 On 26 September 1934, he was appointed Seekadett, and one day later, he was assigned to the light cruiser .On 27 June 1935 he started his training at Marineschule Mürwik and completed his infantry training on 29 July 1936.In August 1936 he was transferred to the light cruiser , on which he sailed to take part in the non-intervention patrols during the Spanish Civil War without encountering any belligerent forces.