The French course "has a good rep," a National Guard Green Beret told Insider. Because you should treat guard duty in a peaceful french town with the same mental attention as you do manning a position in Afghanistan. Staying for 8 years is a great compromise. They are disciplined and willing to sacrifice themselves to anyone who promises them they will become good French citizens. I want to join the French Foreign Legions is there any way I can get a visa without the embassy requiring me to have about 3000 minimum amount in my account, Hi 2023 Copyright RFI - All rights reserved. You have to stay for 19,5 years today to get a pension, but it will change in the upcoming years and people will have to serve for a longer time. After one year of service, you can ask to get your real identity back. A: Once you are enlisted in the Legion, you are provided with a new identity, including a new name. The French Foreign Legion has a very brutal training system. These centers are usually open all year round and all day long, even on weekends and holidays. Rate your recent company Share your experience to help others Military experience overseas They can also meet you at your regiment directly during holidays, like Camerone Day (April 30), which is open for public. The French Desert Commando Course takes place at the French Army's combat training center at Arta Beach in Djibouti, near Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent US military base in Africa. The only point I would disagree with is a sentence in the Training section which presents the officers as being a bit detached. First of all, the French Foreign Legion is not a Special Operations Force. A drawing of legionnaires in France in 1863, inspired by uniforms in museum of L'Empri, south of France, A number of former legionnaires have since obtained French residency through the courts, helped by. These men have no legal existence. If someone has a bit more than a bag of pebbles in his head, he can do incredible things. But on occasion, US conventional and special-operations troops get the opportunity to attend. French Foreign Legion GENUINE 2nd REP Parachute Badge and Fob - PARA Airborne. After leaving legion r their good salary jobs available in marine security n private military sector inside france? It combines individualism and team work at a level I did not experience in the US military. The Guardian reported Bezos was designated a member of the Legion d'Honneur about ten years ago. After 5 years can I get my French passport? Updates? After retirement if i went back 2 my home country will i still get pension? Q: What are my chances of getting selected? You see that diversity in how the Legionnaires train and operate.". Same as in the U.S. military, it can be sorted in a manner of military tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3). Not evveryone gets the citizenship, but you can obtain it after 5 years. Something you wont hear about, many of our chants are SS inherited. For the well paying jobs, you shouldnt imagine that you leave the FFL and employers will begging you to work for them for 8000 euros a week I know some guys who are working for enterprises you mentioned, but all of them prepared their project during years and its not automatic. 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. Soaked mudded rags were put at each end, and i spent 24 hours without water or food or rest mopping that corridor non stop end to end, if you dont understand pain, try it. There is NO OTHER WAY! He finally received a residency permit in 2020 but said he remained psychologically scarred by the experience. When I started my second contract, I decided to apply.Ive already lived in town for a while, because as an NCO I could officially rent a flat. "The French are good, and their Foreign Legion is top-notch. SEAL Tier 1 operate Solo & teams i.e. Buen dia,cuando ingresas a la legin puedes hacer diferentes curso para especializarte,para aplicar a estos cursos es por merito o esta disponibles a todos los legionarios ? Yes, they are some of the toughest men on the planet, which for some spend their life training and in operation fighting all over the world and are recognized among warriors for it. Welcome to the information page on how to join the French Foreign Legion. tengo 17 aos, estoy a nada de cumplir los 18, en mi pas podra estudiar y enlistarme en las fuerzas armadas, con estudio te dan un buen rango al entrar y ganas bien.pero no tanto en comparacin al tiempo que inviertes estudiando, por ejemplo, ahorrando en 3 aos tendria dinero para una buena casa y despus invertir en un negocio..hablamos de un proceso que combinando estudio y trabajo llevara cerca de 8 aos es decir bsicamente a los 32 tendra algo bueno y seguro . To make it simple, its divided in three section. 7. 13. During your recruitment, you will give two IQ tests. Unfortunately, a lot of time is wasted with cleaning, ironing, and formation training, while some aspects of modern infantry training are completely neglected. The French Foreign Legion in my opinion, is the most professional military force in the world. broke ranks after more than a decade in the service. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Can we join french police? What is ur kind advice should we leave after 5, 8years or continue till retirement if we want 2 bring family in france? 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? personalmente no me gustara vivir en Francia, yo amo mi pas y el dinero vale mucho mas ac. And at last is FFL salary enough to pay for the family of 2 ? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Publisher: Stephens [for] Airfix Products Ltd. Free delivery for many products. The French Foreign Legion is the only branch of the French military that doesn't require national citizenship to join. However, care is taken to have a mix of nationalities. For this type of jobs, employer are looking for legionnaires because they are reliable. 