Military branches:
National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes naval detachment, Air Wing, and Coast Guard), National Gendarmerie (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
military service is voluntary; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 does not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claims that no one younger than 18 is being recruited; mandatory retirement age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2011)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,182,327
[see also: Manpower available for military service - male country ranks ]
females age 16-49: 2,202,125 (2010 est.)
[see also: Manpower available for military service - female country ranks ]
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,398,769
[see also: Manpower fit for military service - male country ranks ]
females age 16-49: 1,481,417 (2010 est.)
[see also: Manpower fit for military service - female country ranks ]
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 117,956
[see also: Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually - male country ranks ]
female: 116,956 (2010 est.)
[see also: Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually - female country ranks ]
Military expenditures:
5.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
[see also: Military expenditures country ranks ]