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French Foreign Legion, anybody?

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  • 01-04-2009 3:42pm
    #1
    Dr.Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 675 ✭✭✭


    Anyone ever thought of joining the French Foreign Legion?

    I know most people who join come from less well off countries, or those who want to forget their past and the Legion seems like their last and only option, but I also know there are some people out there who simply join for the adventure and experience!

    So the question is.. Is anyone out there considering running away and taking the step that few men dare to even dream about?
    Tagged:


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    #2
    lazybhoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 102 ✭✭lazybhoy


    00Blaine00 wrote: »
    Anyone ever thought of joining the French Foreign Legion?

    I know most people who join come from less well off countries, or those who want to forget their past and the Legion seems like their last and only option, but I also know there are some people out there who simply join for the adventure and experience!

    So the question is.. Is anyone out there considering running away and taking the step that few men dare to even dream about?


    If you fancy joining a regiment that takes your passport away, wont let you marry for the first 7 years of service then go for it.

    Dont think they see much combat, compared to Americans and Brits now adays either.


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    #3
    Dr.Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 675 ✭✭✭Dr.Sanchez


    lazybhoy wrote: »
    If you fancy joining a regiment that takes your passport away, wont let you marry for the first 7 years of service then go for it.

    Dont think they see much combat, compared to Americans and Brits now adays either.


    You seem to have gotten some info mixed up there...

    1. Your first contract in the Legion is for 5 years not 7, and after the first five years you can apply for a marriage demand.
    2. They do take your name and passport away when you enlist but you can apply for "rectification" after one years service.
    3. Today the Legion serve in many different parts of the world some of which are Gabon, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Mayotte and French Guiana.


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    #4
    lazybhoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 102 ✭✭lazybhoy


    00Blaine00 wrote: »
    You seem to have gotten some info mixed up there...

    1. Your first contract in the Legion is for 5 years not 7, and after the first five years you can apply for a marriage demand.
    2. They do take your name and passport away when you enlist but you can apply for "rectification" after one years service.
    3. Today the Legion serve in many different parts of the world some of which are Gabon, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Mayotte and French Guiana.

    I think you have got mixed up my friend. I never said the first contract in the legion was 7 years, I said you must serve 7 to marry.

    (I have broken the link cause I dont want to break forum rules)

    http://www...........legion-recrute.com/en/faq.php#f6

    Marriage is authorized only to those having undergone “military regularisation of situation”. N.C.O.S. without limits of service. Legionnaires after seven years service.

    As stated they take your passport away.

    As stated they dont see as much combat as the Brits and Yanks.


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    #5
    pablomakaveli
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,752 ✭✭✭pablomakaveli


    Ive thought about joining. Ive always had a lot of respect for the french foreign legion. I still would'nt rule out trying to enlist sometime in the future given the way the jobs are drying up in this country. Getting through the training is another thing altogether though.


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    #6
    Dr.Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 675 ✭✭✭Dr.Sanchez


    lazybhoy wrote: »
    I think you have got mixed up my friend. I never said the first contract in the legion was 7 years, I said you must serve 7 to marry.

    (I have broken the link cause I dont want to break forum rules)

    http://www...........legion-recrute.com/en/faq.php#f6

    Marriage is authorized only to those having undergone “military regularisation of situation”. N.C.O.S. without limits of service. Legionnaires after seven years service.

    As stated they take your passport away.

    As stated they dont see as much combat as the Brits and Yanks.

    As you said, "Marriage is authorized only to those having undergone “military regularization of situation"

    The military regularization of situation can be used by any legionnaire after one years service, It used for many things such as getting back your original identity and and fresh identity papers/passport, and allowing you to go abroad on leave.

    http://www.......legion-recrute.com/en/faq.php#f2

    And

    http://www.......kepi.cncplusplus.com/FFL%20FAQ.htm#FAQ18


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    #7
    BigDuffman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭BigDuffman


    One of the lads from my coy, didn't get the cadets, so promptly decided overnight to feck off over and join the legion! From what I've heard back its still fairly intense. The NCOs cant spell A7 or PC. And your get thrown in the slammer for the most minor of offences. But he said the level of fitness and training is unbelievable.

    But the legion is not the haven for crims and scumbags that it used to be.


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    #8
    lazybhoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 102 ✭✭lazybhoy


    00Blaine00 wrote: »
    As you said, "Marriage is authorized only to those having undergone “military regularization of situation"

    The military regularization of situation can be used by any legionnaire after one years service, It used for many things such as getting back your original identity and and fresh identity papers/passport, and allowing you to go abroad on leave.

    http://www.......legion-recrute.com/en/faq.php#f2

    And

    http://www.......kepi.cncplusplus.com/FFL%20FAQ.htm#FAQ18

    RE Marriage and the Legion

    Think you left a bit out.............. Legionnaires after seven years service.


