Dear friends in the Army,

I am particularly pleased to address you through this "contact letter" which I hold dear and which allows me to keep in touch with you who, at our side, carry the Army's ambition.

Because the Army can't do anything on its own. It is strong with the others. At the operational level, first of all, we must continue our joint integration efforts, starting with training. Our environment, which is deteriorating very quickly in terms of security, requires us to be ready for difficult confrontations from the outset.

Nor is it conceivable to fight without our allies. Let us seek interoperability, whether tactical, technical or cultural. Moreover, the Army must turn to the French, because it has a role to play in national cohesion and for our youth, to whom we can contribute so much and whom we need.

You can help us to achieve this ambition, which I call inclusive, and I urge you to do so because it is together that we will be stronger.

I am counting on you as you can count on me.

Army General Thierry Burkhard