In 1903, the fleet, which was composed of only one squadron of battleships, was reorganized as the "Active Battle Fleet". "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" remained in I Squadron along with her sister ships and the newest s, while the older "Brandenburg"-class ships were placed in reserve to be rebuilt. The first quarter of 1903 followed the usual pattern of training exercises. The squadron went on a training cruise in the Baltic, followed by a voyage to Spain from 7May to 10 June. In July, I Squadron went on its annual cruise to Norway. The autumn maneuvers consisted of a blockade exercise in the North Sea, a cruise of the entire fleet first to Norwegian waters and then to Kiel in early September, and finally a mock attack on Kiel. The exercises concluded on 12 September. The winter cruise began on 23 November in the eastern Baltic and continued into the Skagerrak on 1December.