 When the national army (NVA / "Nationale Volksarmee") was formally founded in 1956, Franke became a Deputy Head and Leader of the Political Department of the Air Force Commandos (LVA / "Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee"), a position he retained till 10 February 1959.At the same time he was a member of The Party's regional leadership in Cottbus.There was another switch in February 1959 from when he served, initially as deputy Chief and then, from August 1959 through till November 1974 as the Chief of Military intelligence (Mil-ND / "Militärnachrichtendienst") of the National People's Army.