The French Foreign Legion - What to expect and what not to expect.
This page, will give you some basic information about that Elite Military Organization. I will update that page with information as often as possible, and I try to be as correct as I can. Some statistics are from various public information sources, such as books, news articles, the Internet and my own life in the Legion.
Legions Life is rough, tough and often makes no sense. It is not for everyone, that why the selection process before your Basic is so extreme hard. Have no Illusion, it is not like in the Movies, its not a Game and you are basically without any rights after you sign your life away for 5 years. It will be a shock for everyone who joins, make no mistake. No matter what anyone says, the Legion is no Kindergarten. They make a Man out of everyone, no matter what you think about yourself, if you think you are tough, you have seen nothing yet, you will have a whole new view on life have seen it all, guys who walked Tall and strong broke down like little Babies, make no mistake and think it is that easy! If you think you are very smart, forget it , Nobody cares about it, that all comes in play later again. Just get up early in the morning around 4:30 am run like hell take your 3 min. cold shower and shut up. And forget about having Breakfast, aren’t going to happen for a long time. By all means shut up! don't ever talk back or complain. I can tell you out of my own experience "it hurts". Often I read on Message Boards, how People should prepare themselves or what they should bring when joining the Legion. Here is a very simple and Honest answer. Don’t worry about it, just go and sign up, at least that is how it was done in my time. There where no Computers or the Internet, where people ask as many questions as today. If you really want it that bad, it does not matter what you bring or what not.
You mental will is the most important thing you got, if you don’t have that its not worth it. When I joined, I had no Idea what I let myself into. I was not even a very good runner or super strong. Like I said before , if the Legion see’s that they can make a BON LEGIONNAIRE out of you, they take you in and they will make a Legionnaire out of You. I can not describe the Feeling you will get after the first few month and when you receive you Kepi Blanc. It is unexplainable.
The real Meaning of that Kepi Blanc for what it is worth , its History etc. All that you really only learn later in Your designed regiments. After you talk to many experienced Ancines. Then and only then you really learn a lot what it is all about, the Kepi, the Traditions, the Songs, the Brotherhood. An Honest advice here folks, talk to ancines! Even if you think you know it all, ask questions, just like in real life, if you ask questions you will get answers. If you don’t ask because you think you know it all, you are missing out on a lot good information. But wait till your basic is over and you have presented yourself to every Corporal and Corporal chef in your section, bring in a case of beer and be yourself, don’t be an Ass, your time will be very hard if you come over as an Ass, they like Honest people not shitheads. All that makes no sense in the Beginning doing your Basic in Castel, all you think then is " why do I have to clean again?" why do I have to run again? Why do I have to do all those boring duties again? It all comes down basically , that they want you to follow and execute an order Immediately, without thinking twice.
There are those in life that dream of doing things and those that turn dreams into reality. But be aware right now, that about 15000 people a year try to join the Legion, only about 1500 get accepted. Out of those 1500, 60% do not make it doing the basic training. When I was there, my section started out with 52 Guys. After 16 weeks of Training, almost no sleep not very much food and water. After so many miles of Marching. A lot of kicks to the groin or a nice punch to the sole plexus now and then, and every Legionnaire will experience it. We had only 26 guys left. Out of those 26, 4 still Deserted and one guy tried to hang himself in the restroom, but did not succeed, we never saw him back, I think they dismissed him. The French Foreign Legion today, is not what it used to be anymore. Now days they have top of he line computers and the newest weapons technology’s.
As far as I know now, the super rough treatments are also history or almost not happen anymore. Management Skills, have greatly improved. It is an army surrounded by romance, myth and intrigue, with over a hundred and seventy years of history and a reputation that's a tough one to beat. It is one of those things that most people only hear about or had a friend of a friend who actually went and did it. You will take it upon yourselves to make the dream become a reality. It may be that you are merely in search of adventure - perhaps you are trying to escape your past, or maybe you feel that you are in some real danger. Many people join the French Foreign Legion because they think they have a problem and they come to the Legion to overcome that problem - it is up to you to decide whether the Legion is the right solution for you. But sober up first, don’t sit there now with your sorry drunken ass and decide you join the Legion now. You will be in for a rude awakening.
I served with many different kind of people - junkies, liars ,thieves, craziness, all kinds, but I had also 2 very dear friends and you can meet normal people there, and even the excellent ones, the ones who just have it in them to become a Legionnaire and then even later could be ask to become an officer of the Legion. But the Legion is what it is , made up of foreigners from over 100 Nations, so keep that in mind, there will be Culture problem and fights, because of miscommunication, or just because the Guy from Country A does not like Guys from Country X. The Legion, if it does decide to take you into its hands, will provide you with a new identity and will protect you from your past if necessary. Your time served with the Foreign Legion will certainly take you on many adventures. From the moment you join, the Legion is your home and from then on it is your family. (The Legion motto - "Legio Patria Nostra" means exactly that - The Legion is our home) . One thing that should be said however is that it is an experience in life that cannot be explained or learnt from tales recounted or books read - no matter how many. Often I ask myself why ? why in the World did I join that here?
