Conscription, Replacement and Training
Overview
Systematic universal military training in modern times is an invention of the Germans and has been developed to its highest degree of refinement by them. It grew out of the mass armies which were necessary to overthrow Napoleon and was introduced by a Prussian law of 3 September 1814 as a part of the far-reaching army reforms initiated by Scharnhorst and his colleagues to cope with the new forms of warfare. Ever since then universal compulsory military service has existed in Germany, with the exception of the period from 1918 to 1935, when it was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. Drawing on this historical precedent, the Greater Aryan Race maintains universal conscription (
allegemeine Wehrpflicht) of up to three years and more for all German male citizens under the
Wehrgesetz.
Conscription
The execution of the system for exercising military supervision of men liable to military service and for examining and conscripting them from civilian life into the Armed Forces is a joint responsibility of the German civilian and military authorities. The Reich Minister of the Interior, controlling all police authorities and the ordinary local registration of the civilian population, is responsible for the registration of men liable for military service. This occurs through the local and district police authorities. The Reich Minister of the Interior and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces jointly issued and jointly apply the Decree regarding Military Examination and Drafting (
Verordnung über die Musterung und Aushebung), which involves collaboration of the civilian and military authorities during the phase between first registration and induction. They are also jointly responsible for dividing each corps area (
Wehrkreis) into suitable recruiting areas and sub-areas in such a way as both to meet the military needs and to fit, so far as possible, the existing civilian administrative subdivisions of the country.
The Armed Forces High Command controls the machinery for the call-up, induction, and discharge of personnel. This includes the recruiting area and sub-area headquarters which examine and draft recruits and represent the military interests in the administrative control of civilian manpower before and after service. This being a matter which concerns all three branches of the Armed Forces, it is supervised by the Replacement Branch (
Abteilung Ersatzwesen) of the Conscription and Recruiting Office (
Wehrersatzamt) in the OKW. Emanating from this agency, orders are issued through the various Wehrkreis headquarters (
Wehrkreiskommandos, Wkr.Kdo.) to the recruiting area inspectorates (
Wehrersatzinspektionen, W.E.I.) and from there to the recruiting sub-area headquarters (
Wehrbezirkskommandos, W.B.K.). These control the Military Reporting Offices (
Wehrmeldeamter, W.M. A.) and set up from time to time in their districts the examining boards (
Musterungsstäbe, Must. Stb.). Most Wehrkreise contain two or three recruiting areas, but some consist of only one such area each. The number of recruiting sub-areas in each area varies between four and a dozen according to local needs. Each recruiting area is controlled by an Inspector of Recruiting Area (
Wehrersatzinspekteur), who is a general officer with the status and disciplinary authority of a division commander. (In some cases he may be a naval or air officer, since the recruiting system operates jointly for all three branches.) Recruiting sub-areas are commanded by lieutenant colonels or colonels selected from the class of officers whose suitability for active service in the field has ceased. They have the status of regimental commanders.
There are two recruiting sub-area headquarters which do not come under any Wehrkreis headquarters but directly under the Armed Forces High Command. The Recruiting Sub-Area Headquarters "Ausland" (
Wehrbesirkskommando Ausland in Germania) deals with the registration, control, deferment, and call-up of German citizens in foreign countries (occupied or neutral). In neutral countries it is assisted in its mission by the German consulates. The Maritime Recruiting Sub-Area Headquarters (
Wehrbezirkskommando See), with its seat at Hamburg, has the supervision of manpower of all Germans in the merchant marine.
In accordance with the Armed Forces Act, all able-bodied German males are liable to military service from their 18th birthday until the 31st March following their 55th birthday, except for those with a criminal record or who can prove that their loss would bring hardship to their families. Completely unfit men are released from liability to military service. Roman Catholics who have taken holy orders (
Subdiakonatsweihe) are not conscripted in peacetime. No other category of person is exempt.
No German can be deferred for military service in peace or war for purely personal reasons or by reason of his dependency status except in cases of extreme hardship. Deferment of indispensable employees in essential industries may be applied for by the employer, but it is granted only according to a very rigid quota system. No general class of men is deferred, and each case is judged on its merits. Application for deferment must be repeated at frequent intervals. Though not required to perform military service, the number of women serving in the Wehrmacht has been increasing: under the Armed Forces Act, they have been allowed to fill military vocations formerly reserved for men.
All men not doing their active military service are classified into the following categories:
- Reserve I: Those under 35 who have completed their regular period of active service and been discharged.
- Reserve II: Those under 35 who have been through a period of short-term training.
- Ersatzreserve I: Fit men under 35 who have not been trained.
