the chief of The army has to surrender in front of his hip joint. Philippe Rebord has submitted to defence Minister Viola Amherd from the health reasons for his resignation. It is provided that the 62-year-old corps commander from the lower Valais, from his office at the end of 2019 emits, a year earlier than planned. The defense Department (VBS), has confirmed that appropriate searches of this newspaper.

For further explanations of Rebords surprising resignation VBS-head of communications Renato Kalbermatten at a media conference, to be convened on Thursday except for schedule referred. Actually, Amherd wanted to inform the Federal Council and the Public until next week.

Rebords health condition has already caused a few weeks ago the headlines. Over Christmas, he had suffered a holiday flight venous thrombosis in the leg, which to serious complications. This disease he has to overcome now, but apparently to a large extent. To withdraw the leg vein, but a broken hip is not.

Although could Rebord work, but Standing and walking was nearly impossible for him, in his environment. This is the Job of a military leader, and must constantly arise for the troops, and on countless occasions, not compatible. In the foreseeable future will have to Rebord an artificial joint.

Baumgartner

But Amherd must not only replace Rebord: Practically at the same time Daniel Baumgartner retires from command of training, he leads only for one year. According to reports, Baumgartner has asked myself to his transfer. In an interview for the 57-year-old corps commander, therefore, the Post of military attachés from Washington.

Thus, the army remains the commander of a single corps: the 60-year-old Aldo C. Schellenberg, commander operations and Deputy to the Army chief. The double resignation hits the army in a delicate Phase. The reform of the armed forces by the name of further development of the army (WEA) is running a year ago and in full swing. In addition, Rebord initiated the Total renovation of the air force and the antiaircraft, with 8 billion Swiss francs in the largest arms deal in history. to allow

in this Phase, continuity, had extended the Federal Council Rebords contract in September 2018, one and a half years of his full retirement age, until the end of 2020. This desire for stability is now undone. His office as army chief Rebord met only two years ago – as the successor of André Blattmann.

Due to his age, was from the beginning clear that he would be a Transition-in-chief. The army reform of WEA was already a done deal; in the Valais, it was you on the force. With the wind turbines of the arms stock in 100’000 men is reduced. In return, the troops are to be equipped fully and rapidly can be mobilized as in the old army XXI.

The jagged military Encounter of his predecessor, Christophe Keckeis, Roland Nef, and André Blattmann is not part of Rebords properties; rather, he acts as a friendly and Intellectual. Much weight he put on the personal interview with all sorts of interest groups and power blocs within and outside the army. So, he managed, among other things, the traditional rivalry between the army and the air force contain – and this in a time in which the Bulk of the money flows in the air force.

The “Alpine bitter-Orgy”

In his short tenure, tried to Rebord the army with a small, but symbolic reforms to the life world of today’s young men. He allowed together with training chief Baumgartner, the new recruits to wear in the first RS-weeks, trainers, and granted them “Handy-quarters of an hour”. Muslim military chaplains he could imagine, said Rebord in an Interview.

Daniel Baumgartner would also like to become army chief, but lost out Rebord. Later, his prospects, to be, at best, Rebords successor, were negatively impacted by an expense affair. Baumgartner was among other things responsible for an internal cadre seminar in the Canton of Glarus, the “Appenzeller-Alpenbitter Orgy” in the military annals, was received.

Rebord came at the same time in the criticism, because he had to seminars of the arms tip the partner can with the helicopter for Golf courses and other recreational activities fly – in. An administrative investigation was relieved of Philippe Rebord but largely, while Daniel Baumgartner charged in addition. He had also given away gold coins to employees, and yourself to get one.

The double vacancy is to provide additional challenge for the defense Minister, who took office only for the beginning of the year. It is expected that Viola Amherd is using a search Committee. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 03.04.2019, 23:45 PM