A sword for Lieutenant Hermes, a dagger for Sergeant Ansay and a bayonet for Corporal Meier: the Luxembourg Army recognised three training paths on 11 November 2026 at the military centre in Diekirch. The presentation of these weapons of honour marked Saint Martin’s Day, the institution’s patronal feast, at the Härebierg.
Alongside the awards, officials spoke about the work that holds an army together: learning one’s trade, being able to rely on a team and knowing how to entrust it with responsibilities. The ceremony was also the last official Saint Martin’s Day for chaplain Nicolas Wenner, whose departure in April 2027 was announced by RTL.
What the sword, dagger and bayonet recognise
General Claude Robinet, Chief of Staff, presented the three weapons of honour for the excellent performance shown during the respective initial training cycles, according to the Chief of Staff’s press release. The distinction therefore recognises the results achieved during this training.
Each form corresponds to a professional path: the sword to career officer candidates, the dagger to career non-commissioned officer candidates and the bayonet to career corporal candidates. This correspondence explains why three different objects were presented to Lieutenant Hermes, Sergeant Ansay and Corporal Meier.
Rank indicates where the recipients stand within the institution; the weapon of honour, meanwhile, signals the recognition attached to their performance during their initial training cycle. The three distinctions take different forms according to the career category to which they correspond.
Command also means delegating
Claude Robinet placed trust at the heart of his speech. In RTL’s written report, the Chief of Staff explains that a leader must have the courage to make decisions, but also to delegate and rely on their team. Responsibility then flows in both directions: the person given a task must be able to take it on, while the person in charge accepts that they must rely on others to carry it out.
To make this idea concrete, the general gave examples from everyday military life: a driver relying on the brakes of their heavy vehicle, or a section commander knowing that a sector is covered by a marksman. In the situations he describes, trust is tied to a specific task and to the reliability of people or equipment.
Commitment, competence, rigour and exemplary conduct were among the requirements he set out. He linked them to mutual respect and humanity in relationships. The official press release, for its part, emphasises integrity and two relationships of trust that Robinet considers essential: that of members towards their institution and that of the nation towards the army.
Saint Martin’s Day gives these messages a symbolic setting. The tradition associated with Martin of Tours tells of him sharing his cloak with a poor man. The army draws on this story to highlight generosity and consideration for others as it celebrates its patron saint.
Alain Schoeben makes the case for an effective administration
Colonel Alain Schoeben, Commander of the Forces, praised the commitment of military personnel and civilian staff. He considers Luxembourg military personnel to be well regarded during missions and exercises abroad. According to RTL, he cited the reconnaissance company, which had passed through the Mailly training centre in France about a month earlier, to illustrate his point.
His remarks also addressed the preparatory work at the Härebierg. Schoeben argued for reducing the administrative burden where it does not contribute to effective management of personnel and equipment. He is thus calling for administration to serve the effective management of these resources.
His remarks echo those of the Chief of Staff through a very practical question: how can teams be enabled to fulfil their mission? Robinet emphasises delegation and reliability; Schoeben, staff commitment and the usefulness of the tasks that occupy their time. These are two leaders’ perspectives on how the same institution works.
Nicolas Wenner’s last official Saint Martin’s Day
Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Wenner, chaplain general of the public force, devoted his address to reason, moral conscience and empathy. He called for greater trust and solidarity between the countries and peoples of Europe. His remarks place the celebration in a context that extends beyond working relationships within the army.
RTL reports that he will leave his post as chaplain in April 2027. This last official Saint Martin’s Day therefore combines a handover with recognition of the training of those beginning other paths. In Diekirch, the celebration brought together these two moments in the life of the institution: honouring those who have completed one stage and hearing from someone preparing to leave.
References
- RTL Lëtzebuerg, written report on Saint Martin’s Day at the Härebierg
- Army Chief of Staff, ceremony of 11 November 2026 in Diekirch
The Grand-Duc Jean barracks in Diekirch, in April 2023. Archive photo.