- Ersatzreserve II: Unfit and limited-service men under 35 who have not been trained.
- Landwehr I: Trained men between 35 and 45 (actually from 31 March of the year in which the 35th birthday occurs until the 31st March following the 45th birthday).
- Landwehr II: Untrained men between 35 and 45.
- Landsturm I: Trained men between 45 and 55 (actually from the 31 March following the 45th birthday until the 31st March following the 55th birthday).
- Landsturm II: Untrained men between 45 and 55.
The following categories of men are described as "unworthy to bear arms" and therefore "excluded from military service":
- Those sentenced to penal servitude (Zuchthaus), those who do not possess the honorary civil rights and those subjected to "security and improvement" measures (concentration camp for supposed habitual criminals).
- Those deprived of their "worthiness to bear arms" by a court martial.
- Those sentenced for activities inimical to the state and occasionally, their relations.
Usually in the spring of each year in peacetime, under directives issued by the German High Command, the incoming class (normally those who are turning 20 during the year) is summoned by the district police authorities (
Kreispolizeibehörde) by means of public notices to appear at the local police stations for military registration (
polizeiliche Erfassung). It should be noted that under the German administration system the local police always have a complete roster of all residents of their precincts, based on the required registration of residents.
Shortly after the registration, the recruiting sub-area headquarters (
Wehrbezirkskommando) issues orders for the holding of the first examination (
Musterung) of the registrants. This is carried out according to local registration districts by an examining board (
Musterungsstab) which included representatives of the military authorities, the district and local police, the civilian administrative authorities (municipalities or rural district), and the Reich Labor Service, as well as medical officers. On this occasion the registrants are classified according to their physical fitness. The categories used have been: fit for regular service (
Kriegsverwendungsfähig--Kv.); fit for limited service in the field (
bedingt kriegsverwendungsfähig); fit only for labor service (
arbeitsverwendungsfähig--av.); totally unfit (
wehruntauglich--wu.); and temporarily unfit (
zeitlich untauglich).
Following their medical classification the registrants are placed in a reserve category (normally Ersatzreserve I).
In peacetime final action on the question of whether or not each individual is to be called up for regular service is taken at a second examination or drafting (
Aushebung). This is conducted by the same authorities as the first examination and results either in a deferment or in definite assignment to a branch of service. The registrant is then told to go home and await orders. In wartime the procedure has been accelerated, and the drafting is now combined with the call-up.
The actual call-up (
Einberufung) is issued by mail by the recruiting sub-area headquarters in the form of an induction order (
Gestellungsbefehl) directing the registrant to report at a specified time at the headquarters of a unit (in wartime a replacement unit).
Recruits reporting at a battalion headquarters are first subjected to roll-call and then distributed to the subordinate companies, where the final medical examination and actual induction (
Einstellung) takes place. Induction is followed by a mental and physical test to determine the most suitable employment of each man and the administration of the oath of allegiance.
Alternatively, recruits may be placed instead in the German
Ordnungspolizei where they will serve out the three years of their military service in the uniformed police or civil defense forces.
The three branches of the Armed Forces submit to the Armed Forces High Command, their personnel requirements on the 15th of each month for the second month, following. According to the demands and the general replacement situation the various Wehrkreis headquarters then receive orders specifying how many men are to be inducted for each branch of the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces High Command determines which age groups are to be drawn upon according to the type of service for which they are required. The Wehrkreis headquarters are bound by these arrangements but may accept volunteers of all age groups.
If men of a certain type are not available within the Wehrkreis where they are required, the Armed Forces High Command may order the transfer of recruits from one Wehrkreis to another.
Within the Wehrkreis, the Wehrkreis headquarters is responsible for distributing the replacement requisitions among the recruiting area and sub-area headquarters as rapidly as possible and with due regard to the varying characteristics of the population in different districts. City areas provide the best material for motorized units, country areas for cavalry and horse-drawn units. A mixing of rural and urban elements is to be aimed at in the interests of regional and national solidarity.
The Navy accepts volunteers from all parts of the Reich. For its seagoing personnel it has a priority on recruits who, by reason of their place of residence or previous experience, are classified as belonging to the "seafaring population" (
seemännische Bevölkerung); to man its shore installations it takes conscripts from the Maritime Wehrkreise--I, II, X, and XX. The Air Force has a similar priority on conscripts (classified as part of the "aeronautical population" (
fliegerische Bevölkerung), which includes those who have belonged to gliding clubs or who joined the aviation branch of the League of Young Combatants.
