<human>:  I have a question about the book The Secret History of the SS. When did the SS become a paramilitary organization?
<bot>: The SS was founded in 1933 as a paramilitary organization. It was originally a group of Nazi Party members who were tasked with protecting the party and its leaders. The SS was originally called the Schutzstaffel, or Protection Squad. The name was changed to the SS in 1939.