Jugend Grenztruppen & Youth Groups
East Germany considered its young people its most important asset, and as a result, the party and government  expended a great amount of attention and resources on socialization of youth through schools and youth groups. Since the inception of the regime, youth activities were strictly controlled and monitored by SED party officials. Youth organizations outside of those officially sanctioned by the regime were not been permitted. By far the most important youth organization was the Freie Deutsche Jugend-FDJ (Free German Youth) founded in 1946 and subsequently brought under the control of the East German communist party (SED). As of 1984, the FDJ had a membership of approximately 2.3 million, or 83 percent of all youth in the eligible age group (fourteen through twenty-five). Membership was voluntary, but for anyone who wanted to advance politically or professionally, membership was a practical necessity. Strong pressures were exerted on young people through the schools and peer groups to join the FDJ, and the organization's near total control over recreational facilities, resort areas, and entertainment ensured a high membership. Perhaps more important, the FDJ handled university entrance examinations and scholarship programs. The most active members, therefore, were found among students and soldiers; nearly 80 percent of each group belonged to the FDJ. Participation of young industrial workers and farm youth was considerably lower. In the case of the industrial workers, the trade unions provided an alternative to FDJ membership.1

The Ernst Thälmann Pioneers Organization, known as the Junge Pioniere--JP (Young Pioneers) was an auxiliary of the FDJ. In the mid-1980s, membership in the JP began with entry into school at age six and continued through age fourteen were the teenagers then transitioned into the FDJ. In 1985 the JP had approximately 1.3 million members representing roughly 85 percent of all eligible children.2

The regime used the group to reinforce the political values and social behavior taught in the schools. The SED considered the JP to be instrumental in developing the collective spirit that is considered such an important part of the "socialist personality." The groups were headed by teachers and JP leaders  who taught the children to work toward and identify with collective goals. Ultimately the JP provided an effective, but controlled, source of peer pressure. Norms, values, and standards of behavior were shaped and guided by group leaders.3

Two other youth-oriented organizations deserve mention. The Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik--GST (Society for Sport and Technology) was established in 1952 and provided paramilitary training through sports activities such as parachuting, marksmanship, and other skill-oriented programs. The GST also held military sports games (Wehrspartakiade). In the 1985 games, over 8,000 contestants competed in 280 "premilitary" and "military sporting" events, which included stripping machine guns, hand grenade target practice, and marksmanship. A second group, the Deutscher Turn-und Sportbund der DDR (German Gymnastics and Sports Federation), trained athletes for sporting competition and was the organization responsible for producing Olympic competitors.  A total of 10,249 sports clubs catered to the group's members.4

So what does all this have to do with the Grenztruppen? Well, there was another organization called the Jugened Grenztruppen (Young Border Troops). Teenagers or younger that expressed an interest in the Grenztruppen could meet with border guards and learn about their duties and equipment. Information is scarce on the organization, but I have found evidence of the Jugend Grenztruppen dating back to the 1950's.

Free German Youth
FDJ_gal.jpg (15985 bytes)

FDJ member watches an event.  - Armeerundschau photo

Young Pioneers

GST logo

Border Guard Holger Mertens and his K-9 pose with members of the Jugend Grenztruppen. - photo courtesy of Holger Mertens

1  "East Germany - A Country Study"

2 Ibid

3 Ibid

4 Ibid

Logos courtesy of  www.madeingdr.de