The Army aims at assigning every individual conscript to the type of unit for which his physical condition, his civilian background, and his special abilities best fit him. With this in view, certain standing regulations have been introduced. Thus mountaineers called up in Wehrkreise that maintain no mountain units are automatically transferred to Wehrkreise which do.
Voluntary military service in the Wehrmacht is open to all German citizens of both genders, although female servicewomen are forbidden from serving in certain vocations. Volunteers are required to undergo the same physical and mental evaluation tests as German conscripts to ascertain their suitability for service in the Wehrmacht as well as their physical status. Volunteer applicants for the officer and noncommissioned officer careers apply at reception centers for potential officers and noncommissioned officers (
Annahmestellen für den Führernachwuchs), which come under the Inspector General for Potential Officers and noncommissioned officers (GJF). Within limits, the volunteers are given the privilege of selecting their arm or branch of service.
Replacement
Every unit in the Field Army is affiliated for personnel replacement purposes with a specific unit of the Replacement Training Army, located in its own original Wehrkreis and known as an Ersatz unit. The function of the latter is to induct recruits, to provide for their training, and to see that they are held in readiness to be sent off to the field unit in batches or individually as required.
The normal location of the Ersatz unit is the home station of the affiliated field unit, to which the soldiers expect ultimately to return for their discharge or for reassignment. For example, a soldier who is wounded and goes to a reserve hospital in the Zone of the Interior will be sent, on leaving the hospital, to his affiliated Ersatz unit before being returned to the field.
Whenever feasible, trained replacements are sent by an Ersatz unit to a field unit with which it is affiliated. If, however, a man for any reason is diverted to a different field unit, or if he subsequently is transferred from one field unit to another, the affiliated Ersatz unit of his new field unit must be entered on Page 4 of his paybook under the heading "present competent Ersatz unit" (
jetzt zuständiger Ersatztruppenteil).
Each army regiment which takes to the field upon the outbreak of war leaves behind at its home station a battalion cadre bearing its own number and which is known as its Ersatz battalion. The primary purpose of this battalion is to receive recruits, train them, and dispatch them as replacements to the field regiment. At any given time it includes one or more of each of the following types of companies:
- Reception companies (Stammkompanien), consisting of new recruits and cadre personnel.
- Training companies (Ausbildungskompanien), also known as Rekruteneinheiten. These companies provided for the training of the inducted untrained volunteers. After the training was finished the recruits joined the transfer company, if they were not transferred to the Field Army immediately.
- Transfer companies (Marschkompanien) which were pools of trained replacements ready to depart for the field unit.
- Convalescent companies (Genesendenkompanien), consisting of men released from reserve hospitals who were being prepared for return to the field. All other replacement training units are organized in a corresponding manner.
The three replacement training battalions corresponding to the three infantry regiments of a field division are controlled by an infantry replacement training regimental staff (
Grenadier-Ersatz-Regiment--Gr.Ers.Rgt.) bearing the number of the division. Thus for instance, the 2d. 23d, and 44th Infantry Regiments, belonging to the 11th Motorised-Infantry Division, are represented by the 2d, 23d, and 44th Infantry Replacement Training Battalions controlled by the 11th Infantry Replacement Training Regimental Staff at Allenstein in Wehrkreis I, the home station of the division. Replacement training regimental staffs are usually commanded by colonels.
The replacement training regimental staff also control from three to five infantry specialist replacement training companies which provide the personnel for the infantry howitzer battalions, rocket-artillery batteries, antitank companies, signal and reconnaissance sub-units, engineer companies and air-defence platoons of the three infantry field regiments.
The other components of the field division--the artillery regiment, reconnaissance battalion, antitank battalion, engineer battalion, and signal battalion, are affiliated in a similar way with replacement training units of their respective arms back in the Wehrkreis from which they came.
All the artillery replacement training battalions in any Wehrkreis are controlled by two or more artillery replacement training regimental staffs bearing the numbers of artillery field regiments originally raised in that Wehrkreis. The replacement training battalions for the smaller divisional components likewise bore the numbers of some of the corresponding field units from the Wehrkreis, but usually one such replacement training battalion would provide replacements for the corresponding field battalions of several divisions.
The replacement training units are subordinate to the Wehrkreis Headquarters (
Wehrkreiskommandos) in their capacity as Deputy Corps Headquarters (
Stellvertretende Generalkommandos, Stv.Gen.Kdo.) through the following intermediate staffs:
- One or more Replacement Division Staffs (Division Nummer ...., Div. Nr.....) controlling the replacement training units either directly, as in the case of independent units of the supporting arms and services (reconnaissance, engineer, supply troop replacement training battalions) or through several infantry and artillery replacement training regimental staffs (Grenadier-Ersatz-Regiment, Gr.Ers.Rgt. and Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment, Art Ers. Rgt.).
