Operational Reserve in the Armed Forces

Verified 18 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Are you volunteering to serve in the armed forces (land, navy, gendarmerie, air force, etc.)? To be a candidate for the military operational reserve, you must meet certain conditions (age, physical fitness, nationality, etc.). You sign a 1 to 5 year contract. It is renewable. You receive remuneration and certain other benefits. We present you the information to know.

The commitment to serve in the operational reserve shall consist of:

  • Provide temporary reinforcement to the armed forces, for the protection of France or in the context of operations conducted abroad
  • Providing defense education
  • Serve with a company that is involved in supporting the military or supporting defense export operations.

You must meet the 4 conditions.

Nationality

You must be French.

Please note

A foreigner may be eligible to serve as a reservist in the Foreign Legion, if he or she is a former foreigner, or as a reserve specialist.

Age

You must have 17 years minimum.

The maximum age limit is set at 72 years.

Between the minimum and maximum limits, the armed forces can define a more specific recruitment target, adapted to the operational needs and therefore to the proposed missions.

Example :

To integrate the operational reserve of the gendarme (1er level), you must be less than 45 years on the first day of military preparation gendarmerie.

Civic obligations

You must meet the following conditions:

  • Have done the compulsory military service or the day of mobilization (formerly known as defense and citizenship day, JDC)
  • Not having been convicted of a crime or punishment resulting in the loss of your civil rights (right to vote...),, prohibition from holding public office, dismissal or loss of rank (for military personnel).

Health

You must be medically fit.

A recruitment medical examination is carried out.

The approach depends on the army you want to integrate:

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Army

To get involved, you need to apply online.

Become a reservist in the army (land, sea...))

Air Force

To get involved, you need to apply online.

Become a reservist in the army (land, sea...))

National Navy

To get involved, you need to apply online.

Become a reservist in the army (land, sea...))

Service of the Commissariat des armées

To get involved, you need to apply online.

Become a reservist in the army (land, sea...))

Defense Infrastructure Service

To get involved, you need to apply online.

Become a reservist in the army (land, sea...))

Service des essences des armées (supply, maintenance of petroleum equipment...))

To get involved, you need to apply online.

Become a reservist in the army (land, sea...))

Army health service (hospitals, army medical centers...))

To get involved, you must contact the recruitment department in your region directly by email.

Who shall I contact

Cyber Defense (IT)

To get involved, you must send your application (CV and cover letter) to the cyber defense reserve by email.

Who shall I contact

  • By email

    comcyber.recrutement.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

Directorate of Military Intelligence (Geopolitics, Foreign Languages...))

To join, you must send your application (CV and cover letter) to the reserve of the Directorate of Military Intelligence by email.

Who shall I contact

  • By email

    drm.resp-recrut-reserves.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

General Directorate of Armaments (Army Equipment)

To get involved, you must send your application (CV and cover letter) to the Directorate-General for Armaments by email.

Who shall I contact

  • By email

    dga-drh.reserviste.fct@intradef.gouv.fr

National Gendarmerie

To commit, you must fill out an online form to contact the reserve cell of your department.

Become a reservist in the gendarmerie

Please note

You can also enlist in the operational reserve if you are a member on parental leave or on standby.

Your application is considered as a priority if you have successfully completed a military period of national defense (initiation or improvement).

The contract you sign contains the following mandatory elements:

  • Your identity and address
  • Your location and unit of assignment
  • Duration of your engagement
  • Availability Constraints
  • Rights and obligations towards your employer
  • Conditions for termination of the contract.

The contract may also contain a reactivity clause. This clause allows you to be summoned when circumstances or unforeseen needs require it. This clause must be signed by your employer and indicate the notice period.

You sign a contract of employment for a duration from 1 to 5 years.

This contract is renewable.

The duration of the activities of your engagement is, according to the contracts, 5 to 120 days by calendar year.

It may be supplemented with at least maximum 210 days under the following conditions:

  • National or international interest in the activity for which you are engaged
  • Decision of the Minister of Defense or Interior.

You benefit from a program forecasting your periods of activity.

This program is established, dated and signed by you and the military authority that employs you.

Please note

The duration of each period of activity may not be less than half a day.

Remuneration

You touch a balance (remuneration) varying according to the index of the rank held, under the same conditions as career members.

