Overview
- The nationwide campaign begins Monday, with Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin unveiling promotional material and senior service chiefs set to detail the rollout in Paris.
- Recruits will complete one month of training followed by nine months of service conducted exclusively on French territory.
- Volunteers receive at least €800 per month and are housed, fed, and equipped during their service.
- The government plans a gradual scale-up from about 3,000 participants in 2026 to 10,000 per year by 2030, with ambitions reported around 42,500 annually by 2035 and broader totals when including existing SMV/SMA programs.
- The launch marks the effective end of the SNU, and early street interviews point to limited enthusiasm among some teens who question pay and motivation.