Name: Joel Günther Grau
Aliases: 'Hans', Jo
Age: 27
Birthday: November 5th, 1988
Nationality: German
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Birth Place: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Current Residence: Bayern-Kaserne, Munich, Germany
Gender: Male
Job: Heer Bundeswehr - Hauptgefreiter (German Army)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 192 lbs
Build: Muscular, Mesomorphic
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Bald head, thin blonde beard.
Skin Tone: Pale White
Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: Collection of smaller scars along his left thigh, and the side of his torso, along with a few along his left hand and forearm.
Personal Style: Joel doesn't care much for fashion, his usual dress tending to be based far more on practicality and comfort than anything else. Generally he'll wear little more than a pair of jeans, shirts in various shades of grey, black and green. The one piece of clothing he's usually seen wearing is a military-style
jacket, but other than that he wears nothing which indicates his career. Obviously, Joel doesn't do anything with his hair, as he doesn't really have any - though he keeps his beard trimmed very close to his face, looking after what little hair he does have.
He doesn't have any tattoos, and views the idea of them as unseemly - however he doesn't particularly have an issue with anyone getting them. He generally takes good care of his skin to keep it as clear as he is able, but doesn't make much of an effort to cover the scars which dot the left side of his body, for the most part - they aren't particularly visible under his clothing anyway. All-in-all, Joel is a fairly attractive man, with defined features and a build pointing to a relatively healthy lifestyle filled with exercise and proper eating.
Humorous * Professional * Organized * Headstrong
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Relationship Status: Single
Personality: When Joel puts his mind toward something, he's generally remarkably driven to reach whatever goal he's set before him. While on the outside Joel is an approachable, friendly and generally comedic character, he is also remarkably professional, and holds his appearance - especially to those he doesn't know - as one of his highest priorities. He regularly makes an effort to keep any area he's in as neat and tidy as he is able, and always cleans up after himself - even when assistance is offered. There has been many a time when hotel staff have come to Joel's room to find the sheets already ironed and the bed made perfectly.
Joel has always had an attitude that necessity comes before pleasure, and as a result, he's never particularly held a focus or too strong of a desire to seek out any sort of romantic attachment. Primarily, his focus throughout his schooling was on his education, as was the case through his BSc, and during his time in the military, his focus has been on that career. As a result, most of his 'relationships' have been little more than a few one night stands.
Joel has a habit of getting along with anyone and everyone - he's met a lot of different sorts of people in the military, from snobs, to jokers, to general idiots - and he generally can find a way to get on with any of them. He's generally approachable, and often making jokes himself of any kind.
Habits: Taking apart objects and putting them back together, this goes for just about anything, from pens to computers, to car engines and weapons. Also has a regular twitch in his left arm, particularly when he is agitated, he tends to end up picking at his scars when doing this.
Hobbies: Studying Physics, Smoking, Boxing/Martial Arts
Fears:- Loud, Sudden Noises (Fireworks/Explosive noises)
- Isolation
- Heights
- Retirement
Likes: - Jazz Music
- Astronomy
- Old Movies
- Spicy Food
- Coffee
- Strategy Games
- Sarcasm and Dry Wit
- Boxing
Dislikes: - Disco Music
- Astrology
- Horror Movies
- Sweet Food
- Vodka, Bourbon, Other Spirits
- Puzzle Games
- Tennis
- Hot Weather
A Memory: His ears were ringing, the dust and sand which had been sent high into the air was distorting his vision further than the thunderous noise and the force throwing him into the compound wall. He'd dropped his rifle, and for a while Joel just sat on the ground, the sharp stinging along the left of his body growing in intensity as he began to notice the blood. His arm was in plain view as his sleeve had been torn apart, and as the Sanitäter approached him, he looked back to where the source of the noise had been - But where was Alex?
History: Joel was born in Munich, Bavaria to Jacob and Erika Grau, a Botanist and a Lawyer. His childhood was simple and happy, with very little drama at any point. Joel was a hard worker, and a good child, the oldest, as a pair of siblings, a sister and a brother, would follow in a few years. He got along well with his siblings, and learned well from his parents example, avoiding trouble whenever it arose, and dedicating himself to his studies, and to the goal of giving his parents something to be proud of. He learned English at a young age from his mother, and took up French in high school out of interest. Throughout his schooling career, Joel showed a keen interest in science, encouraged by his father - and went on to pursue a degree in Physics at the University of Munich.
It was while he was in University that Joel began to pay more and more attention to world affairs, particularly taking an interest in the growing unrest and conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq - particularly his countries involvement in it. Personally viewing great worth in the involvement, Joel made a few visits to Bundeswehr recruiting offices during the first years of his degree, and eventually decided he would enlist - receiving a scholarship from the Bundeswehr to finish his degree before he enlisted properly. Eventually graduating with honours, Joel trained to become an explosives technician in the German Army, and after a year and a half of military work in Munich, he was deployed to Afghanistan.
Joel's first deployment went mostly without incident, he saw only a little combat, and experienced only one casualty in his unit during his time there. His second deployment, two years later, was far less quiet. By that time, the danger had increased significantly, and he saw far more combat as a result. Joel was eventually wounded in a landmine explosion, in which a good friend - Alex Shultz, was killed. Shultz was treated for his injuries and remained for the rest of his deployment. Interviewed by Psychiatrists on his return home, it was established that, while Joel did not suffer from PTSD of any major form, he was not capable to remain in his role, and he was transferred to general infantry. Joel returned for one more tour in Afghanistan, and currently he serves as a member of PzGrenBtl 561 in Munich.
Character Quote: “My head’ll explode if I continue with this escapism.”
Theme Song: David Bowie - Life On MarsAnything Else: - Joel has a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
- As well as being a native German-speaker, Joel is fluent in both English and French.
- Joel has also never had an official, serious relationship with a woman before, his previous ones being little more than occasional sexual encounters.
