The system of naval education in Kaiser Germany in late 19th- early 20th centuries

The article gives a brief description of the system of naval education in Imperial Germany, which was formed in the late 19th century, highlights its advantages enhancing the high level of training specialists for the new fleet which was constructed in the country. The emphasis is on the process of staffing the non-commissioned officers’ corps on the basis of the sea cadets’ school. There was a great need for this educational institution to develop the Navy of the II Reich. The authorities encouraged a big annual enrollment of sea cadets introducing a wide range of social benefits, such as: free-of-charge education, full governmental support during the period of studies, good professional training that would guarantee not only job on a warship, but also career growth in future. Another important attractive aspect was that students were constantly under the control of officers who raised their wards in traditional moral values. All this attracted to naval schools young people, particularly from socially vulnerable strata of German society. The article considers special features of training and educating future officers at the Naval College and the Naval Academy in Kiel, which already had the elite character.