Army Operational Reserve

Verified 05 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Are you volunteering to serve in the military (land, national navy, etc.)? To be a candidate for the military operational reserve, you must meet certain conditions (age, fitness, nationality, etc.). You sign a 1-5 year contract. It shall be renewable. You receive compensation and certain other benefits. We present you with the information you need to know.

The commitment to serve in the Operational Reserve consists of:

  • Provide temporary reinforcement to the armed forces, for the protection of France or in operations conducted abroad
  • Providing defense education
  • Serve with a company engaged in supporting the military or supporting defense export operations.

You must meet the 4 conditions.

Nationality

You must be French.

Age

You must be at least 17 years old.

The maximum age limit is set at 72 years.

Please note

Between the minimum and maximum limits, the armed forces can define a more specific recruitment target, adapted to operational needs and therefore to the missions proposed.

Civic obligations

You must meet the following conditions:

  • To have done the national service or the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC)
  • Not having been convicted of a crime or punishment involving the loss of your civil rights (voting rights...), the prohibition of holding public office, the dismissal or loss of rank (for military personnel).

Health

You must be medically fit.

A recruitment medical examination is carried out.

The approach depends on the army you want to join:

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Army

To sign up, you must apply online.

Become a Reservist in the Army (Land, Sea...)

Air Force

To sign up, you must apply online.

Become a Reservist in the Army (Land, Sea...)

National Navy

To sign up, you must apply online.

Become a Reservist in the Army (Land, Sea...)

Service of the Armed Services Commission

To sign up, you must apply online.

Become a Reservist in the Army (Land, Sea...)

Defense Infrastructure Service

To sign up, you must apply online.

Become a Reservist in the Army (Land, Sea...)

Service des essences des armées (supply, maintenance of oil equipment...)

To sign up, you must apply online.

Become a Reservist in the Army (Land, Sea...)

Army Health Service (hospitals, army medical centers...)

To sign up, you must contact directly by email with the recruitment service of your region.

Who shall I contact

Cyber defense (IT)

To commit, you must send your application (CV and cover letter) to the Cyber Defense Reserve by email.

Who shall I contact

  • Cyber Defense Reserve

    By email

    gca.recrutement.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

Directorate of Military Intelligence (geopolitics, foreign languages...)

To sign up, you must send your application (CV and cover letter) to the reserve of the Directorate of Military Intelligence by email.

Who shall I contact

  • Reserve within the Directorate of Military Intelligence

    By email

    drm.resp-recrut-reserves.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

Directorate-General for Armaments (Equipment of the Armed Forces)

To sign up, you must send your application (CV and cover letter) to the Directorate-General for Armaments by email.

Who shall I contact

  • Reserve of the Directorate-General for Armaments

    By email

    dga-drh.reserviste.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

National Gendarmerie

To sign up, you need to fill out an online form to contact your department's reserve cell.

Who shall I contact

  • National Gendarmerie Reserve

    Access to application form

Please note

You can also join the operational reserve if you are a member on parental leave or on standby.

You sign a contract of employment for a duration of 1 to 5 years.

This contract is renewable.

The duration of the activities of your engagement is, according to the contracts, 5 to 120 days by calendar year.

It may be supplemented with water maximum 210 days under the following conditions:

  • National or international interest in the activity for which you are engaged
  • Decision of the Minister of Defense or Interior.

You benefit from a planned schedule of your periods of activity.

This program is established, dated and signed by you and your employing military authority.

Please note

The duration of each period of activity may not be less than half a day.

Remuneration

You receive a salary (remuneration) that varies according to the rank index held, under the same conditions as career soldiers.

Loyalty bonus

You can receive a loyalty bonus if you meet the following 2 conditions:

  • You signed a 1er contract of 3 years or more, renewed by 2e contract of a minimum duration of 3 years
  • You have completed a minimum of 37 days of activity per year of engagement during the 2nde contract.

The amount of the loyalty premium is €250 raw.

The loyalty premium shall be paid each year, starting from the month following each anniversary of the signing of the 2e contract.

Example :

You're signing your 2nd contract on 1er January 2024. The loyalty bonus is paid to you on the 1ster February 2025.

Specific study allocation

You can get a specific education grant if you are enrolled in a vocational or higher education establishment and that you commit to being a reservist.

This allowance is for an amount of €100 gross per month, or €1,200 crude over 12 months.

To qualify for this allowance, you must complete the 3 conditions following:

  • Have under 25 years to 1er October of the year of enrollment in the professional or higher institution
  • Have signed at the time of your application for an allowance a 1er five-year contract of employment
  • You agree to 37 days of activity per school year (between the date of signature of the commitment and enrollment in a higher student year).

Your application must be filed with the organization to which you report as a reservist (for example, army or gendarmerie).

Participation in the financing of driving license B

A contribution to the financing of the driving license B may be granted if you respond to all conditions following:

  • You signed a contract of employment before the age of 25
  • You've never held a B driver's license
  • You have completed at least 50 days of activity on the reserve
  • You are more than 2 years away from the end of your engagement contract
  • You have proof of enrollment in a driving school.

The amount of the participation is €1,000.

If your activities take place during your working time, you must notify your employer at least 1 month before your absence, preferably by post RARRAR : Recommended with notification of receipt.

This period shall be reduced to 15 days if your contract of employment includes, with the agreement of your employer, a reactivity clause.

Where the activities carried out during working time exceed 10 days per calendar year (5 days, by decision of the employer, in companies with less than 50 employees), you must in addition, get your employer's approval.

In the event of a refusal, your employer must send you a reasoned decision, preferably by post RARRAR : Recommended with notification of receipt.

In the absence of a reply within 1 month, its agreement shall be deemed to have been reached.

Please note

Special rules apply in cases of urgency (by decision by Order in Council of Ministers).

Some rules depend on your work situation:

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You're a private sector employee

When you're doing your job as a reservist, your employment contract is suspended.

Periods of activity are considered as periods of actual work for benefits in terms of seniority, advancement, paid leave and entitlement to social benefits (sickness, death, etc.).

You get your job back when you come back.

Your employer cannot make the following decisions because of your employment as a reservist:

  • Dismissal
  • Occupational decommissioning
  • Disciplinary punishment.

You're a public official

The rules vary depending on whether you are a civil servant or a member of the contract staff.

You're a public servant

Your situation depends on the length of time you are active on the reserve.

Your activities on the reserve are less than or equal to 30 days a year

You are placed in activity position.

You continue to receive your treatment during these 30 days.

Your activities on the reserve are more than 30 days a year

You are placed in detachment position for the part that exceeds 30 days.

You do not receive your treatment for more than 30 days.

You are a contract agent

Your situation depends on the length of time you are active on the reserve.

Your activities on the reserve are less than or equal to 30 days a year

You continue to receive your treatment during these 30 days.

Your activities on the reserve are more than 30 days a year

You do not receive your treatment for more than 30 days.

You can take these days off your vacation.

Suspension of contract

You can ask suspend your contract for a maximum of 24 months (2 years).

This suspension does not delay the scheduled end date of your engagement.

Example :

You sign a contract of employment on March 7, 2024 for a period of 1 year, that is to say until March 7, 2025. On September 4, 2024, you decide to suspend your contract for a period of 6 months. The end of your contract is still scheduled for March 7, 2025.

Termination of contract

You can terminate your employment contract by giving reasons for your request.

Your contract may also be terminated by the military authority if you no longer meet the conditions required to enter into the contract (e.g., inability to perform the assigned activities).

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