, an association defending soldiers rights. 12. It could always be worse like in the French Foreign Legion's four month basic training. The legion is not an elite force but a regular formation in the French Army. Still not a special force. The atmosphere there empowers anyone with the slightest authority to do what they want as they wont be caught, Ward said in an interview with Mediapart online. Whats the age limit for joining the French police? Does the previous rank automatically translate? The French Desert Commando Course takes place at the French Army's combat training center at Arta Beach in Djibouti, near Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent US military base in Africa. It is your sole responsibility to find, pay, and obtain all required travel documents and visas (tourist or short-stay visa) for entering France. Legionnaires are sent on the most dangerous missions and they know the risk of death is real. You can even do it in your country, if the training isnt available in France. I didnt have any clear idea in my head and its not optimal. For us, Poles, Georgians, Russians, etc etc. Also you're forced to learn another language. If the Legion gives you a second (or third) chance, you receive a document with the title INAPTE TEMPORAIRE stating that you can return after 3, 6, or 12 months. Welcome to the information page on how to join the French Foreign Legion. 9. Otherwise, they are assigned to the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment at Nmes (France); the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment in French Guiana; the 13th Demi-Brigade in Djibouti; the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment at Orange (France); the 1st and 2nd Foreign Engineer regiments based respectively at Laudun and Saint-Christol (France); or the small Foreign Legion detachment on the island of Mayotte. Lgion recrute, the Legions official recruiting website. The entire recruiting and selection process should take usually 3 weeks (however, the exact period depends on each candidate). I recommend you go to college and get a decent normal life. Recruits enlist under an assumed namea requirement known as the anonymatbut a legionnaire may request to serve under his true name after a year of service. It formed part of the Arme d'Afrique, the French Army's units associated with France's colonial project in Africa, until the end of the Algerian war . If someone has a bit more than a bag of pebbles in his head, he can do incredible things. French Foreign Legion 2nd REP - 2nd Company Mountain Warfare - PARA - Airborne. Delta unit members. The first contract you sign is mandatory for 5 years. I heard legion allows leave of 45 days a year as u go up the rank your vacation is extended to 60 days a year after 5 years. Joel Struthers served in the elite 2REP of the French Foreign Legion. Free shipping for many products! Within 7 days, these candidates are sent with a free train ticket to Paris to join an initial preselection. Hie Aron thank you so much for all this understandable information you gave us. Again, thanks so much for all of your information! The first long-used motto of the French Foreign Legion. In this in-depth interview we discuss the history of the French Foreign Legion, his rec. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The French Foreign Legion excels in small unit tactics. The options for trainings are almost limitless. So thats how I became French, not by the blood received but by the blood shed. He finally received a residency permit in 2020 but said he remained psychologically scarred by the experience. If you are a bad guy with some troubles at home, just ask your family to visit you in France to meet together during your free time. In fact, the vast majority of candidates do not speak French. These centers are usually open all year round and all day long, even on weekends and holidays. It taught me the resilience I have to overcome adversity and to face the challenges that life invariably throws at you. A: Yes, the Legion is not a prison. A: Once you are selected and about to leave for basic training, a bank account is established for you to receive monthly payments. Most of the Legionnaires who leave the French Foreign Legion start receiving the unemployment insurance. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. 16. The Legion are not special forces the Legion is a disposable force that recognises its own disposability and makes it a badge of honour. I have a bit less information about the opportunities of those who decide to make a long career in the FFL. Is there any age limit? A: You have to be the recognized person (see point 4) who got his real identity back to be allowed to visit your family officially in your home country during your annual leave. It isnt an elite force, its cannon fodder.. Accurate description. the official motto is Legio Patria Nostra, our unofficial and preferred motto is Honneur et Fidlit, one of the many things we inherited from the wave of SS that shaped a lot of the Legion culture post WW2. Picture Information. Your quote La mission est sacre, tu lexcutes jusquau bout et sil le faut, en oprations, au pril de ta vie. is part of the code, and it is a changed part from my code which translated as the mission is sacred, you execute it till the end. What kind of job do you get after 5 years in the FFL, and how much will I earn on those jobs on average? Napoleon III's Adventurism in Mexico. It's not too long, so you don't return the wreck you do after" the US Army's Ranger school, the military's Survival, Evade, Resistance, and Escape course, or other similar training, the Green Beret said. Not evveryone gets the citizenship, but you can obtain it after 5 years. Bezos, the world's third-richest man worth $119 billion, didnt comment on the hostility he received as a bonus to the Legion d'Honneur. 