You joined the operational reserve for national defence at the age of 18. What attracted you to this corps?
“The army’s values! A sense of cohesion, pushing yourself for others, plus the sport and adventure. For me, it was an opportunity to commit to something seriously, with the option of of putting my missions on hold if need be, which I did indeed do during part of my studies abroad. The reserve force offers a more flexible path and allows you to test the field.”
What are your plans as an expert for the group?
“One of the first has been to identify an expert on each site, as a third of sites did not yet have one. My role will be to support them so that they have the necessary tools to communicate internally, meet the needs of the 119 reservist employees (see box), and organise various events, the most important of which, the National Reservist Days (NRD), will take place in the autumn. Thanks to this organisation, I can focus on finalising the group’s strategy with Jean-Luc France, Naval Group's Human Resources Director (HRD), and the Defence advisors.”
What is the aim of this strategy?
“It is in line with the State’s request to double the number of reservists by 2030 with the aim of defending our territory independently, if need be. Another purpose of the national reserve is to cultivate links between the army and the nation.”
What opportunities do you see in joining the reserve force for someone working at Naval Group?
“I see it as a way of acquiring new skills for yourself, first of all, and then, if you join the French Navy as a reservist, as a means of getting closer to our main customer. In any case, the military sheen that this experience provides helps us to communicate and understand each other better. The other opportunity is getting to meet a variety of different profiles: the young, the not so young, students, jobseekers, graduates, former soldiers, etc. Everyone has a role to play, things to learn and something to offer. We all come with our own background and identity and we must all move forward hand in hand.”
Does the same apply to women?
“We don’t question gender in the military. We focus on what each one can contribute and how we can help them develop so that they can to do their job well. My regiment in Hyères has one of the highest proportions of women in France, with women making up 45% of our ranks.”