Can I bring forward my recruit school?

Can I bring forward my recruit school?

I'm 17 and I'd like to start my military service before I come of age because I don't want to risk interrupting my future studies and training. What are my options?

K, N.

It is the law on the army that lays down the framework for military service in relation to the age of conscripts: article 7 stipulates that conscripts are enrolled at the beginning of the year in which they reach the age of 18. It is therefore not possible to start your military service at the age of 17.

That said, it is at this age that you will be contacted by the army for the first time, with written information and documentation on the general obligation to serve; subsequently, as soon as you reach the age of majority, the cantonal military authority will invite you to an information day, which will also be used to plan your recruitment and the subsequent recruit school.

Young women interested in military service can also take part in these information days on a voluntary basis.

That said, it is possible to take courses to prepare for recruit school, but also for specific functions in the army; some of these "pre-military training" courses are open to 17-year-olds, and some of these pre-military training courses are even compulsory for subsequent access to specialised postings.

For example, there is training to become a military patrol rider or a training camp run by the Swiss Society of Medical Troops. For certain particularly demanding functions, such as joining the parachute scouts or pilot training, pre-military training begins with a day of sports and psychological aptitude tests (screening), which we strongly recommend you take as early as the age of 17.

If you're interested, you'll find plenty of information on this subject on the Swiss Army website at https://www.vtg.admin.ch/fr/mon-service-militaire/conscrits.html, particularly under the heading "My first steps towards military service".

Pascal Rytz