IETA military engineering students training at ENSTA marched in the July 14 parade

15 Jul 2026 Institute, Training Defense and Security

About 40 IETA military students marched on July 14, 2026, on the Champs-Élysées on behalf of ENSTA and the DGA. For the past three weeks, they had been preparing together for this major event for the French armed forces, whose theme was “Europe’s Strategic Awakening.” It was an emotionally charged moment for both the marchers and their loved ones.

The ENSTA Detachment

Hailing from all regions of France, the IETA cadets formed a square consisting of six ranks of first-year students, preceded by the flag bearer and his guard, as well as three DGA personnel: a detachment commander and two section leaders.

Who are the IETA?

Admitted through a competitive exam after completing scientific preparatory classes, the engineering students specializing in defense systems design and technology have chosen a dual commitment to innovation and the defense of the future, as military engineers at the DGA. To become engineers specializing in defense systems design and technology, they undergo high-level training in personal development, science, and technology. The first year of their training takes place in the armed forces. This is followed by three years of engineering training in the DGA’s strategic areas of expertise, delivered on the campuses of ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO in Brest, Paris-Saclay, and Toulouse.

Their training prepares them to design, develop, and manage complex systems that are essential to our country’s sovereignty and defense.

Profiles of two parade participants: Aimie and Nathan have just completed their first year of engineering training at the ENSTA campus in Brest

IETA student Aimie, originally from Gironde

Aimie is the president of the IETA Class of 2028. She also represents the students on the school’s board of directors. Nothing predestined her for this path: she is the first in her family and among her close friends to choose this career.

“Marching down the Champs-Élysées on July 14 is a personal achievement and a source of pride for my family, who will be there to experience the event with me—they watch the parade on TV every year. I’ll be thinking a lot about my grandfather this July 14; he’s the one who instilled in me the importance of remembering the past. He would have been proud to see me marching.”

IETA Cadet Nathan, originally from Charente-Maritime

Nathan discovered his calling to combine engineering studies with military service during his years in the gendarmerie reserve, which he joined at the age of 17. He hopes to put his skills to work for the armed forces and the public good.

“I’ve been watching the parade since I was a child. Even when I was on vacation on the other side of Europe, I’d watch it live. Since joining the IETA military engineering corps, it has taken on even greater significance. My childhood dream is coming true, and it’s also a source of great pride for me and my loved ones.”

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