His flagship for the first six months of his command was the new cruiser Niobe; he then transferred his flag to the large torpedo boat D8. While in this command, Hipper was awarded additional commendations, including the Prussian Distinguished Service Cross and the Prussian Royal Crown Order. He was promoted to the rank of Fregattenkapitän (frigate captain) on 5 April.[15] In January 1906, Hipper attended the 10-day Cruiser Gunnery School on the new armored cruiser Prinz Adalbert.[2] In April 1906, he participated in the Battleship Gunnery Course conducted aboard the battleship Schwaben.[16] On 20 April, Hipper was given command of the light cruiser Leipzig, though his tenure as commander was short-lived.