Gessler kept that position for the next eight years, despite numerous changes of government. As "Reichswehrminister" he worked closely with "Chef der Heeresleitung" Hans von Seeckt in setting up the "Reichswehr" and turning it into a modern army. Gessler did not see his role as controlling the military, but rather in cooperating with the military command staff, which for its part viewed the Reichswehr's position as an independent and autonomous "state within the state". From 1920 to 1924, Gessler was also a member of the Reichstag.