Lecture by Derek Grangier: 9 May 2026 at 2 pm
The Fort de Chillon Museum is delighted to welcome Mr Derek Grangier for a talk on his book: Citizen-Soldier: Values and Military Service.
The lecture will take place on 9 May 2026 at 2 pm in the General Guisan Room. The lecture will be followed by a book signing session for Derek Grangier’s book.
Free admission to the conference. Booking by email recommended (50 places available) -> info@fortdechillon.ch.
“As a reservist since 2009 and a career officer since 2017, I have always wondered about the values that people bring with them when they join the military and take with them when they leave. In my view, our values form the foundation that enables us to grow, interact with others and make decisions.”
In the course of my work, I have had the opportunity to conduct hundreds of interviews with young people across the country. Two fundamental questions have always been at the heart of these interviews: What do you consider to be the most important values? And why? The answers to these two questions have sometimes been heartening and sometimes disappointing.
I have therefore come to realise that military service is the last institution capable of instilling values in the life of a young adult. This is what inspired me to write an essay setting out my personal view of the values that should be lived out and embodied during military service, and perhaps also in society at large.
Convinced that our militia system is the one we need, I believe that officers have a responsibility not only for the military training but also for the social development of the young people entrusted to them by society during their military service. This service plays a role in fostering social cohesion, mutual understanding and cultural respect within Switzerland.
Derek Grangier
