Macron is the first French president who has never served in the military.

Emmanuel Macron has become the first French president not to have served in the military since the country adopted a new constitution in 1958.

Mr. Macron used a military vehicle during his inauguration. Photo: Reuters.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a strong impression on May 14 when he rode in a military vehicle to his inauguration. However, he is the first commander-in-chief of the French armed forces who has never served in the army, according to L'Opinion.

Born on December 21, 1977, Macron was part of the last generation of French citizens to undergo compulsory military service. This system was introduced in 1798 for all French males upon reaching adulthood. It was considered the foundation for the country to build one of the strongest armies in Europe at that time.

However, after World War II, France began to relax regulations on military service and abolished it in 1996. In 2001, President Jacques Chirac announced an end to conscription of male citizens, requiring them to register for military service only in case of emergency.

In theory, all male French citizens born before December 21, 1978, are required to perform military service. This is why all of Mr Macron’s predecessors have served in the army.

But in reality, only a small number of young French men born in 1977 and 1978 joined the army during the transition from conscription to professional service. Mr Macron was not among them. The last Frenchmen to serve were discharged in November 2001.

Analyst Jean-Dominique Merchet said Mr Macron could have volunteered to join the army to gain experience and achievements. However, he decided to continue his studies at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, then went to the National School of Administration (ENA) in 2002 and followed the political path.

With this career journey, Mr. Macron became the first French president who had never served in the military, since the country adopted the Constitution in 1958.

According to VNE