Taking Responsibility for Veterans

On Sunday, 15 June 2025, the Federal Republic of Germany will be celebrating its first National Veterans’ Day. This new commemoration day is intended to honor veterans of the Bundeswehr. More than that: the day is dedicated to acknowledgement and interaction and is a sign of social solidarity. Numerous events will take place throughout Germany. The event will also be advertised on posters in public spaces, on the radio, in print media and on social networks.

Standing side-by-side

Rheinmetall has numerous veterans among its ranks. It is therefore no surprise that the new veteran culture also plays a special role within the company - both in terms of presenting itself as a suitable employer after military service and in terms of internal appreciation of its workforce. 

“Veterans are an important link between the armed forces and society”, says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “Beyond that, we are grateful for having so many former soldiers and reservists in our ranks. They contribute through their experience and expertise to our products and projects. In doing so, they continue to make an important contribution to the performance of the defense industry, and also to the defense capabilities of our free and democratic society”.

Showing support

Rheinmetall expresses its solidarity with veterans through various activities. Ten locations will be displaying a statement banner in a prominent position: Iffeldorf, Penzberg, Bremen, Kassel, Stockach, Unterlüß, Trittau, Weeze, Kiel and Fronau. The official flag of the event organizer will be hoisted at the company’s headquarters in Düsseldorf. A video clip on a large LED-wall will also draw public attention to Veterans’ Day.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall will hold its own veterans’ event a few days later. Around 75 participants from various company sites and guests from the German Association of Military Veterans (orig. Bund Deutscher EinsatzVeteranen e. V.) will meet at Rheinmetall’s sponsorship partner BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park. In addition to a comradely get-together, the program includes a stadium tour and sporting activities at the football academy.

Back in April 2025, numerous Rheinmetall employees completed the 15K3-march. This march is also part of the German veteran culture. It is dedicated to the three Bundeswehr soldiers who fell in the battle on Good Friday, 2 April 2010. At the Unterlüß site alone, more than 120 participants set off collectively. There were also marching groups in Kassel, Silberhütte and Fronau, and many Rheinmetall employees completed the march individually.