Introductory note.—This article is based on a close scrutiny of the following official mimeographed publications lent to the author through the kindness of Konteradmiral Robert Witthoeft-Emden, German Naval Attaché at
Washington:
(1) Lehraufgaben fur die Fuhnrichschule” 1936-37 an der Marineschule Flensburg- Murwik.
(2) “Housordnung fur die Marineschule.”
(3) “Dienstvorschrift fur die Marineschule.”
The author is also greatly indebted to several German officers and midshipmen or information furnished in the course of conversations with them at home and a roa-d, and wishes to take this opportunity to thank Kapitanleutnant P. F. Duwel for his generous hospitality extended during a day’s visit at the Marineschule in the summer of 1936.
I
In the spring of 1936 about 150 German naval cadets spent a day with American midshipmen at Annapolis. Many were also entertained in the homes of officers and civilians. In June of 1937 nearly a thousand American midshipmen visited Kiel for ten days, hundreds were invited to the German Marineschule at Flensburg, and others mingled with German midshipmen on the streets of Kiel and aboard German and American naval vessels.
On both occasions numerous observers said, “Funny, if we were to stick these German boys into our American uniforms, one would hardly be able to tell the difference.” Further inquiry into the meaning of this and similar statements usually revealed that reference was made not merely to the purely accidental similarity in prevalent racial type. One seemed to agree that the average German midshipman or J.O. would also without much difficulty fit into an American naval unit.
Here then we have a perfect illustration of at least two different “roads leading to Rome.” For, granting that both the American and the German Navy succeed in making excellent officers out of raw plebes, the two could hardly go about it in more different manners.
II
The difference begins with entering the service. The German applicant must have graduated or be about to graduate from a secondary school after a total of 12 years of schooling. Excellent scholastic standing, faithful participation in the activities of the Hitler Youth, athletic accomplishments of a rigid standard, and excellent health must be certified by the proper authorities. Recommendations as to character and family background are also required. Family prominence or wealth, however, are no longer factors of weight. The application together with all documents, etc., is sent to the admiral in charge of Naval Training (Inspektor des Marine- bildungswesens).
From among the applicants the Navy Department selects between 200 and 300 young men who enter the service as sailor recruits with the designation Offiziersanwurter (Officer Aspirants). They start a very rigorous infantry training period of about 10 weeks’ duration: marching and formation drills, rifle, machine gun, and A.A. practice, endless marches across country with heavy packs, sham warfare, and daily athletic drills which are hard work rather than games. During this time the boys live, eat, and draw pay like enlisted men, and their uniform is that of the German sailor. Lack of physical stamina, leadership, or ability to “take it” exclude many from the next step in preliminary training.
Still as Offiziersanwurter and rated as sailors, the class is now divided among the two training ships Gorch Fock and Horst Wessel, tied up at Kiel. All who visited Kiel this summer will remember the two trim white 3-masted square-riggers tied alongside the Blucher Brucke, just about in hailing distance from the Arkansas. For several weeks the boys again go through endless drills, this time of practical seamanship aboard a sailing vessel while the ship remains tied to the dock—up and down the towering masts, making and furling sail, learning “the ropes.” Every evening, so it seems, all of them get out on the dock and practice signals on their boatswain’s pipes. From a distance it sounds as if a giant flock of starlings had settled along the water front of Kiel Harbor.
Finally the Gorch Fock and the Horst Wessel put out to sea for several months, and those who at the end of this cruise have passed all tests of physical endurance and professional skill are appointed Seekadetten (Naval Cadets), and go home on short leave.
The period of training now ended is designated officially as Section I in the training schedule of future naval officers. We have nothing quite like it. Plebe Summer is infinitely easier on all concerned, the trained and the trainers. These German boys have to lead a really Spartan life. They sleep on straw sacks or in hammocks, and the chow of Bancroft at its worst would seem a holiday dinner; they do their own cleaning, brushing, scrubbing; they march endlessly (30 miles is standard training march), dig trenches, fall down, seek cover, rain or shine, day or night. During this and all future time they are, however, free from any “oppression” by upper classmen; individually and as a group they are and remain on their own, and on inquiry the author was told repeatedly that the purpose of all this is to develop self-reliance and unconditional comradeship through “thick and thin.” Also, quite naturally, those who are physically or mentally unable to develop these qualities under stress and strain are easily weeded out.
