The National Gendarmerie Military Academy

The Military Academy of the National Gendarmerie is a central institution in the training of future officers of the French Gendarmerie, actively contributing to public security and national defense.

Table of Contents:

• The Military Academy of the National Gendarmerie: An institution serving public security
• History of the AMGN: From the Schomberg barracks to Melun
• Access routes and recruitment
• Excellence in training
• A security and defense research center
• An institution in constant evolution

In France, the Military Academy of the National Gendarmerie (AMGN), previously known as the School of Officers of the National Gendarmerie (EOGN), constitutes a central hub in the training of Gendarmerie officers. Founded in 1918, this institution ranks among the nine great French military schools, alongside the Special Military School of Saint-Cyr, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, as well as other prestigious establishments. Since 1945, it has been located in Melun, in Seine-et-Marne.

The academy's history begins in 1901, with the establishment of a course of study designed to support non-commissioned officers capable of becoming second lieutenants. This first training took place at the Schomberg barracks, in Paris. It was only after World War I, in 1918, that the School of Officers of the National Gendarmerie (EOGN) was officially founded and established in Versailles.

On October 1, 1945, after numerous relocations during World War II, the school settled in Melun, where it remains today. The academy has undergone profound changes over the years, notably with the integration of the first foreign trainees in 1946, as well as the establishment of new recruitment pathways, such as that of direct recruitment officers starting in 1966.

In 2008, the Academy integrated the Higher Education Center of the Gendarmerie (CESG), thus becoming the sole training center for officers of the National Gendarmerie. This merger reinforced its preeminence within French law enforcement forces.

The school of officers of the National Gendarmerie, the EOGN, has officially changed its name and leadership. Since September 1st, it has been known as the Military Academy of the National Gendarmerie. The corresponding decree was published in the Official Journal on August 5, 2024.

Brice Lapointe

The AMGN recruits its cadets through several competitions, reflecting the diversity of profiles sought. Among these access routes are notably:

• The "Gendarmerie Officer" competition, accessible to university graduates holding a Master's 2 degree, to category A civil servants, as well as to officers from other armed forces.

• Semi-direct recruitment, open to career non-commissioned officers of the Gendarmerie, or recruitment by qualification, for holders of degrees in scientific disciplines.

• The "Technical and Administrative Corps Officers" competition, which allows civil servants and officers from other armed forces to access the AMGN.

The number of available places is determined each year by ministerial decree. Generally, a class consists of 150 to 200 cadets.

Brice Lapointe

The AMGN's fundamental mission is to train gendarmerie officers in command and to prepare them for their future responsibilities as high-level executives. The training of officer cadets extends over two years and is divided into four semesters, each with a specific program:

1. First semester : military and tactical training aimed at acquiring the foundations of command and developing the fundamental physical and moral skills for future officers.

2. Second semester : professional, technical and tactical training, adapted to the operational requirements of the Gendarmerie and its integration into the societal environment.

3. Third semester: acquisition of knowledge necessary for implementing Gendarmerie resources. In parallel, cadets can follow a university curriculum leading to obtaining an MBA (Master of Business Administration - specialized in "security management").

4. Fourth semester : specialization and preparation for first command in one of four areas: general public security, order maintenance-defense, criminal investigation-intelligence, or mobility security.

The AMGN is not limited to officer training. Since 2008, it has also housed the AMGN Research Center, whose mission is to guide and lead research in the fields of internal security and defense. This center ensures the coherence of work conducted within the Gendarmerie with that of other research institutes, thus contributing to the development of strategic foresight in the medium and long term, essential for addressing contemporary security challenges.

The evolution of the AMGN reflects its ability to constantly adapt to the needs of the Gendarmerie and to society's expectations. With diversified access routes and modular and personalized training, the academy presents itself as a modern institution, capable of training officers ready to meet the challenges of contemporary public security.

The name change in September 2024, adopting that of Military Academy of the National Gendarmerie, reflects its desire to strengthen its military identity and increase its attractiveness, while remaining faithful to its values of discipline, rigor, and commitment to serving the nation.

Thus, the AMGN remains an indispensable actor in public security in France, preparing its future officers to exercise command in operational contexts that are increasingly complex and demanding.