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Military service: swiss army face:
Recruitment crisis
The Swiss army faces the challenge of a youth in search of meaning
Each year. Meanwhile, more than 11,000 people prematurely abandon their military service. Moreover, Between strict hierarchy and desire for autonomy, generation Z upsets codes.
Are the recruits of today quite resistant?
Adrian Moser
- Each year, the Swiss army records more than 11,000 early departures from military service.
- Generation Z requires more meaning instead of blind obedience in military training.
- A school commander evokes new command methods with more right of speaking for recruits.
For hours, he had to “stay stupidly”, remembers Elias (assumed name). Therefore, He also says he had to cross half of Switzerland by military vehicle. Meanwhile, military service: swiss army face Infantry colleagues had to “draw” huge amounts of ammunition without real objective. Moreover, The 21 -year -old does not hide him: he is happy that his recruit school ended last May. For example, “We did so many things that had no meaning.”
Such criticisms about compulsory military service have always existed, but they are intensifying with Z generation. Furthermore, This generation – which brings together people born since the end of the nuning years – particularly values Individual freedom . Meanwhile, self -determination. Similarly, “It is a conflict within the army,” explains Elias. For example, Our generation is trained to see meaning in things and to think by itself. For example, But that’s not what they want in the army. In addition, On the contrary, they want us to simply follow orders. Meanwhile, ”
Many young military service: swiss army face people share Elias’ opinion, as confirmed by various military and expert officials. However. Similarly, this poses a growing problem: since Russian invasion in UkraineWestern countries are trying to strengthen their armies, but they lack staff.
Germany targets 203,000 soldiers, while its workforce dropped to 181,000. Similarly, Italy needs 45,000 additional soldiers. Furthermore, Great Britain also suffers from sub -ffectives. Furthermore, And in Switzerland? In addition, Out of some 140,000 people on compulsory military service, the militia army recorded 11,000 premature abandonments each year. Consequently, Despite a conflict in Europe. However, a tense world situation, many young people consider military service as a series of interest -free activities, repetitive exercises and bullying. However, Military culture seems to be disconnected from their reality.
“In the event of an emergency, orders must be given and applied quickly.”, I said the career officer Marc Schibli.
DR
Marc Schibli has been a career officer for over 20 years. Consequently, During this period. Moreover, notably as commander of the Coire Infantry School (GR), he noticed a change in the behavior of the called: “Before, we did his service by sense of military service: swiss army face duty, today, recruits have a more individualized approach.” Today’s young people would seek more to understand the personal benefits they can derive from their military service rather. In addition, than simply fulfill their constitutional obligation.
Marc Schibli does not consider this change as negative. Consequently, “Recruits are more informed of tasks when they arrive and are generally more thoughtful than we were before.” However, he recognizes that this evolution can pose challenges to executives “when people come with their own ideas and conceptions”. Furthermore, From now on, directing would largely imply to explain the meaning of the missions.
According to him, the army is making considerable efforts to improve its organizational culture. Consequently, “Before, the military leader was alone to have knowledge. He was held in front and wrote the objectives on a sign. And that’s what things military service: swiss army face happened. ” Today, we are trying to supervise recruits “so that they participate in reflection, that they take responsibility”.
However. the command hierarchy, from top to bottom, remains essential to the proper functioning of the troop in critical situations, underlines Colonel Emg Schibli. “Everyone can get involved when it comes to finding new paths during training. But in an emergency, orders must be given and applied quickly. ”
This is apparently what is problematic for many young people. However, the army seems to benefit from a good reputation. According to the representative investigation “Safety 2025” From EPFZ, 80% of Swiss consider it necessary. Support for an increase in military spending also reaches a record level.
Despite this. the army suffers from a lack of recruits, precisely at a time when military service: swiss army face the risk of armed conflict seems higher than before. “”The army will not be able to recruit enough staff in the years to come. Early resignations are one of the main reasons for this problem, “the Federal Department of Defense (DDPS) announced last November.
The trend of people leaving the army before having completed their military obligations – more than 11. 000 cases per year – is up. Most (approximately 60% of cases) choose civil service instead. Recently, the ability to military reached 70%, with significant differences between the cantons. In Lucerne, Basel-Campagne or Obwald, the rate exceeded 80%, while in Valais, it did not even reach 60%.