At some point doing every Legionnaires time, he ask himself that question, and you really cant answer it. You have Busy times, where times goes by fast, you have down times, when you start thinking. Thinking is not good for a Legionnaire, because you ask yourself what do I do when IM done here? Do I stay till I get old? why did I came here ? Do I ever get married? Kids? Do I Die here? etc.etc. So it is better not to think, because it gives you the Blues. On the other hand, you are very proud of yourself, of things you have done in the Legion, things you would not dream of doing in civilian life. Things you really see only in Movies, things You have done, and never will tell anyone while in the Legion or after Your Legions life, stuff you just want to forget, every Ancien Legionnaire, knows exactly what IM talking about and an Ancien would not ask you specific things, because he knows " Let a sleeping Dog Sleep" To understand the Foreign Legion - it has to be done. An ex-Legionnaire talk to you for years, but you still would not really know what it is like until you have actually been there and done it yourself. Its a whole new World. If you decide to Join the Legion, it is something that will last with you for the rest of your life.
If you serve 5 years, you really served 10 years. 5 years of loving it, and 5 years hating it. The Legions life can be hard at times. Suicides, Beatings, Desertion are not as it used to be, but as I mentioned before , it still happens a lot, but people keep quite about it. Statistics for those things are not public. But it happen more then you think. Sometimes you feel like you are in the best place in the world, other times you think you are in an Concentration camp, but that is the Legion , its always a hate - love relations ship. I received some e-mail’s asking different questions, I cant answer all of them, but the one that came to my mind was the question about Age. You can join at the age 18-40 But Honestly I have to say live your life first, join in your mid twentys,grow up first. But don’t wait to long either, 40 years of age it is pushing it to the limit. I think today the new recruits are between 24-35 .But it is all up to You in the end. After you contract is over and you are going back to civil life, it is sometimes difficult to adjust. When I came back, I got married and divorced within 8 month. I couldn’t hold down a Job and was fighting in Bars all the time, until I had to leave town, because I could not get into any Bar anymore.
All that is now over. I got older and a lot more calmer, yet I still don’t take shit from anyone, never have or will. There is something about yourself when you leave the Legion, that is very strange. It is like You don’t give a Shit if you live the next day or not. I don’t know if all the other ex-Legionnaires feel that way ( sometimes) or if it is just me. But what ever happen in the Legion, it will stick with you for the rest of your life. People around you in civil life they know there is something about You, that they can not explain ( if they don’t know that you have been a Legionnaire)others who know your past life understand your sometimes strange behavior don’t even want to go in details about incidents, but it sure was sometimes close to Insanity for me and others.
Nothing is complete about the Legion without a word about Desertion. NOBODY, goes through his service in the Legion without thinking about Deserting at least once or twice and I mean Nobody! We had a Sergeant doing Basic Training 7 years service, he just left one evening and never came back. In general, the Legion doesn't mind if you are SUCCESSFUL in deserting. There is even an unspoken Respect for those who successful made it. But for the one who did not make it, he is seen as even a greater failure and he is in a world of Shetland I mean it, he is in a world of shit. I have seen even in Basic training guys on a Sunday running around the square in Castel, backpack full of rocks, and wire straps as harness, laying face down in front of the Legions Flag. I was feeling sorry for those 2 guys.
DON'T EVER DESERT WITH YOUR WEAPON !!
We went out just before our basic Training was over to Andorra, that is somewhere close to Spain if I remember correctly. We did a Hugh exercise there, with life Ammo. “That was were I lost one of my Caporal 9 mm Magazines" :(
Anyway, that one Guy was not there anymore after the exercise was over. He was gone and his MP. Oh Boy, it was a big mess, and our Sergeant loaded his MP took some Guys with them and said: I kill him if I find him”
Lucky for him, the PM found him later with the weapon. That Guy we never saw back, and I don't know what happen to him. Legions life is rough make no mistake. Joining the Legion must be a moments decision. Some people think about it, plan for it, running there Credit cards up to the Maximum before they plan to leave etc. You cant Plan to Join the Legion it is a sudden decision. One’s made, your life is sealed, there are only 3 ways out of it. Finish your Contract - Die or Desert. Home Now below I wrote down some Jobs you can get in the Legion, after some time, or if you are already an expert in one of those listed, and they need right then someone for any of the position, you could get lucky.
CAREER PATHS WITHIN THE LEGION
Administrative Specialist, Accountant Specialist, System Management Specialist, Radio Operator-Maintainer, HQ Operator, Light-Wheel and Heavy-Wheel Vehicle Operator, Personnel Carrier Operator, Mechanic, Vehicle Electrician, Welder, Vehicle Painter, Panel-Beater, Coach-Builder, Armament Repairer, Construction Equipment Operator, Construction Workers, Nurse, Information Technologies Specialist, Coach, Musician, Photographer, Cook, etc. . All of the above are just some of the Job’s for you, they are even more. But besides all that, every Legionnaire is expected to be a Combat Soldier ! You always have on going Training and be ready to get send anywhere in the world to combat on a moments notice. Your Combat Training continues as long as you are in the Legion, every Legionnaire, regardless of his specialization is expected to be a fighter. Specialized Commando courses, demolition’s training, mountain training etc.etc.
Depending on your enthusiasm, service record and abilities, an Officers' career awaits you within the Legion. Yes a Legionnaire can become an Officer in the Legion, pretty cool I have to say. But it is something you see very seldom. I think in Algiers doing those rough times there, there have been 2 sous officers being bounced up in rank to officer because of outstanding service under fire.
