is every swiss national citizen a member of the swiss army?

Question

I have heard that although the swiss (switzerland) have no army all the people are trained in different disciplines so that if anyone invaded they all take up arms and become an"army"

Answer 1

Switzerland has a Militia Army. Every Swiss male is obliged to serve in the army. Anyway those who are not physically or mentally fit enough are dispensed or sent to other public services. Woman may join the army voluntarily. .

Today the Swiss army consists of 220'000 men. It has all functions and type of troops you would find in another modern army. (Except of a navy as Switzerland is land bound.) Most of the army personnel are militia soldiers but there is a small proportion of professional soldiers who serve as instructors or in special functions.

A typical military training would include 21 week base training. Afterwards the soldiers return to their civilian live and are recalled yearly for a 19 days refresher course. Military service is completed at about the age of 30. The training and service period is extended if a serviceman becomes NCO or officer.

There is a small English section on the Swiss Army homepage for more information: http://www.vbs-ddps.ch/internet/groupgst/en/home/armee.html

Answer 2

That's not true. The only citizens in the Swiss army are those that can keep perfect time, can transform their toes into pliers, their fingers into knives & their chins into canopeners.

Answer 3

Not quite, but the vast majority of the "fighting-age" men are in the organized militia, and they generally keep an assault rifle and ammunition at home, just in case.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Switzerland