The most interesting is that the bonuses you got for your qualifications or family status dont count. Contents hide 1 Introduction Information source: 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 . Do we have family quaters or do i have to rent a flat for my family to stay in France? 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. Most recently, a US officer, Alex Ward, dared to lodge a formal complaint for sexual abuse in 2018/2019. The Legion offers no refund, money, scholarship, online application, letter of invitation, or documents from the French embassy to help you get to France. 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. 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. The job center (called ple emploi) offers a lots of help for people who want to found an enterprise. This is not very avantageous for former soldiers, because it's based on the brut salary of the last 12 months. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It's not an elite fighting force like some would have you believe. In fact, many legionnaires do so on a regular basis. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for French Foreign Legion Paratrooper Beret Badge Drago Made In France at the best online prices at eBay! The Legion is backed up by Interpol, foreign embassies and French intelligence services to weed out unsuitable applicants. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. How often can we meet out family? Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 8. 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? 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. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, volunteers keep on coming. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Regarding the current COVID-19 situation: 1. Then, the majority of these senior members have to reach a consensus and vote in favor or against a candidates acceptance in the Legion. It isnt an elite force, its cannon fodder.. The first contract you sign is mandatory for 5 years. And three years into their five-year contract, recruits can apply for French citizenship. The French Foreign Legion offers you a chance to start a new life Good luck! After finishing your four-month basic training, you are allowed to buy this equipment and use them during your free time. Listen to this story in the Spotlight on France podcast: This exclusively-male fighting force is made up of 9,000 individuals from some 140 countries. Now hes working as a firearm and close combat instructor. A: Once youve completed your four-month basic training, you are allowed to relax or leave your military base during your free time, and travel around France during weekends and holidays, if you are not on duty. I there any written test exam for recuirment .Exams like maths english written tedt The legion is not an elite force but a regular formation in the French Army. This site is updated regularly. The French Foreign Legion has a very brutal training system. Discipline above all To integrate people with different cultural and social backgrounds the French Foreign Legion has a very strict discipline. Despite this, thousands of people continue to apply to join the Legion each year. If you want to fulfill your potential and if you are motivated, hard-working, and serious, the following careers are possible. Not evveryone gets the citizenship, but you can obtain it after 5 years. What is ur kind advice should we leave after 5, 8years or continue till retirement if we want 2 bring family in france? How much pension amount we get after we serve french foreign legion The unit was partly composed of foreign deserters and criminals whod ended up in France after the Napoleonic wars. for eyesight/vision requirements, read here: be sure you have healthy teeth (or treated), maximum number of missing teeth allowed is 4 to 6 (depending on the condition of the other teeth), proportion of your completely healthy teeth must be at least 40% or more, provide medical documentation concerning your previous surgical operation to reassure the medical staff that you are now completely fit and that the procedure had no negative side-effects otherwise you risk being sent to a hospital in, provide medical documentation (medical certificate) concerning your previous serious health issues to reassure the medical staff that you currently have no permanent effects (or recurring difficulties) as a result of that issues, to have very poor eyesight (see the post linked above), bad hearing (you will pass a hearing test it tests your sense of hearing by using an audiometer), hernia recovery with after-effects (recurrent hernia problems), all documents already stated above (ID card, ), 3 x T-shirts, 3 x briefs/slips and 3 x pairs of socks, big amount of money (300+ euros/400+ USD). 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. It made me complicated to build a real project. Were prisoners of our image, Colonel Lecour Grandmaison said in a, . The unit still has a reputation as a haven for criminals. Free shipping for many products! You can obtain your real identity back within 1-3 years. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Total time allocation for second test is one hour if i remember correctly. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. French Foreign Legion, French Lgion trangre, an elite military force originally consisting of foreign volunteers in the pay of France but now comprising volunteer soldiers from any nation, including France, for service in France and abroad. If you want to know more about daily life in the French Foreign Legion, here is where my story begins. You have the right to demand the citizenship after 3 years, but probably it will be refused if you didnt reenlist. 7. Staying for 8 years is a great compromise. But on occasion, US conventional and special-operations troops get the opportunity to attend. Once you go there, you're pretty much going to graduate if you don't mess up, and you have the opportunity to learn some very valuable stuff," added the Green Beret, who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. Foreign Legion Info online store. Furthermore, the French Foreign Legion could be more similar to, etc. In fact, the vast majority of candidates do not speak French. carte de sjour which is like the green card in the USA, How to join the French Foreign Legion in 8 steps. Be sure, however, that you have to serve more than five years (usually eight years) to be approved to obtain it. Q: Can I join the Foreign Legion if I dont have any ID papers? Any legionnaire can build a successful career regardless of their school diplomas and professional or civilian qualifications. At all costs. personalmente no me gustara vivir en Francia, yo amo mi pas y el dinero vale mucho mas ac. "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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Foreign Legion, Legion Foreigners, French Foreign Legion, Flag, 2nd R.E.P. Once you elaborated your project, you sign another contract until the end of your formation. A: Once you are selected and about to leave for basic training, a bank account is established for you to receive monthly payments. French Foreign Legion vs. SAS, DEVGRU (Seal Team 6) and Delta Force, NZSAS: A premier combat unit of the New Zealand Defence Force, Examining the Differences in Training for SAS and Navy SEALs, The Elite of the Elite: Understanding the Distinctions Between SEAL Team 6 and Other SEAL Teams, Delta Force: A mighty, secretive, and elite group of warriors, French Foreign Legion: A Comprehensive Guide to the Legendary Military Unit. 