Volker Wieker (born 1 March 1954 in
Delmenhorst
Delmenhorst (; Northern Low Saxon: ''Demost'') is an urban district (''Kreisfreie Stadt'') in Lower Saxony, Germany. It has a population of 74,500 and is located west of downtown Bremen with which it forms a contiguous urban area, whereas the ...
,
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony (german: Niedersachsen ; nds, Neddersassen; stq, Läichsaksen) is a German state (') in northwestern Germany. It is the second-largest state by land area, with , and fourth-largest in population (8 million in 2021) among the 16 ...
) is the former
Chief of Staff
The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supporti ...
(''Generalinspekteur'', lit. ''Inspector General'') of the ''
Bundeswehr
The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...
'', the German armed forces, and a
general
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...
of the
German Army
The German Army (, "army") is the land component of the armed forces of Germany. The present-day German Army was founded in 1955 as part of the newly formed West German ''Bundeswehr'' together with the ''Marine'' (German Navy) and the ''Luftwaf ...
. Trained as an artillery officer, Wieker served in every major foreign Bundeswehr deployment since 1996, including
Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and He ...
,
Kosovo
Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...
and
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
.
Biography
Wieker was born in
Delmenhorst
Delmenhorst (; Northern Low Saxon: ''Demost'') is an urban district (''Kreisfreie Stadt'') in Lower Saxony, Germany. It has a population of 74,500 and is located west of downtown Bremen with which it forms a contiguous urban area, whereas the ...
and joined the Bundeswehr in 1974 for officer training in the army's artillery branch.
He studied
geodesy
Geodesy ( ) is the Earth science of accurately measuring and understanding Earth's figure (geometric shape and size), orientation in space, and gravity. The field also incorporates studies of how these properties change over time and equivale ...
at the
Bundeswehr University of Munich
200px, Entrance to the university
Bundeswehr University Munich (german: Universität der Bundeswehr München, UniBw München) is one of two research universities in Germany at federal level that both were founded in 1973 as part of the German Ar ...
and served as an officer in an armored artillery battalion in
Wildeshausen
Wildeshausen (Low Saxon: ''Wilshusen'') is a town and the capital of the Oldenburg district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated by the river Hunte.
History
In 1648, Wildeshausen and the surrounding district was ceded to Sweden, in the Peace ...
. He passed his General Staff training at the
Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr
)
, established = 15 May 1957(15 October 1810 as ''Prussian Military Academy'')
, type = Staff college and senior military academy of the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr
, endowment =
, staff =
, faculty =
, president =
, provost =
, principal ...
(
Hamburg
(male), (female) en, Hamburger(s),
Hamburgian(s)
, timezone1 = Central (CET)
, utc_offset1 = +1
, timezone1_DST = Central (CEST)
, utc_offset1_DST = +2
, postal ...
) in 1989, followed by the US Army's Command and General Staff Officer Course at
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
,
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
. Upon his return to Germany, he was assigned as the operations officer of an armored brigade in
Augustdorf
Augustdorf is a municipality in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It has an area of 42.18 km² and about 10,100 inhabitants (2020).
History
In 1775 Simon August, Count of Lippe-Detmold
Simon August, Count of Lippe (12 ...
.
Following battalion command with an armored artillery battalion in 1993–96, Wieker was deployed as the operations and training officer for the German Army Contingent
IFOR
The Implementation Force (IFOR) was a NATO-led multinational peace enforcement force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename ''Operation Joint Endeavour''.
Background
NATO ...
in
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and Pars pro toto#Geography, often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of Southern Europe, south and southeast Euro ...
. Upon his return, he was assigned to the
Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)
The Federal Ministry of Defence (german: Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, ), abbreviated BMVg, is a top-level federal agency, headed by the Federal Minister of Defence as a member of the Cabinet of Germany. The ministry is headquartered at ...
in Bonn as Military Assistant of the Federal Minister of Defence (1997–1999). In 1999, he led a ministerial task force on the future force structure of the German Army, before taking command of an armored infantry brigade in
Schwerin
Schwerin (; Mecklenburgisch dialect, Mecklenburgian Low German: ''Swerin''; Latin: ''Suerina'', ''Suerinum'') is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Germany, second-largest city of the northeastern States of Germany, German ...
later that year.
From May to December 2001 Wieker deployed to
Kosovo
Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...
as Commander, Multinational Brigade South and Commander of the 3rd German
KFOR KFOR may refer to:
* KFOR (AM), a radio station (1240 AM) licensed to Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
* KFOR-TV, a television station (channel 4 analog/27 digital) licensed to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
* KFOR-TV (Nebraska), a defunct ...
contingent.
In 2002, he became Chief of Staff of the Army Office in
Cologne
Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western States of Germany, state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the List of cities in Germany by population, fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 m ...
, followed by chief of staff in the Army Staff in 2004. In July 2008, Wieker took command of the
1st GE/NL Corps in
Münster
Münster (; nds, Mönster) is an independent city (''Kreisfreie Stadt'') in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also a state distr ...
. Since 9 October 2009 Wieker served as Chief of Staff of
ISAF
' ps, کمک او همکاري '
, allies = Afghanistan
, opponents = Taliban Al-Qaeda
, commander1 =
, commander1_label = Commander
, commander2 =
, commander2_label =
, commander3 =
, command ...
in
Kabul
Kabul (; ps, , ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province; it is administratively divided into 22 municipal districts. Acco ...
,
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
.
