Strachwitz applied for membership in the Nazi Party (NSDAP—National Socialist German Workers' Party) with the "Reichsleitung" (Reich Leadership) of the NSDAP in Munich in 1931. He was accepted and in 1932 joined the "Ortsgruppe" (Local Group) of the NSDAP in Breslau with a membership number 1,405,562. On 17 April 1933 he became a member of the Allgemeine SS with the SS membership number 82,857. A series of quick promotions within the SS followed. He progressed to SS-"Obersturmführer" by the end of 1934 and SS-"Sturmbannführer" in 1936. In parallel to his SS-career, his military rank in the military reserve force also advanced. He attained the rank of "Hauptmann" (Captain) of the Reserves in 1934 and a year later became a "Rittmeister" (Cavalry Captain) of the Reserves.