German marine pilots, the Seelotsen, start their training as experienced captains. To be admitted on the Elbe, a candidate needs an unrestricted certificate of competence as a captain. He also needs at least two years of sea time within the last five years. Training then lasts 12, 18 or 24 months and ends with an exam set by the supervising authority. After the appointment, the new pilot still starts with smaller ships. The pilotage ordinance for the Weser and the Jade sets out the steps in a section titled Lotsentätigkeit nach der Bestallung, pilot work after appointment. In the Weser II/Jade district, a new pilot may guide ships up to 165 meters long and 25 meters wide in the first half-year. The limit rises every half-year. Only in the eighth half-year may the pilot guide ships up to 350 meters long and 50 meters wide. In the Weser I district, the first year starts with ships up to 125 meters long. After the first half-year, a new pilot may assist another pilot who is responsible for the ship.
A Permit for the Nordschleife
A racing license alone does not let a driver race on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. From the 2015 season, the DMSB Permit Nordschleife became mandatory for all participants in the VLN endurance races and the 24-hour race. Its stated aim is more safety on the track, especially for newcomers. Auto Bild called it the Nordschleifenführerschein, the Nordschleife driving license. It has two grades. Grade B, for less powerful cars, comes first. Only drivers who can show results from at least two races receive grade A. Drivers who have not raced on the track for five years must qualify again. In September 2025, the Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen went through the same steps. He first completed the theory and guided laps for grade B. On 13 September, he raced a restricted Porsche Cayman to collect the 14 laps needed for grade A. But his second entry car did not complete a full lap in the race after a crash in practice. One required result for grade A was missing, and he had to hope the DMSB would make an exception. After he received the permit, he started in a Ferrari 296 GT3 on 27 September.
The Responsible Electrician
Many companies that run electrical installations are led by managers who are not electricians. A training guide on the verantwortliche Elektrofachkraft, the responsible electrical specialist, notes that such a manager kann die Fachverantwortung nicht übernehmen, cannot take on the technical responsibility. The company therefore appoints a qualified electrician to that role in writing. The role is based on the standard DIN VDE 1000-10. KomNet, the occupational safety advice service of North Rhine-Westphalia, explains what the appointment means. Eine verantwortliche Elektrofachkraft unterliegt hinsichtlich der Einhaltung der elektrotechnischen Sicherheitsmaßnahmen keinen fachlichen Weisungen. On electrical safety measures, she takes no technical instructions. Für die elektrische Sicherheit sind nur die verantwortlichen Elektrofachkräfte und nicht die ausschließlich disziplinarischen Vorgesetzten verantwortlich. Only the responsible electrical specialists are accountable for electrical safety. Superiors who manage her only as personnel are not. A model appointment certificate from the statutory accident insurer VBG states that she is hinsichtlich der fachlichen Aufgaben weisungsfrei, free of instructions in her technical tasks. Both the company management and the appointee sign it.
Seniority in the Cockpit
At one airline of the Lufthansa Group, a collective agreement decides who moves from first officer to captain. When several suitable candidates meet the conditions set for a promotion, the posts are filled nach der Seniorität, by seniority. The agreement defines seniority as a special kind of length of service. A first officer sued over his promotion to captain. On 19 December 2024 the Federal Labor Court rejected his appeal. The airline had used the correct seniority list.
Meeting the promotion conditions opens the door to the captain’s seat. Once several candidates have it, time served decides the order.
Words for Being Able to Do It
jemandem nicht das Wasser reichen können — not to be good enough to hand someone the water. Duden: to come nowhere near someone in ability or achievement. In the Middle Ages, water was passed around for washing the hands before meals.
etwas auf dem Kasten haben — to have something in the box: to be intelligent and capable
Der kann was. — He can do something. Plain praise of a person’s ability.
The Rapporteur’s Recommendation
Why do the members of a parliamentary group usually vote the same way? In 2022 Jakob Blankenburg, an SPD member of the Bundestag, answered this question from a citizen on the platform abgeordnetenwatch.de. The members have divided the committees and topics among themselves, he wrote. No single member can study every topic in detail. Dementsprechend geben die sogenannten Berichterstatter:innen … in der Fraktionssitzung eine Empfehlung zur Abstimmung ab. Accordingly, the so-called rapporteurs give a voting recommendation at the group meeting. He also named shared values as a reason.
Chamber Singer, Chamber Musician
In Germany, members of opera ensembles can receive honorary titles: Kammersänger, chamber singer, and Kammermusiker, chamber musician. In Saxony an administrative regulation of 22 June 1998 sets the conditions for the Saxon State Opera in Dresden and the Landesbühnen Sachsen. A singer needs leading artistic achievements and continuous, regular and successful work in the productions. An orchestra musician needs outstanding artistic achievements and at least five years of unbroken membership of the ensemble in Dresden, or eight at the Landesbühnen. To keep the titles from losing their value, at most three a year may be awarded at the Dresden State Opera, and one at the Landesbühnen.
Three Years, Then Three More
A junior professor at the University of Hamburg is first appointed for three years. An interim evaluation follows. If it is successful, the appointment is extended by three more years. On tenure-track posts, a second evaluation follows after six years. A candidate who passes it is appointed to a permanent professorship without a public call for applications and without the usual appointment procedure. A joint federal and state program funds 1,000 additional tenure-track posts of this kind, with one billion euros over 15 years.
Six Months on Trial Before a Promotion
A German federal civil servant who is to be promoted into a higher function must first prove himself in it. Section 22 of the Federal Civil Service Act requires eine mindestens sechsmonatige Erprobungszeit, a trial period of at least six months. Offices that a career normally passes through dürfen nicht übersprungen werden, may not be skipped. As a rule, at least one year must pass between two promotions. The Federal Personnel Committee can allow exceptions.
The Captain as the Team’s Envoy
On 2 September 2024 the national coach Julian Nagelsmann explained why Joshua Kimmich would captain the German national team. He described the role this way: Er ist ein Abgesandter der Mannschaft und platziert die Meinung des Teams bei uns. He is an envoy of the team and brings the team’s opinion to us. He also gave a reason for the choice: Wenn Josh etwas anders sieht, dann spricht er das offen, ehrlich und direkt an. When Josh sees something differently, he says so openly, honestly and directly. According to Nagelsmann, Kimmich had set a benchmark at the European Championship on home soil. Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz formed the team council, the Mannschaftsrat, together with four other senior players.