On 18 December 2009 German Minister of Defence
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Buhl-Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg (born 5 December 1971), known professionally as Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, is a German businessman and politician of the Christian Soc ...
announced his intention to appoint Wieker chief of staff (Generalinspekteur) of the Bundeswehr. Two days after his promotion to four-star general on 19 January 2010, Wieker was formally appointed Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr.
Wieker retired on 18 April 2018.
Volker Wieker is married to Sabine. They have two children.
Awards and decorations
* Commander's Cross of the
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (german: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or , BVO) is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellect ...
(2014)
*
Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr
The Decorations of Honour of the Bundeswehr (german: Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr) are a series of military decorations of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. These honours and awards were introduced in 1980 on the ...
in Gold (1999)
*
![Einsatz_IFOR](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Einsatz_IFOR.jpg)
-
Armed Forces Deployment MedalIFOR
The Implementation Force (IFOR) was a NATO-led multinational peace enforcement force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename ''Operation Joint Endeavour''.
Background
NATO ...
(1996)
*
![Einsatz_KFOR](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Einsatz_KFOR.jpg)
- Armed Forces Deployment Medal,
KFOR KFOR may refer to:
* KFOR (AM), a radio station (1240 AM) licensed to Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
* KFOR-TV, a television station (channel 4 analog/27 digital) licensed to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
* KFOR-TV (Nebraska), a defunct ...
(2001)
*
![Einsatz_ISAF](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Einsatz_ISAF.jpg)
- Armed Forces Deployment Medal,
ISAF
' ps, کمک او همکاري '
, allies = Afghanistan
, opponents = Taliban Al-Qaeda
, commander1 =
, commander1_label = Commander
, commander2 =
, commander2_label =
, commander3 =
, command ...
(2010)
*
![German_Sports_Badge_Ribbon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/German_Sports_Badge_Ribbon.png)
-
German Sports Badge
The German Sports Badge (German: ''Deutsches Sportabzeichen'' (DSA)) is a decoration of the German Olympic Sports Federation DOSB. The German Sports Badge test is carried out primarily in Germany, and in other countries abroad.
History
The Germ ...
in Gold
*
![NATO_Medal_Yugoslavia_ribbon_bar](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/NATO_Medal_Yugoslavia_ribbon_bar.svg)
-
NATO Medal
The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is manufactured by Eekelers-Centini Intl, of Hemiksem, Belgium.
Ba ...
, Yugoslavia (1996)
*
![NATO medal for Kosovo ribbon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/NATO_medal_for_Kosovo_ribbon.svg)
- NATO Medal, Kosovo (2001)
*
![NATO_Medal_ISAF_ribbon_bar_v2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/NATO_Medal_ISAF_ribbon_bar_v2.svg)
- NATO Medal, ISAF (2010)
* -
Order For Military Merit (Bulgaria) (2001)
* - Commander with Star of the
Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
The Hungarian Order of Merit ( hu, Magyar Érdemrend) is the fourth highest State Order of Hungary. Founded in 1991, the order is a revival of an original order founded in 1946 and abolished in 1949. Its origins, however, can be traced to the O ...
(2015)
*
![Order_of_the_Polar_Star_(after_1975)_-_Commander_Grand_Cross](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Order_of_the_Polar_Star_%28after_1975%29_-_Commander_Grand_Cross.svg)
- Grand Cross of the Royal Swedish
Order of the Polar Star
The Royal Order of the Polar Star (Swedish: ''Kungliga Nordstjärneorden'') is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim.
The Order of the ...
(2013)
* -
Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Norwegian: ''Den Kongelige Norske Fortjenstorden'' (Bokmål) or ''Den Kongelege Norske Fortenesteordenen'' (Nynorsk)) was instituted by King Olav V in 1985. It is awarded to foreigners, Norwegian citizens livin ...
- Commander with Star (2012)
* -
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
(United States, 2010)
*
![Decoration_of_Merit](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Decoration_of_Merit.jpg)
-
Decoration of Merit
The Decoration of Merit is an important military decoration for bravery in the Netherlands. The medal was established by the Dutch minister of defence, Wim van Eekelen, on 16 April 1987. The award was created by ministerial decree and is therefo ...
in Gold (Netherlands, 2011)
*
Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria (2015)
* Commander
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
(United States, 2015) (sea at the picture round his nack)
* Commander of the
Legion of Honour
The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon, ...
(France, 2016)
*
Order of Orange-Nassau
The Order of Orange-Nassau ( nl, Orde van Oranje-Nassau, links=no) is a civil and military Dutch order of chivalry founded on 4 April 1892 by the queen regent, Emma of the Netherlands.
The order is a chivalric order open to "everyone who has ...
, Grade: Grand Officer (Netherlands, 2017)
*
![ITA_OMRI_2001_GUff_BAR-2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/ITA_OMRI_2001_GUff_BAR-2.png)
Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grade: Grand Officer (Italy, 2017)
*Joint Commendation Medal (Italy, 2017)
*
![LTU_Order_for_Merits_to_Lithuania_-_Commander%27s_Cross_BAR](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/LTU_Order_for_Merits_to_Lithuania_-_Commander%27s_Cross_BAR.svg)
Cross of Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania (Lithuania, 2018)
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wieker, Volker
1954 births
Living people
People from Delmenhorst
Bundeswehr generals
Bundeswehr University Munich alumni
German military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Inspectors General of the Bundeswehr
Recipients of the Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr
Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Bulgaria)
Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit
Recipients of the Decoration of Merit
NATO military personnel
Generals of the German Army
Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star
Commanders of the Legion of Merit
Military personnel from Lower Saxony