 After returning to Germany in 1905, she was modernized and used as a training ship in 1908, following the completion of the refit.She conducted a series of training cruises, and several notable officers served aboard the ship as cadets, including Karl Dönitz and Ernst Lindemann.At the outbreak of World War I, "Hertha" was mobilized into V Scouting Group, but served in front-line duty only briefly.