How to join the ARD 10

The physical, mental and intellectual performance of candidates is tested in detail. Apart from basic requirements, the participants must pass a two day pre-selection, a medical examination at the Aeromedical Centre (AMC), a psychological test that is carried out in collaboration with the University of Zurich as well as a 19-day practical selection course. Only after passing all tests, can a candidate be employed as military scout.

Before they begin their basic training in ARD 10, successful candidates are engaged as technical NCOs or officers. Basic training follows and subsequently specialist and infiltration training. For each participant basic training has the same structure and takes 52 weeks. Already after 6 months, participants from the basic course are ready for a reduced range of tasks. Along with practical training in various operational techniques (protection, reconnaissance, patrol, combat, signals, survival, medical service etc) the focus is on contents such as law, geography, ethnology, cultural skills, international security policy, languages and communicative techniques, tactics and leadership.

After basic training the members of the ARD 10 are assigned to platoons, whilst specialist training continues in parallel. During this process, platoon infiltration techniques, unit training at the operational detachment level as well as individual specialisation either as medical specialist, signalman, explosives expert or as marksman, are intensively consolidated and put to practise in various situations.

Today, the members of the ARD 10 hold ranks from sergeant to lieutenant colonel, and are 22 to 42 years old. Their occupational backgrounds range from craftsmen to university graduates. 

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