III
In the fall or late summer begins Section II of the training. The naval cadets are now divided into groups in accordance with the special branches in the naval service, and the young men receive sleeve insignia designating them as belonging either to the line, engineering, ordnance, or supply. The uniform of the naval cadets resembles that of our own midshipmen.
Upon return from leave they embark upon a training cruise of approximately 8 months’ duration. In the past either the light cruisers Emden or Karlsruhe, or the old battleship Schleswig Holstein has been used as training ship. Frequently the cruise takes them around the world, and on this long journey they all become acquainted with all the phases of the ship’s operation under all possible conditions of weather, climate, and navigation. They visit naval stations and ports of many foreign nations, they speak foreign languages, observe and practice naval customs and traditions, attend innumerable social functions, and are taught at all times that they represent Germany to their hosts and to Germans living abroad.
A senior Kapitanleutnant and a few Oberleutnants are in general charge of the cruise training. They are assisted by
Kapitanleutnants in charge of training in the special branches: navigation, engineering, ordnance, and supply.
While at sea not all the work is practical, various papers, compositions, and reports are to be written, some in foreign languages, and individual log books must be kept. Practical exercises in all ship’s activities, including accounting and purchasing of supplies in foreign ports, are supplemented with reading and instruction courses.
In the last foreign port before returning either to Kiel or Wilhelmshaven, all naval cadets are given a comprehensive examination covering the work of the entire cruise. The examination grade is combined with the Fuhrungszeugnis (aptitude mark) to give one of the following four final grades: Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, and Unsatisfactory. Those receiving satisfactory or better are promoted to the rank of Fahnrich zur See, get narrow silver shoulder straps, officers’ belt, buckle and sword, and upon return from a month’s leave, these young men will finally enter , the Marineschule (Naval Academy) for their one and only year actually at school.
IV
Flensburg is a town of a little more than 60,000. Since its founding in the tenth century it has alternately belonged to Denmark and Germany, just as the whole of Schleswig-Holstein has changed hands from time to time throughout the centuries. At the plebiscite of 1919 Flensburg voted overwhelmingly to remain German, and accordingly the German Naval Academy remained where von Tirpitz had founded it, at the Fjord of Flensburg, about two miles east of the town on the high southern bank, in the suburb of Murwjk.
Resembling many of the castles built by the Teutonic Knights east of Danzig, with high roofs of red tiles and a great tower in brick Gothic style, surrounded by fir and beech woods, the German Naval Academy is indeed like one of those monastic establishments of the Middle Ages after which it was modeled. A steep road leads us to the gate formed by a tremendous Imperial Eagle wrought in iron, and we are surrounded by what seems like a monastic calm and quiet, for here German midshipmen after an eventful year afloat in all parts of the world are to be left alone for hard mental work and thought to digest the impressions and practical experience gained.
No one enters the grounds without a pass signed by a company commander. There are no cars, trucks, workmen, “Jimmy Legs” on bicycles, no hordes of sightseers with cameras and guides to disturb the park-like calm as you slowly walk uphill to the main building. It lies in the center of several dormitories and classroom buildings, all of which are joined at right angles, thus forming rectangular courts, four courts in all, and thus giving each of the four companies of midshipmen a court of its own for formations, drills, and inspections.
Over several stairways and through long halls my host conducted me to his room. Cigars and a cognac were served and inquiries made for mutual friends in Annapolis. After a while my host begs to be excused; in the absence of the Kommandeur (Superintendent—a Kapitan zur See)1 my friend is acting Superintendent, and he has to look after some matters at the office. I am left alone to organize my first impressions.
1Recently made a Rear Admiral.
