The French Army ( , "land army") is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. Along with the French Air Force, the French Navy and the National Gendarmerie, it is placed under the responsibility of the French government. The current Chief of Staff of the French Army (CEMAT) is general Jean-Pierre Bosser. All soldiers are considered professionals following the suspension of conscription, voted in parliament in 1997 and made effective in 2001.