Every Swiss is subject to military service. Each soldier receives without expense his first equipment, clothing, and arms. The arms remain in possession of the soldier, under conditions prescribed by federal legislation. The Confederation enacts uniform laws on fees for exemption from military service:
The federal army consists:
1. Of the cantonal military corps.
2. Of all Swiss who, though not belonging to such military corps, are yet subject to military service.
The Confederation exercises control over the federal army and the material of war provided by law.
In cases of danger, the Confederation has the exclusive and direct control over all troops, whether incorporated in the federal army or not, and over all other military resources of the Cantons.
The Cantons may exercise control over the military forces of their territory, so far as this right is not limited by the federal constitution or laws.
Laws on the organization of the army are an affair of the Confederation. The execution of the military laws within the Cantons is intrusted to the cantonal authorities, within limits fixed by federal legislation, and under the supervision of the Confederation.
The entire military instruction and arming of the troops are under the control of the Confederation. The clothing and equipments and subsistence of the troops are provided by the Cantons; but the Cantons are credited with the expenses therefor, in a manner to be determined by federal law.
So far as military reasons do not prevent, bodies of troops are formed out of the soldiers from the same Canton. The composition of these bodies of troops, the maintenance of their effective strength, and the appointment and promotion of the officers are to be reserved to the Cantons, subject to general rules to be established by the Confederation.