Swiss Armed Forces Reform: Doctrinal and Organizational Challenges
Abstract
Since the end of the Cold War, the Swiss Armed Forces have gone through two major reforms and are preparing for the third. However, political and popular support for the Armed Forces has decreased, and major exercises demonstrated important shortfalls. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the state of Switzerland's military doctrine and organizations after more than 20 years of reform, understand the causes of any deficiencies, and propose recommendations to amend the situation. Using the DOTMLPF-P framework and a capabilities based assessment, the research identifies gaps between extrapolated strategic tasks and the planned Swiss Armed Forces reform. The research then explores constraints in Swiss strategic documents. Finally, the research proposes to merge doctrine and training, create an overarching Armed Forces doctrine, enhance training at the operational level, adapt headquarter manning and roles, integrate international and single-service soldiers in the main body of the operational force and clearly separate force development and security policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1020349
Entities
People
- Hans-jakob Reichen
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College