"Mr Macron announced that volunteers aged 18 and 19 will start serving next year in a new 10-month military service programme. "A new national service is set to be gradually established, starting from next summer," Mr Macron said in a speech at the Varces military base, in the French Alps. "In this uncertain world where power prevails over law and war is an ever-present reality, our nation has no right to fear, panic, unpreparedness, or division.""
"Volunteers will hold military status and receive wages and equipment. After one month's training, they will be assigned for nine months to a unit in which they will perform the same missions as active military personnel, he said. They will then join the military reserve and continue their education or start working. Those who wish will be able to start a professional career in the active military, Mr Macron said."
France will establish a voluntary 10-month national military service for 18 and 19-year-old volunteers, beginning next summer. The programme will start with 3,000 recruits and rise gradually to 10,000 a year by 2030, with ambitions to reach 50,000 annually by 2035 depending on global context. Volunteers will hold military status, receive wages and equipment, undergo one month of training and then serve nine months performing the same missions as active personnel in mainland France and overseas territories, but not in overseas military operations. After service they will join the military reserve and may resume education, work, or pursue an active military career. Conscription remains ended; mandatory enlistment would require parliamentary approval under exceptional circumstances identified during a one-day defence course. France cites increased risk to Europe from Russia's war in Ukraine as motivation to boost defences.
Read at Irish Independent
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