To be eligible for the Guard, candidates must be unmarried Swiss Catholic males between the ages of 19 and 30, and must have completed basic training in the Swiss military. They must also be at least 174 centimetres (5 feet 8.5 inches) tall and have a good character reference from their parish priest.
Recruits undergo a 26-week training program, which includes instruction in firearms, hand-to-hand combat, and first aid. They also receive training in ceremonial duties, such as marching and flag raising.
After successfully completing their training, recruits are assigned to one of the four companies that make up the Guard. Each company is commanded by a captain, and the entire Guard is under the command of a colonel.
The Swiss Guards are a professional military force, and they are highly respected for their discipline, loyalty, and courage. They have served the Pope for over 500 years, and they continue to play an important role in protecting the Holy Father and the Catholic Church.