It can’t go on like this. The army is increasingly short of personnel. There are more and more holes in the inventory. The Federal Council is now investigating various measures to bring the problem under control. This is taking way too long for the fledgling European and Security Policy Association (ESIP).
The association therefore proposes that volunteers solve the army’s personnel problem. This immediate measure is intended to fill the staff shortage in the meantime. “Good and motivated people must be able to commit themselves for the long term,” says Esip security guard Lukas-Fritz Hüppin (30).
Incentives for employees and employers
Due to the shorter service time, many maids and men finished their service early. They are then no longer available for the military. The association believes that the army should be able to use these people again. He therefore argues for the possibility of a voluntary extension of military service. All members of the military could be contacted with the question whether they would voluntarily extend their military service.
“Anyone who agrees to this will receive an additional financial incentive and employers would receive full pay coverage through earnings replacement,” says Hüppin. “We are confident that there are many motivated and capable members of the military who are interested in this additional service ready for our country and would help prevent the shortage of personnel. » Especially with the war in Ukraine, awareness has increased.
Worth checking for SVP-Salzmann
For Bernese SVP councilor Werner Salzmann (59) this is an approach worth considering for realizing the necessary army supplies. “Today many are undergoing basic training and have completed their service only a few years later,” said the chairman of the Security Commission and the candidate of the Federal Council. With an extension of service time, the army would therefore benefit from fully trained soldiers.
Salzmann estimates that the necessary adjustments should be possible with a simple amendment to the law. He also thinks the measure is quite affordable: “As far as I know, the cash register for the income replacement scheme is well filled. There must still be some leeway.” Even if this measure barely filled all the staff shortages, it would be a step in the right direction for Salzmann to close the gap.
VBS: opposes a militia army
The Ministry of Defense (VBS) is clearly more skeptical. An amendment to the military law would also be necessary for an extension of military service or an increase in income. And experience shows that this takes several years. Rapid implementation of the idea would not be possible in the short term, emphasizes DDPS spokesman Renato Kalbermatten.
The army has good experiences with volunteers during its Corona operations. However, that was an exceptional situation, “since many companies were at a standstill at the time and military service as part of ancillary deployment was an option for many employers and employees,” explains Kalbermatten. “Volunteering also does not provide any security in terms of effective availability in the event of an emergency.”
And last but not least, the voluntary nature of the DDPS and the military is also a matter of principle: “The principle that some do more so that others do nothing or less does not correspond to the principles of a militia army.” The army will therefore have to find other solutions to fill its personnel shortages.
compulsory service for women
But many agree that something needs to be done. Because today the Swiss army regularly lacks the necessary personnel for exercises. There is a particular lack of drivers or cooks. And the problem is getting worse. From 2030, even the most necessary supplies are in danger of missing, the DDPS warned last week. Meanwhile, the Federal Council is even investigating conscription for women.
So far, however, the military prefers not to rely on voluntary action. (dba)