Published on 25 March 2025
Gender
Swiss men are obliged to perform military service under the Federal Constitution. Women are not required to do military service, but if they volunteer, they serve in the military on an equal status with men. The officially registered gender, male or female, determines whether or not there is a duty to serve. The Armed Forces is seeking to increase the proportion of women.
Not in itself. If you volunteer for military service and are accepted, you are considered liable for service. If you are declared fit for military service at the recruitment centre and are willing to take on the assigned function, you will be liable for military service. (Military law art. 3, available in German, French, and Italian)
You will find the most important information on the pages Women in the Armed Forces and How to join the service [links available in German, French, and Italian]. If you have any further questions, please contact WiAD.
As a woman, you have several options for doing military service: 1. you can volunteer for recruitment and complete basic training; 2. you can apply to SWISSINT for a foreign assignment; 3. after a foreign assignment, you can volunteer for the conscript Armed Forces; 4. you can volunteer and, if there is a need, you will be assigned or allocated. (Military law art. 3, art. 6, available in German, French, and Italian)
The same functions are open to women and men. Women too can pursue a military career and take up leadership positions, be it as conscript or career military personnel [links available in German, French, and Italian].
The rank designation for women is identical to that for men (e.g., lieutenant, sergeant). In German, French and Italian, functional and professional designations, as well as functional groups and rank categories, are available in both male and female forms. See comparison of the Federal Administration's terminology database TERMDAT and guidelines for gender-neutral formulation. (Military law art. 102; Reg. 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 22, links available in German, French, and Italian)
The fitness test of the Armed Forces [link available in German, French, and Italian] examines the physical performance of male and female conscripts during recruitment into the Swiss army. The same table of scores applies to the sports test for women and men for military classification. However, women and men are assessed differently for a sports badge.
Conscripts are primarily responsible for their own menstrual products, including medication, where applicable. Any health impairments that could result in harm to one's own health or to third parties during military service must be reported to the unit physician. (Reg. 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 88, link available in German, French, and Italian)
As a general rule, health concerns should first be reported to your supervisor. They will arrange for a medical examination by the military doctor. If further examinations are necessary, the military doctor will coordinate additional examinations with (civilian) experts. Appointments can be taken in consultation with your supervisor [AT1] or, after approval, with a holiday request. (reg. 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 56)
Generally, you have the option of requesting a postponement of service or continuing your service for the time being. When you report for duty, you will be asked during the medical examination whether you are pregnant. If you only realise you are pregnant after you have reported, or you become pregnant later, you should then report to the unit physician. The medical specialist will decide whether, for how long and in what capacity (activities, tasks) you can remain on duty while pregnant. (Reg. 51.002 Reg. 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 88; instruction 90.112 Directives of the Chief of the Armed Forces on military service (WMDP) art. 49, link available in German, French, and Italian)
Your military service will be adapted to your changed circumstances and your needs. Depending on the circumstances, you will either continue to perform military service for the time being, albeit with certain restrictions for your own protection, or you will be discharged for the remaining period of your pregnancy. The medical specialist will decide whether, for how long and in what capacity (activities, tasks) you will be able to perform military service while pregnant. After your maternity leave, you will continue your military service. (Reg. 51.002 Reg. 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 88; instruction 90.112 Directives of the Chief of the Armed Forces on military service (WMDP) Art. 49, link available in German, French, and Italian)
Although women register for military service voluntarily, by signing at the end of the recruitment process they agree to be obliged to perform military service. From this point on, they must complete the days of service assigned to them.
As with men, service can only be definitively terminated if one becomes unfit for service (for medical reasons) or if one moves abroad permanently. Unlike men, women who do not complete their full service days do not have to pay a military service exemption tax. (Military law art. 3, links available in German, French, and Italian)FiT (Women in the Armed Forces, link available in German, French, and Italian), the association for women in the Armed Forces, will be happy to help.
The Service Regulations state: ‹As a rule, officers and enlisted personnel are to be accommodated separately, as are women and men.› ‹As a rule› means that there may be exceptions, e.g. if separate accommodation is not possible or suitable for operational or infrastructural reasons. If you have any questions, please contact your superiors and/or the Reporting and Counselling Service (WiAD). (Regl 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 42.2, link available in German, French, and Italian)
In principle, separate sanitary facilities are available for women and men. If this is not possible for operational or infrastructural reasons, it is recommended that a solution be found in discussion with all parties concerned (e.g., different access times, use of public toilets). (Reg. 51.002 Service regulations of the Armed Forces art. 42.2, link available in German, French, and Italian)
WiAD is responsible for all members of the Armed Forces and the Defence Group. Men can use the existing support services and, in addition, like women, contact WiAD with their concerns and questions.
Contact
Specialised Service for Women in the Armed Forces and Diversity (WiAD)
Swiss Armed Forces
Training and Education Command
Papiermühlestrasse 14
CH - 3003 Berne
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Telephone: +41 58 480 50 00
E-Mail: contact.fiad@vtg.admin.ch
In urgent cases