any info !!!

P

pete84

Full Registered User
Hi,
im looking for any advice on the foreign legion, im 24 with no army background. iv e-mailed the recruiting team and sent a letter to france. the things i want to know are, once in the legion how often are you aloud to return to your own country to see your family and friends. How do you get through basic training if you dont speak french. I have the letters and leaflets which they sent me but im looking for deep info from someone who has been there and done it. Thankyou for your time and help.
 
The first few weeks are a bit of "Monkey see, monkey do". French will be picked up later. Soon after passing basic selection in Aubagne you get sent to the instruction regiment (4RE) in Castelnaudary.

You'll be packed off for 4 weeks at one of the farms to learn French (70 hours or so of lesson) plus the basics of military life. Once you come back from the Farm you'll have some occasions to phone home. Basic instruction used to last 17 weeks with a driving course at the end but I think its been shortened a little, 14/15 weeks.

Once ventilated to your regiment, a couple of weeks specialised training awaits. You've got the "right" to 25 working days leave the first year, 35-2nd and 45 days the following years. You are "given" hols as and when suitable for the company, not on request. Don't expect more than 3 weeks off in the first year. Don't expect your passport back for at least 12 months !!
Join in Paris, or Aubagne (near Marseille) if possible.
Have a return ticket incase you are refused, and cash for food, hotels, etc.
Turn up before 20h or you'll risk being turned back until the morning.
Tuck into the French or you'll spend more time holding a broom than a rifle !!
 
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How times have changed

Annual leave in the Legion, haha, what's the world coming to? I got 12 days off in my first 3 yrs, no bull. Passport back after 12 months, hah, I got mine back after 5 yrs. As for seeing your family, when I was in, you were not allowed out of France for the first 5 yrs of service, and then only with permission from your CO. Further info, just type in FFL on the internet, and there are a whole bunch of sites to guide you through. Good luck, great life. And a pension after 15 yrs. What more do you want?
 
170883
I agree with your sentiments that you join the Legion for the adventure and change of lifestyle, not financial benefits and a cushy job.

When you joined in the mid 80's, the anciens properly complained that you got it too easy in instruction and when 4RE moved from "Lapassé" to Quartier Danjou you had the same gripe about the gerions like myself in 93 !!

I didn't contemplate getting knocked back when I joined, but if had been refused I would have had a hard time getting back to Blighty !!!
 
Roadhog,
iv got a app runnin with the army, im wanting to join the parachute reg. But if all else fails then i would consider the legion. iv been waiting 2 years to join, 18 months with the royal marines. That went pear shaped 6 months ago when i was sent to see a specialist via a heart murmor, i went to see a cardio specialist and i was given the all clear and my results was to be sent to portsmouth for the head man to see them, they was there for 19 months and they said it would take 4 - 6 weeks. each time i called they said "it wouldnt be long" so i cancelled my app. then the army careers office called me and asked me if i would consider joining the para's, so i did. Im just looking for detailed info on the legion, which i could join if all else fails with the army. As im 24 my age is starting to go against me when you are starting to think about military life. I have my own house for 3 years and a girlfriend for 8 years, which is only just accepted my ambitions and willing to stand by me, im a qualified joiner and plasterer, im in a dead end job now as work has dried up. After reading my upto date life story, what would you do if you was in my position.
Thanks
 
Hello, the instruction has Legion chman for everybody similar it is in this way that the foreigners learn French; the instruction lasts 4 months and later you are affected in regiment. But to be able to go into your country to see your family it will be necessary to you to be rectified on approximately one year if you have no problem.
 
Hi Pete

Well,i´m out of ffl for 15 years and my first time at my country (Portugal)was at 9 month of service....2 weeks.You will learn,believe me :) French.
Cheers
 
repman said:
Hi Pete

Well,i´m out of ffl for 15 years and my first time at my country (Portugal)was at 9 month of service....2 weeks.You will learn,believe me :) French.
Cheers
Click to expand...

Nice one, I snuck back from Guyane with 1a 9m to the UK. Only got hassle at CDG back to Cayenne with my CIM and GT "Touristique Guyane"
 
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