The closest military port to Metz is a 7 hour drive (Cherbourg). Seen from here, the sea is far, far away. However, Metz, like the whole of Lorraine, has long been the 3rd source of recruitment for the French Navy. Just after Brest and Toulon! The phenomenon continued until the 2000s before weakening.
Why has Lorraine, a sealess region, flanked by three borders, been sensitive to the sirens of the navy? History, respond historians, precisely because of these borders, has made Lorraine a land of soldiers, regiments and engagement. The Grand Est was and still is one of the armed forces’ biggest recruiters.
–
The desire to leave has also been a massive argument for all young people dreaming of leaving the countryside. This is what prompted the First Master Guillaume Di Bartolo, the current head of the Navy recruitment office in Metz (CIRFA Metz) to leave the region for Toulon in 2005. “I was on four boats as a weapons mechanic. First on a Landing Barges Transport (TCD Lightning) which transported the regiments of the Army and the Foreign Legion. We were taking over in Africa. Then on an air defense frigate (Forbin) where I took part in the commissioning tests. Then, I traveled to Africa, America, the Seychelles, the North Sea, Ireland, the Arab-Persian Gulf, and as far as India aboard the anti-submarine frigate Dupleix. “With the Var command and supply building, he crisscrossed the Red Sea …
–
Another argument: the exceptional qualities of the people of Lorraine! If we are to believe the Chief Petty Officer Guillaume Di Bartolo, our sailors have “a sense of commitment, a spirit of cohesion, probity, tenacity, interpersonal skills. They can quickly acquire highly technical know-how and put it to work in a unique professional environment and feel at home, even several thousand kilometers from their land ”.
–
Come back to Lorraine!
Finally, there is the desire to come back. Because a Lorrainer, even if he has been around the world ten times, always comes back to Lorraine. And he recounts his adventures. “He maintains the call of the sea, calling on the young population to take the plunge. “
For 20 years, the movement has subsided. Our recruiter observes it himself: “Young people no longer want to go far or for long. Virtual reality may have weakened the desire to go to the end of the world. “The emblem of Lorraine, in any case, continues to travel:” Symbol of French resistance, the cross of Lorraine is always displayed in the flag of Beaupré (1) on the warships which bear the name of a unit formerly belonging to the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL). This is how the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle flaunts the colors of Lorraine!
–
A month ago, on November 13, 2020, “the very last multi-mission frigate of the French Navy called“ LORRAINE ”was floated on the Lorient shipyard to complete its construction. The trials start in 2021! », Rejoices the Chief Master Di Bartolo.
–
Enough to boost vocations. Especially since there is room on board: the navy recruits 4,000 jobs per year in 50 professions (aeronautics, catering, mechanic, etc.) from 16 to 30 years old, from level 3 to BAC + 5.
Reception at Cirfa Metz by appointment during the health crisis from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m .: 03 87 15 58 84 or etremarin.fr. The Metz marine office: [email protected] or 03 87 15 59 41.
(1) The Beaupré flag is an additional flag mainly used on warships. It is displayed when the ship is docked or at anchor or during an official ceremony (small or large bulwark).
–