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    #9
    lazybhoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 102 ✭✭lazybhoy


    BigDuffman wrote: »
    One of the lads from my coy, didn't get the cadets, so promptly decided overnight to feck off over and join the legion! From what I've heard back its still fairly intense. The NCOs cant spell A7 or PC. And your get thrown in the slammer for the most minor of offences. But he said the level of fitness and training is unbelievable.

    But the legion is not the haven for crims and scumbags that it used to be.


    Yes it one of the toughest challenges one could attempt, in terms of the training Ive heard mixed reports, fitness wise theyre are first class.

    I came across someone who served in the USMC and the Legion, he claimed the USMC offered more modern and through training techniques, its sniper and anti armour schools were far more professional then the Legion , but the ethos of the legion was in a different league.


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    #10
    Leadership
    Closed Accounts Posts: 457 ✭✭Leadership


    A good buddy of mine is a NCO in legion, he was an ex Sapper in the BA. He loves it and explains the life as if it was constant Stage 2 training (continuation training after basic) and personally I also enjoyed that phase.

    Had a company sized contact situation on Mt Igman with the legion and they performed very well considering it was a night contact. I also had a platoon under my command in Bosnia that were used for force protection. Great lads, very professional but their kit was a bit a bit dated compared to the units in country.


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    #11
    kmick
    Registered Users Posts: 3,375 ✭✭✭kmick


    Know a guy who joined and spent some time in active service in Africa. Same guy was on Today FM not so long ago. Was in Iraq and escorting a water convoy. Came under attack and he was either the only or one of a couple of survivors. This was after he gave away his pistol to the unarmed iraqi driver. Mad story if you can get your hands on it.


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    #12
    me_right_one
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,043 ✭✭✭me_right_one


    kmick wrote: »
    Know a guy who joined and spent some time in active service in Africa. Same guy was on Today FM not so long ago. Was in Iraq and escorting a water convoy. Came under attack and he was either the only or one of a couple of survivors. This was after he gave away his pistol to the unarmed iraqi driver. Mad story if you can get your hands on it.

    Think the book is called "Hidden Soldier", by Padraig O'Keefe.


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    #13
    twinytwo
    Registered Users Posts: 5,244 ✭✭✭twinytwo


    Former RM said the the legion training wasnt as hard as rm training but that the mind **** was unbelieveable


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    #14
    Dr.Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 675 ✭✭✭Dr.Sanchez


    lazybhoy wrote: »
    RE Marriage and the Legion

    Think you left a bit out.............. Legionnaires after seven years service.


    I suggest you read a book called "Life in the French Foreign Legion" by Evan McGorman

    Page 16, third paragraph down:
    Nor will you be permitted to marry for the first five years of your contract once you've joined the legion. You cant own a vehicle of any type, including a bicycle, live off base in your own lodgings, have a bank account, come and go as you please, or do most things people in free societies take for granted. To qualify for these advantages you must complete your initial five year contract and stand on the five year plateau before the gates of privilege finally open wide.


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    #15
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    This is worth reading if you've a couple of hours to spare:

    Life in the Legion

    http://www.troon-promotions.com/Chap%201%20P1.htm


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    #16
    lazybhoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 102 ✭✭lazybhoy


    00Blaine00 wrote: »
    I suggest you read a book called "Life in the French Foreign Legion" by Evan McGorman

    Page 16, third paragraph down:


    So the broken link I posted which is the official site of the French Foreign Legion and states 7 years is wrong ?


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    #17
    Fishtits
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭Fishtits


    I've come across these guys in a few places, they're values are very traditional ie man up. Some of their tactical ethos are scary... lets just say they're focussed on winning a firefight before self preservation.

    If they have a weakness I'd put it on their hierarchal system, knock the top off and they're in trouble. Old school cannon fodder stuff.

    Outmoded in todays battleground IMHO, hence their limited deployment. I'd reckon their future is bleak.

    Besides, they've outlawed the free brothels so they've sod all going for them :P

    There was a poster on here who was ex RE, if he re-appears we'll get the best update.


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    #18
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    Fishtits wrote: »
    There was a poster on here who was ex RE, if he re-appears we'll get the best update.

    He's the fella who wrote the book I linked to a few posts above.


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    #19
    me_right_one
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,043 ✭✭✭me_right_one


    Fishtits wrote: »
    Some of their tactical ethos are scary... lets just say they're focussed on winning a firefight before self preservation.

