Higher barriers to community service: this is how the Federal Council wants to save the military

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Army Chief Thomas Süssli (57) does not just want more money. He also wants to expand the army by 20,000 to 120,000 soldiers. But before this can become a serious problem at some point, the existing gaps must first be closed. Because for years the military has been fleeing those who must serve. Last year alone, 6,754 people switched to community service, another 1.8 percent more than the year before.

This should be over now. The Federal Council wants to increase the obstacles to civilian service – and at the same time make it clear that there is no freedom of choice between military service and alternative civilian service. On Friday he approved the planned amendment to the Civil Servants Act for public consultation with parties, governments and associations.

Six measures are intended to make departure more difficult

The Federal Council does not want to question the solution of the crime without assessing the conflict of conscience that has been in force since 2009. However, he proposes six measures: Candidates who complete recruit school would now be required to complete a minimum of 150 days of community service. Secondly, the factor of 1.5 when calculating days of service should also apply to non-commissioned officers and officers in the Swiss army who wish to transfer to civilian service.

Thirdly, no assignments in the civilian service requiring training already begun or completed in the human, dental or veterinary fields should be authorized. Fourth, members of the military who have no remaining days of service may no longer serve in civilian service. The Federal Council wants to prevent them from gaining an advantage by circumventing the shooting obligation, which applies until the end of the year before they are released from military service.

Changes come at the expense of community service

Fifth, an annual obligation should be introduced from the moment of admission to community service. Those admitted to community service would be required to complete the so-called “long deployment” no later than the sixth calendar year after their legally binding admission if the application was made during recruit school.

The Federal Council hopes to reduce the number of people leaving the military to at least around 4,000 people per year – with corresponding consequences for the civilian service. In the long term there would be fewer people available there and fewer working days. The Federal Council is aware of this. But he is willing to accept this for the benefit of the army. (dba)

Source:Blick