Swiss Review 3/2019

Swiss Review / May 2019 / No.3 20 Society STÉPHANE HERZOG Today, a young person wishing to serve his country “other than guarding a bridge with a gun”, as 21-year-old Léo Tinguely puts it, can opt for a period of civilian service as he did. In this case, the potential conscript must substanti- ate their objection tomilitary service with “proof through action”: the length of time owed to the nation is increased by 50%, resulting in 368 days of service rather than the 245 asked of soldiers. Many Swiss people consider this option to be well worth it. “I loved this experience,” says Samuel Christen, 31, who completed his civilian service in a clinic in Noir- mont (JU). His mission as a service technician did not en- able him to progress in his career as a polymechanic, but he was able to “help his country without paying military tax”. At 43 years old, Milan*, a senior official of the canton of Geneva, began his military training in 1995 amongst the tanks in Thun, before turning to civilian service (cre- ated in 1996). “I saw both sides of the coin and at least I wasn’t a traitor to my country,” states this ex-journalist, born in the Former Yugoslavia. He felt a strong aversion to serving in an army. During a firing exercise, a corporal who considered his performance to be lacking told him to imagine that he was firing at a man from the Balkans. “I showed him the name onmy uniform,” recalls Milan. The young university student completed the remainder of his service time in a human rights NGO, then as a sports teacher for the canton of Geneva youth sports service. Fitness for military service: a condition for civilian service Since 2009, Swiss candidates wishing to follow this alter- native path have no longer had to justify refusal of the army before a commission. However, individuals must be fit for military service andmust find their civilianmission them- selves. This was the case for Tinguely, a sociology student and social worker in Fribourg, whose civilian service was spent at Tremplin, a foundation providing support for drug addicts. “The recruitment process lasted for two days. They spoke to us as if we were stupid and we spent a lot of time waiting around,” says Tinguely, who regrets the absence of information regarding civilian service during his army re- cruitment period inDecember 2016. Tinguely did not feign illness. At the end of the recruitment process, he stated his request before a high-ranking officer who communicated his military posting to him for February. He had to move quickly to complete the steps for requesting civilian ser- vice, which must be completed entirely online. Tinguely began his mission at Tremplin in October 2017 and pro- vided 313 days of work, leaving 40 days of civilian service to complete. The longer duration of civilian service is generally con- sidered to be an obstacle, as are the steps which must be Civilian service is going strong, while the army takes a hit Thousands of conscripts would rather complete 368 days of community service than join the army. The Federal Council would like to limit this option, introduced by young objectors in the 1970s. A ‘Zivi’ (civilian service worker) on duty, serving lunch in a school in Kehrsatz, Bern Photo: Keystone