Joining the Army attracts many young people from the Southwest every year. In Tarbes, eleven recruits have signed their contracts, ready to begin a military career. A choice of passion and specialization.
“It’s a big day for you. One that marks the beginning of your career.” At the CIRFA offices in Tarbes, the deputy military delegate for the department welcomed the commitment of eleven young people from the Southwest. A “symbolic signature,” organized every month to honor those who choose to join the Army.
“This morning, we have eleven young people signing their engagement contracts,” details Warrant Officer Magali, recruitment advisor. Among them, four future non-commissioned officers, with a high school diploma, will join the National School of Non-Commissioned Officers in Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole for six months of training. The other seven, enlisted personnel, will directly join their respective regiments after ten weeks of training, where they will learn “to become soldiers” before specializing.
A passionate profession
Contracts range from five to nine years. While most opt for five years, one of the young recruits has chosen to commit for nine. “The Army recruits enlisted personnel between 17 and a half and 30 years old, and non-commissioned officers up to 32 years old. No diploma is required to become enlisted personnel. However, non-commissioned officers, with a high school diploma, will have command responsibilities. Officers, on the other hand, are recruited with a bachelor’s to master’s degree,” specifies Warrant Officer Magali.
Sixteen specialized fields are offered to young recruits, from administration to infantry or maintenance. “I will specialize in the field of human resources,” testifies a 19-year-old woman from Laslades.
Far from being discouraged by international news, several young people interviewed say they are ready to defend France’s interests “even in a tense geopolitical context.”
In Tarbes, between 80 and 90 enlisted personnel are recruited every year. “We don’t come to us by chance. It’s a passionate profession,” concludes Warrant Officer Magali, inviting candidates to inquire on sengager.fr before taking the leap.
