Macron names first military service unit after resistance…

Macron names first military service unit after resistance fighter Fertet

16.09.2026 19:00 HotInfo

French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the first unit of a new voluntary military program at an air base near the city of Orange on Tuesday. It will be named after Henri Fertet, a young member of the French resistance who was executed by the Nazis at the age of 16. Le Monde ↗

Macron met with the first volunteers joining the service, which France refers to as national military service, at Base 115. The president stated that the name Henri Fertet is meant to speak to the current generation and to recall the historical story of the young resistance fighter. Le Figaro ↗

The voluntary service was launched in November 2025. According to the presidential office, its goal is to strengthen ties between the army and the nation. The program is meant to respond to growing security threats and to gradually expand.

France plans for 10,000 volunteers to join the service by 2030. The first participants took part in a ceremonial event, during which they received the symbols of their unit and began military training.

On this occasion, Macron praised the decision of young French people to join the program. Details of the further expansion of the service, its exact scope, and the conditions for future participants are to be determined as the project is implemented further. The program's development will depend on the number of volunteers and on the army's ability to provide their training. Le Figaro ↗