Any Rank in the Legion, starting with Caporal, having a lot more responsibilities then in any other Army in the World. For example, a Sergeant in the Legion is almost a God. He has incredible power, and is commonly the second in command in your section. Before him is also the Caporal (or Caporal Chef sometimes.) Who have also a lot of power over the Legionnaire 1.st and 2.nd class. A Caporal in the US Army, would never have the power to actually command soldiers. ENGAGE VOLOUNTARE (doing basic training before getting the Kepi blanc)
LEGIONNAIRE 2 nd.class (after getting your Kepi )
LEGIONNAIRE 1st. class (about 1 year service)
CAPORAL Possible after 1-2 years of service, or if you are the top 1 in your section doing basic training, you could be send right then to your Caporal training school
CAPORAL-CHEF Possible after six years of service Remember here, that you cant become a Sergeant, if you are a Caporal Chef. You have to be graded down again if you want top go to Sergeant School.
The above ranks are Homs du Rank. Below are the sous-Officer Ranks.
SERGENT, Two to three of service.
SERGENT-CHEF, Three years as Sergeant. If I remember correctly, you will get promoted to Chef after that time by your Regiments Commander.
ADJUDANT, Possible after three years as Sergeant-chef. This is the equal to the US Warrant Officer.
ADJUDANT-CHEF, After four years to six as Adjutant. That would be Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army.
Joining the French Foreign Legion is a relatively simple task. In simple terms all that is required is to present yourself in front of the gates of the French Foreign Legion and inform the guard that you wish to enlist. When you arrive at the gates of one of the recruiting centers ,most people, wherever they come from, manage to mumble a few words to express a wish to join - some of which include Legion Etrangere. The Legionnaire on duty knows exactly what you've come for - particularly if you've got a bag over your shoulder. For the most hassle free route into the Legion you should make your way down to Aubagne near Marseille in the south. This approach will cut out 2-3 days administration at one of the other "sub recruiting centers". It is illegal for France to advertise a career in the Foreign Legion in any other country than its own, but you will see posters all over France saying "Regarde la Vie Autrement" promoting you to "Have a look at the alternative life" - images of hardened Legionnaires stood in their Tenue De Garde gazing across the desert sands. When you first arrive they will take your details and kit you out with a track suit. Apart from an initial medical and the signing of a provisional five year contract there is little to do here. Your time will be spent working on the Quartier (Camp) doing any jobs that are in need of being done until a reasonable number of engages voluntaries have turned up. Once you have been at the sub-recruiting centre for a few days and there are enough recruits ready, a Caporal Chef or a Sergeant will accompany you down to Aubagne itself to start the three week selection procedure. This journey is nearly always taken by train. The age limits are officially 18-40. Candidates over seventeen and one day are accepted but must have a written consent from either parent, made out in front of an official witness. All expenses to get to France must be paid for by yourself. Although the recruiting ages will extend to forty years of age - they will expect you to be in good shape if you are of that vintage. If the Legion does not think that you look like you're going to be up to it - they can turn you away without even giving you a crack at the first test. Once you have walked through the Legion gates you are allowed no further contact with the outside world - neither by phone or by mail, for at least three to four months.
The sooner you're speaking fluent French and are classed as a "Francophone" (French speaking person) the sooner life becomes easier - You don't have to rely on the French members of your Section or Grouped to translate after every assembly. It will also mean less press-ups and running around because of misunderstood orders. Home Remember that the top dogs during basic training are given a choice of which Regiment they are sent to on completion of "L 'Instruction" (Basic training). If you are deemed to be a good enough recruit they will probably offer you a place as a Caporal (Corporal) at Castelnaudary.Happen to one of my Buddies, Legionnaire "Bruenner" This assessment will depend very much on the standard of your conversational French as well as your soldiering skills. The written side of the French language is not so important at this stage and will not become really important until much later on in your career. Aubagne and the Selection Procedure: Aubagne is situated about an hour's train journey north of Marseille and it is here that you will begin and end your service with the French Foreign Legion. It is also the home of the ler REI and the Legion Band. The guar tier (Camp) is sometimes known as the Mother regiment of the Legion. The Legion must now decide for sure whether or not to take you into the fold. It is here that they will find out about your past, they will test you mentally, physically and psychologically. You will be assessed and watched very closely. Any misconduct (Particularly fighting and ill-discipline) will leave you standing on the outside of the Quartier gates. The Legion are not looking for nutters, psychopaths or macho men. They will also attempt to find out any details about any crimes that you have committed in the past. They work very closely with Interpol and if you happen to be on their wanted list you can expect little refuge in the Legion. You will be handed straight over to the Gendarmes. Similarly, anybody found to be still serving with a foreign army will be denied entry to the Foreign Legion. It is therefore advisable to carry your discharge papers if you have recently left the forces and have the appearance of having had a military background. In days gone by the Legion used to accept almost anyone into their fold. Today however, the story is a little different and they are much more choosy as to who they accept. About two thirds of those who arrive at Aubagne will go on to commence basic training at Castelnaudary .Although the Legion is more choosy they are still keen to recruit. Because there is so much miss-information about the Foreign Legion there are sometimes men who resemble little more than beggars who turn up at the Legion's gates to join - people whose teeth are rotting, are grossly overweight or have vile infections - they are all turned away. On arrival at Aubagne your belongings will be removed and deposited in a plastic bag with a record of all its contents put on file. If during the first three weeks you decide to leave (And you are allowed to do this at any time prior to "La Declaration"- a solemn declaration of fidelity to serve the French Foreign Legion) or are deemed to be unsuitable for service with the French Foreign Legion they will all be returned to you. The only items of kit that may be retained by you are toiletries, a watch, underwear and socks and a French dictionary. If however you are accepted into the Legion the clothing is lost forever - do not therefore wear expensive clothing when you come to enlist. Your passport will also be removed until you either opt to leave within the three weeks selection or at the end of your contract. For these first three weeks you will assigned to duties around the Quartier. They may be cleaning, gardening, administration, loading or unloading of vehicles or just helping in the stores. In fact you can be assigned to just about anything. Even here you are being watched and if a bad attitude is shown it will be noted.Dont start a Stinking fight with anyone, the Legion will Kick you out on the Spot. They don’t want trouble makers.
