as a soldier he received the usual training of a prussian prince, obtained his lieutenancy in 1784, became a colonel in 1790, and took part in the campaigns against france of 1792-1794. on december 24, 1793, frederick william married louise of mecklenburg-strelitz. they had ten children. in the "kronprinzenpalais" (crown prince's palace) in berlin, frederick william lived a civil life with a problem-free marriage, which did not change even when he became king of prussia in 1797.