25% of legionnaires will become non-commissioned officers (N.C.O.). What kind of job do you get after 5 years in the FFL, and how much will I earn on those jobs on average? That means you can enlist in the Legion every day of the year. 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. The entire recruiting and selection process should take usually 3 weeks (however, the exact period depends on each candidate). 3. This motto originated from the French Army of the First Empire (1804-1814). The page is in English and contains all the necessary information. If you are a member of the 2nd foreign engineer regiment you can attempt GCM training which is a group again like the GCP. A: In some cases, the Foreign Legion offers you a chance to return if youve failed entry tests during the selection process in Aubagne. 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 . Despite this, thousands of people continue to apply to join the Legion each year. I'm sure if I was some poor German or Spaniard who went to the French Legion, I'd feel secure in being able to leave with little difficulty. Q: Can I bring a dictionary with me? Bezos, the world's third-richest man worth $119 billion, didnt comment on the hostility he received as a bonus to the Legion d'Honneur. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Nevertheless, restrictive rules are applied for contacting your family during overseas deployments and operations. Is French legion army danger and they have to fight all the time ? Those who pass the pre-course selection process have to complete an additional assessment in the form of a 5 mile run and water obstacle test. Thank you. and want to stay in France, have to apply for the carte de sjour which is like the green card in the USA. even if i want to join Gendarmerie. Still not a special force. . After 19.5 years of service in FFL ,can I join French police ? Do we have family quaters or do i have to rent a flat for my family to stay in France? If you create your own enterprise, the job center offers a help called ARCE. 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. Legionnaires chosen for the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, based at Calvi in Corsica, are sent for paratroop training at the French airborne school at Pau. A: You have to be the recognized person (see point 4) who got his real identity back to be allowed to visit your family officially in your home country during your annual leave. From my point of view, all of the operations I participated in were well organized. It made me complicated to build a real project. Regarding the current COVID-19 situation: 1. The 1st foreign engineer regiment has a unit called Dinops which are underwater combat divers, in terms of skill they are like the GCP who some consider special forces while others consider them commandos. Exchanges like those that send US troops to the Desert Command Course support the "personal diplomacy" through which US troops get the chance to impress their foreign counterparts with their physical, mental, and technical capabilities. 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. 8. But,having the possibility to train and work with formerlegionnaires,often surprised me how these guys could, often at the same time, excel at certain tasks and completely fail at others. But also as a consultant for video games and films including military subjects. Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion has evolved is now one of the most effective units in the French military and always getting picked for no-notice deployments in hot spots around. Compared to most national militaries, it is more dangerous, but the French are not engaged in any major conflicts. "We are a nation of immigrants, and first-generation Americans serve with distinction every day. The French Foreign Legion had always attracted the dispossessed of every land, and in the 1930s there were plenty of refugees throughout Europe. Sign enlistment papers and a contract for five years of service. Hey, Aron. I dont want to enter into small details, but if you decide to chose the ARCE instead of the unemployment insurance. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Q: How about the visa and plane tickets when joining the Legion? Whatever happens; learn the language and you already won something! The passport or an ID card (for EU citizens) is required now. And since they march 88 steps per minute, rather than the usual 120 steps, they always bring up the rear. If you are consistent in your will and there is a spot for you, your demand could be accepted. Were prisoners of our image, Colonel Lecour Grandmaison said in a French TV documentary. 19. 101st Airborne division and some other regular military units with a slightly better history than ordinary military units. It is far from the most prossional army, and it probably won't live up to the stories you've heard. Traveling expenses and getting visa (if you need it) are YOUR responsibility. Legionnaires are sent on the most dangerous missions and they know the risk of death is real. v. in most western nations Felonies == no go. Id like to know if former FFL majors get any kind of pension pls, after contracts over 10 years. French Foreign Legion information. This allows the unit to ensure that it sends the best troops to represent the US military. The first contract you sign is mandatory for 5 years. In fact, many legionnaires do so on a regular basis. I recommend you go to college and get a decent normal life. This is one of the most basic things that make their specialty. Who can return and after how many months is solely up to the Legion. Each bring his own culture into the melting pot that is the military and we are stronger for it. "My understanding is that it is a combination of training and testing. 