Best time of year to join French Foreign Legion

Max Prophet · 18-01-2018 10:27am #1

What's the time of year that would make training easier as in not too hot and not too cold?

tac foley · 18-01-2018 8:43pm

You ARE kidding, right?

tac

Max Prophet · 18-01-2018 8:52pm

tac foley wrote: »

You ARE kidding, right?

tac

What do you mean?

Fann Linn · 18-01-2018 8:59pm

Lad I went to school with over 30 years ago joined up. He got all the info from the French embassy and from there he went to France and from what I can recall he ended up in southern France doing his training.

After a few months or so he went to some French colony in Africa for desert training and then to south or central America for jungle training.

The last I heard of him he had become a naturaliaed French citizen and had fought in either Iraq or Afghanistan in the early days of those wars.

Max Prophet · 18-01-2018 9:07pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

Lad I went to school with over 30 years ago joined up. He got all the info from the French embassy and from there he went to France and from what I can recall he ended up in southern France doing his training.

After a few months or so he went to some French colony in Africa for desert training and then to south or central America for jungle training.

The last I heard of him he had become a naturaliaed French citizen and had fought in either Iraq or Afghanistan in the early days of those wars.

Sounds like it wouldn't be too cold so that would be good anyway.

Fann Linn · 18-01-2018 9:11pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

Sounds like it wouldn't be too cold so that would be good anyway.

If you're young, single and nothing else going down here for you go for it.

Dr Turk Turkelton · 18-01-2018 9:20pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

Sounds like it wouldn't be too cold so that would be good anyway.

I've heard that the Afghan mountains in winter are practically tropical. Great for topping up the tan that you get from the St Tropez training camp.

Max Prophet · 18-01-2018 9:20pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

If you're young, single and nothing else going down here for you go for it.

Thinking about it. Have money made from bitcoin and gone a buy aimless. Would like fitness and new skills and toughness also.

selous · 18-01-2018 9:37pm

If you're worried about it being too hot or cold, it might not be for you... some training is French Guyana, in South America, kinda warm n humid there,

Some recruiting offices tell you they don't want you, but it's a little ploy, you have to go back day after day to show you want to enlist.

5 year term, and I believe, even if you die before your 5 years are up they can keep you till your 5 years service are done.

Bonne Chance..

Dr Turk Turkelton · 18-01-2018 9:40pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

Thinking about it. Have money made from bitcoin and gone a buy aimless. Would like fitness and new skills and toughness also.

Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacre mercenaire.

Brian Lighthouse · 18-01-2018 9:51pm

Ha Ha, your opening was funny.

If you join up, the last thing on your mind will be the weather.
The second last thing on your mind will be where in the world you are.

I recommend Junior B hurling or football at your local GAA club for a bit of fitness, new skills and toughness.
If you hack a season there, you might be slightly more prepared than you are now.

All the best with it.

Tell me how · 18-01-2018 9:53pm

Max Prophet wrote:

What's the time of year that would make training easier as in not too hot and not too cold?

If you are worried about the temperature of the training zone, I'd hazard a guess the military life is not for you.

shaunr68 · 18-01-2018 10:19pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

What's the time of year that would make training easier as in not too hot and not too cold?

You'll be fine, in hot weather the ossifers let you spend all day in frolicking the pool and when it's cold if you ask nicely they will make you a hot water bottle and tuck you up in bed

tac foley · 18-01-2018 10:36pm

This is a facile thread.

I'm out.

tac

Max Prophet · 18-01-2018 10:40pm

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacre mercenaire.

Yeah learning French would be a bonus. Did German and school and haven't a word of French.

Max Prophet · 19-01-2018 4:56pm

Brian Lighthouse wrote: »

Ha Ha, your opening was funny.

If you join up, the last thing on your mind will be the weather.
The second last thing on your mind will be where in the world you are.

I recommend Junior B hurling or football at your local GAA club for a bit of fitness, new skills and toughness.
If you hack a season there, you might be slightly more prepared than you are now.

All the best with it.

Thanks. I assume the food is a typical hearty rustic French affair ?

Avatar MIA · 19-01-2018 5:00pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

Thanks. I assume the food is a typical hearty rustic French affair ?

If that's what you can forage, sure.

Anyway isn't today a school day - out early?

source · 19-01-2018 5:35pm

I can't believe this isn't a wind up thread.

However if op is serious and is thinking of joining the FFL he should have a read of the following:

Legionnaire by Simon Murray
Diary of a Legionnaire by Gareth Cairns
Legionnaire Mackenzie by Mark Morgan
Hidden Soldier by Padraig O'Keefe
Naked Soldier by Tony Sloane

All great books that give a no doubt sanitised version of life in the FFL. If these books are the sanitised version you can build up a good picture of what it's really like.

