France Moves Forward with Voluntary Military Service Amid National Restructuring
On Friday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that a unit overseeing the controversial universal national service will be dismantled as part of broader changes within state organizations. This decision aligns with the upcoming establishment of a voluntary military service initiative, reports 24brussels.
The universal national service, introduced in 2019, was a month-long optional program for volunteers aged 15 to 17 aimed at instilling French values. However, the initiative, where participants donned army-style uniforms, provided minimal actual military training and was criticized for lacking engagement.
The decline in participation in the program, coupled with increasing requirements for personnel in the armed forces to meet NATO commitments and enhance deterrence against Russia, prompted discussions about reinstating voluntary military service in France.
Notably, there are no current plans to reinstate conscription, which was abolished by former President Jacques Chirac in 1997.
Currently, an alternative voluntary military service exists, focused on equipping young people with skills relevant to civilian employment, including obtaining driving licenses. France’s updated National Strategic Review, released in July, advocated for reforming this program to enhance its emphasis on defense and military recruitment.
The shift towards voluntary military service underscores France’s commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities while attracting a younger generation to military roles amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