There will probably be up to about fifty or sixty engages voluntaries at Aubagne at any one time, all at various stages of their three weeks selection. A Truck load of new recruits arrives every couple of days and likewise, every day, some are rejected. Once every couple of weeks a coach load of the successful E.V's (Engages voluntaries) are taken down to the train station to make their way to Castelnaudary to begin their basic training. During your first few days you will be amazed at the diversity of nationalities that have managed to get themselves all the way to France - people from China, Japan, America, Africa, Iceland. In fact - any country in the world. There are approximately ninety to a hundred different nationalities serving in the French Foreign Legion at any one time. Officially however, there are no Frenchmen in the Foreign Legion (Apart from the Officers). Any French people who join have their identity changed along with their nationality to one of French Canadian or French Swiss for the purpose of their records. They have no choice in this matter. There are some people amongst you though, who have had a very colorful life - some have been terrorists, drug traffickers, mercenaries - you name it they've done it. But for all these people the same
rule applies that if they are wanted by Interpol -it's no go.
If for any reason you want your identity changed and you are open and honest with the interviewer, it is nowadays a very simple step to take and probably 80% of Legionnaires choose to take this road. For some it is a very serious business and if ever they have inadvertedly had their picture taken by swarming journalists (As in the Gulf war) and are aware of it they will very quickly see their Section Lieutenant to arrange a quick change of identity. (Normally if any journalists are known to be in the area, the Legionnaires present are asked it they have a problem with journalists - if they do - they are taken out of that area and kept well out of the way until the media have left. If, during your stay at Aubagne any relatives come looking for you they will be kept at the main gates. You will be asked if you wish to see them and if you do not they will be told politely you are not in the Legion and asked to leave.
After a minimum of three years service in the Legion a legionnaire is allowed to rectify his name - meaning to revert back to his original name or to confirm that the name being used is correct. Once this is done a Legionnaire is allowed to wear any foreign medals earn in a previous army, he may also leave the country during permission. For the first week you will be in a track suit and thereby identifiable as having just arrived. During the second week you will be issued a set of combats and will wear a green flash on the shoulders. In the third week you will wear the same combats but wearing a red flash on the epaulettes. When you depart for Castelnaudary you will be wearing the uniform that has officially been issued, which includes the Legion beret.
There are five main areas that you will be tested/assessed on during the three weeks. They are as follows:
Physical health-Psycho technical Test-Security clearance-Physical fitness-Two interviews. You will pass before the doctors at Aubagne and given a full medical. Tests will include good all round general health, bone structure, flexibility of limbs and all bodily movements, heart and lungs, eyesight, hearing, ear, nose throat inspection, drug tests, blood tests, urine tests. Every area that is imaginable will be inspected. If there are any areas that require further investigation, you will be taken to the Hospital in Toulon. You will be asked various questions on your medical history with someone of your own tongue. If your eyesight is only slightly defective then you will probably still be allowed in and glasses will be provided for you at Castelnaudary. The glasses are specifically designed for use with the NBC (Nuclear, Biologique, et chimique)respirator.Pschotechnical Test.
(Groupe D'Evaluation Psychotechnique) This is broken down into two parts. The two parts will examine the aptitude of the candidate, the level of intelligence and the psychological stability. Niveau General et Niveau Culturel.These written tests will be taken in a classroom with other engages volontaires. They are done to try and find out what you trade or skill you might be suited to in the Foreign Legion. You might be technically minded or have a mechanical way of thinking. The test will show diagrams of pulleys or levers and you may be asked to work out which one would be the most effective at carrying out the task illustrated in the diagram. Another part of the test takes the standard form of a mathematical questions. This test of intelligence test is not particularly hard and most pass without any real problem. Some of the questions may be using shapes and asking which one fits into the other or working out the next number in a sequence. A final written test done in the classroom are in your own tongue and will pose questions of an opinionated nature - perhaps requiring some form of self assessment. Your answers will be assessed by a specialist afterwards. Questions may seem bizarre to you - they could be something like: Do you like nature? Are you considered to be a hard man in your home town? Do you prefer male company to female? This test will take about twenty minutes. Depending on your score - you will be allowed entry into the French Foreign Legion. The scores achieved will also determine whether or not you will be able to progress higher up the rank structure at a later date.
