In Brandenburg, Mölders found a father figure in Chaplain Erich Klawitter, who instilled firm religious beliefs in him. From 1919 to 1931, Mölders attended, first, the elementary school and then from 1922 the Saldria-Realgymnasium, a secondary school that enjoyed a supraregional reputation. In school he discovered his love for water sports, especially rowing. He joined two rowing clubs, first the "Saldria-Brandenburg" and later the "Brandenburger Ruderclub", and enjoyed success at rowing-regattas. From 1 October 1925, he was also a member of the "Bund Neudeutschland in der katholischen Jugendbewegung", a Catholic youth organisation. Mölders graduated from school in early 1931 with the "Abitur" (diploma) and expressed a desire to become an officer in the armed forces.