Volunteering in the military

Verified 02 May 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You are a French national and you want to learn the profession of arms and defense? Volunteering in the military allows you to commit for a minimum of 3 months. You can serve in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Gendarmerie or Army Health Service. You receive a monthly balance. We'll tell you what you need to know.

Volunteering in the military helps to learn the profession of arms and defense.

You will join one of the following armies:

  • Army
  • National Navy
  • National Gendarmerie
  • Air Force
  • Army Health Service

If you are unsure about your military vocation, you can ask to go through a period of volunteering before signing a contract Voluntary Service in the Armed Forces.

Only the engagement contract will make you a professional soldier.

Please note

If you are under 25 years of age, the Voluntary Military Service (VMS) provides you with training or work experience.

To volunteer in the military, you must complete the 5 conditions following:

Access to volunteering in the military is selective.

It depends on the following:

  • Number of posts proposed
  • Physical tests
  • Academic competencies (depending on the position proposed) for aspirants

To volunteer for the armies, steps depend on the army you want to join.

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Army

You must register by contacting an Armed Forces Information and Recruitment Center (AFRIC).

National Navy

To register, you must contact an Armed Forces Information and Recruitment Center (AFRIC).

Who shall I contact

  • Marine - APER (antennae for reservist employment)

    APER

    Toulon

    dpmm-pm3-aper-toulon.accueil.fct@def.gouv.fr

    Brest

    dpmm-pm3-aper-brest.contact.fct@def.gouv.fr

    Paris

    aper-paris.cmi.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

Air Force

To register, you must contact an Armed Forces Information and Recruitment Center (AFRIC).

National Gendarmerie

To register, you must contact the National Gendarmerie.

You must meet conditions and to take part in selection tests.

Who shall I contact

Army Health Service

To apply, you must contact the Military Reserve Outreach and Training Section (SeRFRéM) of the Army Health Service closest to you.

Who shall I contact

Your volunteer contract depends on which army you join.

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Army

As a volunteer, you sign a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

This contract is for one minimum duration of 3 months.

You are subject to a trial period, the duration of which varies according to the duration of your contract.

The length of your trial period is one of the following:

  • 3 weeks for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 1 month for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 3 months for a 1-year contract
  • 6 months for a contract of more than 1 year

The trial period is renewable once, for health reasons or lack of training.

The trial period may also be extended if defense security so requires. In this case, the test period may not exceed one of the following periods:

  • 2 months for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 3 months for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 9 months for a 1-year contract
  • 1 year for a contract of more than 1 year

FYI  

The military authority or you can terminate without notice to your contract during the trial period.

National Navy

As a volunteer, you sign a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

This contract is for one minimum duration of 3 months.

You are subject to a trial period, the duration of which varies according to the duration of your contract.

The length of your trial period is one of the following:

  • 3 weeks for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 1 month for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 3 months for a 1-year contract
  • 6 months for a contract of more than 1 year

The trial period is renewable once, for health reasons or lack of training.

The trial period may also be extended if defense security so requires. In this case, the test period may not exceed one of the following periods:

  • 2 months for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 3 months for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 9 months for a 1-year contract
  • 1 year for a contract of more than 1 year

FYI  

The military authority or you can terminate without notice to your contract during the trial period.

Air Force

As a volunteer, you sign a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

This contract is for one minimum duration of 3 months.

You are subject to a trial period, the duration of which varies according to the duration of your contract.

The length of your trial period is one of the following:

  • 3 weeks for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 1 month for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 3 months for a 1-year contract
  • 6 months for a contract of more than 1 year

The trial period is renewable once, for health reasons or lack of training.

The trial period may also be extended if defense security so requires. In this case, the test period may not exceed one of the following periods:

  • 2 months for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 3 months for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 9 months for a 1-year contract
  • 1 year for a contract of more than 1 year

FYI  

The military authority or you can terminate without notice to your contract during the trial period.

National Gendarmerie

As a volunteer, you sign a contract with the Ministry of the Interior.

This contract is for one minimum duration of 3 months.

You are subject to a trial period, the duration of which varies according to the duration of your contract.

The length of your trial period is one of the following:

  • 3 weeks for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 1 month for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 3 months for a 1-year contract
  • 6 months for a contract of more than 1 year

The trial period is renewable once, for health reasons or lack of training.

The trial period may also be extended if defense security so requires. In this case, the test period may not exceed one of the following periods:

  • 2 months for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 3 months for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 9 months for a 1-year contract
  • 1 year for a contract of more than 1 year

FYI  

The military authority or you can terminate without notice to your contract during the trial period.

Army Health Service

As a volunteer, you sign a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

This contract is for one minimum duration of 3 months.

You are subject to a trial period, the duration of which varies according to the duration of your contract.

The length of your trial period is one of the following:

  • 3 weeks for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 1 month for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 3 months for a 1-year contract
  • 6 months for a contract of more than 1 year

The trial period is renewable once, for health reasons or lack of training.

The trial period may also be extended if defense security so requires. In this case, the test period may not exceed one of the following periods:

  • 2 months for a contract of less than 4 months
  • 3 months for a contract of 4 months or more but less than 1 year
  • 9 months for a 1-year contract
  • 1 year for a contract of more than 1 year

FYI  

The military authority or you can terminate without notice to your contract during the trial period.

Discipline

As a volunteer, you are subject to the rules of discipline general in the armies.

These regulations set out the common disciplinary rights and duties of all military personnel.

You are also subject to military leave.

Remuneration

As a volunteer, you are subject to the rules of discipline general in the armies.

These regulations set out the common disciplinary rights and duties of all military personnel.

You are also subject to military leave.

Your activity as an army volunteer is paid.

You're touching a monthly balance.

The amount depends on your rank.

Tableau - Monthly Pay Amount

Grade

Monthly balance

Soldier (or sailor)

€791.92

Corporal (or Quartermaster of 2e class)

€822.03

Master Corporal (or Petty Officer 1re class)

€867.07

Sergeant (or Chief Petty Officer)

€912.26

Aspirant

€937.30

FYI  

As a volunteer with the force, you also receive a special allowance.

As a volunteer, you also benefit from various benefits in kind (meal, transport).

Progress

As a volunteer, you initially enlist as a soldier.

You can then be promoted to the rank of sergeant.

You can be appointed to the rank of aspirant if you have taken training.

Please note

As a volunteer, you can get the validation of experience (VAE) for your experience during volunteering.

If you want to renew your contract, you must renew it written request.

You must contact the service with which the registration was made.

You must meet a deadline which depends on the duration of your contract.

This period is one of the following:

  • at least 1 month before the end if your contract is less than 1 year
  • at least 3 months before the end if your contract is for 1 year or more

Early End

Your volunteer contract is ending before it ends in the following cases:

  • Professional Engagement in the Armies
  • Reason for health
  • Disciplinary grounds
  • Loss of French nationality

FYI  

You can request the early termination of your contract in writing.

Termination of the contract and operational reserve

Your contract ends on the fixed term.

If you volunteer until the end of your contract, you can then join the armies operational reserve.

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