when did you realize that you have a health Problem? last August I got on a hike suddenly felt a pain in my right hip. Over Christmas I suffered on a flight to the Caribbean a thrombosis in the leg that was not diagnosed by the first doctor, but ten days later. Because I had to keep so after that long silent, have alleviated the hip pain temporarily.
And then it got worse again? Yes, since February I have constant pain and can barely stand and walk. And a professional military that is out on the force, is now time for a long time. I don’t want to go as army chief on crutches. Towards the end of February, I discussed the Situation with Federal councillor Eveline Amherd. We then decided together that I resign by the end of the year.
Until the end of the year, it will take a long time, if you are in constant pain. I think that I can bite through that. I have discussed this with my doctor. Except for the pain he has evaluated the medical risks as very low. It is a good Swiss compromise Between the interests of the army and my health.
Is the resignation really necessary? A lot of patients, which is used for a hip Prosthesis, after six weeks in use. But what if there are after six weeks of a complication? A chief of the army must be able to work hundred percent. It is also important that the time of the change is in the interest of the army. Expected to be a popular event takes place in the course of the year 2020 vote on the future of the air force. My successor will need to have sufficient time to be able to prior to this vote, his own style shape.
What you want to achieve in the last nine months? I work with high pressure to our key Dossiers. Firstly, the Evaluation of new fighter jets. Secondly, we need to implement the army reform of WEA. Within this project, I put my main focus on the rapid mobilization. The army must be able to re-mobilise very rapidly – a capability that has been lost since the Cold war.
Where is the Swiss army in a European comparison? We don’t have to hide. Nato as a Whole has set itself the goal of 30’muster 000 soldiers within thirty days. The Swiss army comes with the WEA (further development of the army, Red.) in the position to mobilise 35’000 soldiers, and within ten days.
And the works already? It works, but we must continue to practice, practice and practice, to further improve processes. By the end of 2022, we should have the really in the handle.
Since the design of the wind turbine has changed the security Situation in Europe. Is the army good for? next, the army will provide troops to the Federal Council by mid-year, a report on the development of the soil. This report contains a schedule of what skills the army needs in the future and which of the partially outdated weapons systems that need to be replaced.
you have allowed the army chief to the recruit trainers and the phone breaks. That was the brand Rebord? That was part of my brand, the driving force training chief Daniel Baumgartner. A militia army is a mirror of society. Here, the army must adapt, this is, for me, of course. It is inconceivable today that a juvenile waived for a week on his Natel.
Sometime in the year 2020 to a vote of the people of new fighter jets. You are optimistic? We have three trumps. The first trump Federal councillor Viola Amherd. Us military it is difficult for women to address. If a woman represents the business, will listen to the voting citizens of their different than us. Our second trump card is the Argument that this Time it is for the to Be or not to be the whole of the air force. 2014 in the case of the failed Gripen procurement it was only a part of the record. I don’t think the Swiss people prefer to do without his air force.
And the third trump? The eight billion Swiss francs for the total renewal of the air defense is not a supplementary budget, but is financed from the regular budget. We need to communicate better so that people understand that.
you have said in front of the media, the ideal way to get your followers from the top army leadership. The five heads of the armed forces staff, the operational and training commands, the guide support and the logistics base. A very small selection.
those people that were once in these functions are Added
How many in total?
a Total of not quite ten persons. The advantage of this is that you the Overview of the entire army have power of their function. If councillor Amherd decides for the other Person, needs this according to my experience, about six months longer, in order to gain the Overview.
(editing Tamedia)
Created: 04.04.2019, 16:37 PM
