Bernhard Smets

Bernhard Smets (born 8 November 2073) is the current leader of the Acadian Foreign Legion. After having served the EF Collective Armed Forces for over 20 years, he travelled to Acadia and joined the Foreign Legion. He is the only person in Acadia to have served a European country with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant) or higher. As Smets is still in contact with EF personnel, he is well known both in Acadia and Europe as a capable commander.

Background
Bernhard was born and raised in the industrial city of Rotterdam. As both of his parents were involved in the affairs of major Europan companies, Bernhard lived with his grandparents. Even though Bernard's family wanted him to work in the industry just like everyone else, he was aware that having a successful career was nearly impossible in the city since the competition in the job market was getting harder every day.

At the age of 16, Bernhard dropped from high school and joined the military academy in Köln. He never contacted his family since then.

In Köln, Bernhard became a well known student in of the academy and he had connections to many prominent military personnel by the time he graduated. During his 13 years serving the EFCAF, he rose in ranks very fast mainly because of his commanding skills as well as his success in defending multiple settlements from the British and Teutons.

Bernhard took the tests to join the KSK at the age of 30 and he became one of the 7 EFCAF personnel to pass the test that year. After a long period of training, he served the KSK as a special ordnance specialist. Despite conducting successful missions during his service in the EFCAF, Bernhard was never allowed to command his own team during his service in the EFCAF.

After hearing about the annihilation of the British forces in the Faroe Islands, Berhard believed that it was possible that the EF could go to war against Acadia, and he knew that it would be nearly impossible to survive that conflict. During one of his routine patrol mission along the Russian border, he abandoned his team and bribed Hansa officials to take him to Acadia secretly and safely. When he reached Acadia, it wasn't too hard for him to join the Foreign Legion as he had many connections within the EFCAF and he could prove that he had a successful military career. He served the Foreign Legion as a special ordnance specialist, though under the title "Demolitions Expert".

Bernhard was chosen to be the squad leader only 7 years after he joined the Legion. Most of the squad members opposed this decision and many challenged his authority. After spending many months fighting off usurpers, Bernhard became a bitter and unforgiving man. He is only friendly towards those he can trust.