Army

In Switzerland, every male person with citizienship needs to go to the Swiss Armed Forces. At the age of 19, the recruitment takes place: if you don’t have any physical or psychological restrictions, you are usually declared fit for the army (in 2017 it was 68.4%). At the same time you are also assigned your role according to your strengths and weaknesses. I was conscripted as a transmission soldier at the Swiss Anti-Air forces in Emmen, Lucerne.

I was eager to expand my military knowledge and I wanted to do a better job than my predecessors. Thus, I decided to serve longer. During my basic training, I signed to become a squad leader in the rank of a sergeant. I passed the corresponding training and was promoted. During my service as a sergeant I had been suggested to become a platoon leader in the rank of a second lieutenant. I agreed, attended the officer’s school and was promoted. After my promotion I led my platoon through 18 weeks of basic training.

Every year, I have to participate as a platoon leader in my unit at the so called “WK” (Wiederholungskurse, repetition courses) until having served all my mandatory days. Right now, I have no intention to become a company commander and I am pleased to serve as a platoon leader.