Higher cadre training in the army

HKA logo

The higher cadre training of the armed forces (short: HKA ) is the organizational unit of the Swiss armed forces responsible for the management and staff training of the militia cadre from the unit level and for the training of professional officers (BO) and professional NCOs (BU) . As a competence center for military leadership training and military science research , the HKA provides its services for the armed forces, in partnership with the other carriers of the national security cooperation and civil education organizations.

The HKA is assigned four commands. For the central school and the general staff school to cover the militia sector as well as the military academy at the ETH Zurich and the professional sergeant school of the armed forces for professional military personnel. In addition to the armed forces' educational mandate, the HKA commands work on systematic and conceptual groundwork for the further development of doctrine.

The HKA has been managed by division general Germaine Seewer since January 1, 2020 .

Militia schools

Central School (ZS)

→ Main article : Central school

The central school is part of the Army Higher Cadre Training (HKA). She is responsible for the military leadership training of the prospective platoon leaders and their deputies, the unit commanders, the battalion / department commanders and the assistants of the battalion / department staff or, in individual courses, also the command assistants of the large unit level. More than 1,500 participants from all branches of the Swiss armed forces are trained in over 40 courses each year. This central training avoids duplication and bundles the forces on the trainer side.

Commander Brigadier Peter Baumgartner

General Staff School (Gst S)

→ Main article : General Staff School (Switzerland)

In the general staff school, among other things, leadership simulators, staffs (up to brigade level ) and course participants are intensively trained and trained in action management. Gst S also processes statements on relevant developments and regulations in the operational-tactical area.

Commander Brigadier Maurizio Dattrino

Professional military schools

Military Academy at ETH Zurich (MILAK)

→ Main article : Military Academy (Switzerland)

The Military Academy at ETH Zurich is the training center for the training and further education of professional officers in the Swiss Armed Forces, an internationally recognized competence center for military sciences and a competence center for assessment centers for the armed forces. The MILAK trains professional officers on a science-based, value-oriented and practical basis. It is the leading institution in Switzerland that conducts military science research with a university claim in favor of scientific knowledge and teaching. With the assessment center she contributes to the professional selection and development of important cadre functions in the army.

Commander Brigadier Peter C. Stocker

Vocational NCO School (BUSA)

→ Main article : Army professional sergeant school

The BUSA is the training center for professional NCOs from all branches of the Swiss Army. In the two-year basic training course (GAL), NCOs receive the tools they need to lead and train successfully in recruiting and cadre schools. In the additional training courses (ZAL), experienced professional NCOs are prepared for new functions. More than 1000 professional NCOs, professional officers and specialist teachers attend the advanced training courses (WAK) at BUSA every year. Newly hired temporary soldiers from the entire army and of all grades are prepared for their task by the BUSA in basic and supplementary courses (ZMG / ZME).

Commander Brigadier Heinz Niederberger

List of commanders

• Divisional General Germaine Seewer (since January 1, 2020)
• Divisional General Daniel Keller (January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2019)
• Divisional shareholder Philippe Rebord (January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2016)
• Divisional General Daniel Roubaty (January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2013)
• General Manager Marco Cantieni (July 1, 2008 - December 31, 2010)
• Major General Ulrich F. Zwygart

Web links

• Higher cadre training of the Army HKA (Switzerland)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Federal Council appoints senior staff officers . In: Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport . Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 13, 2011.