How to join the SFTC

The SFTC consists of the following schools and courses:

• Grenadier course;
• Grenadier reconnaissance and para-recon courses;
• NCO course;
• CO school;
• Precision shooting course;
• Survival / Outdoors procedures;
• Technical course (TC I / II / A / B);
• Practical service for cadres (group leader up to battalion commander).

Grenadier
The way to join the SFTC starts with recruitment, which begins approximately one year before basic training commences lasting 2 days and taking place in one of the six recruitment centres of the Swiss Armed forces. The unit requirements of a grenadier include voluntarily accession. Experienced doctors and psychologists from the recruitment centres, conduct elaborate medical and psychological tests to assess the grenadier. Those interested receive further information on the grenadier recruit school in Isone.

Following recruitment, a few months before basic training begins, a two-day aptitude test is conducted in Isone. This allows identification of medically, psychologically and physically ineligible candidates before basic training begins. This prevents having to dismiss a large number of candidates. Additionally, mental and physical preparation for basic training is to be facilitated through additional information.

The basic grenadier requirements are checked in a selection and development process throughout the first 11 weeks. Here minimum grenadier training performance levels have to be met. In the event of gross misbehaviour or failure to perform as required selection is still possible even after these four selection steps until the end of recruit school. The selection procedure contains the testing of physical, mental and technical capabilities. In addition, combination tests are held, where combinations of the various fields are tested.

Para-recon
Those who would like to join the para-recon and are between 16 and 19 years old can register via the Internet at the SPHAIR site (www.sphair.ch). If the candidate satisfies the basic requirements, he will be called up for a one-day basic test in Dübendorf. Here the basic skills and motivation are tested. If successfully completed, the candidate is called up for basic parachute training. Basic parachute training is comprised of Parachute SPHAIR courses 1 and 2. These are selective and last two weeks each. Alongside technical abilities, physical performance, motivation and personality are crucial. Parallel to obtaining the civilian parachute license, military parachuting is further trained. The candidates must contribute a charge for expenses of CHF 500.- per course. Regular recruitment takes place during the same period.

Candidates who have successfully passed both courses are called up for an examination at the Aeromedical Institute. Here the candidate’s mental and physical robustness is assessed. Subsequently, recruit school training commences in the reconnaissance course of the SFTC. It is only for potential leaders. Selection continues during training.