Serving Legionnaire, will answer any questions!!

Hi, i'm 25 and tfinking of going at Legion.
I'm sorry if my english are not good. i'm from Greece with 5 years experience in millitary and i think i can make it. I don't have any problem to work in any country; also i want hostile regions if the money are even better.
I want to know how is right now things in Legion so i can take a decision to go or not.
 
Hiya mate I was in the same boat as you but there is some good advise on here and some good info if you read through the posts on the fourm. The best advise I got was not to expect any thing and just do it. I think every one has a diffrent view on how it is now some people think its eacy others say its hard. I carnt tell you how it is as I am not going until 20th of feb but just go with a open mind and if you want it do it. Good luck mate
 
Hi, did you find it easy to learn French insitu, I take it that is the only language you use even from first joining and do you use male and female when speaking,sorry might seem a dumb question, do you also pick up other languages from fellow legionaire's.
 
1066 said:
Hi, did you find it easy to learn French insitu, I take it that is the only language you use even from first joining and do you use male and female when speaking,sorry might seem a dumb question, do you also pick up other languages from fellow legionaire's.
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Hi mate,
about the french language, believe me, that's not a problem. I didn't speak french before I joined the FFL but I speak it less or more "quickly" after the initial 4 month instruction within the 4th RE, believe me, you will learn VERY fast a minimum of the french language...start's up with a lot of physicall exercices...
 
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I'm from Guam and yes, I want to travel all the way to Paris, France to join the French Foreign Legion. Is it okay for me to join? I mean, being from Guam and all... I have been doing a lot of research about the legion and I came across this website/forum. I really want to join. My mile time is 10 minutes. I've read that you have to run 1.7 miles in 12 minutes. Is that true? I really want to join and if you can tell me how hard it is to join, please tell me.
 
Visioneer said:
May, I suggest you have a word with your local recruitment office, and sort a commission ?

v :)
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Vis...seems so, lol,...the best is to sort out a draft of requirements about joining the FFL, I think, even if the guys have just to read all the posted thread's on this forum...I think
 
DeathStrike132 said:
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I'm from Guam and yes, I want to travel all the way to Paris, France to join the French Foreign Legion. Is it okay for me to join? I mean, being from Guam and all... I have been doing a lot of research about the legion and I came across this website/forum. I really want to join. My mile time is 10 minutes. I've read that you have to run 1.7 miles in 12 minutes. Is that true? I really want to join and if you can tell me how hard it is to join, please tell me.
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Hi DeathStrike132
listen, doesn't matter from which country you are, if you pass the both medical and fitness selection/test, so, you are welcome as each other who like to join the FFL.
Within the FFL are nearly 130 diffrend nationality's, so, no problem.
Your mile time is 10 minutes, that's well, but train for an 1.9 miles in 12 minutes. Why, the FFL is selecting 1 of 13 volunteers currently, so, they recruiters have a lot of choice, you know what I mean?
About "hardness" within the Legion, if you train hard and if you make your job correctly, so, the FFL is not hard with you, just accept their "lifestyle", and everything is ok.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

MAY
 
Hi May,

I was just wondering if the FFL have a specialist Close Protection unit similar to the Royal Military Police CP unit in the British Army.
Besides 2 REP are there any other specialist units in the FFL?
 
IrishRookie said:
Hi May,

I was just wondering if the FFL have a specialist Close Protection unit similar to the Royal Military Police CP unit in the British Army.
Besides 2 REP are there any other specialist units in the FFL?
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Hi IR,
each Regiment have his proper Military Police unit, but they do not really CP. Normally, before each overseas deployment (depending where), the Regiment set up à mixed CP unit of the MP and guys of the combat coys.
In the past, I seen some times the guys from the GCP (Groupe Commando Parachutist / Parachut Commando Unit) of the 2REP or the members of the GCM (Groupe Commando Montagne / Mountain Commando Group) within the 2REG do some CP too, but it's very rare.

Each Regiment have his proper speciality, of course.
2nd REP: Parachuters / Infantry / GCP
2nd REI: Infantry
3th REI: Infantry
1th REC: Cavalry / Recon
2nd REG: Combat Engineer / Mountaineering / GCM / Diver Unit / Advanced Military Search Team
1th REG: Combat Engineer / Diver Unit / Advanced Military Search Team
13th Half-brigade: Oversea presence / Logistic
DLEM: Oversea presence / Logistic
4th RE: Basic Instruction
1th RE: Administration

Hope this helps.

