After Prussia’s defeat by Napoleon, a regulation of 6 August 1808 redefined who could become an officer. Einen Anspruch auf Offiziersstellen sollen von nun an in Friedenszeiten nur Kenntnisse und Bildung gewähren, in Kriegszeiten ausgezeichnete Tapferkeit und Überblick. From now on, only knowledge and education shall give a claim to officer posts in peacetime, and in wartime outstanding bravery and overview.
Aller bisher stattgehabte Vorzug des Standes hört beim Militär ganz auf. All privilege of rank that has existed until now ends completely in the military. In practice, men of common birth rose mainly in the engineers and the artillery. The cavalry stayed closed to them.