Hitlerjugend: An In-Depth History: 1936 - Jahr des "Jungvolks" - Year of the "Jungvolk"
by Arvo L. Vercamer

The reason 1936 was called "the year of the Jungvolk" was primarily because it was Baldur von Schirach's goals to enroll every German 10 to 14 year old boy into the "Jungvolk". On April 20th, 1936, the Führer's 47th birthday, von Schirach held a massive function at the Marienburg castle in East Prussia whereby all of Germany's "Jungvolk" swore an oath of allegiance to Germany and to Adolf Hitler

During the 1936 Olympic games, the HJ was on its best behavious. Orders were circulated that all youths were to assist foreign dignitaries and visitors as much as possible. They too represented the "new Germany" and had to do their part to portray a good and harmonious image of the Third Reich.

On December 1st, 1936, a law was enacted which made it mandatory for all German youths to be educated according to the philosophies of Nationalist Socialism from the age of 10 and higher. This was called the Reichsjugenddienstpflicht (mandatory youth service) and it essentially leagalized the HJ movement and organization while also neutralizing nearly every other, non-HJ affiliated youth movement.

The Reichsjugenddienstpflicht law had three primary points:
- Every German youth was now obliged to join the HJ.
- The purpose of the HJ was to prepare its members to faithfully serve the cause and the needs of German Nationalist Socialism.
- The Reichsjugendführer (National Youth Leader - in this case, Baldur von Schirach), was to ensure full compliance to all HJ goals and he was to report only to the Führer, Adolf Hitler.