If you happen to visit Switzerland, expecially on Sunday at the local station, you have a feeling that we are probably at war with someone, although basically it is all training. From the age of 18 until they have completed their service time, every able bodied man is a soldier. For three weeks per year they have to go to their regisments and do their duty. They also have to do the recruit school for three months before the annual service begins.

Here he is when he was in the three month recruit school. this was many years ago. He now has his own son, my grandson, who will probably have to do service one day.

We also have officers, and they have to do a little more time than the others, some are even professional soldiers, full time.

On Sunday the men return to their regiments, generally by public transport. My No 2 son did his service, not as an officer, but he was called up for special assignments. I remember once there were floods in Switzerland, and he was in one of the regiments that helped to organise everything. Apparently the village where he was stationed was thankful for the help and when they went to a local restaurant for a refreshment, they never had to pay.