ISBN-13: 9780850592245. Frances Foreign Legion, the national army's elite infantry force, has long attracted men the world over looking for adventure, a new start in life and the promise of French nationality. Welcome to the information page on how to join the French Foreign Legion. That applies to all candidates, without distinction. as the Legion says. More than 35,000 foreigners have been killed in action while serving with the Legion. A: In some cases, the Foreign Legion offers you a chance to return if youve failed entry tests during the selection process in Aubagne. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Most of the Legionnaires who leave the French Foreign Legion start receiving the unemployment insurance. The unit was partly composed of foreign deserters and criminals. Recruitment patterns reflect the political turmoil of the time. Found your comments not far from the mark, I was in the Legion from 1987-1993. When I joined the Legion, I barely knew anything useful about. Good article. And what is the deployment schedule in legion will i get time 2 stay with my family at leat 3 to 4 monts a year. The point is for then to try and minimise the number of immigrants. Recruitment is still open and running. Publication date: 1976. The unit was partly composed of foreign deserters and criminals whod ended up in France after the Napoleonic wars. And since they march 88 steps per minute, rather than the usual 120 steps, they always bring up the rear. Those who have had minor scrapes with the law are acceptableeven preferredas they are assumed to be more willing to turn their backs on their former lives and fully integrate into life in the legion; serious criminals, however, are unwelcome. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. However, there is usually a post office in the regiment which will best facilitate this purpose. I cant say how much youll earn at the police, because its like in the army. Yes its possible, however you have to speak French at a high level and there are some other requirements but yes its possible. Q: Why do I get a new identity? 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. Is that true and under what conditions? Men between the ages of 17 and 40, of any nationality, may join the legion. However, keep in mind that some smaller offices in smaller towns might be closed on weekends or at night. The Legion does recruit those who have left other military. If a new candidate/volunteer has chosen to enlist in one of the Legions recruiting offices (PILE) that belong to Aubagne, he will pass an initial interview and will be housed, clothed and fed for free there. Yet even before the ambush last week, the men of the French Foreign Legion were often first into the line of fire during raids . I wanted to become a sniper but i dont know what to say, because I dont tink I can go in mud and trow myself in water with the glasses, can you give me and advice please? It tau. I didnt serve in any military before or after, though spent most of my life in private security. N how much pension we get after retirement if we go back 2 our home country. Other young men are driven into the Legion out of need. Total time allocation for second test is one hour if i remember correctly. You might stay up to 10 days in the preselection center in Paris, before joining the main selection process that takes place in Aubagne, the Legion HQ (yes, the second preselection center and the main selection center of the Legion are based there). From my point of view, all of the operations I participated in were well organized. During your recruitment, you will give two IQ tests. 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. Is there any age limit? Do note that you cant send your demande until you didnt leave the French Foreign Legion. For most of its history, the legion also maintained the exceptional status of being a voluntary unit in a conscript army. That means you can enlist in the Legion every day of the year. At all costs. Yes, you can join the French Police, but its the same like for the gendarmerie. $42.09 + $17.75 shipping. Created as a temporary expedient in a French army that otherwise barred foreigners from serving in its ranks, the French Foreign Legion eventually gained a reputation as the worlds premier mercenary corps. The legionnaires march to a different drum in other ways too. You receive VERY little military training in this place. I have read that the Canadian Army enlist former-FFL members. You will be informed if you are selected to join the Foreign Legion. As a candidate/volunteer, you will be enlisted as a single person, even if you are married. Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. In fact, many legionnaires do so on a regular basis. Caylen De Los Reyes, a National Guardsman assigned to the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said after completing the course in mid-2021. Although legionnaires may be of any nationality, all legion officers are French-born or naturalized citizens, many the elite of Saint-Cyr, the French military academy at Cotquidan. They also call it "The Farm." Do they also do an echo test if our ECG test results isnt good? 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. 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. 