National service as an explanation for France's many enlisted grades

France's use of national service may help explain its many rating and NCO grades. Personnel serving for a limited period still need recognizable titles within the organization they join. Service national universel illustrates the argument through roughly half a month of civic instruction followed by half a month working with an organization such as the military, police, or fire service. The proposed connection is that accommodating these personnel gives the armed services additional categories to name.