Defense and security at Pont du Gard: Arcus’ successful meeting with Defense class students

The Pont du Gard site welcomes Arcus, the 5th edition of the forum dedicated to the defense, security and rescue professions.“Arcus in Latin means Arche”, announces General Steve Carleton who commands the 6th light armored brigade (half a dozen regiments from the south of France).

Four regiments as well as the General Staff based in Nîmes are installed in Gard. “And this is the second time that we have organized this forum on the Pont du Gard site”, specifies the general. This Friday, this forum was also an opportunity for new or former elected “defense correspondents” accompanied by the military, to discover the equipment and the latest issues for the army and the emergency services.

With Marius, former marine commando

General Carleton will also be present this Saturday and will meet Marius (Alain Alivon in civilian life), a former marine commando, very present in the media and on social networks. “There is also a new generation more aware of the issues of defense. And a link which was created with the nation,” says a soldier.

The Army recruits, each year, 16…000 people (25…000 all corps combined). At Pont du Gard, the organizers have therefore deployed an impressive system – 42 stands – and equipment rarely seen. Firefighters, police officers, gendarmes, prison and private security staff, and the recruitment center are present…

And a crowd of kids studying in Defense option classes, in middle and high schools in Gard were able to attend multiple activities, workshops and simulations orchestrated by the military, firefighters, gendarmes and police and reservists. More than fifteen Defense classes have emerged in Gard. A real success even if the initiative is not unanimously supported by the teaching unions.

Dogs that detect explosives

The captivated students and adults discovered the Caesar cannon. But also, a Griffon (armored vehicle), a tracked quad, the Dauphin which is the Navy helicopter, the Army dog which can detect explosives… The kids are captivated, climb into the machines and into the turret.

“Do you have air conditioning?”, asks a student. Today’s visitors also got to know the dogs that accompany the military on certain missions.
“These dogs are considered soldiers, testifies a soldier. When his master retires, the dog stops working. »

With the police

 

“I’m in Defense class, at secondary school in Sommières,” says a young girl.

It’s also the crowd, when the gendarmes from the surveillance and intervention platoon simulate the escape of an armed man, go looking for him with a dog and arrest him. “C’est génial”, proclaims a high school student, after the gendarmes’ demonstration.

The students of the…Defense…D’Alzon class in Nîmes took part in a competition open to Defense classes and have just learned that they won second prize. “I have the best job in the Army”, assures a military reporter photographer at Sirpa who spent part of his career in the Army.“We also have to go on operations. And I went to Finland, to Canada…”The army recruits 25,000 soldiers per year, all corps combined. Including 16…000 in the Army.