rigorous training and meticulous preparation, I conquered it last summer. But don’t let the military vibe fool you — I still relish a quiet weekend hike, a solo sojourn to reset my brain and escape the clutches of work and house chores.
