Сен-Сир
Raffenel entered the Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr on 28 October 1876 as an officer-cadet, graduating on 1 October 1878 as a second lieutenant in the 1st Marine Infantry Regiment. Serving in Martinique from 16 March 1881, he received promotion to lieutenant on 16 April. Transferring to the 4th Marine Infantry on 25 May 1883, he returned to France on 9 July and was promoted captain on 8 December. Raffenel served as adjutant of the regiment from 31 March 1884.