[14 Juillet] Navy Petty Officer Jean, of the Air and Space School, guards the Guyanese flag at the center of the parade

“Attention! Weapons present!” Suddenly the Satori military base in Versailles (Yvelines) is very quiet. We only hear the sound of hammers in the distance, in an area under construction, and the generator powering the soldiers’ tents temporarily installed in the camp. A high-ranking officer reviews troops from his military vehicle, playing the role that President Emmanuel Macron and Chief of Defense Staff Thierry Burkhard will play on July 14. Jane stands very straight, her gaze fixed. You must not move.

For two days, she and her first-year classmates from the Air and Space School (EAE), based in Salon-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), trained in the Paris region until the July 14 parade. “Throughout the week (…), we train every day – even very early in the morning, say, yesterday it was 5 in the morning – we train, we train, we train, because everything has to be perfect for D-Daythe young woman explains in a somewhat monotonous voice, hinting at a hint of fatigue.

Coming from Guyana, Jane will perform on July 14th on the Champs-Elysées

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© First Overseas

At only 21 years old, Jeanne – or rather, the ambitious Jeanne, since in this environment it is customary to give the military rank – was about to climb the Champs Elysees. On Friday, it will begin its march behind the Arc de Triomphe, towards the Place de la Concorde, where the presidential suite will be installed.

Originally from Guyana, where she arrived at the age of three months, she will have an important role to play on this national day: she is appointed to be the color guard for her group. It is she who, along with four other comrades, will surround the standard-bearer when he crosses the largest street in the country. “It is an honor to be able to perform in front of all of France”Let’s go.

Jeanne has lived in France for nearly four years. She was raised in Matori, Cayenne, where her parents and scientific researchers still live. As a good student, she obtained her scientific baccalaureate before joining the preparatory class at the École Militaire in Saint-Cyr in France. “For me, the army, it’s too lateshe admits. I’ve always had a certain charm for serving our country and for a sense of duty.” This somewhat reserved but very confident future female officer admits to having it “Big fascination for everything in space. In Guyana, we know the missile issue is very important.”.

So it makes sense that she would find herself in the ranks of the École des Aeronautiques and Aeronautics, one of the greatest French military schools that train officers for the Air Force. There, students learn the basics of combat, but also develop expertise in the world of aviation and space. At the end of my three years [d’études]Depending on the order, I can combine the specialization I want.”, specifies the student who wishes to work in military intelligence. In addition to the classic EAE curriculum, Jane also follows courses in Geostrategy, Defense and International Security, taught by professors from Sciences Po Aix.

The advantage and disadvantage in the military is that you move around a lot. We can go to Guyana. But it doesn’t necessarily depend on us. Of course I would [y] I go back once in my career (…). But there is so much to see all around that I don’t know where fate will take me.

Aspirant Jane, a student at the Aeronautics and Space School

Young Guyana hides her fears and focuses on her training. In satori, Marine Officer Jin repeats every step, every arm movement, every pose, before the big parade. Everything must be perfect.

In white and navy blue, the students of the Air and Space School will wear a different uniform on July 14, due to the heat. the hardest, “It is the synchronization of the arms, because it is absolutely necessary to raise our arms at the same time, in the same place.”Joanne says. However, you also have to deal with fatigue and high temperatures.

After the first show at 8:30 a.m., the moderators of each group do a debriefing to see how to improve on small, still visible bugs. Alignment problem here. Flag dropped too early there. Pay attention to rhythm, rhythm, speed … The first rehearsal went very well.Thought of his aspiring Jane. After that, it’s always perfect. We still have a few days to practice.”