- Possibly one Panzer Replacement Division Staff (Panzer-Division Nummer...., Pz.Div.Nr....) or a Commander of Panzer Troops (Kommandeur der Panzertruppen, Kdr.d.Pz.Tr.) of either brigade or regimental status, controlling the replacement training units either directly, as in the case of the independent battalions (tank, antitank, and Panzer reconnaissance replacement training battalions) or through one or two motorized infantry or Panzer Grenadier replacement training regimental staffs.
- The Commander of Motor Maintenance Units (Kommandeur der Kraftfahrparktruppe, Kdr.d. Kf.Pk.Tr.), controlling motor maintenance replacement training units.
- The Commander of Signal Troops (Kommandeur der Nachrichtentruppe, Kdr.d.Nachr.Tr.), controlling signal replacement training battalions.
- Wehrkreis Surgeon (Wehrkreisarzt in his capacity as Stellvertretender Korpsarzt), controlling medical replacement training units.
- Wehrkreis Veterinarian (Wehrkreisveterinär in his capacity as Stellvertretender Korpsveterinär).
The Deputy Corps Commanders, who are not only the commanders of the replacement training units but also commanders in the Wehrkreis, are subordinate to the Commander of the Replacement Army (
Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres). They have the right to shift the location of units of the Replacement Army within their areas but must notify the Commander of the Replacement Army.
The responsibility of the Commander of the Replacement Army and of his subordinate headquarters and offices for maintaining the Field Army on a wartime footing remains in effect when parts of the Replacement Army are located in the Theater of Operations.
The number of replacement division staffs in each Wehrkreis is regulated by the Army High Command. They are responsible for the uniformity of training in their subordinate replacement training units. They are to be kept free from all administrative duties. Regarding correspondence they are to participate only in what concerns the training, arming and equipment of replacement training units, as well as the maintenance of discipline (including proceedings of law) and the personal matters of their subordinate officers and officials. Should there be several replacement division staffs in one Wehrkreis, the deputy corps headquarters orders which replacement training units are subordinated to either one.
The field unit may request replacements if there is a deficiency of more than 10 per cent of their table of organization strength. Replacements for specialists, such as communication personnel or technicians, are to be requested as soon as their absence would hamper the efficiency of the field unit. Every independent field unit (regiment, independent battalion) sends its requests for replacements through channels to the division headquarters. The division forwards them direct to the competent deputy corps headquarters.
The deputy corps headquarters thereupon issues orders to the appropriate replacement units. The replacement division staffs usually are consulted only with regard to the state of training of the replacements before the deputy corps commander disposes of them. The commanders of the replacement training regimental staffs participate fully in this matter. If the records which every deputy corps headquarters has to keep show that the competent replacement training unit cannot provide all or any of the replacements, the deputy corps headquarters passes this order to another replacement training unit. If an adjustment is not possible within the competent area, the Commander of the Replacement Army is notified and orders another Wehrkreis to provide the replacements. The replacement training units have to notify the deputy corps headquarters at once on what date the replacements will be ready to leave.
Although the requisitions are strictly channelized, direct relations between the field unit and the competent training unit at home are always considered desirable, in order to strengthen the feeling of comradeship. This is achieved not only through the personal connections but also through circular letters and newspapers.
Training
The general military training of the German soldier takes place principally in the training units of the Replacement Army, although a certain amount of training also is given in its replacement units. Training units also are prepared to conduct special courses in order to provide some types of specialized personnel, as required by the Field Army, and to secure a pool of personnel trained with particular care as potential officers and noncommissioned officers. In addition to these general training units, numerous schools and courses have been established with the specific purpose of training potential officers and noncommissioned officers. Other schools, designated as special-service schools (
Waffenschulen), have the function of providing specialized training for officers and enlisted men of their particular branch of service, developing its arms, equipment, and tactics with the help of their demonstration units, and furnishing instructors for the Army. In addition, specialist training schools are established to provide instruction for ordnance officers, technical officials, and particularly noncommissioned officer-technicians, or for officers and noncommissioned officers of all arms and services as specialists in certain particular functions, such as air raid and gas protection.
The training in most types of replacement and training units, which are under the command of the Wehrkreis headquarters exercised through intermediate staffs, is coordinated by the Chief of Training in the Replacement Army. He exercises his authority through the Inspectors of Arms and Services, who issue directives regarding the particular training in their arms to the Wehrkreis headquarters. These directives are based on tactical doctrines worked out in detail by the Inspectorates of Arms and Services in the General Army Office, which, in turn, follow instructions from the Chief of Training and his Inspectors.
