when the "vauquelin"s entered service they were assigned to the 5th and the newly formed 6th light divisions ( (dl)) which were later redesignated as scout divisions (). "kersaint" and her sister ships and were assigned to the 6th dl of the 2nd light squadron ( of the 2nd squadron (), based in brest. the 6th dl was transferred to the group of large destroyers ( (gct) of the 1st squadron () in toulon in october 1934 and it was renumbered as the 9th. on 27 june 1935, all of the "vauquelin"s, except , participated in a naval review conducted by the navy minister () françois piétri in the baie de douarnenez after combined maneuvers by the 1st and 2nd squadrons.