Each year some seven per cent of school leavers in France find themselves at great educational, social and professional disadvantage. The three different worlds, three different cultures, of the Armed Forces have come together to offer their experience, means and know-how to young people in an effort to halt the spiral of decline in which many are caught up. The EPIDe, a state organisation that grew out of nothing some two years ago, is beginning to produce results in this field. At a moment when a plan to help the ‘sensitive’ suburbs, the banlieues, has been announced, it seems interesting to take a first look at what this very worthwhile scheme has achieved.