This information has come directly from the BDM handbook given to all German girls. What can we deduce about the aims of the regime towards German girls?
The BDM
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You, too, belong to our leader. He asks of you, and of all within our community, that we grow up to become obedient, service-minded and dutiful, and live in comradeship with those in our community. This is why you join the Jungmaedel League at the age of 10. Aside from your duties at home and in school, service in the Jungmaedel now also asks you to do your part voluntarily and joyfully.
You have to prove yourself as a member during the social evenings and sports afternoons, during day trips and week-long camps. The social evenings require your willingness to work together with others and to compromise. The sports afternoons require your courage and your dexterity. During trips and at camp you have to prove yourself to be dependable and able to work with others in your group. You should fulfill your duties consistently and proudly. You prove your loyalty to your group through your service. A good Jungmaedel never tries to get out of any of her tasks. She never says that she can't do her tasks, that she's afraid to do them, or worse yet, that she doesn't want to fulfill them. A good Jungmaedel always steps up to the tasks and sticks to them. Your way in the Jungmaedel is straight and honest - too proud and too open to lie to your comrades or to suck up to your leaders! Uprightness, honesty, and readiness to help are the main commandments of the Jungmaedel. Your Jungmaedel group is a shelter of comradeship! |
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Admission Ceremony
On the eve of April 20th, the birthday of our leader, Jungmaedel across the nation will meet for the admission ceremony where all new members are welcomed into our community. The National Youth Leader personally leads this ceremony from the Marienburg castle, which is then broadcast across the nation on all radio stations. During the ceremony, the JM-Group Leaders swear the new probationary members in with the following words:
"I promise to always do my duty in the Hitler Youth, in love and loyalty to our leader and our flag."
Each Jungmaedelschaft Leader takes charge of her new Jungmaedel by greeting each one with a handshake, and presenting each with a membership certificate.
On the eve of April 20th, the birthday of our leader, Jungmaedel across the nation will meet for the admission ceremony where all new members are welcomed into our community. The National Youth Leader personally leads this ceremony from the Marienburg castle, which is then broadcast across the nation on all radio stations. During the ceremony, the JM-Group Leaders swear the new probationary members in with the following words:
"I promise to always do my duty in the Hitler Youth, in love and loyalty to our leader and our flag."
Each Jungmaedelschaft Leader takes charge of her new Jungmaedel by greeting each one with a handshake, and presenting each with a membership certificate.
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The Jungmaedel Challenge
During your service in the Jungmaedel you have to prove yourself both in character as well as in your physical abilities. During the first six months after being admitted into the League, you have to prove that you want to become a real Jungmaedel, that you will follow your appointed leader, and that you can fit into the community and become a good friend to those who are in your group. Your physical abilities and your willingness to own up to any task set before you are to be tested in the Jungmaedel Challenge, which consists of the following simple tests: Requirements of the Jungmaedel Challenge Performance 60 meter run in 14 second long jump of 2 meters ball throw of 12 meters Agility 2 forward rolls afterwards getting up without use of hands 2 backward rolls jumping through a swinging rope Trip participation in a one-day trip All requirements must be met during your first six months in the Jungmaedel. The results of the tests will be written down in your Jungmaedel achievement book. After you have successfully completed the challenge, your Jungmaedel Group Leader will officially award you the right to wear the black neckerchief and leather knot in a special ceremony on October 2nd, which is the anniversary of the first Youth Congress at Potsdam. Only then are you confirmed as a full member. Jungmaedel who cannot meet the requirements within six months can repeat the challenge at a later point in time, which is to be determined by their leader. If it turns out during your first six months in the Jungmaedel that you're not ready to meet these challenges due to physical reasons, your leader can defer your service for one year after you've been examined by a doctor and the doctor agrees you are not yet ready. |
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The Uniform
In order to show the unity within our League to the outside, we all wear the same clothing, our national uniform, as a way to show our community.
As soon as you put on the uniform, everyone sees you as a representative in the Jungmaedel League and judges the entire League based on your appearance and your demeanor. Therefore your uniform must always be in first rate condition. That means that your blouse has to be cleanly laundered, your skirt must be brushed free of dirt, and your shoes must be shined properly. It should go without saying that a proper Jungmaedel is always clean herself and always has properly brushed hair. You are not allowed to wear any jewelry with your uniform - you're not any better than any of your comrades because you wear necklaces, bracelets, earrings or tiaras. The BDM climbing jacket is not to be worn with clogs no matter how cute they are. The neckerchief and knot are not to be prettied up with pins or charms. It's just as horrible to wear red hats, green scarves, blue gloves, yellow jackets, or light colored shoes with your uniform! Always remember that you will upset the image of your group with your carelessness or sloppiness. You must be proud to wear your uniform properly.
In order to show the unity within our League to the outside, we all wear the same clothing, our national uniform, as a way to show our community.
As soon as you put on the uniform, everyone sees you as a representative in the Jungmaedel League and judges the entire League based on your appearance and your demeanor. Therefore your uniform must always be in first rate condition. That means that your blouse has to be cleanly laundered, your skirt must be brushed free of dirt, and your shoes must be shined properly. It should go without saying that a proper Jungmaedel is always clean herself and always has properly brushed hair. You are not allowed to wear any jewelry with your uniform - you're not any better than any of your comrades because you wear necklaces, bracelets, earrings or tiaras. The BDM climbing jacket is not to be worn with clogs no matter how cute they are. The neckerchief and knot are not to be prettied up with pins or charms. It's just as horrible to wear red hats, green scarves, blue gloves, yellow jackets, or light colored shoes with your uniform! Always remember that you will upset the image of your group with your carelessness or sloppiness. You must be proud to wear your uniform properly.
