Even 70 years after World War ii, the German Army has an image problem. “Not long ago wearing a uniform around an average town in Germany could get you beaten up; and even today it draws frowns, says Jan Ströhmer, a naval commander in Kiel.” So began an article by the Economist last year.

But this summer, that is changing.

On June 3, Central Europe, including Germany, was hit with massive flooding. The floods have continued, and 19,000 German soldiers have been deployed to help the victims—the biggest domestic humanitarian operation in the army’s history.

“The army, recently covered in the news largely for its failed drone program, is now generating positive headlines again,” wrote Spiegel Online. “At the same time, it is also regaining the trust of a German people who have traditionally been skeptical of the nation’s armed forces.”

Residents hold banners with slogans like “Thank you, Bundeswehr!”

“I’ve never experienced such a positive relationship with the civilian population,” said army spokesman André Sabzog. “We can’t even eat all the masses of pizza and cake that people are bringing.”

Of course there’s nothing wrong with the public’s gratitude or the army’s actions. The army is doing some genuinely good work at the moment, and it’s only right and natural that many are grateful. But it is part of a more disturbing trend. The German Army is becoming more “normal”—Germany is starting to use and view its armed forces in the same way as any other nation.

As Germany’s army becomes more popular, Germany is less afraid to use it around the world.

The nation’s history and geography alone make this concerning. Germany is a powerful country. If it becomes a strong military power, it will automatically affect the power balance around the world.

As the German public gives its army positive reviews—and forgets its history—the time is coming when it will be easier for Germany to use its army to attack others. For more on this trend, see our article “German Military Propaganda War.”