A candidate who hesitates between GAV and gendarmerie non-commissioned officer often faces a choice that commits several years of life. The GAV contract lasts a few years, with no diploma requirement. The non-commissioned officer (SOG) exam opens a complete military career but imposes a more demanding selection process. These two paths do not lead to the same daily life, and they are not chosen with the same criteria.
GAV APJA in gendarmerie: a field entry without a diploma
The status of voluntary deputy gendarme APJA places you directly in the field. Territorial brigade, mountain platoon, republican guard, judicial pole: the GAV participates in operations alongside non-commissioned officers as soon as their training at the gendarmerie school is completed.
No diploma is required to apply. This is the most accessible starting point in the national gendarmerie. Candidates undergo entry tests (not a traditional exam), followed by a short training period before assignment to a unit.
The contract is time-limited. At its end, there are two options: return to civilian life or transition to a non-commissioned officer career by passing the internal exam. The majority of GAVs then choose to transition to active personnel or civilian public service.
The GAV increasingly functions as a gateway to a sustainable career. To better understand the advantages of GAV in gendarmerie, it is also important to look at the civilian skills acquired during the contract: public reception, listening, user relations.
In summary, the GAV suits a profile that wants to test the gendarme profession, gain quick operational experience, and take time to prepare for what comes next.
Non-commissioned officer exam in gendarmerie: what the selection really implies
The SOG exam (non-commissioned officer of gendarmerie) is a different mechanism. It involves a real exam with written, oral, and physical tests. A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required for the external path. The internal path is aimed at GAVs and military personnel already in service.
The physical test is a real filter for the SOG exam. A candidate who is not physically fit will have more difficulty passing this stage. The GAV, on the other hand, does not impose a physical test during recruitment, although training at the school later requires a decent physical level.
The oral interview carries significant weight in the SOG selection. In recent years, the gendarmerie has developed support systems for candidates: online coaching sessions, live events hosted by non-commissioned officers in school or in units, feedback on recent oral topics. This continuous support before and during preparation has become an element of the process that traditional articles rarely detail.
Quick comparison of the two recruitment paths
| Criterion | GAV APJA | Non-commissioned officer (SOG) |
|---|---|---|
| Required diploma | None | High school diploma (external) |
| Type of selection | Entry tests | Exam (written, oral, physical) |
| Physical test at recruitment | No | Yes |
| Contract duration | Limited (renewable) | Long career |
| Status | Voluntary military | Career military |
| Progression | Internal SOG exam possible | Ranks of non-commissioned officer then officer |
Career and progression in gendarmerie: the real criterion for choice
This touches on the point that decides the choice for most candidates. The GAV offers field experience and a military status with its benefits (housing, social coverage, paid training). The downside: the GAV contract has a limited duration and does not guarantee a lifetime position.
The non-commissioned officer enters a complete career path. Ranks, specializations, transfers, increasing responsibilities. A SOG can aim for specialized units (PSIG, research brigade, mobile gendarmerie) and eventually take the officer exam.
If the goal is to build a long-term career in the national gendarmerie, the SOG exam is the direct path. If one is still uncertain about the profession or does not have a high school diploma, the GAV allows for validating the choice before committing further.
Concrete points to evaluate before applying
- Educational level and diploma: without a high school diploma, the GAV path is the only immediate option. With a diploma, one can attempt both in parallel.
- Physical condition: feedback varies on this point, but a less athletic candidate will face less friction in GAV recruitment than in the SOG exam, where the physical test is eliminatory.
- Medium-term professional project: a GAV who wishes to remain a gendarme will have to take the internal SOG exam anyway. It’s better to know this from the start.
- Daily life and housing: both statuses provide access to barracks housing and the benefits of military status. The difference lies in the duration and stability of the position.
GAV then non-commissioned officer: the two-step strategy
Going through the GAV before taking the internal SOG exam is a common trajectory. It allows one to discover life in a brigade, confront the realities of the field, and prepare for the exam with a concrete understanding of the profession.
The GAV training now includes transferable skills: reception, listening, conflict management. These skills matter during the interview portion of the internal SOG exam. A former GAV who presents for the oral exam with two or three years of field experience has a real advantage over an external candidate who has never worn the uniform.
This strategy has a cost: the time spent under the GAV contract delays entry into the non-commissioned officer career. For a candidate with a high school diploma and good physical condition, attempting the external SOG exam directly remains the shortest path to a stable career in gendarmerie.
The choice between GAV and non-commissioned officer ultimately depends on three variables: the available diploma, the physical fitness level at the time of application, and the clarity of the career project. When these three elements point in the same direction, the decision is made without hesitation.