    Sure thats the way all armies are!


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    #20
    Fishtits
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭Fishtits


    me_right_one,

    No, modern warfare is far more sophisticated.


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    #21
    p1akuw47h5r3it
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    Ye I'd consider joining. But it would be a last resort tbh


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    #22
    p1akuw47h5r3it
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    Just thought I'd stick up this link. It's for anyone who is considering joinig or just wants to ask a current Legionnaira member a q or watever

    http://cervens.net/legionbbs123/index.php


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    #23
    Dr.Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 675 ✭✭✭Dr.Sanchez


    Hallie Witty Vaporizer wrote: »
    Just thought I'd stick up this link. It's for anyone who is considering joinig or just wants to ask a current Legionnaira member a q or watever

    http://cervens.net/legionbbs123/index.php

    Cool forum, was looking for something like this for a while!


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    #24
    jocmilt
    Registered Users Posts: 118 ✭✭jocmilt


    The legion is for people who like a challenge. You will know in a few months whether it is for you or not. The only problem is if you want to get out then you have to skip France when you get home leave. If you are the sort of person who likes the life and the challenge it is no harder than working on a building site but if you are not cut out for it then it will mess with you big time and you best get out coz you will get in a lot of trouble. I spent 5 years in it when I was young and it was great. I live on Corsica had a string of wild and exotic girlfriends and got to do some amazing sh*t. It's not true that the Legion is not as active anymore. It is very active and wherever you find the Brits and Yanks you can be sure the Legion is out in front of them. The press don't cover the Legion much.

    I would advise anyone who is thinking of going in to get fit first.


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    #25
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    kmick wrote: »
    Know a guy who joined and spent some time in active service in Africa. Same guy was on Today FM not so long ago. Was in Iraq and escorting a water convoy. Came under attack and he was either the only or one of a couple of survivors. This was after he gave away his pistol to the unarmed iraqi driver. Mad story if you can get your hands on it.

    That was Padraig o Keefe and he was on 2fm. He was in the legion for 5 years and ended up working for a PSD in Iraq and he was the only survivor of an assault North of Baghdad.

    The book is "Hidden Soldier" and its a savage must read for anyone contemplating the French Foreign Legion. If I don't get what I'm after in the next few years I'll be going myself.


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    #26
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    You have six months if your entry to the legion is successful to hand in your notice of departure. After that then you have to skip the country which is made much harder by the fact that for one year the legion holds on the belongings you brought with you when you join, ie passport and for that year you may only leave the barracks in which you are assigned in uniform only. If you plan on leaving, you better be very creative and find an alternative to any mode of transport that requires passports to leave.

    On saying that, the legion will not persue anyone who deserts the legion, unless they are convicted of a serious crime that merits such action, because they have so many new recruits coming into and going out of the legion that there numbers are always maintaned.


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    #27
    p1akuw47h5r3it
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    djhunter30 wrote: »
    That was Padraig o Keefe and he was on 2fm. He was in the legion for 5 years and ended up working for a PSD in Iraq and he was the only survivor of an assault North of Baghdad.

    The book is "Hidden Soldier" and its a savage must read for anyone contemplating the French Foreign Legion. If I don't get what I'm after in the next few years I'll be going myself.

    Read a book called "Life in the Foreign Legion" by Ewan Mc Gorman ( not so sure about last name) before you go just to make sure it's ehat u want


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    #28
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    I'll try and get my hands on it then if possible. I'm sure the book doesn't paint the legion in a good light or you wouldn't have suggested it. Well I'm open to reasoning.


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    #29
    Dr.Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 675 ✭✭✭Dr.Sanchez


    djhunter30 wrote: »
    I'll try and get my hands on it then if possible. I'm sure the book doesn't paint the legion in a good light or you wouldn't have suggested it. Well I'm open to reasoning.

    Iv read it back to front, very good read although some of the info is probably a bit outdated.

    The first few opening lines of the book:
    First let me say that I would not recommend joining the Legion to anyone. Not only can it be an extremely hazardous life but there are dozens of other reasons I can and will present in one form or another that all contribute to one unfortunate truth: you will be disappointed in it. Unequivocally. Guaranteed.

    The best place to get info is the forum mentioned earlier in this thread!


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    #30
    concussion
    Registered Users Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭concussion


    It's probably been mentioned already, by 'Legionnaire' by Simon Murray is fantastic read. Outdated now is its a collection of his diaries from the 1960's but a tremendous story.


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    #31
    Poccington
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭Poccington


    I really dunno why anyone would wanna join the Legion, that's just me though.


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