Border training regiment
The border troops of the GDR had appropriate border training regiments (GAR) in which the training of the newly drafted soldiers was carried out.
The training period for conscripts was usually six months. Then the soldiers were transferred to the operational border companies. After the six-week basic training with the final swearing-in , there was usually the first vacation. This generally consisted of a long weekend from Friday to Sunday. After the basic training, specializations began in the training companies for the intended purpose, for example as military drivers, IMG shooters, anti-tank rifle shooters. Furthermore, the border training took place with regard to the regulations and the border service itself. Border training companies were also often used in "hinterland security", especially in times when increased "attacks" against the state border were suspected (for example during GDR holidays).
The locations of the border training regiments were:
- For the GK-Mitte: Berlin - Wilhelmshagen (GAR 39 " Ho Chi Minh ") and Oranienburg (GAR 40 " Hans Coppi ")
- For the GK-Nord: Glöwen (GAR 5) and Halberstadt (GAR 7 " Martin Hoop ")
- For the GK-Süd: Eisenach (GAR 11) and Plauen (GAR 12)
- For the Coastal Border Brigade: Kühlungsborn (Grenzausbildungsbataillon-V)
- for NCO ranks: NCO School Perleberg
From 1989 onwards, tw. introduced several reorganizations, which are not listed here and which were only of short duration until the end of the GDR. Border training regiments were combined in the border commandos and renamed the Grenzausbildungszentrum (GAZ).
Literature (selection)
- Jochen Maurer: Service at the Wall. The everyday life of the border troops around Berlin , Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin 2011, ISBN 978-3-86153-625-3 . 272 pages
- (Eds.) Torsten Diedrich, Hans Ehlert, Rüdiger Wenzke: Handbook of the armed organs of the GDR , Verlagsgruppe Weltbild GmbH, Augsburg 2007
Web link
- GDR Border Troops Command , private website, accessed January 31, 2017