Defence: compulsory military service returns to France. Italia is considering a voluntary reserve scheme
Following its abolition in 1997, during Jacques Chirac’s presidency, compulsory military service is being reintroduced in France on a voluntary basis
Key points
The Russian threat in the East and the deteriorating international situation are prompting the capitals of ‘old Europe’ to increasingly review their defence strategies, bringing them into line with current and future threats. After being abolished in 1997 under the presidency of Jacques Chirac, military service is returning to France on a voluntary basis. Italia, for its part, is considering the possibility of a reserve force, which would also be voluntary. It is seeking the resources to implement this reform. The outcome of the forthcoming Budget Bill will be decisive in this regard.
The Paris Strategy
In September 2026, the new voluntary military service scheme was launched in France. This is a voluntary (non-compulsory) scheme open to young men and women aged 18 and 19 who hold French citizenship. The programme lasts a total of 10 months. It comprises an initial month of basic military training, followed by nine months of operational service alongside the armed forces. The service takes place exclusively on French soil (missions abroad are therefore excluded).
The process is gradual. The initiative will initially involve an initial cohort of around 3,000 young people, with the aim of gradually recruiting up to 50,000 volunteers a year by 2035. At the end of the 10 months, participants join the operational reserve for a period of 5 years. Volunteers receive a net monthly allowance of around 800 euros, as well as accommodation, meals and transport (including 75 per cent discounts on the SNCF national rail network), all covered by the State.
The volunteers’ tasks
Volunteers are tasked with supporting career military personnel in defence and logistical activities at national level. In terms of internal security support, they are involved in patrols as part of the Sentinelle mission to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive sites. From the perspective of logistical and technical support, they may be deployed in activities such as warehouse management, the maintenance of light vehicles, communications and administrative support at barracks and air/naval bases. Finally, within the scope of civil protection and emergency response, they may be involved in field operations in the event of natural disasters or civil security emergencies.
The reorganisation of the French armed forces
The voluntary military service announced in recent months by French President Emmanuel Macron forms part of the restructuring of the French armed forces to respond to the current European security landscape. Unlike the Universal National Service (SNU), which is primarily intended to provide civic education, this new scheme is managed directly and exclusively by the Armed Forces.
