The highest rank in the Swiss army is that of colonel. In the event of war the Federal Assembly nominates a general, who takes command till the troops are disbanded. The only officer at present in the service who has held that temporary rank is General Herzog, the commander of the troops in 1871, and who is now doing regular duty as a colonel. Then come lieutenant-colonel, major, captain, and first lieutenant; these constitute the commissioned officers. The non-commissioned officers are sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, sergeant, and corporal. Colonels command divisions and brigades; lieutenant-colonels, regiments; majors, battalions; and captains, companies. The Cantons nominate officers up to the rank of commandant de bataillon, subject to the approval of the federal military authorities. Officers of higher rank than commandant de bataillon hold their commissions from the Federal Council. Then there is a general staff or État major, appointed by the Federal Council, consisting of three colonels, sixteen lieutenant-colonels or majors, and thirty-five captains. The chief of this staff is appointed by the Council for a term of three years, and is practically in charge of the forces during peace.
The pay of the army, like all branches of public service in Switzerland, is on a very economical scale. With the exception of the members of the general staff and corps of instructors (the former substantially constitutes the latter), who are permanently in the service, officers and privates only receive pay during active service,—that is, during the short drill periods or in time of war. The commander-in-chief (who only serves in time of war) receives fifty francs per day.
| Francs. | |
| Colonel commanding division receives | 30 |
| Colonel commanding brigade ” | 25 |
| Colonel ” | 20 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel ” | 15 |
| Major ” | 12 |
| Captain ” | 10 |
| First Lieutenant ” | 8 |
| Second Lieutenant ” | 7 |
Personal allowance for uniform and equipments:
| Francs. | |
| For officers not mounted | 200 |
| For officers mounted | 250 |
| For equipment of horses | 250 |
The private soldiers are paid eighty centimes per day, and from this a sum, to be fixed by the chief of the corps, is deducted to meet certain contingent personal expenses of the private. Rations in the field daily embrace 750 grammes of bread; 375 of fresh meat; 150 to 200 of vegetables; 20 of salt; 15 of roasted coffee; 20 of sugar. Commutation to officers is one franc per day. If a private furnishes his own coffee, vegetables, and wood, a proportionate allowance is fixed by the Federal Council. The rations are the same during the drilling terms, but the pay is reduced to fifty centimes per day. The constitution declares that “soldiers who lose their lives or suffer permanent injury to their health in consequence of federal military service shall be entitled to aid from the Confederation for themselves or their families in case of need.”
A federal law grants pensions:
1. Up to 1200 francs in case of complete blindness, the loss of both hands, or both feet, or other injury causing absolute incapacity to earn a living.
2. Up to 700 francs in case of partial incapacity for work.
3. Up to 400 francs in case where business or calling must be changed to one less profitable, in consequence of injury.