Stennes joined the Nazi Party in 1927. He took over the leadership of the Sturmabteilung (SA, stormtroopers, or "brownshirts") in the Berlin Gau (region), replacing Kurt Daluege,[1] and was appointed regional commander-in-chief of the SA in eastern Germany on 30 September 1927. He was OSAF Stellvertreter Ost (Deputy Supreme SA Leader East), seven regional deputies.[2]