An ethics that sets standards for good military conduct for soldiers has not existed in the Federal Republic of Germany until now. The prevailing opinion was that the soldier, as a "citizen in uniform," did not require a separate ethics. However, it has become clear that this is insufficient in the war-like deployments of the Bundeswehr far from home. Soldiers evidently need an additional "ethical brake" that goes beyond the "normal conscience" as it is developed in our modern society. This is where the book by emeritus theology professor Christian Walther, titled "In the Service of Freedom and Peace," comes in handy. Modestly, it carries the subtitle "An Attempt at an Ethics for the Soldier of the Bundeswehr." In just over 100 pages, the author manages to clearly present the spectrum of ethical reference points for Bundeswehr soldiers in an easily readable language. When the author discusses multinational cooperation, encounters with foreign cultures, or the moral challenges in the face of asymmetric warfare, one can sense how helpful ethics can actually be for the soldier in their concrete actions. Walther convincingly explains that, even if one's own values do not always apply in the operational area, this should not lead to cultural arrogance or even devaluation of the local population. His statements about international cooperation are enlightening. Officers serving in multinational staffs and units remain representatives of Germany and need clear ideas about their national identity, according to Walther. His skepticism towards an opportunistic shift to a European identity is refreshingly realistic. Walther finds inspiration for his ethical reflections in the leadership philosophy of the Bundeswehr, widely known as "Innere Führung," to which he takes a critical stance.