Why is the Swiss Army ordering soldiers to ditch underwire bras?

Alongside grappling with soldier shortages and reactivating old bunkers, a new report from RTS has found that the Swiss Army is at war with underwear. The military has advised recruits not to wear underwired bras. Here’s why:

Swiss Army sets up special grant for women soldiers to buy sports bras

Last month, all Swiss female military personnel received a special letter from the army. In it, the government “strongly recommended” that they wear a non-wired sports bra or a vest while they complete their voluntary national service, or while employed by the military, noting that underwire bras can be dangerous.

To help, the Federal Department of Defence will give each female soldier a special grant of up to 100 francs to purchase sports bras. When asked why they were not given to recruits directly as standard issue equipment, the department told RTS that having them pick the bras themselves means they are “more adapted to individual needs.”

Underwire bras can cause serious injury in combat

While an army calling women’s underwear dangerous may seem silly, there is serious thinking behind the move. Speaking to RTS, healthcare specialist and lieutenant in the Red Cross Service Lara Joye explained that "any metal object located between the upper body and the ballistic [or bulletproof] vest can pose an increased danger in the event of shock waves, shrapnel, or projectiles."

Therefore, if a soldier wearing an underwire bra is hit, the wire could cause severe harm. Joye noted that perforations of the chest are the most common injuries, and that the underwire has the potential to rupture a soldier’s lung in the most severe cases.

Switzerland moves to boost female participation in the army 

The news comes as Switzerland continues to try and convince more women to join the army. As their service remains voluntary, at the last count there are only 2.800 women soldiers, less than 2 percent of the total. 

So far, the government has announced that it will soon make it mandatory for women to attend orientation days for the army. They hope female volunteers will make up 10 percent of the military by 2030.

However, evidence suggests that the government will have to go further than subsidising sports bras and mandatory events to convince more women to enlist. In an October 2024 study by the Federal Office for Gender Equality and the military, half of the women in the Swiss Army reported experiencing sexual harassment while serving.