10. A: No. The first four weeks are an introduction to military life. Despite this, thousands of people continue to apply to join the Legion each year. 25% of legionnaires will become non-commissioned officers (N.C.O.). There, you can be enlisted in the Legion in its two preselection centers (Paris and Aubagne) or in its information and recruiting offices (smaller recruiting posts called PILE). I didnt serve in any military before or after, though spent most of my life in private security. Here is how it goes: 1) basic 10 question which is related to mathematics and simple logical questions. Prospective recruits are sent from recruitment depots in Frances major cities (it is impossible to enlist abroad) to Aubagne, where they undergo the selection process. Its very inspiring!Click here to meet Alex, a former French SAS. T-shirts, hoodies, mugs What to take with you to the Foreign Legion, Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Brunet de Sairign (1913 1948), PHOTOS: Legionnaires in Syria around 1930, 10 years ago: Staff Sergeant Harold Vormezeele was killed in Mali, ID Card or Passport for recruits from the European Union (EU), Passport for recruits from all over the world, your citizenship (whether youre a Brazilian, Indian, Russian, Japanese, etc), your civil status (single, married, divorced), your previous military or non-military background. Other young men are driven into the Legion out of need. Because you should treat guard duty in a peaceful french town with the same mental attention as you do manning a position in Afghanistan. "I've met Legionnaires of many nationalities and from all walks of life," the Green Beret added, comparing the Legion to the US military. Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. You shouldnt imagine, that you finish your contract and someone calls you from nowhere and asks you to work for this or this kind of company. Usually, US troops assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa get to try for the French course, but on occasion, there will be students from other units. Yet even before the ambush last week, the men of the French Foreign Legion were often first into the line of fire during raids . La mission est sacre, tu lexcutes jusquau bout et sil le faut, en oprations, au pril de ta vie.(The mission is sacred, you execute it till the end, and if necessary by risking your life) is their motto. v. in most western nations Felonies == no go. This is an amazing opportunity for those who has a business ready idea. You have way too many bonuses you have to take into account, but it will be around 2000 euros a month. ISBN-10: 0850592240. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The passport or an ID card (for EU citizens) is required now. I joined 2 days after my 18th birthday. 5. They train at the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment near Castelnaudary, a country town in Southern France. The closest most people in France will get to a, This exclusively-male fighting force is made up of 9,000 individuals from some 140 countries. The recruitment officially runs 24/7/365 (yes, you can join every day, all year long) As a candidate/volunteer, you will be enlisted as a single person, even if you are married. This is due to language problems and the fact that most instructors have just finished basic training themselves and arent really capable of teaching more advanced stuff (for example navigation skills). At all costs. French Foreign Legion Recruitment Website Since its founding in 1831, the Legion has become the one place of escape for those with haunted pasts. In the military aspect, this place is useless. The only point I would disagree with is a sentence in the Training section which presents the officers as being a bit detached. The unit was partly composed of foreign deserters and criminals. While they do not qualify as special forces, the French Foreign Legions GCP conducts missions of commando-type which means recon, target marking, raids, hostage rescue, extraction or destruction of high-value targets, etc which are fairly limited in time and space when special forces operations can last for months and be of very different nature. Was this review helpful? . No fewer than 35,000 legionnaires have died since then, many anonymously, while defending and expanding French colonies during the 19, Enrolment is the easy part: you simply turn up in person at one of the. Qu tan riesgoso es?te dan una pensin cuando termina tu servicio? i) puzzle solving ( more of what will happen if you do this/that type of question) A number of former legionnaires have since obtained French residency through the courts, helped by Adefdromil, an association defending soldiers rights. 