France is set to reintroduce a form of national military service, nearly three decades after compulsory conscription was phased out by then-President Jacques Chirac in 1996. President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan, framing it as an "act of trust in our youth" and a crucial step for national preparedness amidst growing fears of a confrontation with Russia and the risk of a new conflict in Europe. The decision comes more than three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with French officials, including Macron, warning that Moscow's ambitions might not halt at Ukraine's borders.

The new "national service" will be voluntary and will involve young men and women, primarily aged 18 to 19, undertaking a paid 10 months of military training. Participants will receive at least €800 (£700) per month. The scheme will be brought in gradually, with initial numbers restricted to 2,000 to 3,000 volunteers in the first year. The aim is to significantly increase participation over time, reaching 50,000 volunteers annually by 2035. This initiative is designed to create a three-tier military structure comprising professional soldiers, reservists, and these new volunteers, moving towards a "hybridisation" of the armed forces, as noted by Thomas Gassilloud, president of the National Assembly's defence committee.

The primary objective is to build a substantial reservoir of trained personnel capable of supporting professional soldiers and taking on non-frontline tasks, thereby bolstering national defence capabilities. Military chiefs have largely welcomed the measure, hoping that many volunteers will choose to pursue full military careers after their initial service. President Macron emphasized the necessity of this preparation, stating at an infantry base near Grenoble, "The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it. We need to mobilise, mobilising the nation to defend itself, to be ready and remain respected." He added, "In this uncertain world where might triumphs over right, war is in the present tense."

Historically, compulsory military training for young men was an integral part of French national life since the French Revolution, embodying the concept of the citizen-soldier. A 1798 law declared, "Every Frenchman is a soldier and is bound to the defence of the homeland." The Algerian War of Independence marked the last conflict involving French conscripts. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, President Chirac ended conscription in 1996 as part of a "peace dividend." While various attempts to revive the spirit of national service, such as the Universal National Service established in Macron's first term, have largely failed or been dropped, the Day of Defence and Citizenship for high school students remains a vestige of this tradition.

France's decision aligns with a broader trend across Europe, where several countries are re-evaluating or re-introducing military service in response to perceived Russian aggression. Belgium and the Netherlands have also introduced voluntary military service, while Germany is planning a similar initiative, considering mandatory fitness tests for 18-year-old males. Further east, Lithuania and Latvia have compulsory schemes with cadets selected by lottery, and Sweden, a recent NATO member, has adopted a merit-based 9- to 15-month military service. Countries like Finland and Greece have never ceased military service, whereas Italy has proposed a bill to bring back a six-month period of service. In contrast, the UK and Spain currently have no plans for re-introduction.

The discussions surrounding the reintroduction of military service have not been without controversy. General Fabien Mandon, France's newly appointed chief-of-staff, sparked an outcry when he stated that French military planning was based on an assumption of confrontation with Russia within three or four years and urged the public to prepare for the possibility of "losing children" in war. These remarks, condemned by parts of the political spectrum, were deemed unhelpful by the government, prompting President Macron to reassure the nation that there were no plans to send young recruits to fight in Ukraine. General Mandon, however, expressed no regret, asserting his aim was to "alert and prepare" the population for a "rapidly deteriorating" context.

Public opinion polls indicate broad support for the voluntary military service. An Elabe survey found 73% of the public in favor, with a 60% majority even among the least supportive age group (25-34). Young people interviewed expressed mixed feelings, with some like 22-year-old student Louis seeing it as a way to "make the army bigger" and "love your nation more," and others like Eilan appreciating the opportunity to "meet people from everywhere" and "learn new ways of seeing things." However, some, like 21-year-old shop assistant Lalie, raised concerns that the president was focusing on military service instead of addressing more pressing issues like youth mental health and financial situations.

Despite the generally favorable reception, the implementation of the new scheme faces challenges, particularly concerning its funding. With a looming debt crisis and parliament's struggle to approve a 2026 budget, the initiative will be "phased in over time" to account for current resources. France currently maintains around 200,000 military personnel and 47,000 reservists, with plans to increase these numbers to 210,000 and 80,000 respectively by 2030, underscoring the strategic importance of this re-evaluation of national service.