The directives for the training of Panzer troops are issued by the Inspector General of Panzer Troops, who is directly subordinate to the Army High Command (OKH). The training of medical troops is directed by the Chief Army Medical Inspector, who is directly subordinate to the Army High Command, and that of veterinary troops by the Chief Veterinary Inspector, immediately under the Armed Forces High Command.
The training of potential officers and noncommissioned officers wherever it occurs, takes place either under the command or under the supervision of the Inspector General for Potential Officers and noncommissioned officers. His authority is restricted to supervision when this type of training takes place in establishments under the command of the Chief of Training, the Inspector General of Panzer Troops, or any Wehrkreis headquarters. Special-service schools and specialist training schools are under the command of the Chief of Training with the exception of the Schools for Panzer Troops, which are commanded by the Inspector General of Panzer Troops.
In principle, the training unit is a true image of the field unit which it supplies with trained replacements. Thus, the infantry training battalion, just like any battalion of an infantry regiment, consists of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rifle training companies, and the 4th fire-support training company. This principle has been somewhat modified, however, in order to take advantage of specialized training personnel and to expedite the training; thus, drivers of motor vehicles, for example, usually are not trained within each training company but combined into a special detachment within the battalion. The infantry training regimental staff, in accordance with the normal composition of a regular infantry regiment, usually controls three infantry training battalions, a 13th infantry-howitzer training company, and a 14th air-defence training company; in addition, however, it often has controlled a 15th infantry signal training company, and every second or third staff a 16th infantry engineer training company to furnish trained personnel for the signal platoons in battalion headquarters and the signal and engineers platoons in the regimental headquarters company.
The main responsibility for the training of recruits rests with the commander of the training unit of company size (company, battery, troop). The detailed training schedule is prepared within the framework of the company. The battalion commander supervises the progress of the training in the companies of his battalion and inspects the recruits at the end of their basic training. The commanders of higher echelons coordinate the training in the units under their command and supervise it. They are also responsible for the education and training of officers and potential officers and noncommissioned officers within these units. The latter are often placed in special companies within the training battalions and regiments.
The basic training (
Grundausbildung) in infantry training units normally is planned for 16 weeks. This period may be followed by an indefinite period of advanced training (
Erweiterungsausbildung), lasting up to the time of transfer of the recruits to a field unit. The basic training usually is divided into three parts, the first of which is devoted to individual training, the second to the training of the individual recruit within the framework of the squad, and the third to the training of the squad within the framework of the platoon. During the advanced training period, the scope of training is amplified to include exercises on reinforced company or, in artillery and chemical warfare troops, even battalion level. The basic training components, listed in order of the importance attributed to them, are: combat training, firing, lectures, drilling, sports. The drill for the modern German soldier is far from what is generally believed; drilling of the famous goose-step is not permitted, and "present arms" is not taught.
The two basic categories of noncommissioned officers are the ones enlisting for either 12 or 4½ years, called active or professional noncommissioned officers, and the conscripts promoted to noncommissioned officer's rank, called reserve noncommissioned officers. The active noncommissioned officers may either serve in ordinary noncommissioned officers' functions in the various arms and services or they may receive specialized training as technicians. Typical training establishments for ordinary noncommissioned officers are the Army noncommissioned officers' schools (
Heeres-Unteroffizier-Schulen), for technicians the specialist training schools and the special-service schools (
Waffen-Schulen) of chemical, biological and nuclear warfare troops, engineers, and signal troops. In peacetime, noncommissioned officers serving 12 years were, at the end of their service, trained for civilian occupations in Army vocational schools (
Heeresfachschulen) and Armed Forces vocational schools (
Wehrmachtfachschulen); in wartime, this vocational training is restricted to the rehabilitation of men no longer fit for service. The reserve noncommissioned officers receive special training in noncommissioned officer courses (
Unterführer-Lehrgänge), which may be conducted in the Field Army as well as in the Replacement Army at various echelons.
In peacetime and to an even larger degree, in wartime, the German High Command considers the possession of a highly qualified noncommissioned officer corps as of vital importance for the effectiveness of the Army and endeavors by all means of propaganda to fill its ranks. For the professional noncommissioned officer corps two sources are open:
- Volunteers for the noncommissioned officer career may apply at the age of 16½ years and, if accepted by a selection center for potential Army officers and noncommissioned officers, enter the Army at the age of 17 as noncommissioned officer applicants (Unteroffizier-Bewerber, usually abbreviated U.B.). Some of these may have had pre-Army training for this career as junior cadets (Jungschützen) in Army noncommissioned officer preparatory schools (Heeres-Unteroffizier-Vorschulen).
