Career
Jukums Vācietis began his academic life at the Skede Parish School and the Ministry of Kuldiga school. He had a tough childhood. Besides studying, he also worked in a match factory.
He started his military career in Imperial Russia in 1891.
During World War I he commanded the 5th Latvian Zemgale Rifle Regiment (eventually with the rank of colonel), which supported Lenin"s Bolsheviks after the October Revolution and the ensuing Russian Civil War. From April 1918 he was the commander of the Red Latvian Riflemen division.
From July to September 1918 he commanded the Eastern Front. In 1922 he became a professor of the RKKA Military Academy (future Frunze Military Academy).
During this time, he wrote several books, most notable among them being "Latvian Riflemen"s Historical Importance".
In 1935 he was assigned a personal rank of Comandarm, 2nd Rank. He was rehabilitated in 1957.