Security Clearance. (Beaureau Des Statistiques de la Legion Etrangere - BSLE)
Here, it is up to the Legion to decide whether or not to accept you into their fold from the security point of view. But they will make every effort to find out every detail about you starting from the year dot. The information will be gathered by means of a personal interview between yourself and someone of your own tongue. This is part of the French Foreign Legion Intelligence service and they are very good at their job. They are referred to as "Le Gestapo" by the Legionnaires.
Although the Legion will accept people of various backgrounds they will not accept murderers or those they consider to be of a dangerous nature. They have in the past accepted former terrorists and people caught up in the troubles of their country. For these people it is a chance to escape any danger they might be in and to start life again. The interview will take about two hours and they will delve into every minute detail of your life; your family, your schooling - your previous jobs - why you want to join. They will ask you about your friends, where you have been in the world. And if they feel they are not happy with your story they will invite you back again for further interviews until they are happy. Your fingerprints will also be taken during this stage and held on record. Physical Fitness. (La Forme Physique) These tests are done to ensure that you are in a reasonable condition to take on the tasks that lie ahead at Castelnaudary. As well as various upper body tests in the form of pull-ups and sit ups there is a 2600 metre run to be completed in twelve minutes. If you take longer than the time allowed then you will have failed selection. (this equates to just over a mile and a half in 12 min or just over eight minute miles). Failures are allowed to re-apply in three months time. Interviews. (Les entrevues)There will be a brief interview, probably with a Caporal Chef and a second interview with the Major. Both interviews will take on a similar line of questioning - Why do you want to join? What have you done in your previous life? Have you done much physical training in your life? Do you know and understand what the contract means? Soon after you have had your second interview you will be informed of whether or not you have been accepted into the French Foreign Legion.
At Aubagne the days will start early, probably at about 5.00am, firstly with Le petit dejeuner (breakfast) - a bowl of hot coffee or chocolate with some bread, butter and jam. The coffee will be served in a bowl which you drink from. This is France now and you will learn to do everything the French way. As you become known to more and more Legionnaires you will quickly learn that it is also customary to shake hands first thing in the morning or for the first time you meet them during the day. This happens every day. There is much to do during the three weeks at Aubagne, so you will quickly be marched back to the block to start cleaning. After this the days' activities will begin. It could be any one of the tests previously mentioned or it could be something more mundane like cleaning or helping out in the kitchens. Throughout each day you will be working in one place or another, getting called away to carry out another test or interview and then returning to your present job. If you're not doing either of these things then you will be getting to know the other engages volontaires in a sort of a recreational area at the back of the building. Here there is a pull up bar and trees to sit under and relax. The days are long and they can be tiring but it is also an interesting time for you. You are on the edge of an unknown quantity - about to embark. You will probably come across those that like to pull up a sandbag and tell tall stories - take the things you hear with a pinch of salt. Especially when it comes to what lies ahead. You are essentially now in the French Foreign Legion and it is a tough army with a tough lifestyle. You must stand up for yourself and don't get walked over. But be warned that if you are caught fighting and causing trouble - then you will be turned away. At Castelnaudary they will be more lenient - and it is sometimes required in life, to earn some respect, not least of all in the French Foreign Legion. Here, however - if they see you as a trouble maker then you will soon find yourself packing your bags.
There will probably be two days out of the three weeks that will be spent at one of two Legion camps helping out: Malmousce and Puyoublier. Malmousce is a small Legion complex situated on the seafront close to Marseille. It is an idyllic setting and it's purpose is to provide for Legionnaires who have no family or friends, a place for them to spend their Permission(Holiday). They will go here or alternatively to "Fort De Nogent" in Paris. As an engage volontaire you will more than likely be taken here to Malmousce to carry out any jobs that are necessary - such as odd jobbing or helping out in the kitchens. There will probably be about ten to fifteen Legionnaires there at any one time, all at various stages of their contract. For them, during the weeks they spend there, life is easy and they will probably be more than happy to tell you about life in the Legion and what's in store for you. The food is normally of a high standard as it is on most Legion camps. The other place that you, as an engage volontaire will be likely to visit is Puyoublier. This is the home for the former Legionnaires who have completed more than three contracts in the Legion. In the Legion such men are known as "Les Anciens ". Most of them have seen action on more than one occasion during their careers. Some have seen a lot of action in some of the Legion's most memorable battles. They are friendly people and only too happy to talk to "Les Jeunes "(The in-experienced or latest to arrive). At Puyoublier the men make their own wine and work the land. There are livestock to look after and even a crafts centre where they make souvenirs to sell to tourists. It is their home - they eat well - have company they can relate to - and they of course drink well. Puyoublier continues to give them a purpose in life. Your job whilst there will again be to help out wherever needed. By this stage you will be beginning to learn what hard work is all about.
During your time at Aubagne you will be getting paid a small amount of money. With this money you will be allowed, probably once a week, to go to the Foyer (A bar with small shop attached - There is one on every guartier) - you will be allowed an hour or so to have a beer or two and buy anything you need such as razors, cigarettes etc.