- Conscripts already in service who wish to enlist for either 12 or 4½ years must have a good record as leaders in combat, instructors, and disciplinarians. They can enlist only after one year's service and are finally accepted only after 2 years' service. Only those are accepted for a 12-year term who will be not over 38 years of age at the end of their service period; the age limit for men enlisting for 4½ years is 28 years. If acceptable, these men are appointed noncommissioned officer applicants by their battalion commanders.
Training of noncommissioned officer applicants: The noncommissioned officer applicants belonging to units of the Replacement Army are normally educated and trained at the Army noncommissioned officer schools. The training period of a noncommissioned officer applicant volunteer at an Army noncommissioned officer school is 10 months. The first 4 months are devoted to basic training, and during the remaining 6 months the applicant receives training as a squad leader in his particular branch of service before the applicant graduates from the Army noncommissioned officer school and is promoted to Lance Corporal (
Gefreiter). He is then transferred to a field unit.
At present, there are about 22 Army noncommissioned officer schools for infantry, one for mountain infantry, seven for Panzer troops, two for artillery, two for engineers, and one for signal troops. These schools are usually organized like a battalion of their respective arms; the Army noncommissioned officer schools for Panzer troops are specialized in one of the main branches of this arm (Panzer Grenadiers, tank crews, antitank personnel, Panzer reconnaissance personnel).
Men enlisting for long-term service while serving in the Field Army (
Kapitulanten des Feldheeres) may take part either in a noncommissioned officer applicant course conducted by a field headquarters, especially in a divisional combat school, or in a course at a field noncommissioned officer school (
Feld-Unteroffizier-Schule). In their training, these schools approach field conditions to a much larger degree than the Army noncommissioned officer schools; their training periods last only about months. There is one field noncommissioned officer school for each of the three most important arms: infantry, Panzer troops, and artillery. They originally were located in occupied territories, but now apparently have been removed to Germany proper. They are believed to be organized like a regiment of their respective arms, including some or all of its more important special branches.
Training of reserve noncommissioned officer applicants: Conscripts who are acceptable as future noncommissioned officers and are considered for promotion, but who are not enlisting for a definite service period, are appointed reserve noncommissioned officer applicants (
Reserve-Unteroffizier-Bewerber usually abbreviated
R.U. B.) by their battalion commanders. The training of the reserve officer applicants normally takes place at Wehrkreis noncommissioned officer courses (
Wehrkreis-Unterführer-Lehrgänge), although reserve officer applicants recently have also been trained at Army noncommissioned officer schools. Each of the original Wehrkreise has one Wehrkreis noncommissioned course, usually located at a maneuver area within the Wehrkreis itself or in a neighboring Wehrkreis. These courses are more or less organized like infantry regiments, but often include, in addition to regular infantry components, other types of specialist sub-units, such as a reconnaissance troop, a mortar training company, or a field howitzer battery. In some Wehrkreise, sub-units of the Wehrkreis noncommissioned officer course for arms other than infantry may be established with existing training units or Army noncommissioned officer schools of these arms.
Training of noncommissioned officers for special functions: A number of noncommissioned officers are employed in functions requiring special training without being technicians. These may be trained within their own or other units or headquarters by practical experience and apprenticeship, or in special courses conducted by units or headquarters (in the field usually by the division combat schools, in the Replacement Army by the Wehrkreise), or at specialist training schools.
The system for training German officer replacements in peacetime and wartime normally extends over a period of between 16 and 20 months (including prescribed service in the field) and is divided into three main phases. These phases differ slightly for active and reserve officer replacements, but the duration and standard of training are identical. The only difference between active and reserve officers is that the former enroll for an unlimited period of service and have to meet slightly higher physical requirements. For both categories, the training during the three main phases takes place in schools and courses devoted to this particular purpose. In the first phase, these are either officer applicant courses or reserve officer applicant courses; in the second phase officer candidate schools or courses; and in the third phase advanced officer candidate courses.
In certain cases selected enlisted men who are over 30 years old and have served in the field in combat units may become officers without attending officer candidate schools or courses but merely after a very few months of additional service in the field as officer candidates.
The following paragraphs outline the normal procedure for selecting and training active and reserve officer replacements.
Future potential active officers (
aktiver Offizier-Nachwuchs) are selected in the following three ways:
- Untrained volunteers, usually at the age of 16 or 17, after a preliminary selection by a selection center for future Army officers and noncommissioned officers (Annahmestelle für den Führernachwuchs des Heeres), enroll for an unlimited period and enter the Army as officer applicants (Offizier-Bewerber, usually abbreviated O.B.).