What a difference between this brick and tile simplicity and the marble and granite Renaissance at Annapolis! Narrow staircases and corridors with windows opening upon the inner court. But this two-room apartment is high-ceilinged and spacious, comfortable with its old-fashioned oak furnishing, with a splendid view from this corner window across a sloping lawn to the high embankment and across the Flensburg Fjord. Blue sky with drifting white clouds reflected in the water between wooded slopes and green meadows. How much like the Severn!
I leaf through the mimeographed copy of the German N. A. Regulations which my host has left with me, and read: “All officers and civilian instructors on duty at the Naval Academy are requested to join the midshipmen as much as possible at play, drinking, and singing, and social activities in general ...” How different from the concepts of propriety prevailing on the banks of the Severn!
My host has returned. We are walking up the Gothic staircase to Memorial Hall. On the last landing, flanked by two large Imperial flags, stands the simple white marble bust of von Tirpitz, founder of the Navy and its school, once Grand Admiral of the Fleet.
Memorial Hall is a large square room with beautiful oak panels and paintings of naval engagements; flags of former ships decorate the sides and corners. One end of the room is a simple memorial to all former midshipmen who gave their lives in the Great War; their names in raised lettering on wooden panels, some of which may be closed like the doors of a shrine. In the middle of the memorial is another small bust marked just thus: SCHEER. Occasionally Memorial Hall is used as a chapel, but there is no compulsory attendance at religious services at the German Naval Academy.
It has become time for the noon meal formation. I watch a company from a doorway. A midshipman reports the company to a lieutenant, the lieutenant reports it to the company commander; there is a brief conference; then a midshipman reads from the order book: sport of the afternoon, leaves granted, punishments none . . . Fallout! and in groups of threes and fours the young men start for the mess hall. “Gee, this is really like a country club!” I hear some imaginary Annapolis midshipman say. And as I entered the mess hall the same imaginary voice seemed to exclaim: “Well, and here we have a perfect Rathskeller!” Not exactly; you may judge for yourself, though, from the picture on page 52.
The mess hall is composed of several large vaulted rooms, decorated with oak paneling and murals from life at sea. A warm light is admitted through leaded Gothic windows. Long tables are covered with snow-white linen, and the chairs are upholstered with brown leather. Gradually the large hall filled itself with about 350 people including all midshipmen, officers, and civilian instructors. The officers and instructors always share the noon meal with the midshipmen but take the other two meals of the day either at home or in the officers’ mess. Everybody placed himself behind his chair; there was subdued conversation. Then my host, who had his seat in the middle of the long table under the window, struck a gong and seated himself. All followed his example, and a simple meal consisting of soup, meat, potatoes, and one vegetable was efficiently served by civilian mess attendants. After the main course, guests are informally introduced by the head of the mess, and one or two informal announcements are made. Then coffee is served and cigars are passed; the meal is officially over when the senior officer present lights up or strikes the gong. Officers, professors, and midshipmen gradually leave the room as informally as they entered. I noticed no crowding; it was indeed very much as in the wardroom of an American battleship, a spectacle of pleasant, subdued informality.
The dinner and rest period lasted until 15:00 (from 12:50). We looked into some quarters of midshipmen. Again I was struck by the simplicity. I am sure German midshipmen look upon Bancroft Hall as a super deluxe hotel. Each quartier consists of two adjoining and interconnected rooms. Four or six men share the two rooms, one being the study and work room, the other the dormitory. Between each two dormitories is a large wash and shower-room to be shared by the occupants of the two quartiers adjoining on each side.
I saw the gardens full of shaded walks or solitude. I was shown the stables full of fine riding horses. Each midshipman gets one hour per week in horseback riding. I saw the small but well-equipped gymnasium, the excellent athletic fields, he riding and running tracks, and the beginnings of several fine new buildings which are to make a special training school for sport officers serving with the fleet. But nowhere was there any provision for crowds to witness athletic events. To be sure, there are intercompany contests fought with all possible drive and vigor. But regarding public attendance at matches of one kind or another the German Naval Academy seems to adhere to is true of sport-loving Germany as a whole: It is better for the nation that a hundred thousand participate in poorly played games than that the same one hundred thousand stand or sit and watch a superbly played contest.
