Although Gesche's association with the Nazi movement cost him his job at a bank in 1923.[2] His status within the Nazi Party as an Alte Kämpfer (NSDAP Member No. 8592) proved to be a tremendous asset to him during the better part of the subsequent two and a half decades.[3] In 1927 Gesche left the SA to join what was then its subordinate branch, the Schutzstaffel (SS Member No. 1093).[2] The SS, as in its earlier incarnations, the Stabswache and Stoßtrupp-Hitler, functioned as Adolf Hitler's bodyguard unit.[4][5]