Joining up

Previous Next

Recruits' school is a rite of passage for most young Swiss men. They spend an entire summer or part of winter undergoing their basic training. The first day of their life in army starts outside the barracks. (Keystone) Keystone

The raw recruits find out quickly that life in the army is about following orders. (Keystone) Keystone

Uniform time: recruits measure up. (Keystone) Keystone

Recruits are told to treat their rifles better than their girlfriends. (Keystone) Keystone

Making faces: learning to march properly is still an important part of early training. (Keystone) Keystone

Physical exhaustion soon becomes the recruits' constant companion. (Keystone) Keystone

The end of recruits' school is a time to celebrate. (Keystone) Keystone

Army life is tough, but soldiers go home with plenty of memories in their kit bags. (Keystone) Keystone

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5
• Picture 6
• Picture 7
• Picture 8

A rite of passage for young Swiss.