Swiss Military Information
Switzerland bases its foreign policy firmly on neutrality, but the country still takes its national defense seriously. The ancient Swiss traditions of cantonal militia armies have evolved into a nation of modern minutemen. A broad-based draft into the standing army provides the training for a national militia. This is best symbolized by the peculiar bunker-houses found in some Swiss villages, and that most able-bodied men in the country have an infantry kit, complete with assault rifle, at home.
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Conscription
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The modern Swiss Army evolved from the militia armies of the Old Swiss Confederacy, and remains a force based on conscription. All male citizens are subject to the draft, with most going into the military at 19 or 20. However, there are deferments available, and anyone not disqualified for medical, legal or administrative reasons must eventually serve. The result is that some Swiss men find themselves forced to do military duty in their middle-aged years. Women are allowed to volunteer. According to the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports, in 2008 one-fifth of all recruits were found unfit and were rejected by the Swiss military. Those who are rejected for reasons other than medical conditions are subject to extra income taxes.
Active Duty
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In 2009, the Swiss military has an establishment of just below 135,000 soldiers. Of these, only 4,230 were conscripts. Interestingly, with more than 40,000 officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) on active duty, this means that most of the leadership was also conscripted.
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The Militia
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The point of cycling most of Switzerland's able-bodied male population through military service is to create a nationwide militia. It used to be that after completing their mandatory military service, every discharged soldier went home with his basic kit, rifle and a sealed box of ammunition. This made Switzerland a de facto nation of "minutemen." While not trained to the same level as reservists in the U.S. National Guard or Reserves, the Swiss are required to undergo periodic rifle training. The Swiss government discontinued the policy of allowing the militia to keep ammunition at home in 2007, and in 2008 the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports announced they were set to begin collecting the sealed boxes of ammunition.
Civil Defense
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One of the more unusual aspects of Switzerland's concept of a nation in arms is how it has transformed the country's cities and towns. Switzerland has an ample bomb shelter capability, supported by a small replacement tax paid by all citizens. All the bridges and tunnels are designed with tank traps in mind, and the tunnels with emergency demolition, as well. In some villages and towns, there are entire pillboxes with anti-tank guns disguised as houses, although some (supposedly all, but who really knows?) of these have been decommissioned and turned into museum pieces.
Equipment
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Swiss military equipment is a mixed collection of old and new. They use the excellent Leopard 2 main battle tank, but also the 1960s-era M-113 armored personnel carrier. The have outmoded wire-guided anti-tank missiles, but also thoroughly modern anti-tank systems, like the Panzerfaust 3. The Air Force is much the same, flying a mix of modern F/A-18s and obsolete F-5s. However, one thing all the jets of the Swiss Air Force have in common, regardless of age, is lots of wear and tear. According to the Military Aviation Press, 2008 saw an F-18 cross 50,000 air hours.
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References
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
