Is French Foreign Legion hard?

Comprised of a select 8,000 men, the French Foreign Legion has a reputation for being one of the most challenging environments to serve within in any military worldwide.

Is French Foreign Legion well trained?

Legionnaires are highly trained soldiers and the Legion is unique in that it is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the French Armed Forces.

What are my chances of getting into the French Foreign Legion?

Q: What are my chances of getting selected? A: You will only be selected if you are good enough for the Legion, and it is the Legion itself who decides who is good enough to be selected. For about 100 candidates applying to serve in the Legion, only 10-15 are accepted.

How long is basic training for the French Foreign Legion?

It could always be worse — like in the French Foreign Legion's four month basic training. The first four weeks are an introduction to military life. They train at the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment near Castelnaudary, a country town in Southern France. They also call it “The Farm.”

Is French Guiana hard?

Can you fail basic training?

​Yes, it is possible to fail basic training. You could go through the trouble of leaving your home, job, family and friends and come back a failure. In fact, this happens to about 15% of recruits who join the military every year.

How much do French Legionnaires get paid?

Their starting pay is roughly $1450 per month for at least the first couple of years in. That's a pretty small paycheck compared to the lowest-ranking U.S. Army soldier making $1546, which is guaranteed to go up to $1733 after being automatically promoted six months later (if they don't get in trouble of course).

Do you lose US citizenship if you join the French Foreign Legion?

One who voluntarily serves as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the military of a country not engaged in hostilities with the United States will lose one's U.S. citizenship only if one intended to relinquish U.S. citizenship when he/she served in the armed forces of a foreign state.

Does the French Foreign Legion see combat?

Throughout its long history since its inception on March 9, 1831, elements of the French Foreign Legion have engaged in combat on the behalf of France and its interests with distinction. The Foreign Legion has seen battle on five different continents against numerous foes.

Is the French Foreign Legion Elite?

French Foreign Legion, French Légion étrangère, an elite military force originally consisting of foreign volunteers in the pay of France but now comprising volunteer soldiers from any nation, including France, for service in France and abroad.

Are French Foreign Legion mercenaries?

The members of the French Foreign Legion, likewise, are not mercenaries. It does happen that companies offer military expertise for hire: Executive Outcomes Pty. Ltd. is one known example.

What is the marching pace of the French Foreign Legion?

The Foreign Legion has an 88-step-per-minute marching speed, in comparison to the 120-step-per-minute speed of other French Army units.

Can you have tattoos in the French Foreign Legion?

Tattoos are a long tradition within the Foreign Legion. In France, around 1900, only legionnaires, French soldiers from BILA African battalions (nicknamed the Bat'd'Af), mariners, and prisoners were well-known for being tattooed. So, there is no problem with you having a tattoo if you want to become a legionnaire.

How do I prepare for the French Foreign Legion?

Go to a recruitment center during open hours. Pass the Welcome to the French Foreign Legion push-ups test. Know your medical history. Pass the main selection tests in Aubagne.

Is the French Army any good?

According to Credit Suisse, the French Armed Forces are ranked as the world's sixth-most powerful military.

Can you leave the French Foreign Legion?

Permissons : A legionary is entitled to 45 days of leave per year (by agreement of the command). If he is not taken by the service his weekends are free. Any legionary under 5 years of service must wear the uniform during free time.

Why does the French Foreign Legion change your name?

Any French citizens who want to join must change their nationality to another French-speaking country. In many ways, Legionnaires are shedding their former national identities for a new French identity.

Does USA have a Foreign Legion?

A little-known fact is that some 30,000 non-citizens are already serving in the U.S. armed forces. Although they mostly come from developing countries, they are legal immigrants to the United States, have legal papers — and, for all intents and purposes, are little different from American-born soldiers.

What armies accept foreigners?

Learn Which Foreign Militaries Accept US Citizens

• French Foreign Legion. Dan Herrick. ...
• Australia and New Zealand. While these are two different countries, ​their recruitment programs are similar and they're neighbors. ...
• Israel. ...
• Russia. ...
• Other Countries Accepting Foreign Enlistees.

Can you have a beard in the French Foreign Legion?

The French allow their troops to grow beards off duty or on leave, but never in uniform. That is, except for the Sappers — they must grow a beard. The French Foreign Legion's Sappers are encouraged to grow a long, beautiful beard.

Why do the Foreign Legion wear aprons?

Leather Apron (French: Tablier de Cuir): Originally colored yellow with heritage to the 18th century and worn by the infantry sapeurs, the apron initially served the function to protect the sapeurs from wooden munitions blasts, breaching blasts and also limiting risks of penetration on obstacles in case of fall.

Does Australia have a Foreign Legion?

An unknown number of Australians have served and continue to serve in the world's most notorious military unit – the French Foreign Legion. This is just one Australian's story – Shane's story…

What nationalities are in the French Foreign Legion?

An important number of legionnaires were born in Central and Eastern Europe, or in the Balkans (40% together). That means Russians, Ukrainians, Poles or Romanians in the majority. Asians follow with some 16% (a significant number of them come from China), then South Americans with 14% (mainly Brazilians).

Do you go to jail if you quit the military?

Attempted desertion also is charged as a military crime, as long as the attempt went beyond mere preparation. Desertion carries a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and confinement of five years.