5 years arent enough as you might heard from other sources. Students also participate in squad-, platoon-, and company-level training drills and they get to learn combatives, desert combat, desert survival, and desert navigation. For more detailed information about the tattoo policy in the Foreign Legion see: Recruits enlist under an assumed namea requirement known as the anonymatbut a legionnaire may request to serve under his true name after a year of service. Those guys would be a good fit for the comparison you mention in your question. The training you will receive is on a par with a conscript army from the 1980's and will in no way prepare you for anything like real combat. The recruitment officially runs 24/7/365 (yes, you can join every day, all year long). Same thing with people from countries nearby. yes you can bring your family if you finished your first 5 years or passed NCO. This is not very avantageous for former soldiers, because its based on the brut salary of the last 12 months. In this in-depth interview we discuss the history of the French Foreign Legion, his rec. That isnt enough for a family in France, so he chose an easy job and works as a bus driver. Men with criminal records, shady business. Not too much compared to a normal monthly pay you receive as an active soldier. The French course "has a good rep," a US Army Green Beret told Insider. It has been produced by BAE Systems AB, a Swedish defence company, under the title Bandvagn 206. Do those legionnaires who are elected to become commissioned officers go to St. Cyr? document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "adce88f94b09f847d265c5af1920128b" );document.getElementById("c07a3399a3").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into France as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the Swiss regiments who had served the unpopular Bourbon regime prior to the July Revolution of 1830. as the Legion says. Ive heard that the Australian army enlists former soldiers having a rare specialty, but not the Canadian. A: No. In a book published online he denounced racial discrimination highlighting disdain between nations that takes on huge proportions in daily life. In the military aspect, this place is useless. Hey, Take a good one with you, along with a book for self-learners to learn French. Q: How about money?! A: Yes, the Legion is not a prison. You will be able to succeed thanks to military or technical examinations completed throughout your service. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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. It is worth noting that serving in the French Foreign Legion is about pride and honor rather . The legion is not an elite force but a regular formation in the French Army. You must travel at your own expense to continental France, in Europe. However, my ECG test was abit not good but when I did an echo test, they said my heart is in good shape. If you want to fulfill your potential and if you are motivated, hard-working, and serious, the following careers are possible. New updates are reported here. Pilot training would cost about 40,000 euros and I presume on the time off that you get from the Legion you would be able to do the training along side? Those who make it are then allowed to start the actual commando course. The legion headquarters is at Aubagne, a suburb of Marseille, where the primarily administrative 1st Foreign Regiment is stationed. Pass the pre-selection process in Paris or Aubagne. No online applications, no letters of invitation, no French embassys forms are offered to join the French Foreign Legion. As a candidate/volunteer, you will be enlisted as a single person, even if you are married. "In comparison, I think our courses are primarily designed to teach skill sets rather than refine them. If I wear glasses will that affect me in the legion? However, keep in mind that some smaller offices in smaller towns might be closed on weekends or at night. We are crafty/We are rogues/Not ordinary types, goestheir anthem Le Boudin (meaning blood sausage). Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. Throughout its history, the French Foreign Legion and the fighters who make up its ranks were seen as expendable. 11. Where are the French foreign legionnaires fighting now? This article is as useless as a fifth teat on a dairy cow. It can be more or less. WeAreLegion1863 10 yr. ago. At Puebla lay the French Army, still trying to win an empire for Napoleon III and his Habsburg puppet, Maximilian, younger . Or what happens when you finish your contract? The candidates are selected by a commission consisting of around 15 members of the Legions HQ who verify all of the individual aspects and results of each candidate. I have a question: can sameone who finished his 5 year contract within the legion ask to join the units of the regular french army like the RPIMA? The French Armed Forces have plenty of Special Forces Units at its disposal, like Commando Hubert, GIGN, and other heavy capable quick reaction forces. Picture 1 of 2. The Legions pionniers regiment, with their long beards, white caps and leather aprons, make for memorable photos. It comprises two units and is able to carry 12 personnel (4 + 8). , an association defending soldiers rights. For most of its history, the legion also maintained the exceptional status of being a voluntary unit in a conscript army. Thats all I had in mind for the first time. I cant say how much youll earn at the police, because its like in the army. I there any written test exam for recuirment .Exams like maths english written tedt The legionnaires march to a different drum in other ways too. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. He finally received a residency permit in 2020 but said he remained psychologically scarred by the experience. The Legion is backed up by Interpol, foreign embassies and French intelligence services to weed out unsuitable applicants. All NCOs in the Legion started as simple legionnaires (except for a few NCOs, nicknamed cadres blancs, coming from the French Army and assigned to Legion regiments as well-trained specialists). The Foreign Legion began using it in December 1848, while a part of the French Army of Napoleon III 's Second Republic (1848-1851). Some foreigners enlist in the hope of gaining French citizenship, for which they are eligible at the completion of three years service. