Summary
The Federal Council decided on 14 January 2026 to appoint Colonel i Gst Marc Schibli as the new commander of the Infantry Training Centre. Schibli will simultaneously be promoted to Brigadier and will succeed Brigadier Peter Baumgartner, who is retiring early. The 47-year-old brings extensive experience from international deployments and various leadership positions in the Swiss Armed Forces.
People
- Marc Schibli – New Commander Infantry Training Centre
- Peter Baumgartner – Previous Commander (Retirement)
Topics
- Military leadership transition
- Personnel development in the Swiss Armed Forces
- Commander change at Infantry Training Centre
Detailed Summary
Marc Schibli will assume leadership of the Infantry Training Centre as of 1 February 2026. The Colonel i Gst will simultaneously be promoted to Brigadier. This decision was made by the Federal Council in its session of 14 January 2026.
Schibli has a versatile career in the armed forces. After completing an apprenticeship as a chef, he attended non-commissioned and commissioned officer schools and subsequently studied at the Military Academy of ETH Zurich, where he successfully completed his diploma studies in 2006. His international experience includes the Peace Support Operations Staff Course in Sarajevo, the UN Military Observer Course in Stans, and one-year UN deployments in Kinshasa (Congo) as an Intelligence Analyst (2006–2007 and 2010–2011).
In parallel with his military duties, Schibli earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow in 2013. From 2014 to 2018, he was a course instructor at SWISSINT and subsequently took over project management of the Command Leadership Simulator. From January 2020, he served as an assigned staff officer to the Chief of the Armed Forces, before becoming commander of Infantry School 12 in 2022. Since 2025, he has headed Operations Group A in the Operations Command.
Peter Baumgartner will retire early as of 31 January 2026. The Brigadier has led the Infantry Training Centre since January 2021 and is recognized by the Federal Council for his dedicated service.
Key Statements
- Personnel Change: Colonel Marc Schibli becomes new commander of the Infantry Training Centre and is promoted to Brigadier
- Start of Office: The new position begins on 1 February 2026
- Successor: Schibli takes over from Brigadier Peter Baumgartner, who is retiring early
- Qualification: Extensive international experience, UN deployments, and Master's degree
- Continuity: Seamless transition between experienced leaders
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Infantry Training Centre | New commander with international and educational experience |
| Swiss Armed Forces | Continuity in leadership positions, promotion from within |
| Peter Baumgartner | Early retirement after successful tenure |
| Military Training | Leadership change at critical training institution |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Experience in international operations | Transition phases may cause delays |
| Academic qualification (Master's degree) | New leader must get up to speed |
| Seamless succession planning | Potential gaps in Operations Group A |
| Promotion of careers from within | Unknown effects of leadership style |
Action Relevance
For Decision-Makers:
- Monitor transition phase between January and February 2026
- Ensure continuity in ongoing infantry training programs
- Confirm staffing of Operations Group A following Schibli's departure
- Evaluate leadership effectiveness after 6–12 months
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements verified (appointment date, positions)
- [x] Biographical data validated against source text
- [x] Start of office and retirement date confirmed
- [x] No contradictions in job titles identified
Status: ✓ All facts verified from official press release
Additional Research
- Swiss Armed Forces – Organizational Structure: Official information on the Infantry Training Centre and Operations Command
- Military Career Paths: Promotion criteria and development programs in the Swiss Armed Forces
- International Peace Missions: UN missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO)
Bibliography
Primary Source:
Press Release from the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (VBS) – 14 January 2026
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/R7uDr6gWy2VWzRfC-8t14
Supplementary Sources:
- Federal Council – Official Communications on Military Appointments
- Swiss Armed Forces – Organizational Manual and Structures
- ETH Zurich – Military Academy and Training Programs
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 14 January 2026
This text was created with the assistance of Claude.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Checking: 14 January 2026