Introduction

The Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences (ZMSBw) is a departmental research institute within the remit of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (FMoD). It engages in basic research in military history as well as in military sociology and security policy research for the Bundeswehr. To this end, it researches German military history - with a focus on the era of the World Wars and on the military history of East and West Germany within their alliances - in accordance with the methods and standards of the general science of history, taking account of the interrelationships between the military, the state, society, economy, culture, and the general public. With its social science research, ZMSBw contributes to the further development of military sociology and security policy as well as to research-based political counselling. There is a mutual exchange between history and social science research.

The work of the Centre is based on the freedom of science, research and teaching guaranteed under the German Basic Law as well as on the criteria of excellence of academic research acknowledged by the German government. The dual character as a central research institute of the German government and an instruction-bound military agency of the Bundeswehr is not a contradiction to the aforementioned. Although fields of research and the framework may be specified with a view to demand, the methods of research, its results and the manner in which they are presented can be chosen freely. Research has regard to international standards of the relevant field and is continually evaluated in proper procedures of quality assurance. Thus, the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences participates in the scientific discourse concerning the role of armed forces in the state and society.

ZMSBw thus provides services to FMoD and its armed forces as well as to the expert community and the general public. Research results are made available to the Federal Ministry of Defence as items of information, decision-making aids or counseling services. The Centre surveys and supports the Bundeswehr operations abroad. Work results are made accessible to the public in publications by specialist publishing houses or by the Centre itself. The use of new media for teaching, historical education and operations support will be increased in all fields of research based on user-oriented concepts. The focus is on the preparation of electronic publications, of information platforms and assistants as well as of online databases on relevant military history and social science topics.

ZMSBw confirms its unique position as the FMoD’s key research institute for military history and social science research as well as for the training and further education in these fields. This is accomplished through basic research, the preparation of scientific expert opinions for political and military leaders, the further development of the historical and security policy education of military personnel, through the provision of expert advice in history and social sciences and information for government agencies and the public as well as the survey and support of operations abroad.

As a team, we are the service provider for the armed forces in military history and social science matters.

Command Group

Colonel (Army) Dr. Sven Lange

The Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences is headed by Captain (Army) Dr. Sven Lange. He is the Commander of this military agency that is also a departmental research institute within the remit of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (FMoD).

As the head of the agency, he is responsible for the employment of the civilian and military staff. He defines the guidelines for basic research in military history and social sciences and establishes focal points in the field of military education in cooperation with the Chief Researcher.

The commander represents the Centre to the military leadership and the public.

Qua office he is also the national president of the German Commission of Military History and at the same time member of the board of the International Commission of Military History. In addition, he is a member of the board of the Ranke Society, of the board of trustees of the Garrison Church Foundation Potsdam and various academic advisory councils.
 

Prof. Dr. Dr. Alaric Searle

As Chief Researcher and Chief of the Research Division, Prof. Dr. Dr. Alaric Searle is also the deputy of the Commander of the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences. He represents the Centre in the German and international academic community. In addition, he is responsible for the control and coordination of research in the agency.

What does this mean exactly?

ZMSBw as a military agency is divided into two academic divisions and a central management division.
The Research Division works on academic topics of historical education and social science research; the Military Historical Education and Information Division on topics concerning historical education. More than 60 researchers work at ZMSBw as either civilian employees or military personnel.
The Research Division is headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. Searle. He is also the deputy of the Commander of ZMSBw. In his function as Chief Researcher of ZMSBw, he is responsible for all research activities of the Centre. The Research Division comprises the following research branches

• Military Sociology
• Military history until 1945,
• Military history after 1945, and
• Security Policy and Armed Forces, as well as
• Operations and
• the Commissioner of the Surgeon General of the Bundeswehr for Military Medical History, Theory and Ethics.

The Library of ZMSBw is also assigned to the Research Division.

Zoom

The Military Historical Education and Information Division is headed by Colonel Dr. Martin Hofbauer. Together with the Commander of ZMSBw, Colonel Dr. Hofbauer is also editor of Militärgeschichte. Zeitschrift für historische Bildung (Military history. Journal for historical education).  

The Central Management Division is responsible for research support at ZMSBw. In addition to all administrative work this includes the Publication Section. In total, more than 50 staff members support the research work of ZMSBw. The Central Management Division is led by Commander (Navy) Dr. Oliver Krauß.
Furthermore, a translator of the Federal Office of Languages is permanently assigned to ZMSBw.