French volunteer soldier training

France has shown to media a training session for its new voluntary military service system for young people.The volunteer soldiers serve for 10 months. About 3,000 of them, mostly 18 and 19-year-olds, began training this month across the country.

On Tuesday, volunteers practiced shooting and urban warfare at an army base in Sarrebourg, eastern France. In a drill for subduing an enemy inside a building, the young soldiers appeared slightly nervous as they aimed their guns and followed instructions to fire.

Brigadier General Francois de Jabrun said the volunteers are highly motivated and have adapted well. He also said cultivating a defense mindset throughout society is important amid current international affairs.