True Servics applicable before Graduation for Officers?

[Stasi]

This may sound a silly question but could True Service medals take into account time spent in training and school prior the graduating? Basically I have a Border Guard Officer tunic that was made in 1985 and a Graduate Badge type of the 1987 and above. However, if I wanted to portray an Officer of that period the timescale would not even allow me to display a 5yr True Service medal. But if True Service also took into account Officer School training and maybe conscription service would that give me more options?

Also, what rank would be appropriate for that length of time? I am guessing maybe Leutenant possibly Ober at a push?

[iannima]

I remember having a telephonic conversation with Torsten about such matters and he confirmed that the years spent at officers' school counted towards the service medals. This in practice means that a young Leutenant would not remain for long medal-less ...

[AR-11]

I remember having a telephonic conversation with Torsten about such matters and he confirmed that the years spent at officers' school counted towards the service medals. This in practice means that a young Leutenant would not remain for long medal-less ...

Gentlemen,
it even counts the last year of the professional education.
i.e. I learned during 3 years the profession of a construction worker and at the same time I got the Abitur. The last of these 3 years conted for my service medal. The medail I got together with my graduation to Lieutennant.

AR-11

[torstenbel]

As Dirk already explained the training did of course fully count towards it, as it was full and very tough and intense army service, but my route to get to the OHS was through something called EOS, which was a school where you did the Abitur in two years and did not do a vocational qualification as well over a period of three years. My service record would only have started when actually joining the army at the OHS. Cheers, Torsten.

[jkeegen]

As Dirk already explained the training did of course fully count towards it, as it was full and very tough and intense army service, but my route to get to the OHS was through something called EOS, which was a school where you did the Abitur in two years and did not do a vocational qualification as well over a period of three years. My service record would only have started when actually joining the army at the OHS. Cheers, Torsten.

Reading Dirk and Torsten's replies show me that I still have much to learn about the NVA.

[Ralph P]

To also follow up with what Torsten and Dirk have already said, MfS persons who graduated after three years of additional schooling and with another two years of active service could be awarded with a five year service medal in bronze.