Deutsche Studentenschaft
d'Alquen was active in the National Socialist German Student Union. He became a member of the SS on 10 April 1931. He did not complete his studies in history and philology and instead turned to a journalistic career. From 1932, he was a political correspondent to the editorial board of the "Völkischer Beobachter" ("Völkisch Observer"). It was here he aroused the attention of Heinrich Himmler, who appointed him chief editor of "Das Schwarze Korps" in March 1935.