Heinrich Himmler Trains for the Reich Sport Badge in Silver (1936) Prospective SS recruits had to prove their "racial" purity and superiority through strenuous admissions and training procedures. Among other things, they had to demonstrate their exceptional physical and mental toughness. On a purely aesthetic basis, Himmler (right) preferred tall, blond, “Nordic” types for the SS. He himself corresponded little to this physical ideal.