The French military is becoming more diverse. It’s also leaning further right.

Nassim grew up in a social housing block in one of Paris’s disenfranchised suburbs, studying economics after high school. But when he set off on the job search, doors closed all around him. One recruiter said that with his Arabic name, he’d have problems finding a job and “integrating” into a company.

So when a friend suggested that he join the Army, he decided to give it a go.

“I thought I would try the Army for a few years, get some experience to add to my resume and move on,” says Nassim.

That was 16 years ago. Now, Nassim, who asked to be identified by a pseudonym because soldiers are not allowed to speak to the press without authorization, is a noncommissioned officer in southwest France. As

Traditionalism in the military“I’m trying to change people’s mentality”