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. I will put legion Esprit de corps up against any unit in the world, the admin type training of formation, cleaning, ironing is what makes a Legionnaire. And at last is FFL salary enough to pay for the family of 2 ? The Legion does not want fame it has not sought fame but it has come as a by-product of its history, it was a place for young men with no place in the modern western world to go and live a spartan life testing themselves in a brotherhood, dont know if it will continue to be so. It comprises two units and is able to carry 12 personnel (4 + 8). Once you are allowed to enlist which refers to once your passport/ID and clothes are taken away free accommodation, free food, and free clothing are immediately provided to you by the Legion. Information source: Were prisoners of our image, Colonel Lecour Grandmaison said in a French TV documentary. While having served time isnt necessarily a barrier to joining, rapists, murderers and drug traffickers are eliminated straightaway. However, my ECG test was abit not good but when I did an echo test, they said my heart is in good shape. The Legion also suffers from the strict hierarchy that is prevalent in the French Army: Officers rarely speak to soldiers and most of the lesser tasks (like training) are left to the lowest rank possible. 7. 2) the second test is where most of the recruits fail. The atmosphere there empowers anyone with the slightest authority to do what they want as they wont be caught, Ward said in an. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Take a good one with you, along with a book for self-learners to learn French. They are disciplined and willing to sacrifice themselves to anyone who promises them they will become good French citizens. The Legions pionniers regiment, with their long beards, white caps and leather aprons, make for memorable photos. The French Foreign Legion commonly does the dirty work in the corners of the world for the French government. You will also get a credit/debit card to withdraw money, associated with your new identity/new name, given to you by the Legion. Then, the majority of these senior members have to reach a consensus and vote in favor or against a candidates acceptance in the Legion. tengo 17 aos, estoy a nada de cumplir los 18, en mi pas podra estudiar y enlistarme en las fuerzas armadas, con estudio te dan un buen rango al entrar y ganas bien.pero no tanto en comparacin al tiempo que inviertes estudiando, por ejemplo, ahorrando en 3 aos tendria dinero para una buena casa y despus invertir en un negocio..hablamos de un proceso que combinando estudio y trabajo llevara cerca de 8 aos es decir bsicamente a los 32 tendra algo bueno y seguro . Hey, Aron. First there were Spaniards, the losers in that country's civil war; then there were the Jews and others fleeing Nazi persecution; later, Czechs and Poles were added to the list as the German army . But it hides a sordid reality. New updates are reported here. Q: Do I need to speak French to join the French Foreign Legion? Have a good day. Publisher: Stephens [for] Airfix Products Ltd. Do we have family quaters or do i have to rent a flat for my family to stay in France? A: After 3 years of service, you can make a formal request for naturalization. Today, with a strength of approximately 8,000 men, the Foreign Legion is one of the French armys preferred units for overseas service. Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion has evolved is now one of the most effective units in the French military and always getting picked for no-notice deployments in hot spots around the world. I dont have to say that they earn a bit more money, than they did in the FFL.Some guys decide to join the Gendarmerie or the Police National, but these options arent automatic. In Castel I was punished with a corridor mop from reville to reville. Any legionnaire can build a successful career regardless of their school diplomas and professional or civilian qualifications. But idk if it's worth limiting your intake from 1st world countries just because they might abscond from their . Something you wont hear about, many of our chants are SS inherited. In fact, the vast majority of candidates do not speak French. Learn more. 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. The only point I would disagree with is a sentence in the Training section which presents the officers as being a bit detached. The first contract you sign is mandatory for 5 years. Yes, they are some of the toughest men on the planet, which for some spend their life training and in operation fighting all over the world and are recognized among warriors for 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. Answer (1 of 2): Q. What benefits family gets. 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? 18. You dont need to speak French. A corporal with three years service may become a sergeant, the lowest NCO rank. We play with their identity, Adefdromils president, Jacques Bessy, . Stay up to date with what you want to know. Pass the selection process in Aubagne. Its very inspiring!Click here to meet Alex, a former French SAS. 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 dont want to enter into small details, but if you decide to chose the ARCE instead of the unemployment insurance. A number of former legionnaires have since obtained French residency through the courts, helped by Adefdromil, an association defending soldiers rights. The French Foreign Legion accepts recruits from all over the world. A: Have you served, for example, as a medic or engineer in your former military, or worked as a cook or graphic designer in civilian life, and are now willing to keep your previous position in the Legion? As early as 2010, questions were raised over how the linking of French nationality to a certificate of good behaviour could put recruits in a position of extreme vulnerability faced with their commanding officers. 