At some time during the three weeks you will also be interviewed (albeit it in a very casual manner) on the subject of music. That is whether or not you play an instrument or have any inclination to become a musician and any desire to play in the Legion band. The Legion band is always keen to recruit - any hint of interest and you will be encouraged all the way in this direction. No- one is ever forced to join the band however. All bandsmen go through French Foreign Legion basic training just the same as any other Legionnaire. After a long three weeks of cleaning, tests and interviews you will finally be told whether you have passed the selection procedure or not. The successful ones will be issued with the Legion haircut and be taken down to the stores to be kitted out with Le Paquetage. This is the equipment that you will take with you to Castelnaudary and last you through your contract. It will be contained within a large green sausage bag called a Sac Moraine.
When you have been issued your paquetage you will know that very soon you will commencing basic training with the French Foreign Legion. At this stage there is only one more thing left to do - that is the solemn declaration of honour and fidelity to serve the French Foreign Legion. For this you will be assembled in a large room which oozes tradition. Thirty to forty of you will be assembled to form three sides of a square. There will be a short speech by the Major declaring that you have been officially accepted into the ranks of the Foreign Legion, with whom you will serve for five years with honour and faithfulness. The Major will then go up to each engage volontaire, call his name out and hand him his contract. The Legionnaire will acknowledge receipt of the contract by coming to the gardez-vous position (attention position) and calling out "Present Major". At approx 5.00 am the next morning you will be assembled ready for pick up by coach to be taken to the Aubagne train station. There you will board a train to take you to Castelnaudary. The Sergeant and the Caporal who escort you in the morning will be part of your training team during the four months that lie ahead.Castelnaudary - L 'Instruction - Basic Training. "Quite singly the best way to get on during instruction is not to get noticed, keep your head down, work hard, don't moan, mix with the French and start learning the language. It will come amazingly quickly and if you can speak French, you'll get less hassle".
Everything so far has been merely selection. It is now that the real work begins. You are brand spanking new to the system and are about to embark on a very steep learning curve.... Basic training is not aimed at producing elite soldiers out of you. It is aimed at bringing you all into a military way of thinking and to start instilling some form of military discipline. Coupled with this, they must start getting you to grips with learning the French language and conditioning you physically to the rigors that lie ahead. There is therefore a lot of work to be done by both the training team and the recruits during the four months basic training. It is after basic training that soldiering skills are taught in depth at the Regiment that you are posted to. That is not to say that you are not taught military skills during basic training - only that the skills may not be so in depth and so well honed at this stage. This four months basic training will also be teaching you one more thing - and certainly the hardest element of all to an engage volontaire - and that is the” Legion way of doing things".
It may not be the most logical way or the simplest way, it may seem like the most stupid, ridiculous method in the world - but it is done that way and you are going to do it that way - even if it takes all night and all the next day. They may send one man to do the job of ten or ten men to do the job of one. It will drive you to insanity at the time but what it is doing is re-affirming military discipline into your very new way of life. If you can prepare yourself for this and accept their way of getting the job done, then you're well on your way to becoming a "Bon Legionnaire". This is the part of Foreign Legion life that is most difficult to adapt to. Physically the Foreign Legion is not that hard - mentally it can crack you down the middle - especially those from the Western world. It may take you the whole of your five year contract to become fully at home home with this mentality and the Legion way of doing things. You may find that there is a Caporal or Sergeant of the same nationality as your own. Often they will be more friendly to their own nationality and keep you slightly more informed as to what is on the agenda during the coming days. Tread carefully in this area however and assume nothing.
On arrival at Castelnaudary railway station you will be picked up by a Legion coach and taken to the Quartier (guartier Capitaine Danjou). You will at all times be accompanied by the Caporaux or Sergents.Having unloaded all the Sacs Moraines (Long sausage shaped green bags) into the corridor, there will be a briefing by one of the Caporaux telling you what is next on the agenda. The first day will be spent unpacking bags and getting you into the routines that will very quickly become a way of life. Depending on the training team - and they all have their own way of doing things - your first day will probably be even more stressful than usual. In most armies around the world there is a routine of traumatizing the recruits during their first days - creating as big a shock for them as possible. There will be silence in the corridors when lined up. Feet will be exactly in line with the second row of floor tiles. Anybody talking, whispering or behaving like a civilian will be reprimanded in the most extreme manner probably in the form of a good dig to the body. Head and eyes to the front and best you keep it that way. For those that come from Eastern block countries this is not at all easy. They have come from backgrounds far removed from the culture of the West. They are inherently less disciplined and prone to being the target of the enthusiasm of the Caporaux. You may well find yourself doing press- ups on account of them. Throughout the day they will run you through what is known as the "Apel". This is a routine of lining up in the corridor and calling out from left to right a number. The number starts at one and continues up to however many there are of you. You may all be lined up in a different order every time you come out into the corridor, so it is important that you learn very quickly how to count in French. Whatever you are doing in the room - it is dropped immediately and you must get out into the corridor and line up against the wall before the Caporal has reached the count of four. The Apel is always done first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but initially you will do it perhaps twenty or thirty times in a day. This is purely to teach you how to count and as a method of asserting discipline and authority upon you. It will not obviously stop everybody else making mistakes and you will still be going in and out of the room like a yo-yo. But at least you will get it right and it's one less thing for you to have to learn. When you later have to line up for a Company parade you will have to learn the rest of the numbers in French, but this is not worth worrying about at the moment. There are two other reasons for needing to learn the numbers as soon as possible. Firstly; you will have been issued a service number and there will also be a number for your FAMAS. Your service number is known as your "Matricule" and is a six figure number. You must learn how to say it in French and learn it by heart. The Caporaux will teach it to you and you will be expected to know it by heart after a week or two. It will not be very long before you are introduced to your FAMAS assault rifle - This number must also be committed to memory. If you can learn these numbers quickly then you will not be the one that feels the might of a size ten boot when the Sergeant has been calling out the weapon number six times at the armory doors (Le Magasine)
History of the French Foreign Legion.
