What is Voluntary Military Service?

Verified 07 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you are between the ages of 18 and 25 and unemployed, Voluntary Military Service (VMS) can help you learn a trade or gain work experience.

The SMV is a military device intended for young Frenchmen from mainland France or the foreigner.

FYI  

Adapted Military Service (ADM) is a vocational integration scheme reserved for unemployed young people from the overseas territories.

You must complete all the following conditions:

  • You are between 18 and 25 years old
  • You are a French national
  • You live in metropolitan France or abroad
  • You're in good standing with the Defense and Citizenship Day (DCD)
  • You are physically fit.

No diploma is required to enter the device.

However, your situation varies depending on your degree level:

  • No diploma: you are volunteer trainee
  • CAP degree or more: you are expert volunteer.

FYI  

The content of the training and the level of remuneration vary depending on whether you are a volunteer trainee or an expert.

Military training

You benefit from basic military training and sports activities.

Driving license and further training

The following courses are offered:

  • Driving license
  • First aid training.

FYI  

You can also benefit from a school refresher.

Vocational training

The training depends on your situation:

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Volunteer intern

You have training in the trade you choose.

Many professions are offered including:

  • Services to the person
  • Restore
  • BTP
  • Transport/logistics
  • Security
  • Agriculture
  • Agri-food
  • Electricity
  • Metallurgy.

The training lasts an average of 400 hours.

Expert Volunteer

You benefit from a 1re professional experience, for example in the following areas:

  • Supervision of a team of volunteer trainees
  • Driving Monitor
  • Support (HR, accounting, etc.).

Please note

You benefit from intensive preparation for job search.

You must complete an application by one of the following means:

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Online Application

You must choose one of the 7 centers present in metropolitan France.

They depend on one of the following armies:

  • Army
  • Air Force
  • National Navy.

You can use the following online service:

Apply for Voluntary Military Service

Application by mail

You must choose one of the 7 centers present in mainland france:

Apply for Voluntary Military Service

They depend on one of the following armies:

  • Army
  • Air Force
  • National Navy.

You must send your application to the center for which you wish to apply, with the required supporting documents.

You can also contact France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) or the local mission near your home.

Who shall I contact

The selection of volunteers is based on the following criteria:

  • Medical examination
  • Motivation
  • Chain chosen by the candidate.

If you are preselected, you must pass the following 2 steps:

  1. Proficiency test
  2. Maintenance.

You are taken care of throughout the duration of the SMV (accommodation, food, uniform).

You touch a remuneration (also called balance) depending on your situation:

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Volunteer intern

Your balance is at least €358 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 intern

The contract lasts for 8 to 12 months.

Expert Volunteer

The contract lasts 1 year.

It is renewable 4 times.

Depending on your situation, you can acquire, in successive stages, the following qualifications:

  • Certificate of citizen training
  • General training certificate (recognized by the National Education)
  • Key Certificate
  • Military Driving Certificate (converted to B license)
  • Certificate of Rescuer of Work
  • Certificate of vocational training
  • Certificate of personal suitability for integration.

Apply for Voluntary Military Service

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