Law school didn’t teach Constance how to march, identify radio call signs, or lie belly down on warm concrete, pointing her rifle at an imaginary enemy. Instead, the Sorbonne University student received her military training from a Paris-area regiment during her summer break.
Constance, a second-year law student, emphasized the importance of protecting her country, especially in the current complicated geopolitical scenario. At the military’s request, her last name and those of others in the story are being withheld.
Constance added that she believes the military is the best way to learn teamwork.
Over two decades after France ended compulsory military service, there is a surge in applications to the French military reserves. The number of operational reservists has increased significantly, from 28,000 in 2014 to over 46,000 today.
The army has taken in more than half of these reserves, with the rest split between the navy and the air force. The government aims to more than double these numbers to 105,000 by 2035, aligning with President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to increase military investment substantially.
The uptick in enrollment reflects growing concerns over an increasingly aggressive Russia and doubts about the United States’ commitment to Europe’s defense.
Retired French Vice-Admiral Patrick Chevallereau called Macron’s push “a good move,” though he advised that the government’s budget still needs parliamentary approval.
Training for the new reservists takes place at places like the 24th Infantry Regiment in Versailles. The exercises include combat techniques, learning to use and carry weapons safely, and other military skills. Lt. Amelie, a reservist herself, led a recent training session for recruits ranging in age from 17 to 57.
The training is rigorous, with recruits’ days filled from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Efforts to increase military manpower are also rampant across Europe, the region working to respond to growing security concerns. Think tanks Bruegel and Germany’s Kiel Institute estimated Europe could need 300,000 more troops to deter Russian aggression without U.S. support.
Some countries like Lithuania, Sweden, and Poland have reintroduced compulsory service in the last decade. Germany is on a recruitment drive, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned about the possible reinstatement of conscription if the volunteer response remains insufficient.
In France, polls show strong support for increasing the military, with 86% of French people backing armed service. Defense analyst Chevallereau sees this as a way to strengthen the link between the youth generation and the military.
The pay for reservists in France ranges from €40 to €200 per day, net, depending on the rank. Not everyone completes the basic training course. Those who graduate may serve in security operations launched after the 2015 terrorist attacks in France. Some could be deployed overseas if they have special qualifications.
Edited by Nicole Goebel.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/as-europe-s-fear-of-war-grows-french-join-military-reserves/a-73693860?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