- Conscripts already serving who are under 28 and decide to apply for the active officer career first are appointed reserve officer applicants (Reserve-Offizier-Bewerber, usually abbreviated R.O.B.), or if they have already attained noncommissioned officer grade, reserve officer candidates (Fahnenjunker der Reserve, usually abbreviated Fhj.d.R.), by their regimental (or independent battalion) commanders. A note is added to the record indicating that they intend to adopt the active officer career. They are accepted for this career upon graduating from the officer candidate course, but they must first attend a reserve officer applicant course if they have not already attained noncommissioned officer grade.
- Professional noncommissioned officers may, after at least 2 months of service in the field, be appointed officer candidates (Fahnenjunker, usually abbreviated Fhj.) and be sent to an officer candidate course.
Officer applicant training: This first phase of the training of future officers lasts 10 months and is designed for the untrained volunteer officer applicants. It is divided into the following two periods:
- Four months of basic training in a training unit.
- Six months of noncommissioned officer training in an officer applicant course (O.B.-Lehrgang). These courses usually lake place at Army noncommissioned officer schools, some of which are reserved exclusively to this type of course In some special branches, officer applicant courses are held at the special-service schools or at training units. Upon graduation from the course, in which they are especially trained as squad leaders, the applicants are usually promoted to noncommissioned officers.
Officer candidate training: After completion of their training in the Replacement Army, the officer applicants are transferred to a field unit for a period of not longer than 3 months in order to demonstrate their leadership abilities in the field. The latest tendency has been to reduce this period as much as possible, even down to a very few days, in order to preserve the potential officers who, after completion of 10 months of training in the Replacement Army, represent a valuable investment of the Army. As soon as they have proved themselves in the field they are appointed officer candidates (
Fahnenjunker) and sent to an officer candidate course (
Fhj.-Lehrgang) of 3 to 4 months' duration. These courses are usually conducted at the special-service schools; the infantry, Panzer troops, and artillery, however, have separate officer candidate schools and courses. It should be noted that these courses are not only attended by personnel who have passed through the officer applicant training period but also by conscript and professional noncommissioned officers who have been appointed reserve officer candidates by their regimental (or independent battalion) commanders. Toward the middle of the course, the candidates are promoted to officer candidate-staff sergeants (
Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel, usually abbreviated
Fhj. Fw.); upon graduation they are promoted to advanced officer candidates (
Oberfähnriche, usually abbreviated
Obfähnr.).
Advanced officer candidate training: After completing the officer candidate course, the candidates attend an advanced officer candidate course (
Oberfähnr.Lehrgang) lasting 3 months. These courses usually are conducted at the special-service schools. For advanced officer candidates of the infantry they may be conducted at especially designated infantry officer candidate schools, and for those of the Panzer troops at the Panzer troop advanced officer candidate schools. After 3 months, the officer candidates attend one of the three Universities of the German Armed Forces in Munich, Hamburg and Potsdam (The Wehrmacht University Munich (
Universität der Wehrmacht München); Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg (
Helmut-Schmidt-Universität) and the newly-opened Gerhard von Scharnhorst University (
Gerhard-von-Scharnhorst Universität) in Potsdam) to attain a Master's degree after four years of study. Upon graduation from these courses, the candidates are promoted to second lieutenants (
Leutnant, usually abbreviated
Lt.) (The word "promote"--befördern is always used; German officers are not commissioned).
Potential reserve officers (
Reserve-Offizier-Nachwuchs) are selected in the following ways:
- Untrained volunteers may be accepted by the selection center for potential Army officers and noncommissioned officers as aspirants for the reserve officer career (Anwarter für die Reserve-Offizier-Laufbahn). They are appointed reserve officer applicants by the regimental (or independent battalion) commander of their responsible replacement unit after 4 months' service.
- During the conscription procedure suitable men may be selected by the commanders of recruiting sub-area headquarters. They have a similar career to that of the untrained volunteers described above.
- Conscripts in basic training may be appointed reserve officer applicants by the regimental (or independent battalion) commander of their replacement or training unit.
- Conscripts already serving for some time may be appointed reserve officer applicants, or, if they have already attained noncommissioned officer grade and, within 1 year previous to the date of their appointment, have proved themselves in a field unit, may be appointed reserve officer candidates, by the regimental (or independent battalion) commander of their field or replacement unit.
