Want to become a Gendarmerie reservist? To serve alongside gendarmes on their varied, people-focused missions? Then this article is for you!
Every year, the Gendarmerie reserve recruits more than 10,000 people, qualified or not. It is therefore a great opportunity to serve on an occasional basis, alongside your job or your studies.
There are, however, a few requirements and tests to complete before reaching the rank of Gendarmerie reservist.
The admission requirements are as follows:
- Be a French national
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have fulfilled national service obligations, having attended the JAPD or the JDC
- Be in good physical condition
- Be morally and psychologically fit
- Hold the reserve deputy gendarme diploma (DGAR)
This last diploma is obtained after completing the PMG (Gendarmerie military preparation course). The purpose of this training is to impart the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of a serviceman or servicewoman.
PLEASE NOTE: You can only take this training if you are declared fit at your military medical examination! Military doctors will check your physical abilities, your eyesight, your hearing, whether you have back problems, and so on.
Once you have been declared fit, it's off to the PMG: a fairly intensive training course lasting 15 days. The program includes theoretical instruction (criminal law, communication, commitment to effort, as well as discipline and team spirit, military ethics, victimology, etc.). These classes are essential to your training and will prove very useful during your patrols and reservist missions. On top of that come other subjects such as the standard communication systems used by the Gendarmerie and the armed forces, including the NATO phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, delta, etc. — see this page for more information!).
You will also receive M.S.A.A (unarmed control of an adversary) training, which teaches various combat techniques, as well as M.A.A.A (armed control of an adversary) training. You will learn how to handle a firearm, the various safety checks when loading and unloading it, as well as how to strip your weapon and practice shooting during various sessions.
Once your training is complete and your diploma obtained, your file will be complete. You will receive a medal and the PMG certificate at the final ceremony. You will then be able to choose your assignment and your department.
You will then have to sign your contract, lasting between 1 and 5 years. Unfortunately, you will not be able to carry out your first missions right away. You will need to wait a few months for your file to be approved. Once approved, you will be able to take your first steps as a Gendarmerie reservist and support your active-duty colleagues — congratulations! Now that you know how to become a Gendarmerie reservist, take a look at the right equipment on GK PRO shop !