The age limit for being a reservist in the armies will be raised to 70 years, announced Tuesday April 4 the Minister of the Armies Sébastien Lecornu, who must present in the Council of Ministers the future military programming law (LPM).
This measure should serve to double the number of reservists which is currently 40,000, according to the commitments of Emmanuel Macron.
What is the reserve?
Historically, the reserve was born in 1872 under the Third Republic.
Reservists are extra soldiers, who come to reinforce the armies, 25 days a year on average and on a voluntary basis, fulfilling the same missions as active soldiers with the same status.
Soldiers, non-commissioned officers or officers, they carry out manoeuvres, take part in the surveillance of the territory or reinforce the staffs.
They can also provide rare technical expertise (communications, knowledge of foreign languages, logistics specialist).
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In addition to this so-called “operational” reserve, approximately 3,800 volunteers provide their skills, particularly technical, on a voluntary basis to the army as part of the “citizen reserve”.
Often occupying positions of responsibility, they also contribute to the "radiance of the armies and the promotion of the spirit of defense" in civil society.
Their average age is high: more than 50 years.
They do not wear a uniform, do not have military status, and do not perform military activities, but a rank is awarded to them on an honorary basis.
Who can register, and how?
Any French citizen can claim to join the reserve.
You must be at least 17 years old and have completed the JAPD, the JDC or the compulsory National Service.
It is also necessary not to have been condemned either to the loss of its civic rights or to the prohibition to exercise a public employment, or to a criminal sentence.
Registration for the officer reserve requires the prerequisite of a Bac+2.
To join the army reserve, simply register and follow the procedures on the dedicated site.
To join the reserve of the National Gendarmerie, on the other hand, you have to go to another site, just like the reserve of the national police which has its dedicated platform.
Why extend the legal age of the reserve?
If certain specialist reservists could already serve under certain conditions up to 72 years of age, the extension of the legal age for serving in the armed forces as reservists aims to keep these same specialists within the army, such as those in the sector health for example.
Of course, it is also a way of recruiting more to achieve the executive's objective of doubling the numbers of the operational reserve.
Can we go on
"
Opex
"
while being a reservist?
If the reservist is available for an entire mission (from 1 to 4 months), he can go on external operations ("Opex").
However, a formation of the active army is necessary, and finally, few reservists leave in external operations.
In 2021, 726 left according to the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Those who leave the most are generally in the health service of the armies or intelligence.
How much does a reservist earn?
Reservists are paid on the day of activity, and pay depends on rank.
It ranges from around 60 euros for a non-commissioned member to 200 euros for a colonel.
It should also be remembered that reservists can receive bonuses, depending on their activities, but also on their family and administrative situation.
It should also be noted that the salary of the reservist soldier, unlike the active soldier, is not subject to income tax.
Can a reservist cumulate the pay of the army and his salary?
The reservist can cumulate his remuneration in the civil in addition to his pay of the army.
But it depends on the choice of his employer.
The latter can choose to suspend his salary during his reserve periods.
But he can also choose to keep it, and the salary can be deducted from corporation tax.
What is the maximum commitment period per year?
The defense code provides that the reservist cannot serve more than 60 days per year.
Derogations, however exceptional, can be made for a commitment of up to 210 days.
In practice, the average number of days per year is 30 days.
If there is no minimum imposed, the army reserves the right to terminate a contract in the event of no response to three successive summonses, without justification.