Cannon Fodder

Graham said,

Boy Scouts in Menopause.

My son quit his studies in Australia to come home and do his military service. Well, that’s his story. He came home to avoid a prison sentence the next time he landed on Swiss soil if he didn’t do his military service.

He arrived back in Switzerland on Saturday, had his car rammed and written off on Sunday and limped off to be present and correct at the barracks on Monday morning. He was quite looking forward to it – His grandfather had been Chef de Section for thirty years. New friends, gambling, drinking beer, getting his own gun and strangely, the uniform. This is a boy who could not, and still can’t, tie a tie or find the shoe polish.

A week of barracks was enough. Three times a day kit, rifle and bed inspection only to have it all kicked over by the inspecting officers. No reason. They don’t need one. It’s called “breaking the man”.

Following his car whiplash injury, he could not run or carry a backpack, so they sent him to Zurich for X-rays and psychological assessment. He failed and his military papers were stamped “Inept”. He was put on the next train home and since has paid 3% of his salary as non-serving military tax.

That’s my experience of the whole sorry lot. But I do applaud Oliver for having his own mind and opinion. Bravo.

Jules said,

Nicely said Katinka thank you and welcome to the site. Jules

Adam said,

Yes, Martin, correct it may be, but what about the “me and Mr. Jones”….would it be such a good song if it were “Mr. Jones and I” ?

Oliver is just doing what men do – testing himself in the flow of life’s stream. I hope he enjoys it thoroughly…and why wouldn’t he? Lots of adventure, physical exercise, bonding with others through shared hardship etc. All good stuff. Wish I had done it. Of course, it is hard to retain a sense of independence through all that and not to be unduly tainted by the obvious downsides – rigidity of thinking, inflexibility of the command structure, incomplete understanding of the correct use of force, inability to question etc. But then those are problems that one faces throughout life, so perhaps there is nothing unusual about the military approach. To round off his training, or rather, to continue it, I would suggest Oliver studies the works of the Taoist martial artists – as they provide some interesting and life enhancing answers to these questions. Better still, I should take my own advice.

Oh yes, Jules… I think Nadia was right. It was a nice comment about your blog, that is all. By the way, I love what you have done with the photo section in “About me” – it is great! Keep it up….

bruce said,

I lived in Switzerland for almost 10 years and paid the WehrSteuer when requested, as a foreign senior manager I was not required to serve in the military. Because of my work, I came to know the Swiss military establishment rather well and to respect it. Your comment ‘cannonfodder’ surprises me. Is there an imminent outbreak of hostilities (involving Switzerland) forseen? In many cases, the military service provides an opportunity for a young man to complete his development and to establish his independance from an overbearing, feminising mother. It is notable that you admit to having selected his toys (no toy guns) but, as you admit in your final paragraph, your efforts appear to have created a strong reaction and a wish to become independant and mature. As many women fail to understand, a son cannot be brought up as, or made into, a daughter.

geoff summerts said,

Hi Jules
Its Saturday 4th oct and we woke in Villars Sur ollon today to 10/15 cms of snow.
Bought the Telegraph in the village before going up to
restuarant des chaux above Barboleusa for lunch,
read your story about your soldier son whilst waiting
for our Sanglier and spetzli.

Like you we are an Anglo Swiss Family , (I have a Swiss Wife ,daughter and granddaughters).
Have never before thought about it ,but do the female members of our “Swinglish Family “need to do Military service ?

Geoff Summers