Later in the afternoon I was taken down the small boat basin at the foot of the high bank on which the school buildings are located. Midshipmen met us on the steps apparently returning from sailing. I noticed how smartly dressed they all were, as yachtsmen should be, in white flannels, smart polo shirts, yachting caps, and white canvas shoes. None of the ill- fitting white drill pants and badly pressed uses which our boys wear with names printed on them as large as if they were crates ready for shipment.
Some of the young men who showed me their boats had been at Annapolis. Here they had admired nearly everything, especially “Hotel Bancroft,” the swimming pools, the gymnasium, the library. But now it was obviously their turn to be proud of what they have. At that, they were quite apologetic about their just pride in their really marvelous fleet of sailing craft. Not counting regulation cutters and one sloop not classified for international racing, there are altogether 62 sailboats at the German Naval Academy, among them 5 large yachts like the Vamarie recently given to our regiment of midshipmen. Then there are about 15 fully-equipped cruising yachts of lesser dimensions carrying between 500 and 700 square feet of sail. These boats accommodate from 3 to 12 people in bunks on overnight cruises. Of boats without cabins there are star boats, six-meter boats, international 12- and 14- foot dinghies, and some other craft not commonly known in America.
Several boats were coming in, and I noticed the spotless, well-fitted sails, the general immaculate condition of all hulls, decks without scratches, shiny brass fittings. Not a single suit of sails is ever left on the boat after it has returned to its moorings. In a large sail shed all sails are hoisted up under the ceiling to dry and to keep their shape. For most boats there are several suits of sails available.
All of the larger boats are equipped with auxiliary motors which are operated by midshipmen. Over week-ends, boats may be taken into the open Baltic; every evening all boats may be kept out until 2200.
The following is a quotation from a letter recently received by an American Ensign from a German Fahnrich. The two first met in Annapolis, then saw each other again when the young American visited Berlin on his first-class cruise.
Probably I have told you already that all German officers and midshipmen belong to the Naval Regatta Association (M.R.V.), and accordingly this association has considerable capital which enables it to own and maintain the largest fleet of sailboats in all of Germany. At each naval station there are kept a number of boats in proportion to the number of officers stationed at the particular place.
My host took me for supper at the officers’ mess, and when we finally drove to the station for me to catch the evening train, there were many midshipmen on their way into town. I was told they have liberty every night until 2400, and on Saturdays and Sundays until 0200 the next morning. Don’t these young men have to study? was my question. Oh yes, and that is the reason why not all of them go on liberty very often. But you see, we don’t mother them as you do in Annapolis, we let them make their own berth. It’s our way of finding out which of these young men can be strong in the face of temptation. The weak fall by the wayside, and that is good so.
V
Thus ended my one-day “sentimental journey” through the German Naval Academy, and it is time now to get down to brass tacks.
There are more Fahnriche at the Naval Academy than returned from the 8 months’ cruise as Naval Cadets, because the former cadets are joined at the school by 50 to 100 Fahnriche who have come up from the ranks. First- and second-class ratings of good schooling aided by special training, young men of excellent health and mind, may be nominated by their commanding officers to become midshipmen at the Marineschule. These men enter directly from the fleet or from shore stations. Their service as sailors is considered sufficient substitute for sail-ship training and extended training cruise.
Still the academic training of these men at the Marineschule is given special attention to make up for what they may have missed in secondary schooling. It must be borne in mind that on the other hand graduates from a full 12-year elementary and secondary school training in Germany are considered the scholastic equals of
American college juniors. They have studied in their Gymnasium or Oberrealschule many of the things which we teach in the first two college years, such as elementary foreign language, trigonometry, spherical as well as plane, differential and integral calculus, analytical geometry, several years of both physics and chemistry.3 Accordingly the German Naval Academy is relieved of teaching many things which take much time at Annapolis. Furthermore, no attempt is made to subject all men to the same hazards of failure by treating them all alike. The fact that they are trained with their future specialization in view precludes that, and no such individual competition for grades and class standing as we know it at Annapolis is either fostered or welcomed at the German school. Finally, the German Naval Academy makes no pretense of competing scholastically or otherwise with any other German school, college, or university. There are no academic degrees awarded.
