A new step in favor of “the defense effort” promoted by Emmanuel Macron. Announced at the beginning of the year by the President of the Republic, the new militarized version of Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) will be gradually established since September in September in the continent of France and since 2026 abroad.
The service of the Ministry of the Armed Forces will be responsible for the organization of this mandatory day for French young people from 16 to 25 years. In April 2024, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, had already announced his desire to “reduce militarily” the day of defense and citizenship.
A more concrete vision of the French army
Previously called the Day of Defense Preparation (JAPD) from the end of the Military Service in 1997, this Census Day was known as Tote Day, scored by the presentation of slides and questions considered easy.
Now, the classroom atmosphere. In the program, sports shots with laser weapons or even strategy games. Meals will also be made around a military ration.
The objective: immerse yourself in the daily life of a soldier to have a more concrete vision of the French army and, above all, adapt the JDC to the current international context.
A small revolution for the JDC, which is already well received by some. “Putting the strategy games could make young people want to have a good day and not only tell ourselves” we listen to what we already knew “,” a young woman trusts BFMTV.
Encourage to join the armies
“I think it is an opportunity to show young people what military life is and encourage young people to join the army,” Phoebe, 17, said. Next year, you will be entitled to this new version of defense and citizenship day.
This radical and unprecedented transformation is a bridge assumed towards recruitment within the armies, while the defense budget is one of the only ones within the ministry that continues to increase, until reaching 64 billion euros in 2027.
However, this new formula does not interest everyone. “It is really a shame to focus on this type of reform when there is much more to do on other issues about youth,” laments a young woman in the BFMTV microphone.
800,000 French young people are affected every year by this day of defense and citizenship.
Source: BFM TV
