The ranks of the Swiss Armed Forces have changed little over the centuries, except for the introduction, in 2008, of new senior enlisted and non-commissioned officer ranks. The ranks are worn on shoulder boards with the appropriate background colour. Designations are given in the four national languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh), with an English translation which is used during overseas missions.
Enlisted ranks
Enlisted troops Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage German French Italian Romansh English designation No rank insignia Recruit This rank is a position during the 4 months of Recruit School. A recruit gets promoted to E-1 after the Recruit School. Private E-1 Private E-2 E-1 Privates can be promoted to E-2 after a minimum of 20 days' service in a refresher course, subject to good performance. E-2 Privates also receive 7.5 CHF daily pay (as opposed to 6 CHF prior to promotion) Private first class The rank "" was removed as of 1 January 2019 with the WEA of the Swiss Army. However those soldiers previously awarded this rank are able to keep it.
Non-commissioned officers (NCO) Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage German French Italian Romansh English designation Corporal Soldiers in this rank serve as specialist NCOs (e.g. arms specialization, CBRN specialization, postal soldiers). Since 2019, no new promotions into this rank are being issued anymore due to the Development of the Swiss Army project. Sergeant Currently, the standard junior NCO rank Sergeant first class This rank is awarded to Sergeants who receive very good performance assessments. Holders of this rank are appointed to be the platoon leader's replacement and serve an additional 10 days compared to the standard Sergeant rank.
Higher NCOs Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage German French Italian Romansh English designation Sergeant major Lowest rank of "Higher non-commissioned officers" (NCO); it used to be a higher rank than Feldweibel and to oversee unit-level military service and operations. Since the 2003 reform a specialist rank only. Nowadays, Feldweibel are mainly seen in military police, NBC and other specialist units. Quartermaster sergeant The higher NCO who administers a company's finances, subsistence and lodging. Chief sergeant major The Hauptfeldweibel oversees unit-level military service and operations. Warrant officer Staff warrant officer Battalion warrant officer Master warrant officer Brigade warrant officer Chief warrant officer Division warrant officer
Officers
Subaltern officers and captains Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage German French Italian Romansh English designation Second lieutenant Platoon's leader. Promotion to First Lieutenant occurs after a minimum of 3 refresher courses (subject to good performance) or after 6 refresher courses. First lieutenant Platoon's leader, future company commander or new officers in battalion's staff (S1, 2, 4 & 6). Captain Company commander or officer in battalion's staff (S1, 2, 4 & 6).
Staff officers, specialist Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage German French Italian Romansh English designation Major Several assignments in a battalion's staff (Chief of Staff or S3), under special circumstances appointment to battalion commander, teacher or staff officer on a military academy, commander of a HQ company, staff officer in large units (BDE). Lieutenant colonel Battalion commander, staff officer in large units (BDE). Colonel Under special circumstances appointment to battalion commander, deputy commander of a brigade, staff officer in larger units (BDE). Specialist officer "Specialist Officer", Duties authority and pay grade vary from OF-1 to OF-5.
Higher staff officers Higher staff officers wear black lampasses on the outside seam of dress uniform trousers.
Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage Kepi German French Italian Romansh English designation Brigadier general One-star rank, commander of a brigade, also military attaché Major general Two-star rank, commander of territorial division, also in an Army HQ or staff. Lieutenant general Three-star rank, also the rank of the Chief of the Armed Forces, highest rank in peacetime.
Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces Rank insignia Name Description Epaulette Camouflage Kepi German French Italian Romansh English designation General The rank is assigned only during times of war, when the Federal Assembly chooses one general to command the entire Swiss military. Otherwise the word "general" is not used.
Shoulder board colour
Colour Branch Examples Black Staff officers, general staff, engineers, intelligence, chaplains,educational psychology, availability corps, social service corps, sport Dark green Infantry, military bands Yellow Armored corps Mustard yellow NBC defense Red Artillery Dark blue Air force, anti-air force Light grey Command support corps Burgundy Rescue corps Plum Logistic corps Purple Military justice Royal blue Medical corps, Red Cross corps Dark grey Military police Khaki Special forces Orange Territorial corps
Timeline of ranks Officers () () ] () ] () ] (1974–1996) ] (1997–present) ]
Enlisted () () () () (1974–1996) (1997–2008) (2008–present)
Notes
References
Sources
External links Swiss Armed Forces rank insignia as of 1 Jan 2006