VIDEO: If We Have to Go, We Have to Go: Meeting with These Young People Ready to Enlist in the Army

With 413 billion euros planned for the period 2024-2030, the French Defense budget reaches historic levels. Recruitment on the ground is also not slowing down. The evidence in Limoges, where an information fair for young people was organized on Thursday, May 7. As the voluntary “national service,” relaunched to meet the needs of the armed forces against threats, will start this summer, are they ready to join the ranks?

“One day, I will be called and it doesn’t scare me. It is to defend my family, my friends, my country,” answers William, encountered on site. This 17-year-old high school student, currently studying in a vocational commerce and sales program, should finalize his commitment to the military in the coming months. He has already passed a series of tests, successfully validated, to become a sports assistant monitor.

Attracted by the discipline and athletic standards of the military environment, the young man would prefer to be a reservist first. “Combat will not be the first thing they ask me if my specialty is sports. If we are at war, I could be called and sent to the front. I am aware that I could lose my life, but being a soldier involves commitments,” continues William, who nevertheless expresses concern about the current geopolitical context.

“I am afraid that France may be affected, but especially that there may be war in the world. It should not happen for a third time,” said William, 17 years old, interested in the Army.

In the discussions between visitors and military personnel present in Limoges on this day, questions regarding international current events are frequent. “The young people asked me questions about the missions, to know what the opportunities were, and about conflicts. In this case, they asked me if tomorrow there was war, would I be involved or not,” explains Chief Morgan from the 515th Angoulême transport regiment.

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

“If one day, we really have to go to war, it would give us a small foundation to go there,” he believes. “When I see the geopolitical context, I think it’s getting closer very quickly.” The young man, who says he is ready to commit, adds, “There have been wars for a long time. If we have to go, we have to go.”

Through these information fairs, the Army also wants to show that its organization is not just about combat. “Most candidates want to join the Army on the ground as infantry fighters, armored cavalry fighters, etc. We still have other specialties that are not necessarily known to the general public,” insists Adjudant Aurélien from the Limoges Army Information and Recruitment Center (Cirfa).

These lesser-known, and sometimes less appreciated positions, include doctors, cooks, engineering technicians, geographers, or human resources managers.

Every year, the ministry recruits an average of 22,000 active duty soldiers and 12,000 reservists, but defections have been increasing since 2022. Several factors help explain this, including uncertainties among young professionals about their career and their difficulties in adapting to the reality of military life and its risks.