VIDEO. “If you have to go, you have to go”: meeting with these young people ready to join the Army

With 413 billion euros planned for the period 2024-2030, the French Defense budget has reached historic levels. On the ground, recruitment is not weakening either. The proof in Limoges, where an information fair for young people was organized this Thursday, May 7. While the “service national” voluntary, relaunched to meet the needs of the armies in the face of threats, will begin this summer, are they ready to join the ranks?

“One day, I will be called and that does not scare me. It is to defend my family, my friends, my country”replies William, met on the spot. This 17-year-old high school student, currently studying for a professional baccalaureate in commerce and sales, should finalize his commitment to the army in the coming months. He has already passed a series of tests, successfully validated, to become an assistant sports instructor.

Attracted by the rigor and sporting demands of the military world, the young man would first like to be a reservist. “Fighting won’t be the first thing I’m asked to do if my specialty is sport. If it’s wartime, I could be called up and go to the front. I’m aware that I could lose my life, but being a soldier means commitments.”continues William, who is nonetheless worried about the current geopolitical context.

I’m afraid that France will be affected but above all that there will be war in the world. This should not happen a third time.

William, 17 ans

Intéressé par l’Armée

In the discussions between visitors and the soldiers present in Limoges that day, questions about international news are frequent. “The young people asked me questions about missions, to find out what opportunities there were, and about conflicts. In this case, they asked me if tomorrow there was war, would I be concerned or not”explains Chief Morgan of the 515th Angoulême train regiment.

Cyr, 16, is also interested in army professions focused on sport, medicine or mechanics. Currently in first class, this high school student has already learned about the new “service national” voluntary. Lasting 10 months, it is aimed at men and women aged 18 to 25.

“If one day we really have to go to war, this would allow us to have a small base to go there, he believes. When I see the geopolitical context, I tell myself that it’s getting closer very, very quickly.” The young man, who says he is ready to get involved, adds: “There have been wars for a long time. If you have to go, you have to go.”

Through these information fairs, the Army also wishes to show that its organization is not limited to combat. “Most candidates want to join the Army as an infantry fighter, armored cavalry fighter, etc. We still have other specialties which are not necessarily known to the general public.” insists Warrant Officer Aurélien of the Armed Forces Information and Recruitment Center (Cirfa) in Limoges.

These lesser known, and sometimes less valued, positions are those, for example, of doctors, cooks, engineering technicians, geographers or even human resources managers.

Each year, the ministry recruits an average of 22,000 active military personnel and 12,000 reservists, but defections have increased since 2022. Several factors help to explain this, notably the uncertainties of young active personnel regarding their professional career and their difficulties in adapting to the reality of military life and its risks.