During the “Orion Jeunesse” operation on Tuesday, March 24th in Montauban, twenty-three school principals gathered to explore the inner workings of the military department. This immersion into crisis management and current geopolitical issues was designed to enhance the partnership between the military and schools, in order to better educate middle and high school students in Tarn-et-Garonne about defense.
As part of the interarmed exercise ORION 26, the military department of Tarn-et-Garonne organized a day dedicated to the military-nation bond, with a focus on youth and education at the Guibert barracks on March 24th.
Dubbed “ORION Jeunesse,” the event brought together 23 secondary school principals, most of whom are involved in defense classes, a program that pairs schools with military units. This partnership is particularly strong in the department, which has 25 defense classes and a military presence of over 5,000 personnel.
The day included a presentation of the ORION 26 exercise, which focuses on high-intensity engagements, as well as a hands-on look at the missions of the military department. Participants engaged in a “resilience game” on crisis management and experienced a Tactical Decision Game based on real situations.
Three workshops addressed current geopolitical challenges and introduced educational tools, such as a board game used with high school students to better understand how the military operates, complementing history and geography programs.
Lieutenant Colonel Christophe Masse emphasized how this day strengthens the partnership between the military and the school system, fostering connections and breaking down stereotypes that may exist on both sides.