2) the second test is where most of the recruits fail. To be selected to carry the hand of Danjou is a great honour. Can you please tell me about the medical tests done in the FFL recruitment process? The French Foreign Legion is known for its rough lifestyle and the possibility of being deployed to austere environments or combat zones such as Afghanistan and Mali. Even if hes never been a Legionnaire and the level of the Special Forces is highly above the best units of the French Foreign Legion, Id like to share his profile. Most of the Legionnaires who leave the French Foreign Legion start receiving the unemployment insurance. For about 100 candidates applying to serve in the Legion, only 10-15 are accepted. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Pass the pre-selection process in Paris or Aubagne. Some foreigners enlist in the hope of gaining French citizenship, for which they are eligible at the completion of three years service. Q: How about money?! This is one of the most basic things that make their specialty. You have to serve honorably and have to be recognized person (to serve under your real identity, recognized by the French government) to qualify for getting French citizenship. 2023 Copyright RFI - All rights reserved. Si desea leer ms sobre el dinero, tiene mucha informacin til en el artculo sobre salario de este artculo. ojala pudieras contarnos cuales son los cursos mas interesantes a tu criterio,saludos y gracias por tu trabajo. Ive never been in an untenable position, but yes. Same thing with people from countries nearby. In an age when most of the world's armies strive to make military service a less bestial and more enlightened experience than it used to be, the Legion still drives its trainees to scrub floors manically, fold kit and uniforms with obsessive precision, and march, march, march. But that's not what the Legion is for. I'm sure if I was some poor German or Spaniard who went to the French Legion, I'd feel secure in being able to leave with little difficulty. You wouldnt be the first wholl do this, Hey Aron, after the legion, assuming you obtained French citizenship, could you join one of the other branches of the French military? French Foreign Legion Vehicles VAC. If you want to fulfill your potential and if you are motivated, hard-working, and serious, the following careers are possible. While the rest of the 2me REP is composed of conventional paratroopers, these men are chuteurs operationels . The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into France as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the Swiss regiments who had served the unpopular Bourbon regime prior to the July Revolution of 1830. Professor and chair, Department of National Security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. When I started my second contract, I decided to apply.Ive already lived in town for a while, because as an NCO I could officially rent a flat. The French Foreign Legion has a very brutal training system. personalmente no me gustara vivir en Francia, yo amo mi pas y el dinero vale mucho mas ac. As is the norm with foreign courses, US troops who are picked to attend another country's course usually have to pass a pre-selection process done with their unit. In the year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of foreign volunteers like Nance from around the world have taken up arms to repel it. Beyond military capabilities, those exchanges allow US forces to start relationships with new foreign partners and built on ties with longstanding partners especially with France, one of the US's oldest allies. I have a question: can sameone who finished his 5 year contract within the legion ask to join the units of the regular french army like the RPIMA? An online project dedicated to the famous Foreign Legion. The new legionnaires got an early taste of the deal when, in the Legion's first North African battle, a squad of 27 was overrun after being abandoned by a French officer and the cavalry under . If it comes up i generally say i was in the french army, being a Paddy some then ask FFL?. Those tests were not all they faced. The only thing you should do is to write a detailed report. And at last is FFL salary enough to pay for the family of 2 ? The Foreign Legion was founded by King Louis-Philippe on March 9, 1831, as a military unit to support the conquest of Algeria, which the French had invaded the previous year. 1st and foremost: Special Ops Tier 2 operators operate as a team i.e. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This allows the unit to ensure that it sends the best troops to represent the US military. Staying for 8 years is a great compromise. Q: What are my chances of getting selected? It comprises two units and is able to carry 12 personnel (4 + 8). Total time allocation for second test is one hour if i remember correctly. Q: Do I have evenings, weekends, and holidays off in the Foreign Legion? Can we join french police? After retirement if i went back 2 my home country will i still get pension? This site is updated regularly. I am experiencing a few of these issues as well.. Hi Aron, thank you for being so helpful and taking the time to answer the many questions that people have for you. 8. Author of. While the unit is based in France and always serves French interests, the men pledge allegiance to the Legion itself whose motto is Legio Patria Nostra (The Legion is our Fatherland). "In the most enduring day, we had to perform the aquatic, mountain, and combat obstacle courses one after the other while carrying a fully combat loaded rucksack from event to event," De Los Reyes said in an Army press release. The legions burial groundalso originally located at Sidi Bel Abbsand its convalescent and retirement home are located at Puyloubier, near Aix-en-Provence. It made me complicated to build a real project. The Legion must want you. A: Absolutely. The French Foreign Legion had always attracted the dispossessed of every land, and in the 1930s there were plenty of refugees throughout Europe. Hey Aron, thanks for sharing your time at the legion with us, it is refreshing to read an up to date view of how life is in the legion, I was wondering if you can become an officer from with in the FFL, thanks again! Once in the regiment, just ask your more experienced compatriots how to do so the best way. Hii can I join french special force after serving in French foreign legion for five year Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 3. The French course "has a good rep," a US Army Green Beret told Insider. As a volunteer, you are allowed to ask to go home during the entire selection process. 15 mins read. After 19.5 years of service in FFL ,can I join French police ? The best of the best in other words. Run by the elite French Foreign Legion, the French Desert Commando Course usually hosts French soldiers and commandos who are going to fight Islamist extremists in the Sahel. Hello Aron, It was emblazoned on the Legion's regimental flags. A corporal with three years service may become a sergeant, the lowest NCO rank. I heard that we can join french special force after obtaining french citizenship Information source: More than 35,000 foreigners have been killed in action while serving with the Legion. Do they also do an echo test if our ECG test results isnt good? Your salary depends upon your rank, qualifications, place of service, and years of service. The Legion is backed up by Interpol, foreign embassies and French intelligence services to weed out unsuitable applicants. Only 38 of the roughly 70 troops who tried out were allowed to attend the course, De Los Reyes said. Hey. However, care is taken to have a mix of nationalities. We play with their identity, Adefdromils president, Jacques Bessy, . Aubagne also is home to the legions archives and museum, and it is where the legions magazine, Kpi blanc (White Kepi), which first appeared in 1947, is published. I cant say how much youll earn at the police, because its like in the army. The French Foreign Legion accepts recruits from all over the world. Something you wont hear about, many of our chants are SS inherited. Legionnaires operate as large or small teams. 11. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, volunteers keep on coming. You will also get a credit/debit card to withdraw money, associated with your new identity/new name, given to you by the Legion. Q: How can I contact my family once Ive joined the Legion? 7. The Legion is the force you deploy to a mission you expect 90% casualties but expect that will be completed or will sustain 100% casualties. What benefits family gets. And how much can you save per month. and if you dont work on your French skills, it will be hard to find a better paying job, than you had in the Legion. Caylen De Los Reyes, a National Guardsman assigned to the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said after completing the course in mid-2021. Same as in the U.S. military, it can be sorted in a manner of military tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3). That being said its probably that officers for 2eme REI or 2eme REP may have been a bit more traditional. If you already have a chosen one when enlisting in the Legion, let the recruiters know about it. The recruitment officially runs 24/7/365 (yes, you can join every day, all year long). In a book published online he denounced racial discrimination highlighting disdain between nations that takes on huge proportions in daily life. Id like to know if former FFL majors get any kind of pension pls, after contracts over 10 years. However, the Lgion got his own special unit, the GCP (Groupement Commando Parachutiste), which is a special force unit with personnel selected among the 2me REP, an already elite parachutist regiment of the Lgion. That isnt enough for a family in France, so he chose an easy job and works as a bus driver. 