Guest from Europe Evening this Monday on the occasion of the release of his memoirs, General Christophe Gomart tells about the selection, the life, and the difficulties of the men who are part of the special forces of the French army.
An elite commando unit made up of 4,000 members who can intervene discreetly anywhere on Earth.
He is a man in the shadows who brings his profession to light.
Former commander of the special forces and former director of military intelligence, General Christophe Gomart publishes his memoirs,
Shadow Soldier, in the heart of the special forces.
In it, he looks back on the lives of members of the French army's special forces and evokes the secret wars and other discreet operations carried out by France in enemy territory.
A rare testimony from a high-ranking official of the “Grande muette”, and a way of “continuing to serve France” after 36 years in the army.
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A ruthless selection, cement of trust between men
If he intends this book above all for his children, General Christophe Gomart explains this Monday at the microphone of Europe Soir that his memories are also there to "highlight his special forces" and explain that there are people "like you and me "who do extraordinary things.
But before joining the 4,000 members of this unit founded in 1992 to observe, gather information, destroy an objective or "hit a target", it all starts with an internship.
A real test of strength both physical and mental over one year during which the candidates "are put to the end to see how they react".
An essential step according to this high-ranking official, because it constitutes the cement of the confidence which is tied between the men on the ground and their leaders.
Among these events, that of the "Breton wall", one of the most difficult.
It consists of crossing with bare hands a wall 2.20 meters high.
But this obstacle is preceded by a pit 70 centimeters wide and 1.3 meters deep ... A formidable exercise.
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