The Ministry of the Armed Forces launched its marketing campaign to recruit younger volunteers for a “national service” army on French territory, offered as a way of strengthening the army-nation hyperlink and assembly the wants of armies within the face of accumulating threats.
Interested younger women and men aged 18 to 25 can apply till April to hitch the armies between September and November for a interval of ten months, solely in mainland France or abroad.
There is due to this fact no query of sending these conscripts overseas, significantly within the occasion of a “shock” going through the Russian military envisaged inside a number of years by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon. But do “choosing national service means participating in the protection of our citizens, of our country, in an environment which we noted was uncertain”affirmed General Mandon throughout a uncommon press convention alongside the Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, and the chiefs of employees of the three armies (land, air, navy).
Integrated into the models after a month of fundamental coaching, the conscripts will take part “to strengthen the resilience of our nation”in accordance with the overall. “They will be trained to react in uncomfortable situations, to place their action within the framework of an organized, united, solid group, where everyone, whatever their social origin, their personal background, their opinions, their religion, evolves under the same uniform according to the principles of equality, fraternity, fairness and where merit is rewarded”he insisted.
The younger volunteer will likely be “selected”
Thirty years after the suspension of conscription, the institution of this voluntary service, introduced by the president, Emmanuel Macron, in November, “is part of a long-term evolution towards a more hybrid army model”in accordance with Mme Vautrin: 200,000 energetic army personnel, 47,000 reservists (80,000 in 2030) and conscripts.
In 2026, the armies plan to enlist 3,000 (1,800 within the military, 600 within the Air and Space Force and 600 within the navy), then 4,000 in 2027, 10,000 in 2030 with an ambition of 42,500 in 2035.
The younger volunteer will likely be “selected” in accordance with his medical aptitude, his motivation and his “adequacy with the needs of the armed forces”in accordance with the minister. He will likely be paid roughly 800 euros gross month-to-month and accommodated through the ten months of his service.
A marketing campaign within the regional press, on a selected web site and on social networks, should publicize the system which will even be offered throughout Defense and Citizenship Day, renamed “Mobilization Day”.
Around 80% of these chosen will likely be between 18 and 19 years previous. The interval underneath the uniform will likely be thought-about as a spot 12 months within the research and vows on Parcoursup preserved. The remaining 20% may have extra specialised profiles (engineer, information analyst, nurse, and many others.) and can have the ability to serve for as much as 25 years with the rank of midshipman, the primary rank of officer.
The Memorable World
Test your common data with the editorial employees of “Le Monde”
Test your common data with the editorial employees of “Le Monde”
Discover
Newsletter
“In the news”
Every morning, browse the important information of the day with the most recent headlines from “World”
Register
The World Application
The Morning of the World
Every morning, discover our collection of 20 articles to not be missed
Download the app
Newsletter subscribers
” International “
The important worldwide information of the week
Register
Conscripts can function drone pilots or squaddies within the military, shield an air base or be an assistant on a coaching simulator within the air drive, and even board a ship for 20% of navy conscripts.
A value estimated at 2.3 billion euros
The deliberate value of the nationwide service (payroll, gear, clothes, lodging) for the interval 2026-2030 is 2.3 billion euros, together with 1.4 billion for infrastructure, and 150 million euros in 2026.
At the top of their ten months of service, the volunteer will have the ability to proceed their research, be part of the operational reserve or enlist within the energetic military.
In any case, like several former soldier, he will likely be positioned within the operational availability reserve for 5 years, more likely to be recalled for a most of 5 days per 12 months.
Catherine Vautrin wished to be reassuring concerning a subsequent dedication within the occasion of a battle: “The option of general mobilization requires a vote in Parliament, it is truly in extraordinary conditions which have not occurred in our country since the Second World War. »
https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/01/12/un-service-national-militaire-et-volontaire-ce-qu-il-faut-retenir-de-la-conference-de-presse-de-la-ministre-catherine-vautrin-et-du-general-fabien-mandon_6661487_3210.html