Service National Universel, transmitting memory and serving the nation
The Service National Universel (SNU) stands out as a program for civic engagement.
Aimed at young people aged 15 to 17, the SNU aims to strengthen cohesion, promote civic engagement, and transmit republican values.
Thus, the "Défense et Mémoire" focus is enjoying growing popularity. Meeting in Le Pradet, the final session of the first half of 2025 was highly instructive for the trainees. Indeed, the traditional cohesion internship was organized at the La Bayette passion holiday center, the base camp for 148 trainees and their supervisors.
With the SNU, youth are in contact with history. And, with the opportunity to enroll in the "Défense et Mémoire" focus, participants follow a rich curriculum and interventions related to history, the memory of conflicts, and the values of the Republic. The internship also includes visits to remembrance sites, meetings with community and remembrance organizations, and a strong link with institutional and community stakeholders.
This intergenerational link is intended to be educational.
This year, the "Défense et Mémoire" focus featured two highlights. On the one hand, on June 7, during a guided tour of the mémorial du Faron, preceded by a presentation of remembrance initiatives by the Souvenir Français du Var and in the presence of Vincent Dujarric de Lagarde, general delegate. Secondly, with an introduction to the role of flag-bearer, presented by Nicolas Moulin, president of the Association Histoire et Patrimoine de la Gendarmerie (ACSPMG).
At the end of the training, the trainees received a "certificate of commitment as a guardian of memory" from the speakers and the memorial team.
Which itself was rewarded! commemorative ceremonies. In short, everything was designed to awaken a historical consciousness and a sense of duty.
As Warrant Officer Nicolas Moulin, assistant to the head of the Service Réserve Jeunesse and departmental coordinator for the groupement de la gendarmerie du Var, points out: "It is now written in our calendars. This partnership is part of the "Armée-nation" link, and it is a very promising vehicle because most of the trainees want to discover more. It is important to understand what others went through and why we are free today.
That is why visits to historical or remembrance sites are very important."
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN JEAN D'HERS Furthermore, the memory of Captain Jean d'Hers was honored. In partnership with the Municipality of La Valette-du-Var, the 49 trainees attended the tribute ceremony on June 8 marking the end of the Indochina War conflict.
This ceremony, filled with great emotion, was held in the presence of Pascal Perrier, grandson of Captain Jean d'Hers. Afterwards, Mr. Perrier presented the director of the SNU internship and his team with several books on the history of his great-grandfather.
Therefore, it was decided, in agreement with the family, to name this SNU session the "Coloration Défense et Mémoire Jean d'Hers" focus.
He continues: "One of the pillars of this focus and, Nicolas Moulin adds: "I wished, without pretension, but as curator of the heritage collections of the ACSPMG, to make known to these youth the history of this resistance hero, made a Compagnon de la Libération and whose grave is located in the central cemetery of Toulon. By participating in this ceremony, the trainees understood the importance of the duty of remembrance. Moreover, several of them volunteered for the raising of the colors, the reading of a poem, and the role of flag-bearers."
Furthermore, the SNU is also a stepping stone to commitment, particularly within the gendarmerie. "At the end of their cohesion stay, volunteers can continue their engagement during a mission of general interest, often linked to themes of remembrance, security, or solidarity. Some choose to join the Cadets de la Défense or the gendarmerie.
The "Défense et Mémoire" focus of the SNU is not a simple educational parenthesis. It becomes the starting point of a lasting civic commitment, nurtured by a better understanding of history and the general interest, thanks to remembrance and institutional partnerships," concludes Nicolas Moulin.
Nicolas TUDORT - Photos ACSPMG and SRJ.