Also some good documentaries on you tube.

https://youtu.be/_KIIDCfpP0A
https://youtu.be/U41DRZKCN4g

Also i would echo what others have said, if you're asking the questions you're asking here is probably not for you.

Avatar MIA · 19-01-2018 5:51pm

source wrote: »

I can't believe this isn't a wind up thread.

However if op is serious and is thinking of joining the FFL he should have a read of the following:

Legionnaire by Simon Murray
Diary of a Legionnaire by Gareth Cairns
Legionnaire Mackenzie by Mark Morgan
Hidden Soldier by Padraig O'Keefe
Naked Soldier by Tony Sloane

All great books that give a no doubt sanitised version of life in the FFL. If these books are the sanitised version you can build up a good picture of what it's really like.

Also some good documentaries on you tube.

https://youtu.be/_KIIDCfpP0A
https://youtu.be/U41DRZKCN4g

Also i would echo what others have said, if you're asking the questions you're asking here is probably not for you.

Think this more suited to the OP... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Remake_of_Beau_Geste

source · 19-01-2018 5:58pm

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Think this more suited to the OP... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Remake_of_Beau_Geste

You are more than likely right.

SmartinMartin · 19-01-2018 6:13pm

Usually just after a break - up.

Do you want to forget, OP?
Are you 22?

https://youtu.be/gi3ggH1s-sM

tac foley · 19-01-2018 6:14pm

Troll.

tac

Brian Lighthouse · 19-01-2018 6:15pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

Thanks. I assume the food is a typical hearty rustic French affair ?

It's bouillabaisse till its coming out your eyes, crunchy baguettes and brie in your ration packs all washed down with a choice of Bordeaux chateaux.

You'll fare well, good man.

Max Prophet · 19-01-2018 9:44pm

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Usually just after a break - up.

Do you want to forget, OP?
Are you 22?

https://youtu.be/gi3ggH1s-sM

Nope not forgetting more about learning new skills, languages and experiences.

Esel · 20-01-2018 1:10am

Travel the world, meet interesting people, and skill them?

John_D80 · 21-01-2018 7:52am

April/May is gorgeous in North Africa. Especially with all the time off the Legion gives its recruits.

I needed some R&R in between my 2nd & 3rd stints in the SAS and found my time in the legion to be a very enjoyable year. Go for it OP.

**Silly questions get silly answers**

Max Prophet · 21-01-2018 9:29am

John_D80 wrote: »

April/May is gorgeous in North Africa. Especially with all the time off the Legion gives its recruits.

I needed some R&R in between my 2nd & 3rd stints in the SAS and found my time in the legion to be a very enjoyable year. Go for it OP.

**Silly questions get silly answers**

What is the leave typically?

NIMAN · 21-01-2018 9:35am

Max Prophet wrote: »

What is the leave typically?

I think you get home for Xmas, Easter, Valentines and Hallowe'en.

TresGats · 21-01-2018 9:39am

My sons friend (20) nearly did this last year. He decided that it was the life or him, despite what people advised him. And for him, there was no catalyst other than failing the Irish Army test by a couple of seconds, and he is a very fit young man.
So he went for a few weeks, and got so ill he had to come home, supposed to to return to sign his final papers. Once he got back home, he didn't want to go back.
Use your bitcoin money to do an education course and an exotic adventure holiday, if you want to feel 'alive'. Seriously, you'd get some culture & body shock from the rigors of training and the speaking french all the time, if you're not used to these.

Peatys · 21-01-2018 9:44am

Max Prophet wrote: »

Thanks. I assume the food is a typical hearty rustic French affair ?

Did you trade the land cruiser yet?

Max Prophet · 21-01-2018 10:19am

TresGats wrote: »

My sons friend (20) nearly did this last year. He decided that it was the life or him, despite what people advised him. And for him, there was no catalyst other than failing the Irish Army test by a couple of seconds, and he is a very fit young man.
So he went for a few weeks, and got so ill he had to come home, supposed to to return to sign his final papers. Once he got back home, he didn't want to go back.
Use your bitcoin money to do an education course and an exotic adventure holiday, if you want to feel 'alive'. Seriously, you'd get some culture & body shock from the rigors of training and the speaking french all the time, if you're not used to these.

Well that's kind of what I am after that shock of being out of my comfort zone and needing to learn a new language and skills cos my life will depend on it.

Peatys · 21-01-2018 11:56am

NIMAN wrote: »

I think you get home for Xmas, Easter, Valentines and Hallowe'en.

And April fools

Max Prophet · 21-01-2018 12:27pm

NIMAN wrote: »

I think you get home for Xmas, Easter, Valentines and Hallowe'en.

How many days total per annum?

Avatar MIA · 21-01-2018 12:33pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

How many days total per annum?

I know it's a wet day out, but could you not do a bit more study - has to be better than trolling on the internet.