3See Bulletin #22, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Let us turn to Table I on the opposite page which gives us in detail the distribution of subjects for each group of midshipmen and the time assigned to these courses.
An immediate general observation of interest is the great number of hours assigned to academic and professional studies and activities. There are no infantry drills, no parades, no practice on the rifle range. Then there is the extreme diversification of the study program for the various special groups. A detailed examination of the study programs furnished in the “Lehraufgahen fur die Fahnrichschule” would allow many additional observations of interest. But for that there is no space within the limitations of this article except for a few glances here and there.
In the course on aviation there is instruction given on how an airplane is to be towed which is unable to rise from the water. In athletics each midshipman must
Table I
Showing the study courses taken up by all midshipmen and the average number of hours per week throughout the „ academic year of about 8J months.
Note.—Where a subject is taught only for one period during one term, the average for the year is given as 4 hour Per week.
Specialty of Midshipmen → | Number of hours per week | ||||
Line | Eng | Ord. | Supply | ||
All | Subject |
|
|
|
|
Naval Service & Regulations | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Naval History | 2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
Foreign Language | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
Study Periods | 2 | 3 1/2 | 1 | 6 | |
Watch duties within the Company | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Athletics | 4 | 3 | 2 1/2 | 4 | |
Horseback riding | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
Line | Navigation | 6 1/2 |
|
|
|
Practical Navigation | 2 |
|
|
| |
Navigation P.-Work | 2 |
|
|
| |
Seamanship | 1 |
|
|
| |
Practice in sail & powerboats | 5 |
|
|
| |
Signal practice | 1 1/2 |
|
|
| |
Tactics | 2 |
|
|
| |
Aviation | 2 |
|
|
| |
Ordnance | 2 |
|
|
| |
Engineering lectures | 1 |
|
|
| |
Electrical Engineering | 1 1/2 |
|
|
| |
Chemistry of Explosives | 1 |
|
|
| |
Naval Architecture | 1 |
|
|
| |
Engineer | Engineering & Natural Sciences |
| 8 |
|
|
Engineering Laboratory |
| 2 |
|
| |
Electrical Engineering |
| 4 1/2 |
|
| |
Electrical Engineering Laboratory |
| 2 |
|
| |
Mathematics & Mechanics |
| 7 |
|
| |
Fuel Chemistry |
| 2 |
|
| |
Naval Architecture |
| 2 |
|
| |
Mechanical Drawing |
| 2 |
|
| |
Ordnance | Artillery and Ballistics |
|
| 5 |
|
Chemistry of Explosives and Practical Ordnance |
|
| 2 |
| |
Mines, mine laying & sweeping |
|
| 2 |
| |
Chemistry |
|
| 4 |
| |
Lectures on ammunitions, etc |
|
| 1/2 |
| |
Electrical Engineering |
|
| 4 |
| |
Electrical Engineering Laboratory |
|
| 2 |
| |
Mathematics & Mechanics |
|
| 8 |
| |
Naval Architecture |
|
| 1 |
| |
Mechanical Drawing |
|
| 2 |
| |
Stenography |
|
| 2 |
| |
Supply | Administration & Supplies |
|
|
| 7 |
Economics |
|
|
| 4 | |
Money, Banking, & Exchange |
|
|
| 3 | |
Law |
|
|
| 4 | |
Stenography & Typewriting |
|
|
| 2 |
train in broad or high jump, plus sprinting over 100 or 400 meters, plus shot put, plus running 10,000 meters. Boxing is compulsory for all hands, and the regulations prescribe: “At the end of the training course every midshipman must be able to fight 3 rounds of 3 minutes each in technically passable form.” Twelve-ounce gloves are to be used in these final test fights. Also fencing is compulsory for all.
TABLE II
Showing the study course taken up by midshipmen of the line coming from enlisted personnel.
Note.—Former enlisted men become midshipmen of the line only.