The French Foreign Legion was formed on the 9 of March 1831.It's authority was signed by Louis-Philippe - the King of France. His position as King was weakening and the Legion was readily formed in order that Louis- Philippe could maintain his position on the throne. The Aicers were gathered in from Napoleon's Grande Armee and the men were recruited from Italy, Spain, Switzerland and other European countries. There were also some Frenchmen recruits who were trying to escape the attention of their local Police.
Sebastopol 1853 - 1856.
It was the aim of France to assist Turkey in their fight to win over free passage of the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. After a brief victory the 1 ere and 2eme RE's final attempt to win the town of Sebastopol ended in a blockade which lasted a year. After suffering a year of horrendous weather and illness, the Legion could wait no longer and attempted to take the town but failed badly and took heavy casualties. They tried again, but it was not until their third attempt on the 8 September 1855 that they succeeded.
Camerone 1863.
On the 30 April 1863 the 3eme company of the RE in Mexico were given a mission - to
ensure the safe arrival of vital supplies down the road from Vera Cruz to Puebla in Mexico. This would assist in the blockade of Puebla. Before they had time to arrive at their destination they were attacked by nearly a thousand Mexican troops. They had just stopped for a morning coffee when they were attacked. Capitaine Danjou started to reposition his men in a derelict building they had passed only minutes earlier. He knew this would afford them some cover from enemy fire. Before they could get there, the cavalry were charging. They staved off the attack and continued towards the building. They had barely arrived and a second wave arrived. There were sixty five Legionnaires to fight the ensuing hoards -numbered at nearly two thousand. Quickly they prepared a hasty defense and were greeted by a Mexican messenger who offered them an honorable surrender. On top of the roof lay a Polish legionnaire Sergeant who told the Mexicans what they could do with their surrender. The cavalry charged once more, but the Legionnaires beat them back yet again. Not without loss however - the Capitaine Danjou had been badly injured. Before he died though, he made all his men promise that they would never surrender. By mid morning the Legionnaires were almost out of ammunition. They had no food and no water. Again the Legionnaires refused to surrender. By late that afternoon there were just twelve Legionnaires leA and no more ammunition - It then turned to hand to hand fighting and soon there were just five Legionnaires who remained to face two thousand. The Legionnaires advanced towards the enemy. Two of the five were shot down as they advanced. At that point - the Mexican Colonel arrived and saw the situation - he again offered a surrender. The Legionnaires agreed - but only if they could keep their weapons. The Mexican Colonel agreed saying "I can refuse nothing to men like you". The Legionnaires
had indeed achieved their mission - they had made safe the passage of supplies to Puebla by alerting nearby troops of the hoarding Mexicans and had occupied the enemy for nearly a full day. Every year, on the 30 April, in every quarter of the French Foreign Legion - this day is remembered and is known simply as Camerone Day. It is celebrated with great zealousness and pride. At Aubagne, the wooden hand of Capitaine Danjou is paraded before the Regiment and all its privileged guests.
Mexico 1863-1867.
The Legion continued fighting in Mexico for a further four years before being ordered back to France to deal with more pressing matters at home. The Mexicans were now being backed by the Americans and there was little chance of victory. Besides, France's security was threatened and that was far more important than any foreign soil. The Legion had however made a name for themselves and so assured their own future existence - All was not lost. Had it not been for the war in Mexico - perhaps the Legion would not be here today.
Tonkin 1883.
Tonkin was a French Protectorate in Indo-China overrun by pirates. The French
Commander, Admiral Courbet attacked the Fort Son Tay and Fort Bac Ninh and then had the task of defending the Fort Tuyen Quang. For nearly two months the Legion held out against constant attacks from the Chinese but eventually help arrived - The Legion had however lost a third of its company strength. To the North a battle was going on but came swiftly to a close and a treaty was signed on 1" April 1885. From thereon the Legion's role was to promote peace and tranquility and rebuild the damage done.
Madagscar 1895
Following a disagreement between the Queen of Madagascar and the French Republic, an expeditionary force was sent to Dahomey and then on to Madagascar. The Legionnaires immediately started to build a road from where they docked to the objective - a place called Tananarive. A distance of 250 miles. They built and fought their way to the objective and when they finally arrived, after three and a half months, the enemy gave up without a fight.
The 1 World War 1914-1918.
In 1914 the 1 RE saw action at the battle of Artois where heavy losses were taken. (nearly two thousand in all). They were reformed and one month later were again heavily defeated at Givenchy. They were finally defeated so badly that they had to be disbanded in September 1914. As a result of this the RMLE was formed (French Foreign Legion Marching regiment) whose job it was to precede any troops into battle.
