The Steps to Becoming an Active Officer
The steps to becoming an officer were aimed at ensuring that the right personnel were accepted. As with all things related to commissioning, there were, of course, exceptions. Sometimes, it may appear that there were more exceptions than rules, but these ten steps outline the basics. The route to commissioning was similar for the civilian Fahnenjunker and the Fähnrich from the cadet schools, but there were exceptions. Rabenau, a German military author of the time, identified six different steps. These steps were designed for active officers. Reserve officers took a different track that I will eventually explain on another blog. In addition to the exceptions, there were many differences in the length of time devoted to commissioning, including the cost and the final educational level. Dates of rank varied significantly.
Step 1 — Select a Regiment to Join
All guard and cavalry regiments actively recruited nobles to keep the regiments as “pure” as possible. A variety of methods was used to lure young noblemen, including fancy uniforms and depot locations near fashionable, large towns. Guard and cavalry units could expect additional income of 1,000 Mark per month from these candidates who would pay to belong to the units. The more remote, lower-regarded regiments often had problems attracting new recruits. Despite this difficulty, they insisted on a rigid class and social selection process. This maintenance of high social standards resulted in a shortage of officers. Officially, the blame was placed on the middle-class for not wanting to wade through the army’s prejudices. Even until 1918, regiments tried to keep up the illusion of a “noble” officer corps with a personal relationship to the Kaiser.
Step 2 — Get a Regimental Colonel to Sponsor You
Sponsorship was key and perhaps the most difficult step on the ladder. Both the candidate and his family were scrutinized carefully. The candidate had to have a sufficient income because the regimental commander and the current officers did not want to accept men who might get into financial difficulty. Vera von Etzel tells a touching story about how Artur v. Klingspor made it into the Kürassier-Regiment von Seydlitz (Magdeburgisches) Nr.7. The clothing and equipment was very expensive at that time and a burden even for his father, Lieutenant General Leo v. Klingspor. Artur’s father underwrote him, and he received his commission, but the support came only after his younger brother, Hans Arvid, died while at the academy. Perhaps the loss of a son persuaded his father to ensure that his surviving son was in the best regiment.
After selecting a regiment, the candidate’s father introduced him to the regimental commander, who approved every volunteer applying to the regiment. The enormous cost of a premier regiment would keep the regiments populated by the more affluent—the “vons.” The father of the candidate and his son went to a dinner to be seen by all in a one-night precursor to Step 8.The commander then determined whether or not to accept the new officer candidate, called either Offiziers-Aspirant or Avantageur. Then the officer candidate had to successfully pass the Fähnrich examination, which was taken in front of a special examination committee (Oberexaminationskommission) in Berlin. The commander would not give final approval until the candidate passed this Fähnrich exam. Cramming with a tutor for the exam was a standard practice.
Those who were not cadets attempted to be selected as Fahnenjunker. This rank went through several iterations in an attempt to make it more professional. Prior to 1900, the regimental commander promoted the candidates after six months to the rank of Fähnrich. After 1900, more stringent criteria were enacted in an endeavor to end nepotism. The criteria required the candidate for Fahnenjunker to have a one-year certificate but not the Abitur. Then prior to selection, the candidate had to pass a specific written test of general knowledge. If the individual passed, he enrolled as a Fahnenjunker and was allowed to take the Fähnrich examination. In infantry and dragoon regiments, he was known as a Fahnenjunker; in other cavalry regiments, a Fahnenjunker was referred to as a Kornett or a Standartenjunker. In artillery regiments, the individual was called a Stückjunker. The amount of time spent as a Fahnenjunker varied a great deal.
Step 3 – Pass the Fähnrich Examination
In theory, each candidate was supposed to have a Prima certificate (Primareiferzeugnis) or special dispensation to take the Fähnrich examination. Ninety percent had a Prima certificate and 75 percent passed the Fähnrich exam the first time. A man could take it again; few failed the second time. If indeed there was a second failure, candidates were transferred into the ranks as an enlisted soldier or Unteroffizier. In 1890, the Kaiser demanded grading leniency for this examination. If leniency still did not work, he used dispensations that totaled over 1,000 between 1901 and 1912. There still were failures. In 1878, eight cadets failed the exam. All eight eventually were made Fähnrich, and six of them earned their commission. Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, failed the examination and was sent to the Ulanen-Regiment Kaiser Alexander III. von Rußland (Westpreußisches) Nr. 1 as an Unteroffizier. Eight months later, he was made a Fähnrich and eventually was commissioned. This promotion put his date of rank behind his classmates of 1911.