After the launch of the national session by the Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, the audience moved to the other end of the defence and security spectrum with a visit to Penthièvre to the commando training centre of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMa) - the "Big Three" - where they were welcomed by its commanding officer, Colonel FAIVRE.
Between work sessions and meals at the École nationale de voile et des sports nautiques (ENVSN), the students donned their combat gear to tackle the various obstacles on the group and individual commando courses at Fort Penthièvre.
Listeners were woken at 6am by the sound of bagpipes, before gathering in the Place d'Armes for the flag-raising ceremony, just as the sun was beginning to rise.
The objective was largely achieved thanks to the teaching skills of the instructors on the 3e RIMA, but also to the solidarity and mutual aid between listeners, which enabled them to overcome their legitimate apprehension and overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable.
To their great surprise, they created strong bonds between them that they would never have imagined they could forge in a single day.
So it was with a great deal of satisfaction, but not without a good deal of tiredness and a few aches and pains, that the listeners returned home, visibly happy and impatient to meet up again.