Cheers

MAY
 
IrishRookie said:
Hi May,

I was just wondering if the FFL have a specialist Close Protection unit similar to the Royal Military Police CP unit in the British Army.
Besides 2 REP are there any other specialist units in the FFL?
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I know you adressed the question to May but i hope you do not mind me stepping in on this one.

2°REI have a "special" section called the SAED witch has been trained by French Gendarmeries specialists and used as a Close Protection Unit in Ivory Coast providing Close Protection to high ranking officers from the French permanent detatchment.
This have sadly changed after a few succesful deployments when two individuals who where not suited for the role (how they made the SAED selection i do not know) wher on the task and behaived very unprofessionaly in such a manner that tthey ver sent home immediatly and SAED got "black listed" from providing Close Protection.

What do you mean with specialist units?

2°REP is a regular infantery Parachute regiment, in general better trained than most regiments but I would not call it a specialist unit. In the regiment you do have different specialitys and you have a section GCP Groupe Commando Parachutiste wich is a true elit unit, i will not further comment on them since i lack deeper knowledge.

2°REG is a Moutain Engineer regiment with the general specialisation of Engineer work in moutanious/cold climate. In the regiment ther is a similar unit to GCP called GCM Groupe Commando de Montanie. I do not know much about them so i comment no further.

3°REI based in French Guyanne, south America is a infantery regiment (with a company engineers) specialised in the "Selva" combat in Equatorial Jungle.

1° REC is a Mechanised Cavalery Regiment. Whit in ther was earlyer a "Esquadron de Reconnaisans" based in Djibouti, i do not know if they still exist though.

1° REG is a Enginering regiment, i could be wrong butt i think they are specialised in Amphibie Engineering work.

2°REI is a pure Infantery regiment with a special unit SAED who earlyer provided Close Protection.
 
Great info Sweed, thanks.
I'll have to look into the GCP and GCM, haven't heard much about them.
Would they be a 'tier 1' force, what would be the main special force of the French Military, would Legionnaires be able to join it?
 
Main specal force of the French army would from my knowledge be. 1°RPIMA, Commando Marine and 13RDP
Legionaires are not officaly able to join in though French citizenship is required.
Saying that i should mentionned that you can aquire a French citizenship by serve in the Legion and you then could be able to join.
I have personaly met one South African ex Legionaire serving in 1°RPIMA so it is possible even if it is not many who does that.

The selection to get in to this regiments as well as for the GCP is pretty hardcore.....
 
I've just read online that the GCP/GCM would not be considered special forces, they would generally be considered 'elite' infantry units as opposed to Special Forces.

Apparently the 1 RPIMA would be the French version of the SAS.
They have a dedicated close protection unit as well as the usual special forces skills.

Does it take 5 years to get French citizenship in the Legion?
 
IrishRookie said:
I've just read online that the GCP/GCM would not be considered special forces, they would generally be considered 'elite' infantry units as opposed to Special Forces.

Apparently the 1 RPIMA would be the French version of the SAS.
They have a dedicated close protection unit as well as the usual special forces skills.

Does it take 5 years to get French citizenship in the Legion?
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Depends your "ciwy" background, but, normally it's around 5 years.
 
what do you mean when you say it depends on your background?
In what circumstances would the time be less than 5 years?
I have spent some time in the Irish army but I doubt that would help gain citizenship any quicker.

Also, is it true that you must be under 26 years old to join the 1 RPIMA
 
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I had a quick look at 1°RPIMA's website but could not find any age limmit, on the recruitement site for regular French army the age limmit to engage is no more than 29 (under 30) and it is this way you will have to go since the Legion in general do not approve "changement de corps"

GCP either SF or elit infantery i do not know, if you join and get to REP and you get some insight in them i doubt you will look further.
Ther is a GCP unit in all French para reg, they have a status by them self and especially the GCP from the REP who where the original GCP the prototyp that was deemed so succeful so it was copied to all other Parachute regiment in France whit various result.

One of few things i regret in life is that i never volunaired for the GCP selection, i hesitated too long beliving i was not good enough, and when i finnaly thought i was ready I had to leave the REP by acts of God.
 
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