The Gendarmerie reserve, what’s this ? Made up of a body of 23,000 women and men committed to the service of their country, the Gendarmerie operational reserve serves above all as reinforcement for so-called “active” units and command structures. Just like the “active” units of the National Gendarmerie, the role of reservists is above all to act to protect people and property, to bring help, give the alert and be able to inform the population throughout France, the metropolis to the other side of the world …
What missions within the Operational Reserve?
Temporarily, the reservists under contract are called in to support units and patrols in their daily missions (aid to the population, relief, fight against crime, public security, etc.), but also in more exceptional situations (demonstrations, large-scale events, research, etc. management of natural disasters, application of the Vigipirate plan, etc.), or as part of the training of young reservists.
What are the conditions to be admitted as a Reservist of the National Gendarmerie?
In order to become Constable Reservist, the basic conditions required are quite simple: you must be at least 17 years old, be of French nationality and have followed the Defense Preparation Appeal Day or the Defense and Citizenship Day. Obviously, this is common sense, but you must have optimal physical condition and be morally fit, then finally follow the military preparation supervised by the gendarmerie in order to obtain the diploma of Gendarme Adjoint de Réserve (DGAR).
What outfit do you wear when you are a Reservist?
A reservist Gendarme wears the same uniform and must be equipped in the same way as a Gendarme in a so-called “active” unit. Service dress is made up of a navy intervention pants, of a short sleeve polo shirt or long-sleeved in the colors of the National Gendarmerie, black leather rangers, a cap-type headgear Where embroidered cap badges of the National Gendarmerie, a belt intervention equipped. The Gendarme must always wear his chest stripes, the region’s crest on the left arm and his number.
May be added to this equipment depending on the weather: a fleece jacket and rain gear in the colors of the Gendarmerie.
The so-called “fatigues” camouflage uniform is worn during training, then in the field if necessary. It is also the same as for the National Gendarmerie (“active” brigades): it is made up of the same accessories and elements as the regulatory dress mentioned above, except that it wears the colors of the military camouflage.
