In the midst of escalating geopolitics, a 19-year-old from Tarn-et-Garonne is set to sign his contract on May 4 to join the Army. Boris G. is following a family lineage spanning four generations. His ambition is to serve overseas with a parachute on his back.
On May 5, 2026, Boris G. will leave his family home in Lauzerte. The day before, he will have signed his engagement contract with the Army. “Since I was little, I’ve had this temperament, wanting to throw myself into the lion’s den. If I’m told to go to the front lines, I’ll go,” says the 19-year-old. The volunteer will sign at the Information and Recruitment Center of the Armed Forces in Montauban, following a three-month general training.
“I would like to make my father proud, but I do it first and foremost for myself,” he says. Being one of six children, Boris G. continues a family legacy. His father has been a member of the Air Force for 37 years. His grandfather, great-grandfather, and mother are also part of the military: “It has inevitably influenced me,” he comments.
A Child of Nature
Boris G. studied in an agricultural high school from the fourth grade. At home, he has to feed about forty goats daily. “It’s a kind of discipline. There’s no choice, it has to be done,” he explains. With a certain rigor at home, the future recruit of the Army regularly cuts wood in the forest near his home. Sports play a significant role in his life: “I go from one physical activity to another,” he says.
After completing his vocational training certificate (CAP), Boris G. worked in a fast-food chain for over a year. He then tried landscaping for two months: “It wasn’t dynamic enough. I wanted to try civilian work, but it became obvious to me to join the Army. I’ve been thinking about it since I was little,” he explains.
Heading Overseas
The Army guides its recruits into different sectors according to their aptitude. Around thirty citizens undergo physical and other tests in Bordeaux each day, focusing on reflexes and logic. “In my session, the average age was around 22. Time is running out if we want to climb the ranks,” he analyzes.
If the first six months of training are successful, the young man will sign his contract with the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment in Vannes (Morbihan). The athlete would like to serve in all Overseas Departments and Territories, preferably in parachuting, like his father: “I’ve never had the opportunity to try it, but I love thrills,” he says. A dream he sees himself renewing at the end of his contract: “My father was a paratrooper until the age of 45,” he recalls.
The Choice of Commitment
Three years ago, the Army faced a recruitment deficit with 2,000 fewer recruits than the 16,000 planned. In the past two years, the numbers have balanced out. Despite this, Boris G. perceives a loss of motivation in his generation to defend the nation: “I notice it a lot when I talk to people,” he notes. “I can’t explain it,” he continues.
His relatives reacted positively to the news. “They know me well and know that it suits me. They told me to go for it,” he says. The current geopolitical context did not influence Boris G.’s decision. His choice had matured long before: “I’m excited to meet loyal people,” he concludes.