Subject | No. of Hours per Week | Total No. of Hours |
Navigation | 10 | 280 |
Practical Navigation | 21 | 70 |
Navigation P.-Work | 1 | 28 |
Mathematics | 10 | 280 |
Naval Service & Regulations | 2 | 56 |
Seamanship | 1 | 28 |
Tactics | 2 | 56 |
Practice in sail & powerboats | 5 | 140 |
Athletics | 4 | 112 |
Signal practice | 1 | 28 |
Lectures on Aviation, Naval Arch., Mechanical Engineering, Naval History, etc | 2 | 56 |
Study periods | 154 | |
Total number of periods per week. | 46 |
|
Foreign language instruction is given for two groups of different preparation: those who started work in the language on the training cruise, and others who are given advanced standing because of previous study. The foreign languages taught are the same ones we teach at Annapolis,* except that English takes the place of German. Grammatical exercises and translations from German into the foreign language are scarcely given. The course in English for example includes practice in reading British and American charts, discussion of current events, study of maritime and technical questions, practice in brief talks.
In naval history much attention is given to naval warfare during our own War of Independence and the importance of sea power during the Civil War.
A scrutiny of Table II will show that definite allowance is made for the lack of previous scholastic training of former enlisted men. They get a combined total of 20 hours per week of classroom instruction in navigation and mathematics. None of their time is taken up with standing of watches or other duties in the company office.
A visit in several classrooms during recitations revealed that there was a surprising lack of stiffness so often found in military schools. Midshipmen do not rise when answering questions or when reciting. Regulations concerning grades and grading are practically nonexistent, that is to say, there is no set rule requiring a grade during each recitation, or an average every week; there are no coefficients, no multiples. From time to time the midshipman may ask the teacher’s opinion regarding his work. A final grade is given only at the end of the year; 10 is the highest grade or number of points obtainable, 5 is passing. Every teacher must, in addition to assigning a numerical grade, furnish his estimate of the personality and general fitness of the midshipman. This is also entered in the records of the midshipman.
Examinations are given only once, at the end of the year. Total points achieved in studies are added to the combined aptitude marks obtained on the cruise and in the Naval Academy, and on the basis of the total a provisional list of seniority is submitted to the Navy Department. Ties are decided by the higher aptitude mark.
A few concluding remarks about extracurricular activities: The full schedule occupying the day with studies from 0750 to 1900 makes most of the activities found at Annapolis quite impossible. There are no Log no Lucky Bag at Flensburg, there are but very few dances at the school, there are none of the many societies for one thing or another we have at Annapolis. The considerably less regulated German midshipman can much more easily and freely find social contacts and Gemutlichkeit within the circles of his fellow midshipmen and the officers and professors attached to the school. Besides they have their own mess hall and social rooms where they may entertain until 2300. Here they may play games, sing, dance, play the piano, and—believe it or not—sign chits for drinks up to a total of thirty marks a month. Section 94 of their N.A.R. says: The mess halls are rooms for social activity and are never entered in sports clothes. Conduct is governed by the rules applying to any officers’ mess.”
This approach to training future officers is so totally different from ours that one cannot help but ask: Does it work? The author is convinced it does, but perhaps in Germany only. In view of the preceding statements it will now surprise no one to learn that German midshipmen may own bicycles, motorcycles, and automobiles, and they may also ride in taxis, and it should here be added that more than one German midshipman and officer has expressed to the author his great admiration for our Annapolis system which is so eminently fair to all concerned in view of the size of the regiment and the limited facilities which Annapolis could furnish at best.
The great social event at the Marine- Schule is the annual Crew Fest which is celebrated shortly before Christmas. Here is a brief description furnished by one who helped to prepare and enjoy it.
