DÉFENSE ZONE
Behind the scenes of the “blue flight suit”: inside the Patrouille de France
Selection by co-optation, a minimum of 1,500 flying hours, learning started again from scratch: behind the scenes of the Patrouille de France. An extract from Défense Zone magazine #21.
Voluntary national service 2026: eligibility, duration, pay — what you really need to know
10 months, at least €800 a month, 3,000 volunteers from summer 2026: the new national service explained — eligibility, missions, funding, and the questions the scheme has not yet settled.
Saint-Cyr cadets celebrate the 2S
Every year, the cadets of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan re-enact the Battle of Austerlitz: the “2S”, a unique commemorative tradition. Portfolio in Défense Zone magazine #21.
Joining the French armed forces at 30: the real age limits, service by service
Yes, you can enlist at 30, but not everywhere. The real age limits by service and status, possible waivers, and the alternatives recruiters don’t highlight.
Military pay 2027: how much does a French Army soldier really earn?
Basic pay, allowances, overseas operations, benefits in kind: what a French soldier really earns in 2026, and why these amounts are no longer enough to keep soldiers in the service. An investigatio...
How to join the DGSE: recruitment, competitive exams and the profiles they look for
Competitive exams, contracts, profiles sought, security clearance: the complete guide to joining France’s foreign intelligence service.