Aviation: 45 positions offered by the air and space army for national service volunteers

The National Voluntary Service will be deployed starting in September in the French armed forces. Ten months will be paid 800 euros monthly. 3,000 volunteers this year to start and 42,500 expected in 2035.

About thirty professions will be accessible to National Service volunteers at the Avord base. Forty-five positions are offered at Avord, out of the 600 in the air and space army for various functions, including fieldwork emphasized by Avord base commander Colonel Xavier Rival: “Absolutely all professions will be represented. This ranges from human resources like communications assistant, to the ground-air system operator, to the commando gunner or firefighter. It’s very diverse. The challenge is to carry out our operational missions effectively, just like an enlisted member. The big difference is that a National Service volunteer cannot be deployed in foreign operations, but can participate in operations on national territory.”

The volunteers will be housed on the base. A ten-month contract. This is a big difference compared to enlisted personnel who sign much longer contracts: “The National Voluntary Service allows young people to discover air and space army professions without committing to long-term active service of at least four years, and even nine years for a non-commissioned officer.” stated Sergeant Chief Clément of the Bourges Cirfa. “It allows you to assess yourself, discover yourself and certainly see if you like it enough to stay. There is one month of military training at the Evreux or Orange base, followed by nine months at the air base of your choice in the profession of your choice. National Service volunteers may then be given priority consideration to join the ranks of the air and space army.”

Christopher, 25, was not selected when he tried to enlist. This National Voluntary Service now offers him a new opportunity: “For me, this National Voluntary Service is like a short immersion internship to discover different professions and see if my profile could match. I think I was rejected as an enlistee because I was too reserved during interviews. I would like to be a commando gunner in a protection squadron. I have a bachelor’s degree in material science engineering, but I have always wanted to be a commando gunner. I love sports and I think now is the time to do it.” To enlist in the National Voluntary Service, no diploma is required. You just need to be between the ages of 18 and 25. Information on becoming an aviator can be found on the website.