Military ranks of Switzerland
The ranks of the Swiss Armed Forces have changed little over the centuries, except for the introduction, in 2004, of a new set of warrant officers. The ranks are worn on shoulder boards with the appropriate background colour. Designations are given in the four national languages, with an English translation which is used during overseas missions.
Image: Uniform Képi of a Brigadier General of the Swiss Army
Image: Divisionär
Image: Korpskommandant
Image: Kepi General
The Swiss Armed Forces operates on land and in the air, serving as the primary armed forces of Switzerland. Under the country's militia system, regular soldiers constitute a small part of the military and the rest are conscripts or volunteers aged 19 to 34. Because of Switzerland's long history of neutrality, the Swiss Armed Forces do not take part in conflicts in other countries, but do participate in international peacekeeping missions. Switzerland is part of the NATO Partnership for Peace programme.
The Battle of Sempach, 1386
Swiss soldiers with war pigeons during World War I
Military badge belonging to Julien Wyler, 1929, in the collection of the Jewish Museum of Switzerland
Veterans' dragoons squadron in 2006, presenting the uniform of 1972
