What is voluntary military service?
Verified 09 November 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Voluntary military service (VMS) allows unemployed 18-25 year olds to learn a trade or work experience.
It is a military device aimed at young French people (from France or the foreigner) between the ages of 18 and 25 who are excluded from the labour market.
FYI
Adapted Military Service (ADM) is a vocational integration device reserved for unemployed overseas youth.
- You must meet the following conditions:
- You are between 18 and 25 years old
- You are a French citizen
- You live in mainland France or abroad
- You're in good standing with defence and citizenship day (JDC)
- You're physically fit
No diploma is required to enter the device.
However, your situation varies depending on your degree:
- No degree: you are trainee volunteer
- CAP or higher: you are expert
FYI
the content of the training and the level of remuneration will vary depending on whether you are a volunteer trainee or an expert.
Military Training
You benefit from basic military training and sports activities.
Driving licences and additional training
The following courses are offered:
- Driver's licence
- First Aid Training
You can also benefit from a school upgrade.
Vocational Training
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Volunteer Trainee
You get training in the job you choose.
Numerous jobs are offered, including:
- Personal Services
- Recovery
- TSB
- Transport/Logistics
- Security
- Agriculture
- Agro-food
- Electricity
- Metallurgy
The training period is 400 hours maximum.
Expert Volunteer
You benefit from a 1re professional experience, e.g. in the following areas:
- Leadership of a team of trainee volunteers
- Driving Monitor
Please note
you have intensive job-search preparation.
You must complete an application by one of the following means:
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Online Application
You can choose one of the 7 centres present in the metropolis.
You must contact the centre for which you wish to apply.
You can use the following online service:
Paper Folder
You can choose one of the centres present in the metropolis.
You must send your folder to the centre for which you want to apply:
Centre of Montigny-lès-Metz (Moselle)
You can download the application file:
SMV Application Form - Montigny-lès-Metz and Châlons-en-Champagne Centres
Centre of Châlons-en-Champagne (Marne)
You can download the application file:
SMV Application Form - Montigny-lès-Metz and Châlons-en-Champagne Centres
Centre of Brétigny-sur-Orge (Essonne)
You can download the application file:
Centre of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime)
You can download the application file:
Centre d'Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain)
You can download the application file:
Centre of Brest (Finistère)
You can download the application file:
Centre of Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
You can download the application file:
You can also contact Pôle emploi or the local mission near your home.
The selection of volunteers is based on the following criteria:
- Medical visit
- Motivation
- Candidate's chosen path
FYI
if you are pre-selected, you must pass an aptitude test and an interview.
You are supported for the duration of the SMV (accommodation, food, uniform).
You receive remuneration (balance) according to your situation:
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Volunteer Trainee
Your balance is at least €345 gross per month.
Expert Volunteer
Your balance is €745 per month.
Please note
you benefit from the SNCF military discount card.
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Volunteer Trainee
8 to 12 months
Expert Volunteer
The contract lasts 1 year.
It is renewable 4 times.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Online application for voluntary military service
Online service
- SMV Application Form - Montigny-lès-Metz and Châlons-en-Champagne Centres
Form
- Application to the SMV - Centre of Brest
Form
- SMV Application Form - Centre d'Ambérieu-en-Bugey
Form
- Application to the SMV - Centre de Marseille
Form
- SMV Application Form - Centre de La Rochelle
Form
- Application file for the SMV - Centre de Brétigny-sur-Orge
Form
- VolunteeringService-Public.fr
- Citizen Census, JDC and National ServiceService-Public.fr
- Volunteering in the Armed ForcesService-Public.fr
- Training of young people: institution for employment (Epid)Service-Public.fr
- Voluntary military serviceMinistry of Defence
- Adapted military serviceMinistry of Defence