G'day all,
well, just my two cents about few comments on this thread.
First, I left the FFL at 2012 after 22 years of duty, so, I can talk about the evolution since 1990 I think.
Well, I don't try to excuse or minimise things which was happen, but be sure just one thing, the evolution of the FFL concerning their materiel and, especially, combat tactics in the last 10 years is real and very successful.
Gareth, as I remember well, you served within the 6°REG. I was assigned within the 3th Coy on April 1993 after a sojourn of 2 years within the 3thREI in French Guiana.
You are right when you say there was a lot of "sketch/disney", etc.....but don't forget one thing, the Regiment in question was very young, just 9 years old....and was the first combat engineer regiment ever created in the Legion, so, this was absolutely new for a classique infantry/cavalry troup as the FFL.
Another reason why a lot of things failed at this time was the lack of volunteers from the other FFL Regiments for joining the 6thREG, because the NCO's and CO's didn't want....so, as a result we got the staff from the regular french army or guys which was fired about disciplinary reasons by the other units of the FFL as the 2ndREI, REP or REC.....in this case, I have to say, "many thanks to the Commander in Aubagne".....they couldn't do a much more worst thing as this one.....
So, the choice of the both NCO and CO staff was really bad.....e.g. we had 2 "schlappohr" as Platoon commander within the 3th Coy, the Coy commander was a fired (yes, yes!!!) Officer of the 13thRG in Charleville-Mazere, one of the most worst regiments in France, I never forget this fkg idiot....but as he got the Green Beret of the Legion, he was happy.....and we was singing from the morning to the end of the day legion songs.....
In 1994, I did my NCO cours and was assigned within the 1thCoy, which was much better because my platoon commander was a real good and realistic guy. I was lucky to both do and learn new things by his hand even if the material was still crap but....last arrived, last served...we had still the fkg VAB from the first Gulf war, etc, the battle dress was absolutely not adapted for combat requirements, they gourd was still dating of Dien -Bien Phu and the instruction was still shit... apart the instruction done of few young and new NCO'S/CO as my platoon commander with a modern mind.
So, both he and we did the best what we could do. A good instruction depends a lot of a good commander, and it was not easy for him to setup new shooting drills, etc, because there was still all the guys from the regular army who tried to control and to stop each advancement concerning new combat/shooting technics, especially the Officers in the BOI (operationnal regimental office) of the Regiment.....they kept a mind from the 70ths/60ths of the french army!
So, time is running.....I left the 6thREG for joining the 4th in Castelnaudary for 2 years as an instructor within the 2nd Coy for the newbies....and over there I saw again the evolution of the FFL, new combat technics, a new and modern shooting range, etc, etc. so, the FFL never stands still. Of course this all needs time, especially in France, e.g. give a look on their administration service and you will understand quickly, I think.
Right now, I never regret to served within the FFL for 22 years, even when the time in the 6th REG from 1993 to 1995 was not the best both time and souvenir, I have to admit.
So, I invite you Gareth to give a look on the former 6thREG, which is called 1th REG right now, you would be surprised, I think. One of the most modern EOD cells of the whole french army are in the 1th REG.
Few guys of the most experienced EOD's from France are over there, e.g.
About the both shooting/combat drills.....finish the "old stuff" since 10 years at minimum. There is a special cell on the BOI now, the guys are learning excellent combat drills also which has nothing to do with our crap in the early 90ths. They have also an AST (advanced search team) team over there, which is a british concept, so, the brits trained the French in Angers where is the combat engineer school.
The French create also another combat engineer Regiment, the 2nd REG which is a part of the Mountain Brigade.
They didn't made the same mistake as with the 6thREG before, they took only the fresh newcomers of Castelnaudary which was formed immediately in both mountain combat and engineer tasks by the experienced mountain school in Chamonix in the Alps of France. Both group/platoon leader has to fit and make both mountain as engineer tasks. Myself, I served over there as an platoon commander over there for 6 years, so, I know the Regiment very well and I love it.
Well, as I wrote above before….good thigs needs time, I think.
So, was just my two cents….
Cheers,
MAY
