Above all in the family put the two concepts – the nation and homeland. After high school St. Thomas Aquinas, at the request of Charles parents entered the Jesuit college. Despite the fact that the French schools of that time was dominated by harsh discipline and cramming, Jesuit education was considered one of the best of everything that could afford allow the family de Gaulle. The boy was an apt pupil. His ability to quote from memory passages from Greek and Latin authors subsequently much admired by his colleagues. Then de Gaulle entered the Higher Military College Saint-Cyr.
After graduating from college in 1912, he was enrolled in the 33 Infantry Regiment, the new commander of the regiment was one Philippe Petain. Petain – the future Marshal, Minister of War and Prime Minister of France, as well as de Gaulle was born in the north country. He left a deep mark on the young de Gaulle, who in September 1913 was promoted to lieutenant. "Peten – a great man," – said Charles. By this time Charles de Gaulle already thinking about their own destination in life and believes that its meaning "is to commit in the name of France, an outstanding feat." With the outbreak of World War II, de Gaulle left for the front in the 33rd Infantry Regiment. He fought bravely and was promoted to captain. During the war, de Gaulle was wounded three times, and in 1916 in the battle of Verdun he found murdered and left on the battlefield, which he was captured.