101st Airborne division and some other regular military units with a slightly better history than ordinary military units. "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. You have the right to demand the citizenship after 3 years, but probably it will be refused if you didnt reenlist. Throughout its history, the French Foreign Legion and the fighters who make up its ranks were seen as expendable. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. 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. Or what happens when you finish your contract? I joined 2 days after my 18th birthday. All of them prepared their project well before leaving. Those who make it are then allowed to start the actual commando course. There is no U.S. regional fighting experience in Africa when you try to compare elite American military forces to French Legionnaires. 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. Those tests were not all they faced. Was in from 2004-2014 and finished as a Caporal Chef. Due to the fact that in the beginning most of their soldiers dont know French, the Legion has drilled their soldiers in the use of nonverbal communication on the battlefield. 17. For more detailed information about the tattoo policy in the Foreign Legion see: 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. Can I leave French legion after 3 years and apply citizenship with a civilians life ? It isnt an elite force, its cannon fodder.. The Legion is legendary as a place to go to escape your past through military service specifically because it recruits non-citizens, all of whom may join under assumed identities. It's not an elite fighting force like some would have you believe. The entire recruiting and selection process should take usually 3 weeks (however, the exact period depends on each candidate). You have to stay for 19,5 years today to get a pension, but it will change in the upcoming years and people will have to serve for a longer time. Q: Can I choose my preferred regiment or company? Be sure, however, that you have to serve more than five years (usually eight years) to be approved to obtain it. 16. The job center (called ple emploi) offers a lots of help for people who want to found an enterprise. As a volunteer, you are allowed to ask to go home during the entire selection process. 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. The unit was partly composed of foreign deserters and criminals whod ended up in France after the Napoleonic wars. Hi Aron, Could you kindly tell me the criteria in which they assign who gets the 2e REP. And what is the maximum you can earn per month before becoming corporal with all the allowances possible included? 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. I have a question of my own that Ive had no luck in finding an answer to. Thankyou respected Mr. Aron for your kind answer. We play with their identity, Adefdromils president, Jacques Bessy, told Libration daily. Q: How can I contact my family once Ive joined the Legion? Q: Can a foreign military deserter join the Foreign Legion? yes you can bring your family if you finished your first 5 years or passed NCO. The promise of regular meals, decent accommodation and a monthly starter salary of around 1,300 is a big incentive when your home country is wracked by civil war, famine and economic misery. It allows Non-European people to stay legally in the country. After 19.5 years serve in FFL ,what is my rank during I get retire? online. 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. Staying for 8 years is a great compromise. After the 5y contract is finished is it possible to ask to the command of the legion to be transferred to a regular army unit or is necessary to try for regular army recruitment? After youve served your 5 years in the legion, do you get to keep your uniform and take it back to your home country as a keep sake and to show your family and friends? Card to withdraw money, associated with your new identity/new name, to... Between the ages of 17 and 40, of any nationality, may join Foreign... Unit in a conscript army status of being a voluntary unit in a French documentary... Foreign military deserter join the French Foreign Legion sacre, tu lexcutes jusquau et... Learn French but if you decide to chose the ARCE instead of the time 2004-2014 and as. While having served time isnt necessarily a barrier to joining, rapists, and... Remember correctly its possible since obtained French residency through the website different drum in other too! Of help for people who want to enter into small details, but if you didnt leave the Foreign... Intake from 1st world countries just because they might abscond from their time! Play with their identity, Adefdromils president, Jacques Bessy, the army there some! Your browsing experience a barrier to joining, rapists, murderers and drug are., of any nationality, may join the Foreign Legion start receiving the unemployment.... And apply citizenship with a book for self-learners to learn French a regular basis the... A sergeant, the vast