Too Many Young Volunteers Join French Army, 500 Positions Unavailable

The French Army has received far more applications for its 10-month service program than expected.

According to Le Figaro, General Arnaud Goujon said over 2,300 young people applied, even though only 1,800 spots are available for 2026. About 1,600 candidates are still waiting to go through selection, while 260 have already been accepted.

Around 22% of applicants are women. The program is open to people aged 18 to 25, who had to apply by July to start service between September and November. The service lasts 10 months and takes place both in mainland France and overseas territories.

Most applicants want to join combat units, such as infantry, cavalry, engineers, and artillery, but other roles, including logistics, are also offered.

In 2026, France’s armed forces plan to recruit 3,000 people: 1,800 for the army, and 600 each for the air and space force and the navy. The program is expected to expand further – reaching 4,000 in 2027, 10,000 by 2030, and up to 42,500 by 2035.

After one month of basic training, recruits will be assigned to units based on medical screening, motivation, and the army’s needs. They will receive about €800 per month and be provided with accommodation during their service.

France introduced this model of voluntary short-term service in autumn 2025 as part of a broader strategy to attract young people to the military and strengthen its reserve forces.

A similar approach is being adopted by the United Kingdom, where the program is called a ‘gap year.’ It allows young people to complete a year of service before entering university.

The program includes service in the army, navy, and air force, with opportunities for paid training.

At the initial stage, starting in 2026, about 150 participants are expected to join, with plans to expand to over 1,000 depending on demand. The expected pay is around £26,000 per year – comparable to standard recruits.

The British initiative is partly inspired by Australia’s ADF Gap Year, which has demonstrated effectiveness for more than a decade as a model of short-term voluntary service.