Women in the Fallschirmjägerregiment 26 in Zweibrücken were systematically harassed and threatened by male soldiers. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte, is calling for a dark field study to assess the true extent of the issue in the Bundeswehr. The scandal involves sexism, right-wing extremism, and drug abuse and is far from an isolated incident.
The sexism scandal in the Fallschirmjägerregiment 26 in Zweibrücken has shaken the Bundeswehr. Women were systematically harassed and threatened by male soldiers, as reports reveal. One soldier allegedly hammered on the women's toilet door and shouted: “Get your horny ass out now, I finally want to fuck you!” Higher-ranking soldiers intruded into showers and toilets, with threats like: “How does it feel to know that everyone here could rape you? No one would do anything anyway.”
The former commander, Oberst Oliver Henkel, failed to intervene for a long time. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) faces criticism for only speaking out at the end of December, despite being informed since July. Nonetheless, Pistorius has taken action: In autumn 2023, he suspended Major General Markus Kurczyk due to harassment allegations, which were controversial. In May 2025, he suspended Major General Hartmut Renk after an inappropriate remark: “If rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” In September 2023, he issued a tightened service regulation on handling sexuality and sexualized misconduct, obliging superiors to intervene.
The scandal involves 55 accused soldiers, 23 of whom are to be or have already been dismissed. The investigation continues, as became clear after a Defense Committee session with Inspector General Carsten Breuer and Army Inspector Christian Freuding. Pistorius was absent.
Parliamentary Commissioner Henning Otte (CDU) is pressing for a dark field study, recommended by his predecessor Eva Högl (SPD) over a year ago. “We need a force in which all female and male soldiers can perform their service with respect, dignity, and safety,” Otte told RND. He emphasized the need for an analysis to develop prevention measures, as a dark figure persists despite rising reports.
The Högl report from March 2025 cites 48 reports of sexualized misconduct in 2024, trending upward, and 376 investigations into crimes against sexual self-determination. Jessica Ritter, the Navy's equality officer, called the incidents “unfortunately not unusual.” Right-wing extremism is also an issue, as shown by the dissolution of the KSK's 2nd company under Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Women make up only 14 percent of the force, even fewer in combat units.
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Ferda Ataman demanded: “Sexual harassment in the workplace is forbidden and a form of discrimination. [...] A culture of looking away must no longer exist.” The scandal damages the Bundeswehr's reputation, especially in recruiting young people.
