Gendarmerie cadets on an ecological mission along the coast

During their 15-day immersion training, the cadets of the gendarmerie multiplied discoveries and field actions (road safety prevention, awareness campaigns on local markets, etc.). Among the highlights of this immersion, this eco-hike, organized on the coast, allowed the young participants to combine business with pleasure, meaning walking, discovering, and acting for the environment. It must be said that the group did not go unnoticed by the many holidaymakers. “It is original to see all these young people in a group collecting waste by the sea, especially in this season. This beautiful initiative should be highlighted,” as a holidaying couple pointed out. Supervised by their instructors from the Service Réserve Jeunesse (operational reserve of the gendarmerie départementale du Var), the cadets walked the coastal path, between Cabasson and l'Argentière, and collected the numerous waste items abandoned on the beaches and surrounding areas. Bottles, cans, fishing nets, cigarette butts, the bags provided by Méditerranée Porte des Maures filled up quickly, revealing the need to raise everyone's awareness about the preservation of these natural spaces. “It is a concrete way to show that respect for nature is also part of the values of the gendarmerie, which is also committed to environmental protection,” stressed Adjudant Nicolas Moulin, deputy head of the Service Réserve Jeunesse of the gendarmerie du Var. “Beyond the ecological gesture, this operation above all strengthened group cohesion and the sense of civic engagement. We understood that committing ourselves is not just about wearing a uniform. It is also about acting for others and for our environment. I am really very satisfied with these 15 days spent with the instructors of the Service Réserve Jeunesse,” shared a young cadet, proud of his participation. “Between discovering the profession of gendarme and raising awareness about coastal protection, this day perfectly illustrated the spirit of the cadets de la gendarmerie program, which is to train responsible, supportive, and respectful young people of their territory,” insisted Nicolas Moulin.