« Inertia is assured death. » From the opening of this second edition of the Captains’ College, the central director of the Army Health Service (DC-SSA), MGA Jacques Margery, set the tone. Faced with technological, societal and geostrategic developments, the SSA must continue to transform. To achieve this, he has chosen to rely on those who will shape the future: his young executives.
From June 8 to 10, 2026, fifty officers – doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, psychologists, health executives and “health anchor” commissioners – met at the Defense Innovation Lab in Paris. Divided into six working groups, they explored major themes: attractiveness of hospital specialties, evolution of professions, initial training, identity of the SSA or even vision of the Service by 2046.
Accompanied by the “Atelier” of the National Gendarmerie, a specialist in collective intelligence approaches, the participants worked in a framework deliberately different from institutional habits. Uniforms left aside, ranks erased, exchanges facilitated: the objective was to free speech and bring out ideas as close as possible to the realities on the ground.
As the central director recalled in his opening speech: “ Good ideas, weak signals and useful breakthroughs often arise far from offices, close to patients and teams. »
A look back at this experience through the testimonies of five participants.
“We have broken the codes to think together about the health service of the armies of tomorrow”
- Infirmière anesthésiste à l’hôpital d’instruction des armées Percy
« Today we must allow ourselves to be bold and imagine solutions that still seem impossible. »
For nurse anesthetist Caroline, one of the great strengths of the College of Captains lies in the diversity of profiles gathered around the same table.
« We worked with professionals from very different backgrounds, different assignments and specialties. This diversity has enabled real collective reflection on the professions of tomorrow. »
During these three days, the participants voluntarily put aside ranks and functions.
« We called each other by our first names, without uniform. This fostered a climate of trust and creativity. We were able to brainstorm freely and build a real network between young officers. »
Member of the group dedicated to the professions of the future, Caroline imagines an Army Health Service (SSA) fully integrated into the technological revolutions underway.
« Artificial intelligence, connected devices, exoskeletons and even telemedicine will profoundly transform the way we provide care. In particular, we imagined the concept of “e-caregiver”: a professional capable of intervening remotely thanks to intelligent technologies, while remaining at the service of the combatant. »
For her, the essential quality for building the SSA of tomorrow is without hesitation boldness.
« A caregiver is naturally resilient. On the other hand, we must allow ourselves to be bold, to aim higher and to imagine what does not yet exist. »
“Despite our differences, we share the same identity. HAS”
- Médecin à l’hôpital national d’instruction des armées Saint-Anne
« Our strength is to be both caregivers and soldiers. » For doctor Théophile, the experience made it possible to create a dialogue between professional realities that are sometimes very distant.
« In my daily hospital life, I mainly work with caregivers. Here, I was able to talk with forces doctors, health executives and even medical staff. Our realities are sometimes very different, but we all belong to the same Service. »
Within the group devoted to the identity of the SSA, discussions quickly converged towards a strong conviction. HAS” We have very different missions, but what brings us together remains this unique dual identity of caregiver and soldier. It is probably the strongest foundation of our Service. »
For him, preserving this identity while supporting the ongoing transformations constitutes a major challenge. “LThe SSA must maintain its diversity and its capacity for evolution. It is this richness that allows it to remain efficient and attractive. »
Asked about the three virtues put forward by the central director – audacity, subsidiarity and resilience – the military doctor Théophile does not hesitate: “ Boldness is essential. Resilience is already in our DNA. But it is audacity that allows us to build the future. »
“Strengthening cohesion will be one of the keys to the SSA of tomorrow. HAS”
- Psychologist at the 11th Army Medical Center
« The future of the SSA will largely rest on our ability to strengthen the links between all its components. » For psychologist Bénédicte, this edition of the College of Captains constituted a real time for breathing and reflection. HAS” It was a particularly enriching experience on a human and professional level. I was struck by the quality of mutual listening and by the richness of the exchanges between officers with very different backgrounds. »
Within the group devoted to initial training, the participants highlighted the quality of the technical training provided to young officers. HAS” We are well prepared for our professions. On the other hand, we have identified additional needs in areas such as taking responsibility, management or institutional communication. »
Faced with future challenges, it insists on an essential quality: resilience. HAS” The SSA must continue to adapt, innovate and pursue its missions despite the difficulties. In the current context, this capacity for resilience is more essential than ever. »
“What attracts today is the quest for meaning. HAS”
- Pharmacist at the Bégin national army training hospital
« Young practitioners seek to be useful, as caregivers but also in the service of the Nation. » Arriving with the idea of a very academic seminar, captain pharmacist Virginie discovered a very different experience. HAS” I was expecting something very formal. Finally, I found an extremely open, dynamic and enriching space for discussion.t. »
Work on the attractiveness of the profession of military doctor quickly brought to light several levers. “ABeyond the material aspects, what stands out strongly is the quest for meaning. Younger generations want to be useful. They wish to practice their profession while contributing to a broader mission: supporting those who protect France. »
She also underlines the interest of this format for strengthening links between young executives of the Service. HAS” We create professional relationships today that will be useful tomorrow. This is a valuable investment in the future of the SSA. »
Like several participants, she places audacity at the forefront of necessary qualities. HAS” To develop the Service, you sometimes have to think outside the box and agree to propose new ideas. »
“Solutions exist on the ground: we must continue to listen to them. » »
- Médecin au 3ème centre médical des armées
« The College of Captains allows the voices of those who experience the realities on the ground to be heard on a daily basis. » For army doctor (MED) Nathan, the main benefit of the exercise lies in the freedom of trade. HAS” For three days, the ranks disappear. We exchange from human to human, with a lot of kindness. This completely changes the dynamic. »
His group worked on a major issue: the attractiveness of hospital specialties within the framework of all assistantships. HAS” We have identified a vicious circle that must be transformed into a virtuous circle. Improving the quality of life at work, strengthening the military dimension, further promoting hospital pathways: all this contributes to retaining practitioners. »
The young doctor also underlines the need to better take into account the specificities of the hospital assistantship course, which frequently occurs at a determining period in the career and personal life of practitioners. “LThe decisions taken today must be based on concrete experience on the ground. This is precisely what this Captains College allows. »
Here again, audacity emerges as the essential quality. HAS” Being bold means seeking to improve what already exists to allow the SSA to continue to progress in the service of the armed forces. »
Bring out the ideas that will build the SSA of tomorrow.
At the end of these three days, a conviction emerges: the challenges awaiting the Army Health Service require collective intelligence, diversity of perspectives and capacity for innovation more than ever.
Training, attractiveness, identity, emerging technologies or new professions: so many subjects which will now fuel the Service’s strategic thinking.
Because as the central director recalled at the conclusion of this second edition: « It is indeed the SSA of tomorrow, yours in reality, that we are building today. »
On the same subject
Opening of the captains’ college
Read the article
/2026/06/17/6a329747af12c263716179.jpg "Israel \"betting on deal failure\" : in Tel Aviv, the negotiations between Washington and Tehran are experienced as a disavowal")