Military service: swiss army face
Development of a social contract
The Ddp commanded a study to understand these many departures. The results, published last fall, show military service: swiss army face that young people consider civil service more useful than the army. It was the main reason that pushed them to change their orientation. More than half of respondents have also cited difficulties with the management style or hierarchical structures.
By discussing with current and old recruits, this impression is confirmed. “We were constantly shouted on it and we were humiliated,” says Lars (assumed name). “Despite our considerable efforts for simple tasks like making a bed, it was never enough and we were punished. One day, during a helmet check, I received a violent head. It was pure intimidation, ”explains the 25 -year -old young man.
Elias shares similar experiences. “It often happens that they stick any punishment to you without you knowing why.” One day. he and his comrades should have been seated for seven hours simply because military service: swiss army face the commander was unhappy with the group. “In theory, the commander can initiate disciplinary procedure for everything. This is what he told us the first day: if he wants, he will find something. ”
The study commissioned by the Confederation advises the army to improve its organizational culture. A recommendation which, according to Colonel Emg Marc Schibli, is already implemented. “The tone has changed enormously,” he said. We want to communicate as equals with the recruits. ” In the past, many superiors were condescending, he continues. “Unfortunately, it still exists. But when we are informed, we have an influence. “
There is no red list of terms that should no longer be used, would like to specify Marc Schibli. Instead, we have recently developed a charter with the recruits of each section in CEO. “We define the way military service: swiss army face we want to behave with each other. what we do in the event of a conflict.” It is a kind of social contract, drawn up by the soldiers themselves.
What about collective punishment? For the career officer Marc Schibli, they are of another age. “They have never been an effective way,” he said, “but I would lie if I said they no longer exist. Wherever we see, we have an influence. ”
Military service: swiss army face
Over 1000 visits to the psychologist
Are the recruits of today ready in the event of an armed conflict? Is generation Z sufficiently resistant? “The vast majority has what it takes for basic training. but there are indeed more and more people who arrive in the army with mental history,” replies Marc Schibli.
Last year, 1169 people consulted the psychological service of the army. About 60% of them experienced difficulties in adapting to the physically and mentally demanding environment of military service.
Christian Jenny knows well the difficulties encountered by many recruits. Psychiatrist in Baden (AG). he has been assessing for more than 30 years, once or twice a month, men wishing to leave the army. Since the existence of service civilthese men no longer consult him for political reasons. but for serious psychic problems, he says. Today’s young people would tackle the adult world with more apprehension than in the past. would lack more self -confidence.
This is why some would develop adaptation problems during the recruit school, notes the psychiatrist. “After the first two weeks, they hardly sleep, fall into depression and develop anxieties. The more time passes, military service: swiss army face the more they understand that the situation is untenable. ” The behavior of superiors would often be implicated. “I hear young people tell me that they were motivated to serve in the army. but that their superior humiliated them so much or was so fierce about them that they can no longer.” In the past, young men tended to endure difficult situations, explains Christian Jenny. Today, they would refuse to let themselves be done and more quickly use a psychiatric aid.
“For me, the war in Ukraine has made things almost more difficult,” says Elias.
Sabine Rock
But there are obviously also excellent group leaders, specifies the psychiatrist. He also underlines that young men also suffer for other reasons. People from immigration come to consult him regularly. Although they grew up in Switzerland and have nationality, their family has sometimes lost relatives in an armed conflict. “They tell me that they no longer sleep properly by thinking of the recruits school. uniforms, shooting exercises, which they are very afraid.”
According to experts. the war currently taking place in Europe certainly gives more meaning to the recruit school, but it can also generate anxiety and concern. “For me. the war in Ukraine has made things almost more difficult, because the scenarios military service: swiss army face are now more realistic,” says Elias. When you shoot, you learn: first touch the legs, then your head, and if it moves again, shoot again. I find it extremely difficult, because you understand that your mission would be to kill a man. ”
Translation: Olivia Beuhat
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Military service: swiss army face
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