The French Army has received over 2,300 applications from young people interested in the 10-month National Service launched this year by Emmanuel Macron, for 1,800 open positions in the fall of 2026. This was announced on Tuesday by General Arnaud Goujon, deputy director of youth recruitment, during an interview with a few journalists at the offices of the Chief of the Army Staff, General Pierre Schill. “Today I have more than 2,300 application files, including 1,600 young people waiting for evaluation and 260 young people already directed towards a position,” he congratulated, specifying that 22% of the candidates are women.
Young people aged 18 to 25 interested could apply until April to join the army between September and November for a 10-month period, exclusively in mainland France or overseas territories. “There is no doubt at this stage that there will be a significant number of young people for a ‘gap year’ starting in September, October, November, which will allow these young people to resume their schooling or studies the following year,” said the Chief of the Army Staff.
Objective of 42,500 recruitments by 2035 Applicants overwhelmingly (90%) request to join combat units (infantry, cavalry, engineering, artillery), observed the two senior officers, while “there are many other professions,” such as logistics, intelligence, maintenance, and test engineering, emphasized General Schill, inviting young people to explore the range of possibilities.
In 2026, the army will enlist 3,000 personnel (1,800 in the Army, 600 in the Air and Space Force, and 600 in the Navy), then 4,000 in 2027, 10,000 in 2030 with an ambition of 42,500 in 2035. Integrated into units after a month of basic training, recruits will be selected based on medical aptitude, motivation, and suitability to the army’s needs. They will be paid approximately 800 euros gross monthly and provided lodging during the ten months of service.
