Harassment, Violence and a Code of Silence: Soldiers from France’s Elite Paratrooper Unit Speak Out

They dreamed of wearing the red beret. For four young paratroopers from the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa) in Castres, joining this prestigious French Army unit quickly turned into a nightmare. Now, they are breaking their silence. On May 9, they filed formal complaints against around fifteen superior officers and the Ministry of the Armed Forces, accusing them of serious misconduct: moral harassment, humiliation, threats, and physical violence.

Chilling Testimonies and a Culture of Fear

Accounts collected by L’Œil du 20 heures describe a toxic atmosphere within the unit. Of the 46 soldiers who joined the regiment in 2021, only 16 remain today. Others left due to contract terminations, desertions, or mental health breakdowns. In a recorded conversation, a superior officer is heard threatening a soldier: “You’ll become the company’s b****. […] Either you desert tonight, or I’ll turn your a**hole into a warehouse.” Other testimonies mention physical assaults, arbitrary punishments, and sexual humiliation—often in front of silent witnesses.

One of the plaintiffs recalls being violently attacked by a superior after posting a photo of himself in uniform on social media. The officer allegedly put a knife to his throat, threatening his family. While deployed in Romania, the same soldier spiraled into depression and reportedly attempted suicide. He was found in time by a fellow soldier—only to be slapped hard across the face by a non-commissioned officer. The Army, at the time, attributed the incident to “personal issues.”

A Systemic Breakdown in Command?

According to the soldiers’ lawyer, Thibault Laforcade, these accounts reveal a deeply rooted system of abuse, incompatible with the values the military claims to uphold. Describing the practices as “belonging to another era,” Laforcade praises his clients for their courage and has written to Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu urging sweeping reforms to address what he calls systemic failings. He claims that as many as twenty current or former soldiers may have experienced similar abuse.

Contacted by journalists, one of the accused officers denied all allegations, saying, “Some people just aren’t cut out to be soldiers.” The Army has since launched an internal investigation, and the Ministry of the Armed Forces has stated that it takes the allegations “very seriously” and “firmly condemns” such practices. “These behaviors are not tolerated,” said General Frédéric Danigo, commander of the 11th Parachute Brigade, who promised severe disciplinary measures if the claims are substantiated.

If convicted, the accused officers could face up to ten years in prison and fines of €150,000. Beyond the legal implications, the revelations cast a harsh light on a culture of silence and abuse tolerated in parts of the armed forces—far removed from the ideals of discipline, camaraderie, and honor that the French military claims to embody.