Facing “significant recruitment needs” but also, and above all, to introduce the armed forces to “young citizens,” the Rodez stud farm was the stage, this Thursday, April 16, 2026, for a seduction operation that seems to have fulfilled its mission.
Students from Foch, Monteil, Louis-Querbes, and François-d’Estaing, nearly 80 in total, were able to enjoy a meeting with soldiers from three branches of the military, under the leadership of the military delegation from the department to which Lieutenant-Colonel Olivier Destefanis belongs. “The idea is that they come to meet the armed forces, that they understand what it is. For them, it will be a bit like ‘a day in the life of a soldier,’ and at lunchtime, they will eat a combat ration with us,” details the soldier.
The day’s program included ten workshops to shed light on the different aspects of the army and also to educate, if necessary, the young people on citizenship.
The highlight of the day was the Legionnaires from the 13e DBLE of La Cavalerie who presented their equipment to the young people: the famous Griffon, the latest generation armored vehicle, as well as various automatic weapons including the HK416, a replacement for the Famas assault rifle.
Following that, the students were able to try their hand at laser shooting and an exercise of crawling on a rope, with stunts and laughter included. Firefighters were also present to provide an introduction to first aid procedures, as were the gendarmes who discussed road safety.
Throughout the day, the young participants took part in a variety of activities, including orienteering, stretcher training (transporting a casualty), under the guidance of the Legionnaires, and a discovery of transmission techniques. Of course, the military answered all questions about the professional paths offered by the armed forces.
“There are significant recruitment needs in the armed forces, 22,000 positions in total including 16,000 for the army alone,” explains Olivier Destefanis. For him, the day was not only about inspiring vocations but also about facilitating the meeting between the military world and that of the students.
