The joining principles were well thought out though, No need for good education was ever specified for the Waffen or VT SS, done intentionally to attract a tougher, more agricultural recuit who was also more succeptible to political 'education'.
Some interesting criteria for joining the Early SS-VT from a leaflet called "how do I join the SS-VT' transcribed from Gordon Williamson's SS handbook:
SSVT recruitment criteria. (1935-).
Requirements:- Age 17-22.
- Minimum height for the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler: 178cm.
- Minimum height for SS-Standarten Deutschland, Germania: 174cm.
- Minimum height for Musicians, pioneers & signallers: 172cm.
- German Nationality
- Fit, with a national socialist viewpoint.
- Able to establish antecedents back to at least 1800.
- Single & not engaged.
- Completed their labour corps service.
- Written parental permission if minimum age.
- Completed any apprenticeships or been officially released by their journeyman.
- Pay for any dental treatment required at the time of acceptance and have the work carried out before enlistment.
- Normal eyesight without glasses.
- No criminal record.
- SS Officer careers are open to any member who has served for one year.
- Minimum length of service in the SS-VT is four years.
- Volunteers who wish to follow an NCO career must sign on for at least 12 years.
- After four years service there is a possibility of transfer to policing careers.
All a far cry from the freiwillige divisions and "can you hold this gun?" Wehrmacht transfers of wartime.