Time out for German Armed Forces pilots: relaxation for helpers and their families

From 26 to 29 September 2024, a special break for Bundeswehr pilots and their families took place in Bad Laer in the district of Osnabrück. This was already the second event of its kind this year. The pilots, who care for Bundeswehr personnel injured in action, were given a well-deserved break to recharge their batteries.

The so-called „pilot break“ was developed as a relief measure to offer helpers of Bundeswehr members suffering from the consequences of foreign deployments an opportunity to recover. The aim is to prevent overload in the helper system and to give helpers and their families a break.

Why pilot time-outs are important

Trauma experienced by members of the armed forces during deployment often has far-reaching consequences – not only for those affected, but also for the people who support them. Many counsellors who accompany those affected by trauma are exposed to enormous psychological stress, which can also affect their private lives. When many stress factors affect helpers at the same time, there is a risk that they themselves will become overwhelmed and exposed to psychosocial stress.

This is where the pilot break comes in: it offers participants the opportunity to pause, reflect on their own stress levels and focus on themselves and their families. The programme is designed on site according to the individual needs of the participants and includes various relief services. Although each break follows a fixed basic structure, the content varies according to the needs of the participants.

A proven concept in military chaplaincy

The concept of the pilot break was developed by the Protestant military chaplaincy in cooperation with the Army's pilot contact point, adopted by the pilot control centre at the Centre for Internal Leadership, and established as a permanent offering for the Bundeswehr's pilot organisation. It is part of the military chaplaincy's field of work „Pastoral care for people suffering from the consequences of deployment and service“ (ASEM). Thanks to the support of the association „Angriff auf die Seele – Psychosoziale Hilfe für Angehörige der Bundeswehr e. V.“ (Attack on the Soul – Psychosocial Help for Members of the German Armed Forces), the second pilot break this year was once again offered free of charge to participants and their families. This association is carrying out a total of more than 13 projects for helpers and those affected by deployment and their families in 2024.

Positive feedback from participants

In September 2024, six guides and their families took part in the retreat in Bad Laer. A total of 18 people, including partners, children and dogs, were accompanied by a professional team of counsellors, educators, teachers and therapists. The children were looked after separately, giving the adults enough time and space to take care of their own needs.

The feedback from participants was consistently positive. Many said that they had been feeling somewhat or only moderately relaxed upon arrival, but by the end of the break, they rated their relaxation level significantly higher. They particularly highlighted the good conversations, the competent contact persons, the varied programme and the opportunity to simply switch off and have time for themselves and their families. Understanding, listening and appreciation were the focus.

future prospects

„Angriff auf die Seele e. V. hopes to continue offering such valuable services in the future through donations, so that it can continue to provide helpers and their families with the support they need.