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France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu revealed that the nation aims to expand its number of military reservists to 100,000, representing one reservist for each full-time member.
To achieve the ambitious plan, Minister Lecornu held a working group with 70 participants including Chief of Defence Staff Thierry Burkhard, parliamentarians, union representatives and the military.
“Our goal is to have one reserve soldier for every two active soldiers. In other words, 100,000 reservists for an active army of 200,000 men,” Minister Lecornu stated.
Throughout the working group’s deliberations, those present discussed the challenges of reserve employment in the private sector where reserve members juggle both employments.
In response, the group recommended prompting cultural change in the private sector to support the uptick in reserve recruitment.
“The lines must move so that the pride of being a reservist is accepted in companies,” explained Minister Lecornu.
The working group also examined declining interest in service, lack of recognition and the bureaucratic burden in the recruitment process.
The next meeting is scheduled to occur in February.
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