Reserve officer applicant training: Untrained potential reserve officers first undergo 4 months of basic training, after which they are appointed reserve officer applicants. Reserve officer applicants who have had their basic training spend 6 months in a reserve officer applicant course (
R.O.B.-Lehrgang). These courses usually are conducted by the headquarters of replacement and training units, and some infantry and artillery replacement regiments have special officer replacement companies and batteries (
Offizier-Nachwuchs-Kompanien-Batterien) for this purpose. Recently, however, the ones for infantry officer applicants have been more and more concentrated on Wehrkreis level; the Wehrkreis headquarters may designate a particular infantry replacement battalion as an officer replacement battalion (
Offizier-Nachwuchs-Bataillon), or conduct a special Wehrkreis reserve officer applicant course (Wkr. R.O.B.-Lehrgang). Upon conclusion of this course, in which they are primarily trained as squad leaders, the applicants are usually promoted to noncommissioned officers.
Reserve officer candidate training: After completion of their training in the Replacement Army, the reserve officer applicants, just like the active officer applicants, are transferred to a field unit to prove themselves worthy, and then are appointed reserve officer candidates. Subsequently, they attend the same officer candidate schools or courses as the active officer candidates. During these courses, they are promoted to reserve officer candidate-staff sergeants (
Fhj.Fw.d.R.), and upon their termination to advanced reserve officer candidates (
Oberfähnrich der Reserve, usually abbreviated
Oberfähnr.d.R.).
Advanced reserve officer candidate training: The courses for advanced reserve officer candidates usually are conducted by the Wehrkreis headquarters. Upon graduation from these courses, the candidates are promoted to reserve second lieutenants (
Leutnant der Reserve, usually abbreviated
Lt.d.R.).
All officer cadets, whether as active or reserve officer cadets, are first required to have at least an Abitur academic certification as a prerequisite for further service as an officer in the Wehrmacht. Full-time officers and officer-cadets are also required to attend civilian study courses at three universities that are run by the Wehrmacht: The Wehrmacht University Munich (
Universität der Wehrmacht München); Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg (
Helmut-Schmidt-Universität) and the newly-opened Gerhard Scharnhorst University (
Gerhard-von-Scharnhorst Universität) in Potsdam. Successful officers graduate with either a civilian Master's degree, the primary purpose of this scheme being to enhance the overall academic proficiency and quality of the Wehrmacht's Officer Corps.
Slightly different rules apply for the training of potential officers in specialist careers who, in addition to their military education, require a certain type of professional training. These are the careers of medical officer, veterinary officer, ordnance officer, and officer of the motor maintenance troops. In addition, the administrative officer and judge advocate careers in the Special Troop Service require special rules regarding the replacement of their officers.
Officers employed in specialized functions within the scope of their particular branch of service are trained for these functions at the special-service schools of their arm. The most important ones of these are: Infantry School, Mountain Infantry School, Reconnaissance and Cavalry School, Bergen, Munster and Krampnitz Schools for Panzer Troops, Artillery Schools I and II, School for Chemical Warfare Troops, Engineer Schools 1 and 2, Army Signal Schools I and II, Army Supply Troop School, Motor Maintenance Troop School and the Army Administration School.
General Staff Corps Officers (
Generalstabsoffiziere) belong to the General Staff Corps (
Generalstab), and usually are appointed either to the German General Staff (
Deutschesgeneralstab) or to one of the General Staff assignments (
Generalstabsstellen) on lower staffs. These latter are believed to be the assignments as chief of staff, assistant chief of staff for operations, assistant chief of staff for supply, assistant chief of staff for intelligence of headquarters down to corps, and assistant chief of staff for supply in divisions. Active officers, usually with the rank of captain, who are not over twenty-eight years old, have exceptional personalities, are qualified for a leading position, and have shown exceptional performance in at least six months of service may be recommended for General Staff Corps training by their commanding officers. If accepted, they are, according to to the regular training schedule, assigned to the War Academy for a period of one year.
The first month of this period is spent at a special school and the next six months at the War Academy itself. The aspirants then are attached to the General Staff Corps for five months and are taken into it permanently if accepted.
Courses for senior personnel officers (
Höhere Adjutanten) are conducted by the Army Personnel Office. They are usually held at leading Army schools, such as the War Academy or a special-service school.
Special courses for battalion commanders (
Btl.- (Abt.-) Führer) are conducted at an Army School for Battalion Commanders.
Schools for company commanders (
Kompanieführer) may be established by armies or army groups in their rear areas.
National-Fascist guidance officers (
NF-Führungsoffiziere), usually abbreviated (NFFO), for divisions and higher headquarters take part in courses conducted by an Instruction Staff for NF Indoctrination.
Courses for CBRN defence officers (
ABC-Abwehr-Offiziere) are conducted at Army Gas Protection Schools 1 and 2.