Switzerland invaded Liechtenstein on Thursday night! With their Swiss Army Knives to the fore, they crossed the border in Liechtenstein, a little country that doesn't even have an army! A map-reading error was responsible for the invasion, during night manoeuvres, and of course as soon as the mistake was spotted, the Army retreated. The article in the Swiss press made me laugh, but I'm sure that complaints will be made in high places.
All Swiss men over the age of 18 have to do military service, unless they have a medical reason. Every year they must go back into the Army for three weeks, mainly for rifle practice. Reservists are called up for the 3 weeks until they are in their mid-30s or until they have done approximately a year of military service. For those working, they are paid 80% of their salary by the Confederation during their re-training periods. They keep their uniform and their weapon at home, complete with 50 rounds of ammunition, which is to be used only in self-defence getting to a base, should war be declared. The entire Swiss army can be mobilised within 12 hours, should there be a war.
Of course, jokes about the Swiss Army, their penknives, etc. abound, both here and in other countries. However, I feel that perhaps there is just a tinge of jealousy somewhere. Being a rich country, the Armed Forces are extremely well-equipped and approximately 70% of the population are for military service. Being a Confederation, when new equipment is needed, the question is put to a referendum and the citizens vote how and if their money should be spent. Recently 57% of the population voted for the buying of F-15 fighters.
There are of course those who are against keeping up an Army (and a small elite Air Force), arguing that the men would be better deployed in the police force, or that expensive equipement could be rented from the commercial market, if needs be. However, the Swiss that I have talked to about this seem to be fairly pro-army, and accept that doing military service is part of the price to pay.
Once a month the air-raid siren goes off in the village, just to test it is still working. This is only used nowdays as an avalanche warning that might affect the village.
Until a couple of years ago, all Swiss houses had to have a fall-out shelter incorporated into their house; it had to be stocked with basic food, water etc., and the population were asked to make sure that nothing had passed its sell by date. We have a bunker in our chalet, which has now been converted into a bedroom. We still have the door which looks exactly like those in bank vaults and is so heavy it takes two people to shut it and there is also a shutter for the window made the same way, but it isn't on a hinge, so seems to weigh even more than the door - this is now dumped in the garden, as no-one can lift it!
So jokes there may be, but comforting to know that here one probably needs no more than a Swiss Army Knife!
