Austrian Armed Forces controversy

Disciplinary punishment threatens after “shopping” excursion

The non-commissioned officer (left) is said to have heavily promoted the goods on offer at the private army shop in Enns to conscripts.(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

A second lieutenant in the Austrian Armed Forces from Lower Austria visited an army shop in Enns (Upper Austria) with conscripts and advertised items on sale there. The ministry is outraged and has now announced legal and disciplinary action.

It was apparently a curious sight to see this group of more than 14 uniformed soldiers marching into the army shop in Enns. And to watch a second lieutenant advertising the store there. A video shows a passerby walking past the shop window looking completely dumbfounded.

"Take a look around"
In this film recording, you can hear the sergeant praising the good equipment: "For example, the shirts are great, or the jackets! There's actually no item that doesn't meet our operational needs, look around," he praises. He is also impressed by the canvas shoes: "We wear them too – because they're comfortable."

He then explains to his subordinates that the jackets on offer are perfectly waterproof: "Between 10,000 and 20,000 millimeters of water column. That's why we made the stop – maybe one or two of you will find something here."

The sergeant (left) is said to have heavily promoted the goods on offer at the private army shop in Enns to conscripts.(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

Regular military customers
Simon Weiß, managing director of the army shop, is delighted with the publicity: "Soldiers often come to us, as we are only 300 meters away from the Enns Army NCO Academy." The 24-year-old was himself a professional soldier, having served with the Panzergrenadiers in Ried/I., and knows what his former colleagues like.

It was a new experience for an entire group – as in the case from Götzendorf (Lower Austria) – to stop by during their service. "But that must have been approved by the commander there. The second lieutenant had also been to the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial with the conscripts beforehand."

New uniforms developed
The Ministry of Defense does not approve of the action. "We have invested millions and a great deal of effort in developing new combat suits, uniforms, backpacks, and rain jackets," emphasizes Army spokesman Colonel Michael Bauer.

We are a state-run, politically independent institution that must not allow itself to be misused for private economic interests. 

Bundesheer-Sprecher Oberst Michael Bauer

Bild: Peter LECHNER

Up to 80 items are made available to employees. "Therefore, it makes no sense to buy equipment in private shops. Furthermore, it is explicitly forbidden to wear such items." The ministry's legal department will examine the case, and the second lieutenant now faces disciplinary proceedings.

„Krone“-Kommentar

Reklame, die das Heer schädigt

If soldiers stock up on accessories in army shops that they only use privately, no one will mind. But if army personnel specifically buy items there to use them instead of the official uniform components while on duty, it becomes problematic. This is because such behavior is not permitted and also casts a poor light on the equipment officially provided by the employer.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Alexander Schwarzl, Markus Wenzel)

When a non-commissioned officer stands in front of conscripts and praises private army products to the skies, it naturally damages the reputation of the Austrian Armed Forces.