FYI  

This amount is exempt from income tax. You don't have to declare it.

Loyalty bonus

You can benefit from a loyalty bonus if you meet the following 2 conditions:

  • You signed a 1er contract with a duration of 3 years or more, renewed by a 2e contract with a minimum duration of 3 years
  • You have completed a minimum of 37 days of activity per year of commitment during the 2e contract.

The amount of the loyalty bonus is €250 raw.

The loyalty bonus is paid each year, starting from the month following each anniversary date of signature of the 2e contract.

Example :

You sign your 2e contract on 1er January 2026. The loyalty bonus is paid on the 1ster February 2027.

FYI  

The loyalty bonus is exempt from income tax. You don't have to declare it.

Specific study allowance

You can get a specific education allowance if you are enrolled in a vocational or higher education institution and that you commit to being a reservist.

This allowance is in the amount of €100 gross per month, or €1,200 crude over 12 months.

To qualify for this allowance, you must complete the 3 conditions following:

  • Credit Memo under 25 to 1er october of the year of enrollment in the professional or higher institution
  • Have signed at the time of your application for an allowance a 1er contract of employment for a period of 5 years
  • You agree to perform 37 days of activity per school year (between the date of signature of the commitment and the enrollment in a graduate student year).

Your application must be filed with the organization you depend on as a reservist (for example, army or gendarmerie).

Participation in the financing of driving license B

A contribution to the financing of the B driver's license may be granted to you if you all conditions following:

  • Have signed a contract of employment before the age of 25
  • Never held a B driver's license
  • Have completed at least 50 days of activity in the reserve
  • Be more than 2 years from the end of your contract
  • Proof of enrollment in a driving school.

The amount of the participation is €1,000.

You must submit your application to the organization that administers your on-reserve employment contract.

Participation is granted only once.

The military authority shall inform your employer without delay of the signing of your contract in the army operational reserve (unless you object).

If your activities take place during your working time, you must at least notify your employer 1 month before your absence, preferably by mail RAR: titleContent.

This period shall be reduced to 15 days if your employment contract includes, with the agreement of your employer, a reactivity clause.

When activities performed during working time exceed 10 days per calendar year (5 days, by decision of the employer, in companies with less than 50 employees), you must in addition to obtaining the agreement of your employer.

In case of refusal, your employer must send you its reasoned decision, preferably by mail RAR: titleContent.

In the absence of a response within 1 month, his agreement is acquired.

Please note

Special rules apply in case of emergency (with decision by decree in the Council of Ministers).

Some rules depend on your professional situation:

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You are a private sector employee

When you work as a reservist, your employment contract is suspended.

Periods of activity are considered as periods of actual work for benefits in terms of seniority, advancement, paid leave and entitlements to social benefits (sickness, death...).)

You find your job when you return.

Your employer cannot make the following decisions because of your commitment as a reservist:

  • Dismissal
  • Professional decommissioning
  • Disciplinary sanction.

You are a public official

The rules vary depending on whether you are a civil servant or a contract staff member.

You are a civil servant

Your situation depends on the length of your activities on the reserve.

Your activities on the reserve are less than or equal to 30 days per year

You are placed in activity position.

You continue to receive your treatment for these 30 days.

Your activities on the reserve are more than 30 days a year

You are placed in detachment position for the portion exceeding 30 days.

You do not get your treatment for the part that exceeds 30 days.

You are a contract agent

Your situation depends on the length of your activities on the reserve.

Your activities on the reserve are less than or equal to 30 days per year

You continue to receive your treatment for these 30 days.

Your activities on the reserve are more than 30 days a year

You do not get your treatment for the part that exceeds 30 days.

You can take these days off.

Suspension of contract

You can ask to suspend your contract for a maximum of 24 months (2 years).

This suspension does not change the expected end date of your engagement.

Example :

You sign an employment contract on March 7, 2024 for a period of 1 year, until March 7, 2025. On September 4, 2024, you decide to suspend your contract for a period of 6 months. The end of your contract is still scheduled for March 7, 2025.

Termination of the contract

You can break your contract of employment by giving reasons for your request.

Your contract may also be terminated by the military authority if you no longer meet the conditions required to engage (for example, inability to perform the activities entrusted).

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