In the midst of a geopolitical crisis, the growing involvement of carriers in the National Guard demonstrates the sector’s willingness to fully invest in the defense of the country. Personnel review.
“We are no longer at peace, but we are not at war,” notes General François-Xavier Poisbeau, Director of Recruitment and Operational Reserve of the National Guard (created in 2016), listing the economic, cyber, and informational attacks, as well as geopolitical tensions our country faces. In response, the army wants to strengthen the ranks of reservists. In this perspective, the National Guard is increasing the signing of charters with professional organizations to facilitate the engagement of employees who wish to contribute to the Nation by joining the operational reserve.
“Transport is part of the keys to the country’s sovereignty. It is an essential position to help France withstand a shock,” continues the general, explaining that one of the army’s strategic missions is transport for its troops. In times of crisis, these needs would increase, while military personnel assigned to these tasks would be redeployed to other missions. The use of reserve driver personnel would then become essential.
“Becoming a reservist opens up new fields of skills, particularly in management, discipline, teamwork, and adaptability.”
“The road haulage sector could play a key role in a major crisis. It is therefore essential to better understand the expectations of the armed forces regarding our sector,” explains Alexis Gibergues, president of OTRE, justifying the signing of a partnership charter with the National Guard.
“In our companies, there are employees who can invest and enhance their skills by joining the reserve, benefiting the companies that employ them. Becoming a reservist opens up new fields of skills, particularly in management, discipline, teamwork, and adaptability,” emphasizes Jean-Christophe Gautheron, general secretary of Otre Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a former military man and operational reserve officer, responsible for bridging the gap between his organization and the National Guard. He convinced Pascal Pihen, head of the eponymous transport company, to be the first member of OTRE to sign a convention with the National Guard.
