Discover the intriguing world of the French Citizen Reserve (FCR), a unique system that allows civilians to serve their nation and the military in a volunteer capacity, utilizing their skills and experiences to benefit the armed forces.
Until 2021, the FCR volunteers were assigned a military rank which was reflective of their educational and professional backgrounds. Regrettably, this system was sometimes exploited by individuals who sought to enhance their resumes by adding a high-ranking military title without having any actual military achievements. This led to some confusion as there were differences between the ‘citizen reserve' and the ‘operational reserve'.
Unprecedented Changes in the French Citizen Reserve
In 2021, an unprecedented shift occurred when General François Lecointre declared that FCR volunteers serving in the Navy would no longer be permitted to wear uniforms depicting their honorary ranks. His successor, General Thierry Burkhard, then proceeded to eliminate the practice of assigning honorary ranks to FCR volunteers from February 1. Instead, the more neutral term ‘officer of the citizen reserve' was adopted.
Unsurprisingly, this decision sparked some debate and was subsequently scrutinized by various deputies. General Burkhard stood firm in his decision, arguing that he could not justify the apparently arbitrary nature of the rank assignment process to FCR volunteers, which he deemed to be at odds with the ethos of rank assignment within the military.
Value Beyond Uniforms and Ranks
General Burkhard reinforced the concept that the worth of an FCR volunteer's service should not be measured by their uniform or rank. Instead, it is their expertise, influence, and dedication that truly matter. Thus, irrespective of their civilian professional status, all volunteers are now identified as officers of the citizen reserve.
General Burkhard even suggested that if individuals are upset about losing their honorary rank, perhaps the citizen reserve may not be the right fit for them. This bold assertion further emphasizes the shift in focus from honorary titles to the direct contribution of skills and experiences within the French Citizen Reserve.