French Army

The French Army (French: Armée de terre [aʀme də tɛʀ], "land army") is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. Along with the French Air Force, the French Navy and the National Gendarmerie, it is placed under the responsibility of the French government. The current Chief of Staff of the French Army (CEMAT) is general Jean-Pierre Bosser. All soldiers are considered professionals following the suspension of conscription, voted in parliament in 1997 and made effective in 2001.

As of 2014, the French Army employed 111,628 personnel (including the French Foreign Legion and the Paris Fire Brigade). In addition, the reserve element of the French Army consisted of 15,453 personnel of the Operational Reserve.

In 1999 the Army issued the Code of the French Soldier, which includes the injunctions:

History

Early history

The first permanent army, paid with regular wages, instead of feudal levies, was established under Charles VII in the 1420-30s. The Kings of France needed reliable troops during and after the Hundred Years' War. These units of troops were raised by issuing ordonnances to govern their length of service, composition and payment. These Compagnies d'ordonnance formed the core of the Gendarme Cavalry into the sixteenth century. Stationed throughout France and summoned into larger armies as needed. There was also provision made for "Francs-archers" units of bowmen and foot soldiers raised from the non-noble classes but these units were disbanded once war ended.