If Béarn is rather known for its parachutists, you can still find there… sailors! Twenty young people aged 16 to 21, from Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées or Landes, took part in a Marine Military Preparation course (PMM)
part of which was organized in Pau. For a week, they received the basics of military education. Courses they followed at the school of airborne troops, ETAP, on the grounds of the paratroopers museum. Saturday, November 5, during an official ceremony they received a decoration, a pennant, given by senior officers of the French Navy to symbolize their commitment.
Being Béarnais and a sailor is possible
A passion for the Navy that may surprise. It is true that we have never seen sailors sailing on the Gave de Pau. However, being from Béarnais, and living inland, is not at all incompatible for Eric Auradé, head of recruitment for the national navy in Pau. “There are Béarnais and Basques in the national navy and not only Bretons or people from the Toulon region. They will acquire maritime experience over the years and become real sailors. It’s a mixture of regions that is interesting.“
During their week of discovery, these young enthusiasts first followed a general education on the French army corps and the professions of the National Navy. And as good comrades, they even made each other a little “chamber“by their fellow paratroopers.”In the last few days, when it rained, we had the right to “it is you who bring back the rain from Brest” but it was funny and super nice“, explains Yanis, 17, who participated in the course.
Trip to Brest
But the Navy wants to create vocations everywhere, even at the foot of the mountains. “It’s not surprising to have sailors in Pau. There are links with Bayonne, and even with the Adour. Many sailors come from New Aquitaine, maritime activity is very important there“, indicates Rear Admiral François Guichard, himself born in Brie, east of the Paris region.
At the end of this week in Béarnaise land, the young people will continue their discovery and learning in Brest, much closer to the sea. There, they will pass their boating license and learn to tie knots. The majority of the group has already expressed its desire to continue and join the French Navy.