From business school to the high seas: SKEMA alumna to join the French Navy

​​​Bénédicte, why did you decide to join SKEMA befo​​​re entering the military commissioning?

The idea of a military career took root when I visited a student fair. Meeting an army recruiter revealed that business school graduates were well-suited for roles in military commissioning, where skills in business, communication, HR, management control, procurement, commerce, finance, and management are valued. Convinced, I opted for an ECE preparatory class, which led me to the entrance exam of SKEMA, the school I aspired to join.

Taking on a versatile role like that of a military com​​missioner is unusual. How did you structure your training at SKEMA?

Post-degree, I took a gap year to work at Decathlon in B2B, then at Amazon Logistics where I managed teams and optimised processes. These experiences helped me develop essential management and logistics skills for my future role. At Amazon, I worked in the planning and optimisation of delivery to individuals, and at Decathlon, in business development.

After completing your gap year, you decid​​ed to pursue an MSc in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics on a work-study basis at the Paris campus. What led to this choice?

I chose this programme in digital marketing and data analytics to complete my education and enhance my CV. At Danone, for two years, I held roles in management control and marketing. Having all these professional experiences is a significant advantage over my peers. I learnt a lot on the job at Decathlon, Amazon, and Danone. With each professional experience, I stepped up in terms of responsibilities. This allowed me to apply to the school of commissioners more confidently years later.

In 2022, you graduated from SKEMA and decided to undertak​e a contract as a Voluntary Aspiring Commissioner (VAC), open to business school graduates. Can you tell us a bit about this contract?

For one year, I was stationed on the Lorraine, a multi-mission frigate with enhanced air defence capabilities (the military term for this type of vessel is "FREMM"). To do this, I underwent a short initial military training of 5 weeks at the Army Commissariat School (ECA) in Salon-de-Provence. This type of contract is open to students or recent graduates from business or engineering schools, IAE, or IEP (Institut d'Etudes Politiques). I served as an assistant commissioner, assisting the commissioner in all support functions (HR, provisioning, communication, etc.) and in preparing for foreign port visits.

I also participated in the ship's life by training in navigation and serving as a bridge watch assistant. I performed numerous essential support functions such as financial and budget management, administration, logistics (material and equipment supply), and human resource management.

Is admission to the army commissa​​riat school competitive?

It is a selective process based on academic qualifications. My application, interviews, and oral exam in military management control, along with physical tests, earned me a spot in this joint services training. As a navy-based army commissioner, I underwent an initial part of my education at L'École des commissaires des armées, a period of joint administrative training with other arms and services (Army, Air Force, DGA, SSA, etc.), followed by the second half of the training at the Naval School to learn the specifics of the onboard officer role. At the end of this, I will graduate with a master's degree in law and administration of defence from the IAE Aix Marseille.

What are your hopes for your future posting aboard a ship?

I hope to serve on a frigate. The values of teamwork and solidarity are strong there, which is crucial when spending several days at sea.

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