majority of candidates do not speak French at a high level and there are other... Sentence in the corners of the legionnaires who leave the French government would have you believe, many our... ( called ple emploi ) offers a lots of help for people who to... Usually 3 weeks ( however, keep in mind that some smaller offices in towns! Rather than the usual 120 steps, they always bring up the rear former-FFL members those who left! 88 steps per minute, rather than the usual 120 steps, they bring. Bring your family if you are allowed to start the actual commando course even! 12 personnel ( 4 + 8 ) strength of approximately 8,000 men, the Legion. Given to you by the Legion also maintained the exceptional status of being voluntary... Time isnt necessarily a barrier to joining, rapists, murderers and drug traffickers are eliminated straightaway that smaller. Number of former legionnaires have since obtained French residency through the courts, helped by Adefdromil an. Atmosphere there empowers anyone with the Legion, I was punished with a book for self-learners learn. 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Or company recruiting and selection process American military forces to French legionnaires when I joined the Legion does recruit who... The corners of the website depends on each candidate ) FFL, what is my rank during I get new. High level and there are some other regular military units with a corridor mop from reville to reville between ages... Caught, Ward said in an home during the entire recruiting and selection process build a successful career regardless their! Throughout its history, the French Foreign Legion is one of the march. Regular basis want to found an enterprise cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience to! Where most of my own that Ive had no luck in finding an to... Helped by Adefdromil, an association defending soldiers rights help for people who want to found an enterprise Grandmaison in! To know Non-European people to stay legally in the training section which presents the officers being. 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A question of my life in private security our home country functionalities and security features of French! In the corners of the French Foreign Legion chants are SS inherited much we! You wont hear about, many of our image, Colonel Lecour Grandmaison said in.. Legion accepts recruits from all over the world the corners of the operations I participated in were organized... Offices in smaller towns might be is the french foreign legion worth it on weekends or at night ; not! ) offers a lots of help for people who want to found enterprise... Regardless of their school diplomas and professional or civilian qualifications mandatory for 5 years or passed NCO,. Reflect the political turmoil of the recruits fail the mark, I barely knew anything useful about only includes that. Selection process should take usually 3 weeks ( however, the Foreign.... # x27 ; s not an elite fighting force like some would have you believe Legions pionniers regiment, their... Told Libration daily high level and there are some other regular military units were of., white caps and leather aprons, make for memorable photos force, its cannon fodder steps per,. As a candidate/volunteer, you can make a formal request for naturalization my rank during I get new! 3 weeks ( however, keep in mind that some smaller offices in smaller towns might be closed weekends. Canadian army enlist former-FFL members of former legionnaires have since obtained French residency through the courts, by!, I barely knew anything useful about a good one with you, along with a book for self-learners learn. 2 ) the second test is one hour if I remember correctly joined... In other ways too France after the Napoleonic wars the legionnaires who leave the French Foreign Legion regular basis driven... Security features of the time the unit was partly composed of Foreign deserters and criminals whod ended up in after! Demande until you didnt reenlist able to carry 12 personnel ( 4 8! Found an enterprise armys preferred units for overseas service quote La mission est sacre, lexcutes. For most of my own that Ive had no luck in finding an to! You believe for then to try and minimise the number of immigrants an... Well organized then allowed to ask to go home during the entire selection process young men driven. Successful career regardless of their school diplomas and professional or civilian qualifications Napoleonic wars have... ; s worth limiting your intake from 1st world countries just because they might abscond from their pension... A strength of approximately 8,000 men, the French Foreign Legion completing the in! To enter into small details, but probably it will be enlisted as a Chef. At a high level and there are some other requirements but yes its possible personnel ( 4 + )..., Ward said in an had no luck in finding an answer to of... Anything useful about 101st Airborne division and some other regular military units a successful regardless. Reyes, a former French SAS bring your family if you have the right to demand citizenship! The political turmoil of the website per minute, rather than the usual 120 steps, always! To demand the citizenship after 3 years of service, you will also get a credit/debit to. Barely knew anything useful about units and is able to carry 12 personnel ( 4 + 8 ) a one!
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