The RMLE took part in many battles around France and took many thousands of casualties. Their most memorable was the skilful soldiering which took place in the trenches of Rheims. They cleared over four miles of enemy trenches, with just their rifles, bayonets and grenades. The next great feat was in the Verdun sector where the Legion succeeded in its mission of recapturing many of its old positions. This they did in double quick time and with few losses. Swiftly, the Legion was shifted to Amiens where they again took heavy casualties and were forced to retreat. It was not long before they were again diverted to hold shut the passageway to Paris. Again they succeeded - but only after much blood letting of it's own men. In July 1918 the French made their offensive and despite still further heavy losses, much progress was made. For nearly two weeks the Legion battered, clawed and fought their way through the Hindenburg Line. For their efforts in the first world war the Legion had become highly
decorated.
World War 1939-45
In June 1940 the 11 REI was almost entirely wiped out by a German division in Verdun. The remaining men were captured but nearly all of them managed to escape to fight again. The Regiment was however disbanded. In the same year the 13DBLE was sent to Norway to ultimately capture Narvik from the Germans. On the way to Narvik they caused much damage and destruction to German forces and aircraft. Due to German advances towards Paris, the Legion had to quickly re-deploy and assist in the defense of the Parisian quarter. It was not long after the troubles had been quelled in the Parisian region, that the Legion's services were again required. It was this time the Italians in Eritrea, Africa who required their attention.
Indo-China 1940-1954.
Thailand attempted a takeover of Cambodia in 1940 but were briefly prevented from doing so by the Legion. The Legion's efforts were wasted however, and as a result of conciliation Cambodia was handed over anyway. There was really only one unit of the Legion that was now based here, that being the 5REI. Again the Legion avoided combat in the South, due to further negotiation - but this was not to be for long and the Legionnaires based at the garrison at Ha Giang were soon massacred. Two battalions remained and started a death march towards China. Before arriving in China the war had ended but was quickly replaced by another, this time with Ho Chi Minh and his communists. This war would last nine years. In 1945 the 5REI left to be replaced by a long line of legion Regiments - The 2 REI, 13DBLE, 1REC and the 3 REI. In the meantime the 3REI remained to fight in other areas. In 1948 they too suffered heavy losses. In 1950 access to the border with Indo-China was granted to the Chinese People's army. In 1950 the 3 REI were ordered to move location but were caught up
in a massive ambush which almost completely wiped out the French forces in the region. The 13DBLE had more luck however and saw many victories during 1951. The 3REI which had also been reformed saw victory also in 1952 at Strongpoint 24. Soon afterwards the 1BEP jumped into Dien Bien Phu and took the area and quickly installed a garrison. They were attacked and despite support provided by the 2 BEP, were all but completely wiped out. For the Legionnaires in Indo China the war was now over.
Algeria 1953 - 1961.
Before they could so much as go on Permission, they found themselves back in Algieria,ready to fight another war. This time against the Algerian National Liberation Army. Although the Legion had deployed nearly twenty thousand men to the region they were to come across little more than enthusiastic skirmishes in the years that followed. These were to deteriorate to petty guerilla tactics after not too long. Let down by the politicians, the Legion were ordered home in 1961. There losses amounted to little more than a thousand men. Feeling let down - there was a mutiny and the 1 REP was, as a result disbanded.
Kolwezi 1978.
As a result of an attempted takeover by Angolan Tiger Rebels, Kolwezi in Zaire, was seized. They violated the town, raping and pillaging wherever they pleased. There were many Europeans caught up in the crisis - some taken hostage. A distress signal was sent out requesting help from Europe, to which the 2 REF was activated. After a lightning deployment, the 2 REP dropped in after only fifteen hours. After a solid week of fighting and close quarter battles the Legionnaires had all but wiped out the Tiger rebels and freed the petrified European hostages. This was one of the Legion's most successful missions which earnt them recognition all over the world.
Lebanon 1982 - 1983.
It was again the 2REP who were chosen in this peacekeeping role, accompanied later by the 2REI, 1RE and the 1 REC. Like many peacekeeping roles it was not an easy job, but one which, as usual, the Legion carried out meticulously and without complaint.
Gulf War 1991.
In September 1990 the 2REI, the 6REG and the 1 REC were sent to the Gulf in anticipation of Saddam Husseins threats against the world. After six long months waiting and a build up of world forces which had not been seen since World War Two, the war began. The air offensive was won first - this took four weeks, after which the coalition forces penetrated deep into Iraq. It was referred to as a Blitzkrieg (Lightning war) . Al Salman airport was taken by the Legion forces with little resistance. The Legion's task was then to safeguard any retreat by the Republican Guard to the West. After one hundred hours fighting on the ground the war was over.
Bosnia 1992-96.
More recently the Legion was again asked to carry out peace keeping roles in war torn areas of the globe. Under the direction of the United Nations, the 2 REP were kept on a tight leash in Mogadishu but the 2 REI accompanied by the 1 REC managed to carry out various clandestine operations in Bosnia in 1992-1995. The Legion were able to make use of the mother tongue of its men in such scenarios to great effect. Casualties were light in both areas of conflict.
Update: The French Foreign Legion has been send to Beirut ones again in September 2006
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