France has announced a new voluntary military service program aimed at young citizens, set to launch in the summer of 2026. President Emmanuel Macron revealed the initiative during a speech in Varces, located in the Alps, with the goal of initially enrolling 3,000 participants and expanding to 50,000 by 2035.
This program targets individuals aged 18 and 19 years old. Candidates will be selected during a “day of mobilisation,” where their motivation and the specific needs of the armed forces will be assessed. Volunteers will commit to a ten-month service period, which will begin with one month of basic military training, followed by nine months of duty in a military unit confined to French territory.
Participants will receive compensation and will engage in various missions, including Operation Sentinelle, which has been active since 2015 to ensure domestic security. Macron emphasized that this initiative is vital for France’s readiness and respect on the global stage, asserting, “We need mobilisation,” while clarifying that it does not aim to deploy youth to conflict zones like Ukraine.
The introduction of this program effectively concludes the Universal National Service initiative, which Macron had previously advocated as a civic engagement opportunity for all young people. Macron highlighted the necessity of this new approach as a reaction to the “acceleration of crises” facing the nation, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions.
In a controversial statement, Chief of Defence Staff General Fabien Mandon had warned that France must prepare to “accept losing its children” in response to escalating threats from Russia, heightening concerns about national security.
The announcement comes as France navigates financial constraints and seeks to reduce its national debt. Currently, twelve European countries maintain some form of compulsory military service. Macron pointed to Norway as a model; there, approximately 15% of each age cohort serves for a year, selected based on qualifications and motivation.
While Macron has ruled out a return to universal conscription, which was suspended in 1996 and fully abolished in 2001, the new program reflects a shift in France’s approach to military engagement and readiness. As the country prepares to implement this voluntary service, it aims to foster a sense of duty and commitment among its youth while addressing contemporary security challenges.
