 In 1956 the Federal Ministry of Defence announced that former members of the Waffen-SS, up to the grade of lieutenant colonel, would be accepted to the "Bundeswehr" at their old rank.Former Waffen-SS men who wished to join the "Bundeswehr" still faced heightened scrutiny.All Waffen-SS applicants went through the rigorous vetting process reserved for those with the higher ranks in the Wehrmacht.