Girls or boys, young candidates for military careers are not lacking in Gers, a department that is often referred to as a “military desert.” Report from a job fair in Auch.
At 19 years old, Djimmy is at a crossroads. Like many young people his age, he is thinking about his future. And it could very well be within the French army. “I have obtained my heavy goods vehicle and super heavy goods vehicle licenses. I just want to give meaning to my life, so I am doing some research,” said the young man from Pavie.
This Wednesday in Auch, at the Travail Avenir Formation fair, organized by the Occitanie region at Mouzon, he stopped by the army booths along with his 21-year-old Auscitain friend Enzo. Aware that his licenses could be “an advantage” for a possible application, he is ready to “serve [his] country.”
“When I was little, it was my dream to be in the military.”
Like Djimmy, many young people sought information from various recruiting officers present throughout the day at the TAF fair. This was the case for Daniel, 18, interested in the Foreign Legion: “When I was little, it was my dream to be in the military. I wanted to find out more.” A fan of football and weightlifting, this accomplished athlete is attracted to the physical aspect of the famous army assault troop. “I like to challenge myself,” he emphasized.
The army is not limited to muscles and offers many other opportunities, with 117 careers in 16 different fields. At 20 years old, Sarah knows this and wants to challenge the stereotypes surrounding the military world. “I think women are just as capable as men of doing these careers,” she expressed.
Interested in “office work and IT,” she seems ready to take the leap. “If it really interests me, I will work on the project, discover something new, step out of my comfort zone at my mom’s house (laughs),” she added. Her mother, present at her side, encourages her in her journey: “I cannot hold her back, I didn’t do it for myself. We only have one life, it is important to live it as we like.”
Also interested in military careers, Julie will have to wait to have her application accepted. “They didn’t accept me because of my weight, I am too thin,” she revealed. “They explained that I need to eat a lot and exercise.” Just 20, the young woman from Sainte-Christie does not hide her attraction to combat, acknowledging that it requires “a lot of courage and a strong mentality.”
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This enthusiasm for the military among the youth is not new in Gers, despite often being referred to as a “military desert” since no permanent regiments have been stationed in the department since the closure of the Auch barracks and the end of national service. “Even though they don’t see soldiers in the field, they are still interested,” explained Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Nicoleau, the departmental military delegate. The international context may play a role, but there is a military culture in Gers, which is explained in part by the history of resistance.
Altogether, “between 30 and 40 people join the army each year in Gers,” according to Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Nicoleau. This makes the department a favorable recruitment ground, “due to both the military culture and the presence of many young rural residents,” added the departmental military delegate. “These are physically strong, robust, and resilient people, and we need all these qualities in the army.”
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At 19 years old, Ethan fits these criteria. This unemployed Fleurantin also considers a military career. “I want to follow in my father’s footsteps, who was in the army. It has always interested me,” he affirmed, attracted by the variety of defense careers. “We stay in shape physically, there is writing, they offer many careers and paid training. It’s cool! If you have the desire, why not do it?” Now, it’s time to take the leap.