Peatys · 21-01-2018 12:39pm

http://foreignlegion.info/joining/

All you need to know..

WHOO!!! HAA!!!!! or something

Max Prophet · 21-01-2018 12:48pm

Peatys wrote: »

http://foreignlegion.info/joining/

All you need to know..

WHOO!!! HAA!!!!! or something

Useful stuff there. Thanks.

contrary_devil · 21-01-2018 1:02pm

Max Prophet wrote: »

How many days total per annum?

You won't see Ireland or any other country other than France, a French territory or a country you are operating in for your first five year stint.

NIMAN · 21-01-2018 1:09pm

Don't go OP, we'll miss you on Boards.

selous · 21-01-2018 5:45pm

Or you can go, change your name and we'll never know.....

I like the part in the Link that was posted must not be wanted by Interpol or for murder.....when did that change?:cool:

contrary_devil · 21-01-2018 5:55pm

selous wrote: »

Or you can go, change your name and we'll never know.....

I like the part in the Link that was posted must not be wanted by Interpol or for murder.....when did that change?:cool:

A few years ago afaik, they were getting too much grief over the fact that they would accept those with serious criminal records wanting a place to hide with a new identity.

selous · 23-01-2018 7:04pm

Not too hot.
Not too cold.
good for the complexion too!:rolleyes:

It wasn't me! · 23-01-2018 10:34pm

Looks like Wicklow!

arybvtcw0eolkf · 24-01-2018 3:39pm

I don't know why people are laughing at the question.

First off I've no idea how the FFL cycles its recruit training syllabus, I'd imagine they train year round.

Speaking for myself I've often chosen courses or oversea's service on the time of year I'd be on the ground or traveling.

Given a choice I'd always avoid extremes of either hot or cold.. Or a winter in the DFTC or running around the Wicklow mountains, gimme Spring/Summer time please

selous · 24-01-2018 6:16pm

I'm not laughing at him, although it is amusing to ask that, as you will be trained in the extremes, to make sure you will survive in the extremes should you find yourself in the situation when serving, Like Artic training, put into freezing lakes, can you get out, will you survive if you do, all necessary, then the opposite in jungles, hence the high rate of attrition. s'all,

elbyrneo · 24-01-2018 6:19pm

If it was me I'd enrol November 31st.

Jcarroll07 · 02-02-2018 12:54am

elbyrneo wrote: »

If it was me I'd enrol November 31st.

Surly around January or March you get the warmer weather of spring and summer compared to the rain and cold of autumn and winter. Though it probably comes down to what do you think you can take better a bit of hypothermia or heatstroke!

iamtony · 02-02-2018 1:06am

I met an Irish guy(Dubliner) a couple of years ago and he was finished his term in the legion. Really glad he did it. He was a troubled teen by the looks of him and it sorted his life out big time.
He said he had a number and if he was ever in trouble or needed help anywhere in the world he just had to call it and they would come get him.
Said he had to speak French or he couldn't get fed or anything. Said he is fluent now.

tac foley · 02-02-2018 1:40pm

The language of the FFL IS French, no matter what your native language might be.

You will learn it quickly, either by osmosis, or, just as likely, by impact.

Anyhow, I think that this thread, obviously begun as a bit of a laff by the OP, has served its purpose - with literally thousands of more worthwhile and informative posts on the subject of the FFL here on boards, this one has had its [mostly wasted] time.

tac

Max Prophet · 04-02-2018 11:54am

iamtony wrote: »

I met an Irish guy(Dubliner) a couple of years ago and he was finished his term in the legion. Really glad he did it. He was a troubled teen by the looks of him and it sorted his life out big time.
He said he had a number and if he was ever in trouble or needed help anywhere in the world he just had to call it and they would come get him.
Said he had to speak French or he couldn't get fed or anything. Said he is fluent now.

Think I will postpone to 2019 or 2020 anyway.

decky1 · 04-02-2018 12:00pm

Eh as far as I know there is no 'Easy' with these guys, seen a documentary one time about them , what would make anyone want to join, they make the 'SAS' look like 'The Railway Chrildren'. Have another think there my friend.

tac foley · 04-02-2018 2:04pm

decky1 wrote: »

Eh as far as I know there is no 'Easy' with these guys, seen a documentary one time about them , what would make anyone want to join, they make the 'SAS' look like 'The Railway Chrildren'. Have another think there my friend.

I think that the more rational among us have already decided that anybody who thinks that joining the FFL at a time favourable to him will make an iota of difference to the beasting that he's in for for joining at - any time - is taking the p*ss out of all of us.

He has clearly done zero research, let alone taken the trouble to go back in this forum where there are actually ex-FFL members posting advice to wannabe Beau Gestes.

tac

Best time of year to join French Foreign Legion

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