I am Sergeant Christoph Funk. I am 36 years old, and I am married with two children. Between 2004 and 2008, I already served as a transportation soldier with 142 Logistics Battalion in Eggesin. There, I also met my wife. After leaving the military, I spent several years working as a driver and construction machine operator. In 2018, I rejoined the Bundeswehr. Ever since, I have been assigned as a transportation non-commissioned officer (NCO) to the 3^rd Company of 610 Signal Battalion in Prenzlau. In my spare time, I often take my daughters to horse riding competitions. Whenever I have time for myself, I climb on my 250 Yamaha motorbike for a ride on the motocross track.

My core tasks as deputy group leader cover everything related to vehicles of the German Armed Forces. Besides practical driver training, this includes classroom and hands-on technical training. The soldiers learn, for instance, how to tilt the cabin of a truck or carry out scheduled maintenance works. I am responsible not only for the vehicles, but also for the load carried on the vehicles. I check whether the load has been properly secured.

Signal Battalion 610 is part of the German-Polish Command Support Brigade (CSB). The CSB provides force protection, signal, and transportation and logistics services to Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin.

Three times a year, we take part in a large-scale exercise. There, we are responsible for setting up, operating, disassembling and transporting the necessary material. My favourite aspect is being able to pass on my knowledge and skills to the soldiers during driver training. I have found that there is room for improvement in many areas such as anti-skid chain installation, vehicle manoeuvring or off-road vehicle recovery. These are the areas where I like to help. During the exercises, I meet many soldiers from different nations. This is an opportunity to learn from one another about the different equipment and methods used.

I have applied for transition to a senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) career. I would like to be a transportation and motor SNCO. I hope to receive some good news soon. Since I built a house last year, there is always work to do. Life will definitely continue to be interesting, both on a personal and on a professional level.