Published on 25 March 2025
Religion and world view
Switzerland guarantees freedom of religion and belief. In the Swiss Armed Forces, every person's religion, (non-)belief, conscience, and worldview are respected. Pastoral support is available to all members of the Armed Forces. Religious practice is accommodated as far as service operations allow. The Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service provides support for counselling and care needs. WiAD can be consulted additionally or act as an intermediary [link available in German, French, and Italian].
The Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service is the specialist unit for pastoral care (advice, support and assistance). It deals with religious, spiritual, worldview, ethical and existential questions and concerns in the context of the Armed Forces. (Reg. 51.002 Service Regulations of the Armed Forces art. 64; instruction 90.126 Instructions on counselling, support and assistance from the Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service, the Psychological-Pedagogical Service of the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces Welfare Service (WBBU) art. 8, 9, links available in German, French, and Italian)
Religious leave can be granted as long as operational requirements allow. Fulfilment of military duties takes top priority. Leave is granted on a case-by-case basis. The significance of the religious requirement for the person concerned is clarified in a one-to-one discussion with the commanding officer and the military chaplain and weighed against military obligations. Please contact your commanding officer or the relevant military chaplain well in advance. (Reg. 51.002 Service Regulations of the Armed Forces art 95.1, link available in German, French, and Italian)
Members of the Armed Forces have the right to pastoral care (advice, support and assistance). This is the responsibility of the Armed Forces Pastoral Care and is open to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of their religious belief. The Armed Forces chaplains represent various faiths and are assigned to the troops. There is no right to receive pastoral care from a specific confession or religion. However, if you have specific needs, please contact the Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service or your responsible army chaplain. (Reg. 51.002 Service Regulations of the Armed Forces art. 64, links available in German, French, and Italian)
Switzerland guarantees freedom of religion and belief. In the Swiss Armed Forces, every person's religion and (non-)belief is respected. Due regard is given to religious observance, including prayer, in a manner compatible with military mission and duty.
The Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service provides support for counselling and care needs. Pastoral support is available to all members of the Armed Forces. WiAD can be called upon to provide additional support or to act as an intermediary. (Reg. 51.002 Service Regulations of the Armed Forces, chapter. 6, links available in German, French, and Italian)
During military service, private items of clothing and personal belongings must not be visible. It is the responsibility of the commanding officer to implement the relevant regulation (Reg. 51.010 no. 37) and to monitor compliance with it.
Contact your commanding officer or the Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service if you have any concerns [link available in German, French, and Italian].
Religious dietary requirements cannot be specifically catered for in the field kitchen. Food is prepared in a similar way to meat-free meals. Where possible, the choice of meat for main courses in the field is taken into account at the planning stage.
Anyone who does not eat meat or avoids certain types of meat must report this directly to the future school command or the commander at least two weeks before the service. (Reg. 60.001 Armed Forces provisioning no. 5)
As a rule, an ovo-lacto vegetarian meal is provided as an alternative when meat is on the menu at fixed locations.
Anyone who does not eat meat or avoids certain types of meat must report this directly to the future school command or the commanding officer at least two weeks before the service. (Reg. 60.001 Armed Forces provisioning no. 4)
Special diets (e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free and special dietary requirements) cannot be prepared in the military kitchen. It is possible to follow a vegetarian diet (ovo-lacto vegetarianism). The fitness for service of vegans is determined during the recruitment process. A strict vegan lifestyle does not automatically lead to an unfit for military service decision. (Reg. 60.001 Armed Forces provisioning no. 4)
Contact your superior or commanding officer or get in touch with the army chaplain responsible for you. For further information, contact the Armed Forces Pastoral Care Service. (Reg. 51.002 Service Regulations of the Armed Forces art. 93.2, 95.1, links available in German, French, and Italian)
Drinking alcohol is a personal decision. Everyone should respect your decision not to drink alcohol, regardless of your personal reasons for doing so. If you have any questions or encounter any conflicts, please contact your superior or WiAD.
Conscripts and those interested in military service who have conscientious objections to armed military service should submit a written request to the district command of their canton of residence for admission to unarmed military service [link available in German, French, and Italian].
If you are unable to perform military service for reasons of conscience and are willing to perform the longer civilian service, you should apply for admission to civilian service (applies to men and women). You can submit an application at the earliest after you have been found fit for military service at the recruitment centre – but also at any later point in time as a member of the Armed Forces.
Recruitment for civil defence and military service is carried out jointly. If you are fit to perform protective services and do not perform military or civilian service, you are required to perform protective services as a man. Women can perform civil protection on a voluntary basis [links available in German, French, and Italian].
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