English Translation

6-5a They know almost nothing about the education and teaching of the 1⁄2-recruits of their basic laws. The rich German recruits sometimes have a certain idea of it from films, times or stories, while the Germanic volunteers come into a completely new world for them, which they are waiting for. But the most important thing for the recruit is that they have in common with the rich German young men who come to us. This is their kind-related blood and their good will. On this good will the education must first be built up. If it remains, then the training and education work will bear double fruit and be half as heavy. The best way to maintain and promote this good will is by raising the interest of men in all the service and non-service interests of the four. In the old field service order, the Sat, who must never be forgotten, says: "All commanders must work to maintain the joy of service with their subordinates; it offers the best guarantee of successful work!" Interest is always in what one understands. The horse connoisseur is interested in horses. The football player likes to go to a football game because he can follow the game and the skill of the players because of his knowledge. On the other hand, someone who does not even know the rules of the game will prefer to spend another time. If, therefore, a military leader wants to arouse interest among his men in the Soldatic and -moderate things, he must be careful to arrange the ministry and especially the lessons in such a way that every man can think and follow. He does well not to presume anything with the recruits and to hold the lessons as easily as possible. At the beginning he must also have understanding of the weaknesses of the recruits and show patience when one or the other does not come along. He must always convince himself whether everyone who has just been taught or pretended has also understood and not become tired of repeating it once or twice for the weak. The Erolg will soon show himself. If the men have understood the material and can think together, then the interest is also there and they will exercise with much more zeal the understanding. The joy of the success that he comes along makes the recruit safe and inspires him again and again. The time lost at the beginning by the fact that one or the other had to be explained again, is regained by the need not to repeat what has been learned too often and so long, because it has been properly learned at the very beginning. If, on the other hand, the recruit cannot follow in the ministry, then his gaps become ever greater over time. The consciousness of not understanding this or that oppresses him and makes him insecure. He loses interest and 82