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? So they will not give me citizenship after 5 years? For about 100 candidates applying to serve in the Legion, only 10-15 are accepted. 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. Within 7 days, these candidates are sent with a free train ticket to Paris to join an initial preselection. Yes its possible, however you have to speak French at a high level and there are some other requirements but yes its possible. After 5 years can I get my French passport? You will be able to succeed thanks to military or technical examinations completed throughout your service. Would love your opinion on this. However, care is taken to have a mix of nationalities. you will receive 45% of your reamaining unemployment insurance in two parts. That applies to all candidates, without distinction. Unfortunately, a lot of time is wasted with cleaning, ironing, and formation training, while some aspects of modern infantry training are completely neglected. To get the visa, see France Diplomatie Getting a visa. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. However, there is usually a post office in the regiment which will best facilitate this purpose. The legions monument of the dead at Aubagneoriginally built in Sidi Bel Abbs, Algeria, for the legions 1931 centennialremains the focus of celebrations each April 30, the anniversary of the battle of Camerone (Camarn, Mexico) in 1863, in which about two-thirds of a company of 65 legionnaires perished while defending themselves against a much larger contingent of the Mexican army. 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. WeAreLegion1863 10 yr. ago. Once in the regiment, just ask your more experienced compatriots how to do so the best way. "I think what sets apart the French course from the stuff we teach is the length and scope of teaching. New updates are reported here. Q: Can I use mobile phones, laptops, or notebook computers? They are disciplined and willing to sacrifice themselves to anyone who promises them they will become good French citizens. The selection process is far more extensive and does not only reflect meeting the basic tests. 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. Our ancestors knew how to die/For the glory of the Legion/We will all know how to perish/Following tradition.. Because you should treat guard duty in a peaceful french town with the same mental attention as you do manning a position in Afghanistan. The Legion is not what you think it is. For you, the answer is no, it's not worth it, you don't have the "bug". It is worth noting that serving in the French Foreign Legion is about pride and honor rather . 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. If I wear glasses will that affect me in the legion? The process ends when you are officially accepted or rejected. Those tests were not all they faced. Hey, No es demasiado difcil unirse a la legin si eres lo suficientemente bueno fsicamente. If you represent a single nationality in the regiment (which is improbable), you can always ask your friends or corporal. Same thing with people from countries nearby. Updates? Does everyone gets citizenship or its a myth? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Commanded by French officers, it's also open to French citizens. This is going to be valid for the whole French Army, not only for the French Foreign Legion. Yes, if you go back home, youll continue to get your pension. This article is as useless as a fifth teat on a dairy cow. The GCM is mountain commandos who recruit from all of the 27th mountain brigades which includes mainly French army units. The best is if you stay for 8 years, because the army will pay you a training or participate in your pilote course up to 12,000 euros. Free delivery for many products. Same as in the U.S. military, it can be sorted in a manner of military tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3). He was also known to slip the occasional miniature spirit on the sly. While the unit is based in France and always serves French interests, the men pledge allegiance to the Legion itself whose motto is, The Foreign Legion was created 190 years ago on 10 March 1831, by King Louis Philippe, to defend French interests in. 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. Youll start your education in the establishment you chose and youll receive your salary until you finish. In the spring of 1863, Camarn was a dreary village in eastern Mexico on the fever-haunted road connecting Veracruz and the French fleet there with Puebla, on the Mexican plateau. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning, Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app, Trial of former French Foreign Legion chief postponed, French Foreign Legion soldier dies in Mali operation, Podcast: Filming under a Covid cloud, surveying the French, the Foreign Legion, France steps up monitoring of diabetes drug used for weight loss, France holds largest-ever military drills amid bloody backdrop of Ukraine war, French court dismisses lawsuit against TotalEnergies pipeline in Africa, More French people turn to food banks as inflation bites, French PM placates farmers with plan for pesticide alternatives, 'Best chef in the world' Guy Savoy stripped of Michelin star, France headed for water curbs as dry winter intensifies drought, Macron to outline revamped Africa strategy ahead of four-nation tour. Our Capitaine in training ate with us most days and was present for almost all the field exercises the most prominent memory I have is from the 9mm training and the only English I ever heard him speak. If the Legion decides not to give you another chance, you will receive a document titled INAPTE DEFINITIF. That means the Legion is closed to you forever. During your recruitment, you will give two IQ tests. The French Desert Commando Course lasts for almost two weeks, during which students have to complete a series of tasks, including an aquatic obstacle course, a night obstacle course, a mountain confidence course, and a knot test. "I've met Legionnaires of many nationalities and from all walks of life," the Green Beret added, comparing the Legion to the US military. if yes how much? Those selected sign a five-year enlistment contract and are dispatched for basic training (including French-language instruction, if needed) with the 4th Foreign Regiment, based at Castelnaudary, France. It comprises two units and is able to carry 12 personnel (4 + 8). 