Extreme Hazing: French Air Force Edition
A young French Air Force pilot has decided to take legal action against his comrades for events that took place almost exactly 5 years ago.
The Incident at Solenzara
In May 2019, he followed his fellow pilots to the French Air Force Polygon of Solenzara (Corsica). However, he was unaware his colleagues had planned an “initiation ritual” for him! As soon as they arrived at the base, the young pilot was pinned to the floor, tied up, and had a bag put over his head. He was then roughly thrown at the back of a pick-up truck and driven away.
He ended up tied up to a gun target in the middle of the polygon… And his colleagues came back, flying their jets and simulating gun runs (with live ammo) in his vicinity.
The Aftermath
The victim’s ordeal apparently lasted 20 minutes. According to his lawyer, Frédéric Berna, the experience was terrifying and still haunts him to this day. The file was presented to a Marseille tribunal this week under charges of premeditated organized violence, hazing and violence with firearms.
Stéphane Spet, spokesperson for the French Air Force, confirmed an investigation was ongoing and that the culprits will face firm punishment should they be found guilty.
Hazing in French Culture
Despite being outlawed, hazing is present in many aspects of French life, from university initiations to armed forces rite of passage. This case, however, seems a little bit extreme!
-RBM.
