Customs officers from Nord-Pas-de-Calais will parade on the Champs Elysée on July 14!

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The first time Davy paraded on the Champs Elysée was on July 14, 2017. Five years later, he will once again be in the ranks of the customs battalion for the national holiday. An experience that requires a lot of preparation.

The selection phase

To be part of the parade, there are many called but few elected. Davy is one of the 40 customs officers selected out of the 200 applications metropolitan and overseas. He first sent a cover letter, “dn my letter, I spoke of my wish to pass on to my two children the values ​​that I defend on a daily basis: rigour, respect and motivation.“.

Davy participates for the second time in the July 14 parade, he represents the customs of Halluin, near the Belgian border
– French customs

After this first phase of selection, 70 customs officers are selected and leave to train at the customs school in La Rochelle for the second selection. The 40 best are retained then leave for three weeks of intense training.

300 kilometers of training

During this period, customs officers learn to walk in step: “you have to adopt an identical posture, have a look that exudes pride. You have to bend your chest, keep your head up, your arms and fingers outstretched“ details the former non-commissioned officer of the army. And to add: “Whatever the angle of the camera, we must see only one person“.

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“It’s a very emotional moment”

Beyond a great pride for the 42-year-old customs officer, this experience is also an opportunity to meet colleagues from all over France, and why not to create friendships. Davy is always the first to help, hence his nickname Father : “In 2017 I helped colleges prepare. I teach them how to wax their rangers to make them shine, I show them how to iron their shirts so they don’t get wrinkled.”

Davy during the parade on July 14, 2017
Davy during the parade on July 14, 2017
– French customs

Then comes parade day, and Davy remembers July 14, 2017 like it was yesterday.”When the Patrouille de France passes over my head, I get shivers of adrenaline. When the parade ends, all the stress drops and whoever breaks down in tears. So you have about fifty customs officers, crying !” he exclaims.

This strong emotion, he finds it again this year, for this new parade, always so proud to represent the customs of the North.


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