Swiss Review 3/2019

Swiss Review / May 2019 / No.3 22 Society civilian service seem less attractive. It has been decided to focus notably on men who have already embarked on military service and wish to leave. The aim of these meas- ures is “to ensure respect for the principle that it is not a question of free choice between military and civilian ser- vice…” according to the Federal Council statement which remains somewhat ambiguous given its “proof through action” approach. The government is particularly con- cerned by an exodus of its executives and specialists to- wards non-military services. In 2018, of 6,205 admissions, 2,264 were effectively servicemen who had finished their training, including 350 officers and non-commissioned officers. The government warns of “a loss in knowledge and competencies regarding conduct and a loss in tech- nical skills…”. Slipping out through the back door to avoid the army This policy has received substantial criticism. Socialist municipal councillor of Lausanne Benoît Gaillard, having himself opted for the non-military route in 2004, de- nounces the escape of conscripts “through the back door”. The average rate of fitness to complete military service ranges from83% to 55% depending on the canton. “Today, those wanting to avoid the army simply have themselves declared unfit for service based on a certificate which is Provocation on the way to civilian service: protesters dump their service rifles and uniforms in front of the Feder- al Palace (22 April 1971) Archive image provided not always very credible. Instead, we should be encourag- ing a service benefiting the country. The fact of thematter is that the Federal Council is under pressure from the right and does not want to give the impression that it is favour- ing alternative solutions to military service. So, it prefers to tolerate people escaping frommilitary service through the back door.” Gaillard also claims that this system ex- cludes women. “The vocation of the Swiss army is not a bad one,” states Milan, who feels that “it should develop a different dis- course, in order to be more attractive to young people”. As for defending the country in the event of attack: “It’s an il- lusion; it would be like using a Swiss army knife against a nuclear power. We need an army focused on peace-keep- ing missions instead,” suggests this ex-serviceman. * Not real name . Subscribe to the newsletter of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) and stay informed wherever you are: www.aso.ch/en/information/newsletter