French soldiers from the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMA) participate in the Argos Spring 25 drills in the south of France, March 26, 2025 © EPA/SEBASTIAN NOGIER One-fifth of the applicants for the French military are women.
The French military has seen a higher volume of applications from young individuals seeking to serve than available positions. This pertains to a remunerated ten-month military engagement for individuals aged 18 to 25.
This voluntary military instruction initiative was unveiled by President Emmanuel Macron last November in light of increasing threats originating from Russia, as reported by Le Figaro. It aims to present a substitute for mandatory military service, which was terminated in France nearly three decades prior.
General Arnaud Goujon, the Deputy Chief of the Land Forces’ Youth Recruitment Division, stated that he has already processed 2,300 applications, while only 1,800 placements exist.
“Currently, I possess more than 2,300 submissions, 1,600 youths are awaiting assessment, and 260 have already been assigned to a location. Around 22% of the applicants are female,” Goujon noted.
Which military branches receive preference?
Service will be conducted solely within France or its overseas territories. Furthermore, 90% of candidates express a desire to join the subsequent military formations:
- infantry,
- cavalry,
- combat engineer corps,
- artillery.
Goujon encouraged youths to “investigate the entire range of prospects” and consider fields like logistics, intelligence, maintenance, or test engineering.
Following a month of initial military schooling, recruits will be allocated to units, chosen based on medical evaluations, motivation, and adherence to the needs of the military.
They will be compensated with approximately 800 euros each month and offered accommodation during their service period.
In 2026, the French Armed Forces intend to enlist 3,000 citizens (1,800 in the Army, 600 in the Air Force, and 600 in the Navy).
By 2027, that count will increase to 4,000, by 2030 – to 10,000, and by 2035, there are plans to draft 42,500 French citizens into service.
It is worth recalling that in the autumn of 2024, France executed clandestine military exercises that simulated a Russian incursion via Belarus. With absolute secrecy, Paris mobilized all personnel from the Land Forces Special Operations Command.