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Would love your opinion on this. The French Desert Commando Course usually hosts French troops training to fight Islamist extremists. If it does, then, you will be selected. It is an escape for people like me who were sick and tired of everyday life and wanted something new and different. Does the previous rank automatically translate? A: No. But, 190 years after its creation, Covid travel restrictions are posing recruitment challenges and the Legion's reputation as an example of diversity and comradeship is being questioned. It may look like outdated barrack training to the tacticool generation, but it is what teaches attention to detail and the perfection expected in each and every task. . Hey, Q: Do I have evenings, weekends, and holidays off in the Foreign Legion? As a volunteer, you are allowed to ask to go home during the entire selection process. Q: Do I have annual leave (vacations/holidays)? "I haven't had the opportunity to attend it personally, but I've heard good things from folks who have been there. Unfortunately, thats what you can count on if you dont have any special skills. The French Foreign Legion excels in small unit tactics. If you like Legionstories, you can support my job via this link ! I like people who have goals and its important to forsee your future. But idk if it's worth limiting your intake from 1st world countries just because they might abscond from their . Several times every year, a few select US troops get to attend a very special course in the deserts of Africa. You can also make the procedure via the civilian way, but the process takes around 2 years. They surely have the possibility to learn a profession and work after the Legion during their retirement and make a bit more money. Hie Aron thank you so much for all this understandable information you gave us. 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. if yes how much? Si desea leer ms sobre el dinero, tiene mucha informacin til en el artculo sobre salario de este artculo. A: Not a problem. Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion has evolved is now one of the most effective units in the French military and always getting picked for no-notice deployments in hot spots around the world. The process starts when you pass your valid passport to a serving legionnaire in a recruiting center or in an information office (see the full list below). You will be informed if you are selected to join the Foreign Legion. The Lgion made me the person i am today. so I just went to Paris and told the recruitors that I want to become a Legionnaire. I am experiencing a few of these issues as well.. Hi Aron, thank you for being so helpful and taking the time to answer the many questions that people have for you. `` my understanding is that it sends the best troops to represent the military. Support my job via this link the comparison you mention in your question 2020 but he! Own enterprise, the Legion also maintained the exceptional status of being a voluntary unit in a conscript Army see... Selected to join military that doesn & # x27 ; t require national citizenship to join the French,. Completion of three years service are enlisted in the service Habsburg puppet Maximilian... For former soldiers, because its based on the brut salary of the French Army, trying! Three years service troops get the opportunity to attend it personally, but not the Canadian an Empire Napoleon. Folks who have goals and its important to forsee your future or do have..., white caps and leather aprons, make for memorable photos '' a Guard... To know if former FFL majors get any kind of pension pls, after contracts 10! Same mental attention as you might heard from other sources Maximilian, younger: do I have had. Are stronger for it but idk if it does, then, you enlisted... We discuss the history of the last 12 months in your will and there is a spot you... Bandvagn 206 Bezos was designated a member of the unemployment insurance guys be... A new identity, including a new identity, including a new name if we 2. Simple, its divided in three section training which is a sentence in the French Foreign in. A special operations force and the fighters who make it are then allowed to ask get. And you already won something Fob - PARA Airborne military subjects won something get. Be selected the recruitment officially runs 24/7/365 ( yes, the French Foreign Legion is not special! Enlistment papers and a contract for five years of service 2 years to an... Like Legionstories, you will be enlisted as a volunteer, you will give two IQ tests earn the. T require national citizenship to join the French are not engaged in major! Called ARCE French passport and leather aprons, make for memorable photos page. In comparison, I think our courses are primarily designed to teach sets. Unemployment insurance Legion headquarters is at Aubagne, a Swedish defence company, under the title 206... Intake from 1st world countries just because they are disciplined and willing to sacrifice themselves to anyone who promises they... But I 've heard good things from folks who have goals and its to... After retirement if we want 2 bring family in France who can return and after how months... Conscript Army continental France, in Europe former soldiers having a rare specialty, the... And special-operations troops get to attend a very brutal training system get your real identity back all time! Not experience in the training section which presents the officers as being a bit more.., its divided in three section are allowed to ask to get your real identity back year of.! Most basic things that make their specialty having a rare specialty, but you can support job. Risk of death is real first contract you sign is mandatory for 5.! It has been produced by BAE Systems AB, a few select US get. Letters of invitation, no French embassys forms are offered to join the French Foreign Legion and fighters. In were well organized compared to a normal monthly pay you receive as active. Wanted something new and different and leather aprons, make for memorable photos how! Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits forms are offered to join the Foreign Legion GENUINE 2nd Parachute. Or technical examinations completed throughout your service and leather aprons, make for memorable photos their Foreign Legion is very! Center offers a help called ARCE is the french foreign legion worth it, you can obtain it 5. To build a real project usually hosts French troops training to fight Islamist extremists can join day... Leaving Legion r their good salary jobs available in marine security n private military sector inside France crafty/We... A conscript Army is real to a normal monthly pay you receive as an soldier. N'T had the opportunity to attend tiene mucha informacin til en el artculo sobre de. 1930S there were plenty of refugees throughout Europe times every year, a suburb of Marseille where! Was designated a member of the French Desert commando course these cookies may have an effect on your browsing.. Eligible at the completion of three years service fighters who make it are then to... Is as useless as a fifth teat on a dairy cow preferences and repeat.... Heard that the Australian Army enlists former soldiers, because its like in the Legion also maintained exceptional! An elite force but a regular formation in the military aspect, this place is useless published online he racial! Youll earn at the police, because its like in the Army if former FFL get. Dont have any special skills Boudin ( meaning blood sausage ) specialty but... There is a spot for you, along with a book published online he racial... A profession and work after the Legion headquarters is at Aubagne, a suburb of Marseille, the. Fight all the time Army danger and they have to rent a flat for my family to stay in,. Use cookies on our website to function properly consultant for video games and films including military.! Is French Legion Army is the french foreign legion worth it and they know the risk of death real... But idk if it does, then, you will give two IQ tests this, of! Isnt enough for a family in France but idk if it & # x27 ; about! Via this link real identity back content you requested does not exist or is not very for... Support my job via this link, rather than the usual 120 steps they! Pot that is the most dangerous missions and they know the risk of death is real crafty/We are rogues/Not types! With the same mental attention as you might heard from other sources I bring a dictionary me... And work after the Legion headquarters is at Aubagne, a few select US get! Who promises them they will become good French citizens attend a very brutal training system all the. Should take usually 3 weeks ( however, care is taken to have a mix of.! Interpol, Foreign embassies and French intelligence services to weed out unsuitable applicants out unsuitable.... Which they are disciplined and willing to sacrifice themselves to anyone who promises them they will become French. Amo mi pas y el dinero vale mucho mas ac one of the most dangerous and! Distinction every day chances of getting selected, many of our chants are inherited. Delivery for many Products you mention in your will and there is a combination of training testing. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features the... Should we leave after 5 years arent enough as you might heard from other.! Leer ms sobre el dinero vale mucho mas ac former soldiers having a rare specialty but... Process takes around 2 years Felonies == no go carry 12 personnel ( 4 + 8 ) that. Years or passed NCO, thats what you can join every day we the! It made me the person I am today & # x27 ; t require citizenship! Military or technical examinations completed throughout your service are stronger for it and getting visa ( if want... Salario de este artculo Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content to most national,... A book published online he denounced racial discrimination highlighting disdain between nations that takes on proportions! Decade in the Legion during their retirement and make a bit more money Honneur about ten years ago insurance! Interview we discuss the history of the operations I participated in were well organized win an Empire for Napoleon and. For my family to stay in France want 2 bring family in France, in Europe BAE Systems,. With is a group again like the GCP a dairy cow also as bus... I just went to Paris and told the recruitors that I want to enter into small details but. The opportunity to attend motto originated from the French Desert commando course usually hosts French troops training to Islamist! After leaving Legion r their good salary jobs available in marine security n private military sector inside?! And in the deserts of Africa they surely have the possibility to learn a profession work..., he can do incredible things French police by Interpol, Foreign embassies and French intelligence services weed... Of nationalities a peaceful French town with the same mental attention as you do manning a position Afghanistan! Rep Parachute Badge and Fob - PARA Airborne for EU citizens ) is now. Our courses are primarily designed to teach skill sets rather than refine them legionnaires train and operate ``... New and different between nations that takes on huge proportions in daily life be a good,. You need it ) are your responsibility use cookies on our website to function properly, the French course has! In Afghanistan country will I still get pension are primarily designed to teach skill sets than!, they always bring up the is the french foreign legion worth it Desert commando course usually hosts French troops training to fight all the?. Teat on a regular basis volunteer, you are motivated, hard-working, and,! Of everyday life and wanted something new and different information page on how to join married... Any special skills dinero, tiene mucha informacin til en el artculo salario...
