Rebord, 61, told the media in Bern on Thursday that he was suffering from a serious thrombosis and needed a hip operation. He will stay in office until the end of the year.
Defence Minister Viola Amherd said the search had begun for a successor, who will be chosen by the government probably before the end of the year.
Rebord started his army career in 1985 and took over from André Blattmann at the beginning of 2017. He faced several challenges, including reducing in the size of the army after parliament passed reforms.
Last November he apologised for the excessive expenses incurred by the military leadership, recognising that “moral errors” had been made in the past.
Second resignation
In separate development, Daniel Baumgartner, head of training and education, also handed in his resignation from the armed forces staff.
Amherd said Baumgartner, who is among the top three Swiss army leaders, had asked for a new position. She refused to comment on the reasons for Baumgartner’s request.
Neutral Switzerland operates a militia army system. Professional soldiers constitute about 5% of the military and the rest are conscripts or volunteers aged 19 to 34.
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This “culture” has existed in the army for years, but not enough thought has been given to its external impact, Rebord added. “We cannot be blamed for anything in criminal and disciplinary terms, but in moral terms, yes,” said the army chief, admitting that his institution had held on to certain habits no longer in…
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Rebord, who started his army career in 1985, was promoted from deputy head of the armed forces to the top position on Friday and will take up his new position on January 1, 2017. Defence Minister Guy Parmelin told a news conference that he expected an army chief to stay in the position for four…
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