Kasernierte Volkspolizei
The German Democratic Republic (GDR) established the National People's Army on 1 March 1956 (six months after the formation of the West German "Bundeswehr") from the "Kasernierte Volkspolizei". This formation culminated years of preparation during which former "Wehrmacht" officers and communist veterans of the Spanish Civil War helped organize and train paramilitary units of the People's Police. Though the NVA featured a German appearance – including uniforms and ceremonies patterned after older German military traditions – its doctrine and structure showed the strong influence of the Soviet Armed Forces.