Question About Desertion

R

Ryankmfdm

New Member
Hey, all, new to the forum here.

This isn't actually so much a question about desertion--based I'm on my research, I think I have a reasonable idea of how that's treated--but about something I read in an article a little while back. Essentially, the author of the article mentioned that the FFL has a provision which allows you to leave (or "quit") within a year of joining if you really don't like it without being considered a deserter. Is this true?

The article: French foreign legion fading away in time

"AUBAGNE, France - The Foreign Legion isn't what it used to be. Murderers on the run are no longer welcome, and unhappy recruits have a year to back out without being branded deserters."

Any responses are appreciated!
 
If you back out through a process, you are not a deserter, just a pussy.

In the 1970's and early 80's (I can only speak of this as that was when I was in) some people, even when they had an option, just ran. This is because of character flaws and the failure of the screening process (even in those days the screening process was not easy) to spot the potential problems and character flaws. A lot people who joined then (myself included) had no idea of the brutality of the system (it didn't take long to find out). In general, most of the desertions happened during the 16 weeks basic training. There was a lot of physical and mental abuse. (I survived by being bloodyminded :) IMO it created a strong bond between Legionnaires, an ability to focus under stress (basically because by the end of 16 weeks in Corte you didn't give a shit whether you lived or died), and a sense of belonging. An Adjutant Chef (Russian) told me a couple of years later that there was a system in place designed to create a clean slate that could be reformed as a Legionnaire. In hindsight I believe this to be partly true. The guys that deserted weren't always the ones you would have expected to, and vice versa. I loved it and I wish I hadn't left.

I have lost count of the assholes I have come across who either cried for mommy until they were released or deserted. It usually starts with them telling you how they are ex-Legionnaires and served their contract and won some imaginary battle, when in fact they were runners. Someone who deserts, is NOT a Legionnaire and does not deserve to be called such.
 
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Ryankmfdm said:
Hey, all, new to the forum here.

This isn't actually so much a question about desertion--based I'm on my research, I think I have a reasonable idea of how that's treated--but about something I read in an article a little while back. Essentially, the author of the article mentioned that the FFL has a provision which allows you to leave (or "quit") within a year of joining if you really don't like it without being considered a deserter. Is this true?

The article: French foreign legion fading away in time

"AUBAGNE, France - The Foreign Legion isn't what it used to be. Murderers on the run are no longer welcome, and unhappy recruits have a year to back out without being branded deserters."

Any responses are appreciated!
Click to expand...


Hi mate,
about the question: "Essentially, the author of the article mentioned that the FFL has a provision which allows you to leave (or "quit") within a year of joining if you really don't like it without being considered a deserter. Is this true?"

Listen, it's absolutely bullshit and not true!

Guys who will leave the Legion have to leave in the first 4 month during the basic-instruction. After this time, the guys are well branded deserters if they are absentee more then 4 days (it's too "friendly" now the systeme, they give you a second chance always...but not a third one).

I absolutely agree with Space Coast, someone who deserts, is NOT a Legionnaire and does not deserve to be called such!!!

Cheers
MAY
 
Just to add and there is a thread about his before on here somewhere.

Like the old days it is just not cost effective, wastes valuable resources and costs an enormous amount of money to have the two 'Arab looking guys in dodgy suits following the Jean Claude Van Damme all over Europe' or there used to be news stories of a family on holiday in Fance and the Legion came up and arrested the Dad in front of his wife and kids whilst they are on the beach.

- valuable money can be spent elsewhere.
- the Legion cannot afford bad publicity there are MPs in the Gouvernment who do not think the Legion is right for Modern day France - Imagine the European Court of Human rights!!!

As far as I am aware and this was from a friend who worked in the admin - the details of an individual are struck off the system after three months although if you where involved in criminal activity or committed a crime it would flag up on a PNC.

Like space coast says - the individual will just have to live with that blank and empty chapter in their life!!!
 
A thread on liars, another on desertion,...

O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't.
 
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