Due to religious reasons stemming from the minister being a woman, the officer was dismissed. In response to the incident, Bosnia-Herzegovina was excluded from the remaining celebrations, according to the Ministry of Defense. The officer was not handed over to the Academy.
Tanner expressed her anger and made it clear to the soldier how she felt about the “disrespectful gesture.” This affront is also not beneficial for diplomatic relations between Austria and the Balkan state. The Deputy Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slaven Galić, apologized to the minister for the officer’s behavior.
EU did not want influence from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
To bring former crisis countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro closer to the European Union and to ensure greater stability in the Balkans, local army leaders have been trained at the Austrian Military Academy for several years.
Due to a lack of their own officer schools, soldiers from the Balkan Army previously received training in Turkey. Given concerns about political stability, the EU was not pleased with the (military) influence from Ankara, which led to the establishment of a training agreement with Austria, sending cadets to Wiener Neustadt. Slaven Galić praised Austria’s significant role in developing the Bosnian armed forces and acknowledged the “challenging training” in Wiener Neustadt during the celebration.
University of Applied Sciences degree course
So far, nine foreign officers have successfully completed the University of Applied Sciences course in military leadership, with six additional cadets starting this year.
Strictly religious Muslim, but not radical
Last weekend, 74 military academicians successfully completed their officer training, which included eight women and one guest soldier from Montenegro, alongside the aforementioned officer from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The cadet is a strictly religious Muslim.
It has been reported that the lieutenant has noted a “change in his attitude and values” at the military academy over the past six months, which may relate to his marriage. However, there has been no evidence of radicalization or a willingness to use violence in the man. The military imam could not identify any irregularities, “other than differing interpretations of the Koran.”
Before the ceremony began, the officer informed the responsible parties that he was not permitted to reach out and touch the minister for religious reasons. To avoid an “embarrassing situation,” he requested that Tanner be notified about this.
Ultimately, the Bosnian officer was not called to the stage. The minister made it clear to him how she felt about the incident. After all, the soldier was welcomed by Austria with open arms and supported for years based on the rules that adhere to here. The training has been grounded in Western values and principles.
Year commander was accepted
At the Military Academy, it is customary to only salute while on duty, and it had not previously been noticed that the officer strictly refuses to shake a woman’s hand. An insider at the Theresian Military Academy explained that the officer accepted female superiors, including his class commander.
Out of religious reasons because the minister is a woman, a soldier’s refusal to shake hands during a military ceremony resulted in notable repercussions. Following this incident, an officer was fired as Bosnia-Herzegovina was excluded from the festivities and the matter escalated to reflect on diplomatic relations between Austria and this Balkan state. The Deputy Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slaven Galić, extended formal apologies for the officer’s behavior at the event, acknowledging the potential diplomatic fallout.
Tanner, the military minister, expressed her displeasure clearly, indicating that the incident was a “disrespectful gesture.” The situation not only compromised the integrity of the event but also strained the ongoing diplomatic relations between Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina, venture that the EU had worked towards strengthening.
EU’s Initiative to Curb Outside Influence
To foster stability in former crisis countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, the European Union aimed to reduce military reliance on external influences, particularly from Turkey. Austria’s Military Academy has been instrumental in providing training for soldiers from the Balkan nations for several years, providing a European-oriented military education.
Historically, the Balkan Army had trained its officers in Turkey, which became a point of contention for EU leaders concerned about Ankara’s influence in the region. Consequently, a strategic training agreement was established with Austria, leading to a stream of cadets training at Wiener Neustadt. Slaven Galić emphasized Austria’s pivotal role in shaping the Bosnian armed forces, praising the “demanding training” received at the academy.
University of Applied Sciences and Military Leadership
To date, nine foreign officers have successfully completed the University of Applied Sciences course in military leadership, with six more cadets commencing their training this year. This program is tailored for integrating modern military practices while respecting the cultural backgrounds of the participants.
Course Highlights
- Advanced Military Strategy
- Cultural Integration in Military Operations
- Leadership Development
- Interoperability with NATO Forces
Understanding the Cadets: Faith and Military Training
During a recent graduation ceremony, 74 military cadets, including eight women and a guest soldier from Montenegro, completed their officer training. Notably, one cadet from Bosnia-Herzegovina is described as a strictly religious Muslim.
Reports indicated this lieutenant experienced a “change in attitude and values” during his six-month tenure at the military academy. While some observers speculated about his personal beliefs, there was no evidence of radicalization or a willingness to resort to violence. The academy’s military imam remarked that no concerns arose except for differing interpretations of the Koran.
The Incident of Handshaking and Cultural Sensitivity
The controversial incident unfolded during a ceremony when the officer informed the officials that, for religious reasons, he was not permitted to shake hands with women, specifically the minister. Aimed at avoiding any “embarrassing situation,” he requested that Tanner be made aware of his stance prior to the event.
During the ceremony, the soldier was ultimately not called to the stage, leading to Tanner’s clear expression of disappointment regarding the situation. This gesture signified a perplexing and challenging moment, especially given that Austria had welcomed the soldier with open arms, providing guidance and training based on Western values and military excellence.
Protocols at Military Academies: Gender and Command
At the Military Academy, the usual protocol includes a salute instead of a handshake. However, this particular soldier’s strict refusal to shake hands with women was unprecedented. Sources from the academy disclosed that he had accepted command from female superiors during his time, which raised questions about his stance specifically concerning handshakes.
Military Academy Environment
- Encouragement of Gender Equality in Leadership Roles
- Support for Diverse Religious Practices
- Cohesive Training Programs to Bridge Cultural Gaps
Benefits of Military Training in Multicultural Settings
Training in diverse environments provides invaluable experiences that enhance the operational readiness of military personnel, especially in multinational missions.
Key Benefits of Diverse Military Training:
- Increased Cultural Awareness: Understanding cultural nuances helps in operational effectiveness and builds respect.
- Improved Teamwork: Working with diverse soldiers fosters collaboration skills essential for joint operations.
- Enhanced Innovation: Varied perspectives contribute to strategic problem-solving and adaptability in changing scenarios.
Challenges and Considerations
While significant strides have been made towards the integration of different cultures within the military training systems, challenges remain:
Considerations in Multicultural Military Training
- Religious Sensitivity: Understanding and accommodating religious practices are vital for ensuring smooth training experiences.
- Gender Dynamics: Addressing attitudes towards gender roles in military frameworks is essential for inclusivity.
- Combatting Stereotypes: Proactive measures must be taken to lessen biases and foster unity.