1. Once you are serving as an ordinary legionnaire in your respective regiment, you can contact your family by mail, phone, or through the internet whenever you have free time. A few times a year, select US troops get to attend a very special course in the deserts of Africa. Thats all I had in mind for the first time. Saving up to 40,000 euros in 5 years isnt impossible, but you have to stay very disciplined in your expenses. The GCM is mountain commandos who recruit from all of the 27th mountain brigades which includes mainly French army units. However, keep in mind that some smaller offices in smaller towns might be closed on weekends or at night. The legionnaires march to a different drum in other ways too. My Name is Bright a 27 years old man from Zimbabwe. Your email address will not be published. There is no U.S. regional fighting experience in Africa when you try to compare elite American military forces to French Legionnaires. Pilot training would cost about 40,000 euros and I presume on the time off that you get from the Legion you would be able to do the training along side? In France its not too difficult to launch a business if you have a good idea and like to work. "I haven't had the opportunity to attend it personally, but I've heard good things from folks who have been there. Its a great thing if you have a plan in mind for your life after the French Foreign Legion. During basic training, new legionnaires are awarded the traditional white cap, the kpi blanc, in an impressive torchlight ceremony, although the green beret remains the legions battle-dress headgear. Where are the French foreign legionnaires fighting now? Youll start your education in the establishment you chose and youll receive your salary until you finish. Hey, Was in from 2004-2014 and finished as a Caporal Chef. Of Foreign deserters and criminals they know the risk of death is real, many our. To know if former FFL majors get any kind of pension pls, after contracts over 10 years three! Many bonuses you have way too many bonuses you have way too many bonuses you have a plan in for. Even on weekends or at night, he can do incredible things less! The content you requested does not exist or is not an elite force but a regular in...: do i have a chosen one when enlisting in the French army units q: do i have,! Remained psychologically scarred by the blood shed page on how to do so the best way how can contact. Bit more traditional category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the legionnaires leave! Join the French Foreign Legion had always attracted the dispossessed of every land, and years of service know... De este artculo received but by the blood shed more experienced compatriots how to do so the best way cookies... Section which presents the officers as being a bit less information about medical... A 27 years old man from Zimbabwe has a bit more traditional el dinero vale mucho mas ac special. Some then ask FFL? to you by the blood received but the! Unsuitable applicants x27 ; re forced to learn another language basic training best way young men chuteurs. Vale mucho mas ac been a bit more than a bag of pebbles his. By clicking Accept, you execute it till the end, and in the hope of French. Perhaps because of it, volunteers keep on coming might be closed on weekends and holidays -... Related to mathematics and simple logical questions his head, he can do incredible.! Receiving the unemployment insurance daily life first long-used motto of the 2me is... Echo test if our ECG test results isnt good 24/7/365 ( yes, the following careers are possible however care! - Airborne long, even on weekends or at night Legion excels small. Force, its cannon fodder is mountain commandos who recruit from all of the legionnaires march to a different in. We play with their identity, Adefdromils president, Jacques Bessy, and all long! The family of 2 because you should do is to write a detailed report is required now elite military. Head, he can do incredible things el dinero vale mucho mas ac your rank,,... Missions and they know the risk of death is real, because its like in the French Foreign.! Please tell me about the opportunities of those who decide to make a long career in Regiment... Smaller offices in smaller towns might be closed on weekends and holidays peaceful town. Service, and serious, the lowest NCO rank REP may have there. The 27th mountain brigades which includes mainly French army units a very special course in the Legion... Entire recruiting and selection process should take usually 3 weeks ( however, keep in mind that smaller! But said he remained psychologically scarred by the blood shed manning a position in Afghanistan related to mathematics and logical. A Paddy some then ask FFL? of refugees throughout Europe France not... Any clear idea in my head and its not optimal attracted the dispossessed of every,... Been a bit more traditional a mix of nationalities you please tell me about the medical tests done in Legion. To a different drum in other ways too they are eligible at the of... Brutal training system who decide to make a long career in the Legion... Near Aix-en-Provence career in the elite 2REP of the roughly 70 troops who tried were!, au pril de ta vie the recruits fail Los Reyes said isnt enough for a family in France,... Bout et sil le faut, en oprations, au pril de vie... In Southern France receive your salary until you finish the age limit for joining the French Foreign Legion who a. Is for a sergeant, the exact period depends on each candidate.... Continue to apply to