After a banquet with excellent food, wine, and other refreshments we midshipmen put on a show. For such occasions I was elected headmaster of our crew, and there was no end of work. B. was my faithful helper, he decorated the hall and the stage while I handled matters of business, organization and took care of the “poetic” and mimic preparations. We worked for three months, and the result was a really splendid festivity in Flensburg’s largest hall. The Commander in Chief, General Admiral Raeder himself, attended the function and thanked us by presenting our class with his picture. First we had a sketch entitled “Nelson comes to the Naval Academy.” Then we had several short sketches and funny poems poking fun at our officers and professors. The third and last part was our Cruise Revue with Spanish, American, Japanese, and Hawaiian dances. For the American part we had, of course, selected a step dance, and besides our jazz band we had four excellent steppers3 which undoubtedly would have found favor even with a critical American audience. You will see from the length of my report that this Crew Fest was a great event for all of us, especially since we Germans like so much to celebrate.—[Words in italics are in English in the original. The above is another part of the letter previously quoted from a German midshipman to an American ensign.]
3Step dance and steppers mean tap dancing and tap dancers in Germany.
With happy thoughts of a Crew Fest let us now leave the German Naval Academy and turn to the more serious things which follow upon graduation from the Marine-schule.
VI
In spring, at the end of the school year, the Fahnriche are granted leave and then start on what amounts to a tour of inspection and learning through all the branches of the German naval service. They do not do this as one group any more but as individuals in small groups and remain with each specialty long enough to gain a thorough understanding of its importance and function as part of the whole.
Approximately two months are spent attending the following special service schools: Torpedo School, Coast Artillery School, Mine School, and Signal School.4 Then follows a course at the Naval Infantry School (Marine School), and finally very detailed training and practice at the Naval Ordnance School. With all this another summer passes during which the German midshipman is primarily still a student, except that he attends such special service schools as those to which our officers go after service in the fleet many years.
4 Also officers attend these schools for additional and more specialized professional training.
I was told that the Naval Academy recognizes its chief task to be the preparation of its students so that they may later be fully equipped to understand, master, and appreciate what they get in these special schools. A significant passage from the German N. A. Regs, may be quoted in this connection:
In the case of all academic and professional subjects it is to be examined and weighed again and again whether what is being taught does really aid in training character and personality and whether it is really necessary in the training of an officer for his peace time or war time tasks.
Accordingly, Supply Corps midshipmen and Engineering midshipmen are sent for supplementary training to schools and shops entirely different from those attended by their comrades of the Line and Ordnance.
In the fall of the second year after entering the Marineschule, those midshipmen who keep on doing satisfactory work in the special service schools and maintain good grades in Service Aptitude are promoted to the rank of Oberfahnrich (Passed Midshipman) and are now detailed to service with the fleet.
Aboard ship they are given the duties of Junior Officers. Practical tasks in connection with commands take the place of school work, and all the commissioned officers aboard the particular ship constitute the faculty now sitting in judgment over the Oberfahnrich.
From all I could learn, it is now practical knowledge and officer personality that count and determine whether or not the Passed Midshipman will eventually become a Leutnant zur See or not. For, in the course of another six months or a year, all commissioned officers aboard this ship either will or will not elect the young man to the rank of Lieutenant. Notice of election is sent to the Navy Department which then issues the commission.
The regulations actually speak of “election to the rank of officer,” and it is my understanding that a single negative vote will bar the candidate.
VII
In conclusion it should be said that it takes approximately three years to become an officer in the German Navy. The average age at election to commissioned officer is between 21 and 22, higher in the case of officers coming from the ranks, higher also in the case of Medical Officers whose training has not been touched upon in this article.5 Midshipmen may not be married, and a Lieutenant is usually prevented from marriage by lack of sufficient income. Even an Oberleutnant (two stripes), a rank at present attained within three years from date of first commission, may not marry unless he can show an income, sufficient in the eyes of the Navy Department, to maintain a family on an economic level becoming an officer.
5 Midshipmen of the Medical Corps also take the training cruise preceding entry into the Marineschule, however.
The German promotion system has recently been reviewed in the Proceedings. It might be added here, that defective vision is no cause for retirement so long as it can be corrected by proper glasses.
The author also wishes to remind his readers that the German Navy is still in a very active state of development, and special rules are occasionally made regarding new officer personnel. Recently, for example, it was announced that in the case of especially promising young men the requirement of previous graduation from a Gymnasium or Oberrealschule might be waived. This and numerous other special rules, however, are believed to be of a very temporary nature.