In the first episode, Sonja is "On the road with the air force". Like all prospective pilots, she has to undergo medical checks and tests: In the human centrifuge, the future jet pilots are tested for their resilience under acceleration (the so-called G-tolerance). The centrifuge can accelerate the occupant to 10G in just two seconds, i.e. ten times his or her weight is then bearing down on him or her.

In beautiful and warm Portimao on the Portuguese Algarve, Sonja Zietlow boards the Gorch Fock. The traditional sail training ship of the German Navy is enthroned majestically on the harbour pier. Sonja Zietlow sleeps in a narrow two-man bunk together with the ship's doctor. There is a communal shower and toilets. And there is no chance of a good night's sleep. At six o'clock in the morning, the shrill whistle of the watch commander wakes the crew. In heavy seas, they have to climb 25 metres up the mast and set sail - without securing! But there are other jobs on the Gorch Fock: Chef Lasse has invited Sonja Zietlow to join him in the galley. Today, soldier Zietlow is cooking chilli con carne for 200 men and women. Night watch at the big steering wheel is also the order of the day. While the officer supervises the navigation, he gives instructions as to which way helmsman Zietlow should turn the huge wheel.

For a fortnight, Sonja Zietlow takes part in the lone fighter course at the infantry school in Hammelburg, Bavaria. It is considered one of the toughest training courses within the Bundeswehr. Ten heavy Fuchs transport tanks bring Sonja Zietlow and her comrades to the Franconian forest. After hours of driving, it's time to dismount. The goal is to destroy an enemy relay station. After another night's march, climbing towers, narrow concrete tubes and water ditches await the soldiers on the constancy course, which they have to cross.

This episode is dedicated to the absolute special and elite units of the Bundeswehr: Sonja Zietlow is being trained as a paratrooper. Also: the hard training to become a mine diver. The soldiers have to stay under water for minutes at a time. In Holloman/New Mexico, the bomber pilots of the Bundeswehr are trained. From the heat, it's off to the cold: the mountain fighters take the camera team up to an altitude of 3,000 metres. With rifle and skis, they go avalanche blasting in the high mountains.