The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre (English: Land Army), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. Just like the Armée de l'Air, the Marine Nationale and the Gendarmerie Nationale it is placed under the responsibility of the French government. The current Chief of Staff of the French Army (CEMAT) is general Bertrand Ract-Madoux.
In 1999 the Army issued the Code of the French Soldier, which includes the injunctions:
| “ | (...) Mastering his own strength, he respects his opponent and is careful to spare civilians. He obeys orders while respecting laws, customs of war and international conventions.(...) He is aware of global societies and respects their differences. (...) | ” |
The French Army employs 126,436 military and 17,025 reservist personnel for a combined component strength of 142,148 personnel in 2012 (this figure excludes French Foreign Legion). All soldiers are considered professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in parliament in 1997 and effective as of 2001. In addition there were 19,345 civilian staff working in conjunction with the Department of the Ministry of Defence.
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