On this week's news we are covering an interview of the newly appointed Squad Leader of Alpha Company, First Platoon, First Squad, Sergeant Hans Jager, recently promoted on 7th June in this role, with Sergeant K. Grigorov moving to second squad as a squad leader.

Sergeant H.Jager has been known for a while amongst the most dependable junior NCOs of this platoon. The soldier made himself remarked within the squad as a great leader, beeing the stone of the squad for quite a long time. Previously beeing second in command of the squad, this soldier eased his squad leader's tasks in the most difficult times, and managed to resolve any issues with no problems, according to his previous squad leader's commentaries.

Sergeant Jager started as a fireteam member, 2 years ago, in Scorpions, beeing promoted to fire team leader in march 2025, filling that position up to this month. He has in his record 3 combat operations, at this moment, with one Valorous Unit Award and a Presidential Unit Citation for his attendance so far. The soldier attended multiple schools in this unit at a very quite impressive number.

In his DMOS career, the soldier professes in 3 active Duty Military Ocupational Specialties, as Journalist in Public Affairs Office, Multimedia Illustrator in Combat Imaging and Documentation and Drill Sergeant in Force Improvement Group. Looking at his side jobs within the unit, we can see his great dedication and initiative in beeing part of our unit!

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m an 18-year-old from Germany, positioned at an average age for my Squad members. I enjoy good food, music, and swimming. Having just graduated from high school, I’m currently in the process of joining the German military. Other than that, I’m just a typical guy you’d encounter anywhere.

What was driving you towards squad leader position?

What motivated me to pursue the Squad Leader role was my past experience in Leadership, the support from my Squad members, and my personal ambition. Ever since I took on a Leadership role, I aimed to eventually lead a Squad, ideally the one I have been a part of throughout my career in the 3rd ID. With my Squad Members encouraging me to take the Squad Leader position and my prior Leadership training prepping me for this task, I believed it was finally the right moment to give it my all and follow in the footsteps of great Leadership. Thankfully, I succeeded.

You have been a Team Leader within the same squad that you became a squad leader in. What kind of leader do you find yourself to be in the new position?

The shift from Team Leader to Squad Leader has been, and continues to be, challenging. Transitioning from being on the front lines and being more laid-back with the team to taking a step back and enforcing stricter standards and being responsible for them to maintain discipline in the Squad is a significant adjustment. However, I don’t often need to impose strictness and can maintain a relaxed approach. I trust my Squad to adhere to my guidelines when I advise them against certain actions. Now, as the Squad Leader with two relatively new Team Leaders, I frequently find myself in roles of coaching, supporting, and even directing. Not that I’m complaining; I genuinely couldn’t ask for better Team Leaders, as they are clearly putting in their utmost effort. The overall sentiment is that I am laid-back, allowing freedom within defined boundaries, while also providing assistance whenever I notice difficulties with Team Members and Team Leaders.

How do you feel about beeing a squad leader at the moment?

Achieving this goal has been my aspiration since I stepped into a leadership role, and reaching it brings me immense joy and excitement. However, there is a lingering sense of responsibility, as I am now accountable for the entire Squad. I'm responsible for their training and preparedness, for their performance during Operations, for their successes and failures and for the enjoyment they experience. This is a feeling I have rarely encountered so far, but I am optimistic about facing it to the best of my abilities. I believe I can provide my Squad as well as the Platoon with the best Leadership I am capable of.

How does the squad feel about having you as their new squad leader?

My Squad is happy to have me as their Squad Leader. Once they learned I was running for that position, their support and encouragement rolled my DMs. It’s likely because ofthem knowing me for so long, with some members knowing me since Arma 3, and recognizing my capabilities and are comfortable around me. They assist me by listening and striving to do their best, while I support them through conducting training sessions, clarifying any uncertainties they may have, and continuously working to improve myself for their benefit. Overall, I have not received any negative feedback or thoughts from my Squad Members, so I can only surmise from their messages. Nevertheless, I am quite confident that they genuinely mean what they express and are pleased with my leadership as their Squad Leader.