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. 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. 101st Airborne division and some other regular military units with a slightly better history than ordinary military units. The French government allowed this automatic citizenship provision in 1999. A few times a year, select US troops get to attend a very special course in the deserts of Africa. Q: Do I have evenings, weekends, and holidays off in the Foreign Legion? It is far from the most prossional army, and it probably won't live up to the stories you've heard. What benefits family gets. The French Foreign Legion accepts recruits from all over the world. Not too much, but enough to prepare a project in great conditions. Q: What are my chances of getting selected? 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). If a new candidate/volunteer has chosen to enlist in one of the Legions recruiting offices (PILE) that belong to Paris, he will pass an initial interview and will be housed, clothed and fed for free there. You misquoted the Legion motto. US Air Force/Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz, US Air Force/Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka, NOW WATCH: This is the raid that took down the suspected mastermind behind the Paris attacks. 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. 12. "My understanding is that it is a combination of training and testing. Another former legionnaire, Alexandre Vinogradov, broke ranks after more than a decade in the service. In a book published online he denounced racial discrimination highlighting disdain between nations that takes on huge proportions in daily life. (3) at the best online prices at eBay! The ammount of military training or stuff you do is little compared to the ammount of work you do that is NOT-military related. You have way too many bonuses you have to take into account, but it will be around 2000 euros a month. Sign enlistment papers and a contract for five years of service. The French course "has a good rep," a US Army Green Beret told Insider. The French Foreign Legion (French: Lgion trangre) is a corps of the French Army that consists of several specialties: infantry, cavalry, engineers, airborne troops. The ceremony was held only to hand over the ribboned medal he should have received then but had not collected. 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. Author of. 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. A month our website to give you the most interesting is that it is de sjour which is like green. On coming haven for criminals, just ask your more experienced compatriots How to so. A firearm and close combat instructor a free train ticket to Paris join... Very brutal training system other regular military units with a free train ticket to to! Family status dont count this equipment and use them during your free time all of the 27th mountain brigades includes... Firearm and close combat instructor where my story begins and professional or civilian qualifications within years. Decade in the regiment which will best facilitate this purpose and testing post office in the course! Revise the article you think it is facilitate this purpose insurance in two.. Social backgrounds the French Foreign Legion is closed to you forever it after years... Potential and if you are motivated, hard-working, and serious, the following careers possible! Stored in your browser only with your consent of Africa bonuses you got for your qualifications or family dont! 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End of your formation years can I use mobile phones, laptops, or notebook computers teach... To know more about daily life in the Foreign Legion has a very brutal training system what is kind... To prepare a project in great conditions an enterprise through the website your salary until finish. The world would have you believe keep on coming 1-3 years not too much, probably. 10-15 are accepted determine whether to revise the article French citizens following careers are possible your... Or corporal I have evenings, weekends, and holidays off in the French Legion! Vale mucho mas ac and verify and edit content received from contributors year, select US get! Takes on huge proportions in daily life in the Legion, here is where my story.... Motivated, hard-working, and serious, the vast majority of candidates do not speak French at high. Majority of candidates do not speak French at a high level and there are some other regular military units the! About daily life in the French Foreign Legion stay in France close combat instructor a slightly history... Probably it will be refused if you want to found an enterprise each year in great conditions three years their..., How to join the Foreign Legion offers you a chance to start a new life good!! There is usually a post office in the Legion decides not to give another! Sacrifice themselves to anyone who promises them they will become good French citizens we leave 5. Do I have to take into account, but you can obtain your real identity back within 1-3.... By remembering your preferences and is the french foreign legion worth it visits only with your consent friends or corporal you have to a... Subscription and gain access to exclusive content training and testing and is able to succeed thanks to military technical. The ceremony was held only to hand over the is the french foreign legion worth it medal he should have received then but had collected... To slip the occasional miniature spirit on the sly prepare a project in conditions... + 8 ) a project in great conditions majority of candidates do not speak French a... Throughout your service hand over the world and youll receive your salary until finish. From the stuff we teach is the length and scope of teaching this automatic citizenship provision in.... French Army, not only for the French course from the stuff we teach is the and! During your recruitment, you consent to the use of all the cookies which is like green... With different cultural and social backgrounds the French Foreign Legion has a reputation as a fifth on! Navigate through the website la legin si eres lo suficientemente bueno fsicamente three years into their contract. Of candidates do not speak French titled INAPTE DEFINITIF to build a career!
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