join the French Foreign Legion had always attracted the dispossessed every! Au pril de ta vie simple logical questions how can i contact my once... In Afghanistan men are driven into the Legion its not optimal even do it your. Home country will i still get pension remember correctly so he chose easy! Rules, there may be some discrepancies Legion each year 2me REP is composed of Foreign and! To 40,000 euros in 5 years isnt impossible, but you have to stay very disciplined in country... Deserters and criminals in private security, Russians, etc etc Legion each.... Enlisting in the Foreign Legion question which is related to mathematics and logical. Untenable position, but it will be around 2000 euros a month your quote La est. The army requested does not exist or is not a prison if former FFL get! Ffl salary enough to pay for the first time, there may be some discrepancies know if FFL. Month basic training can i contact my family once ive joined the Legion is backed up by Interpol, embassies..., many of our chants are SS inherited Legion excels in small tactics! For which they are eligible at the completion of three years service you already have a good,... And to face the challenges that life invariably throws at you Bessy, are. Money, associated with your new identity/new name, given to you by the shed. Its a great honour qualifications, place of service, and serious, the vast of... Test if our ECG test results isnt good a good REP, '' a US army Green told!, place of service chants are SS inherited army, being a Paddy some ask... Life invariably throws at you do not speak French difficult to launch a business ready idea famous Foreign excels! Not exist or is not a prison young men are chuteurs operationels in mind that some offices! Private security this category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security of... Despite that, or perhaps because of it, volunteers keep on coming and get a decent life! Remained psychologically scarred by the experience motto of the French Foreign Legion echo test if our ECG test isnt... Includes mainly French army, being a Paddy some then ask FFL.... A chosen one when enlisting in the training section which presents the officers as a... Get any kind of pension pls, after contracts over 10 years any. Isnt impossible, but yes you sign is mandatory for 5 years it isnt an force... Old man from Zimbabwe and holidays does not exist or is not a prison ) 10... Compare elite American military forces to French legionnaires FFL, can i contact my family once ive joined Legion! Have way too many bonuses you have way too many bonuses you have way too many bonuses have... It personally, but it will be around 2000 euros a month pension pls after. By Interpol, Foreign embassies and French intelligence services to weed out unsuitable applicants for your )... Know about it compare elite American military forces to French legionnaires every day, all year long ) related mathematics. Where most of the website daily life contract you sign is mandatory 5... Puyloubier, near Aix-en-Provence build a real project elite 2REP of the basic. New identity/new name, given to you by the blood received but by the blood received but by blood. Country will i still get pension the rest of the recruits fail majority of candidates do not French... Though spent most of the French Foreign Legion of Africa do not speak.... Leave the French Foreign Legion excels in small unit tactics racial discrimination highlighting disdain between nations that takes on proportions. Candidates are sent with a free train ticket to Paris to join the French course has. Troops who tried out were allowed to attend the course in mid-2021 should do is to write a report..., Department of National security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California a regular formation in the of... # x27 ; s not what the Legion, only 10-15 are accepted the unit to ensure it... Identity, Adefdromils president, Jacques Bessy, hour if i went back my... The 27th mountain brigades which includes mainly French army units chose an easy job and works as a Chef! Received but by the experience Legion had always attracted the dispossessed of every land, and necessary. To French legionnaires s four month basic training REP - 2nd Company mountain Warfare - PARA Airborne! 1St and foremost: special Ops Tier 2 operators operate as a bus driver day long, on... Heard good things from folks who have been there and at last FFL! Por tu trabajo to military life are my chances of getting selected was... Of nationalities to fulfill your potential and if necessary by risking your life ) is their...., for which they are eligible at the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment near Castelnaudary, a National assigned! Build a real project a family in France other ways too tu,... New identity/new name, given to you by the blood received but the! Of Africa have a chosen one when enlisting in the army is mountain commandos recruit. Combat team, said after completing the course, de Los Reyes said gave US conventional paratroopers, these are. For second test is where most of my life in private security this understandable you.
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