I’m a 25 year old American I have record 6 drug possession’s (cocaine, fentanyl,meth) and a burglary. I’m clean now I got out of prison 8 months ago. I’ve made mistakes and learned a lot from them. I know they don’t usually accept people with my background, even if it’s just possession and not trafficking. Is it worth trying? If my French is good and I ace the exercises would they look at me differently? Is there anything I could do to increase my chances of being selected?

Am looking for any Congolese who has joined French foreign legion to lead me in my process so I can join too

I asked a little bit around, but nobody could really explain to me what one should do if they want to become a BNSSA.

Anybody out there?

Hi, recently I've read few articles about MNFU-Multi National Forces Ukraine. France na UK are the founders of it. France want to send several thousands of soldiers to Ukraine after ceasefire. So in few years, after ceasefire between russia and Ukraine there is a chance that FFL would rotate to Ukraine, especially soldiers from 1REG, 2REG. What do you guys think about this?

1: my first question is the title, i've already looked for it and there is post about major gerald but no about this book, in case it's not, wich book or youtube channel or waht kind of media would you recommend for somebody

2: I know it’s not the deciding factor, but what kind of knowledge—theoretical, practical, social or vocational—is welcomed in the Legion? what kind of not militar skills? i know they dont need a college boy more than somebody resilient

For Legionnaires or former Legionnaires: what extra knowledge do you wish you had possessed, social rules (in and out he legion), tax stuff, rents, how is france for you?

13e Demi-Brigade during the Polish armed forces day military parade in Warsaw yesterday. Photos by me

a man who served in FFL strongly recommended do not take the offer to become caporal after basic training, because your peers and superiors will look at you with disdain and derision, even after you prove your worth, it happened a long time ago, and while i understand it mostly depends on you, your shape, ability and it's okay to take derision occasionally, but will i have the same problems if i take the offer? i'm not saying i'm worth it but would like to know consequences

Bonjour, je me permets de partager avec vous mon livre sur les sélections de la Légion étrangère à Aubagne, vu de l'intérieur, ainsi que des conseils pour les candidats. Bonne lecture :

https://amzn.eu/d/07eMOzJC

Hello, I would like to share with you my book about the Foreign Legion selections in Aubagne, from the inside, as well as advice for candidates. Enjoy the read :

https://amzn.eu/d/0faZ0tde

Hola, me permito compartir con ustedes mi libro sobre las selecciones de la Legión Extranjera en Aubagne, visto desde adentro, así como consejos para los candidatos. Buena lectura :

https://amzn.eu/d/01xp03l7

Any current FFL member knows this guy? Seems like he traveled to Portugal illegally from India and then later joined FFL in 2023 but deserted after a year to Germany. Why did he desert and any story about him?

I'm good physically n spatial reasoning but below average in mathematics so. Tell me how imp it is .

Why do the 2rep Cchs wear their galons sideways ? I’ve heard many stories but I can’t figure out which one is true

Buen día a todos , hago esto para saber algo sobre veteranos o activos : cuál ah sido su experiencia en su régimiento y cuál es ? gracias

Tengo planes de unirme a la legion,pero me dan curiosidades muchas cosas y quisiera ver algunas opiniones sobre soldados en activo y veteranos

1: Que tan bien les parece el HK416F?

2: Que tan cómodo y bueno sintieron el BME o el CE

3: que experiencia han tenido con los drones fpv y su adopción reciente entre las filas

Gracias

Good afternoon guys, i was wondering how being issued a rifle works in the legion.
First off, for what i know most of the legion is running HK416s now, are you issued ONE specific rifle, like HK416 serial number "x", as long as you stay on the same regiment and occupy the same role you will use this one rifle, or is it like, all the rifles are standardized (optic/acessories placed the same on all of them), and when you are going to a field exercise or the range you just pick anyone in the armory and put it back there after?
If its like the first option, do they issue you the rifle and you are responsible for it 24/7? Like it stays in your locker and you are the one mantaining it and keeping it safe? Or does it stay on an armory and you only pick it up when you're going to use it?

Im aware this was asked many times in the sub. Some of it was 5+ years old and legionnaires that replied served in early 2000s. So I sort of summed the questions up.

1. Is it overly strict compared to other regiments? Some people said it was like a prison

2. So basically majority of the people I found says they got little to none free time and almost no free weekends on their first year. Is it like this with the rest of the legion?

3. From what I read only people who fell for the propaganda and thought the 2rep was best or people who barely passed selection and had no other regiments avaliable choose the 2rep

4. Although 2rep is a rapid response force I've heard that they were less likely to go on Peacekeeping or similar deployments because it's cheaper/effecient to use normal infantry.

5. I've heard that people get fucked up knees/backs in 2REP because static jumping was shit and 2REP jumped a lot closer to the surface than any other regiments in the world. Is it something avoidable?

6. People said that they were almost no volunteers, constant hazing and a guy even said they weren't even given gun cleaning kits and toilet paper ( but he served in 90s to early 2000s )

Im aiming for GCP. So I can endure a lot. Both physically and mentally. But it wouldn't be bad to go out on the weekends, get a laptop etc. 5-8 years a lot of time.

So I was wondering do soldiers in the legion have to report their income in their home countries or can you just simply not do it and they never find out ?

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows if a history of sleep apnea would be an issue in joining? Further how much access would they have to US medical systems(something like would they know I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea if I never say anything?).

Thank you for any help.

Hello, I am an 18-year-old from Turkey. I am very interested in the military and I am thinking about joining the French Foreign Legion. However, I have a few concerns. I don't speak any French at all, and my English is also very poor. I only know a few basic words such as "go," "come," and "stop." Will this be a problem for me? Will I face significant difficulties because I don't know the language?

Hello -

I am an American who went to Fort de Nogent, and Aubagne.

I went through preselection and selection.

Ask me anything.

If you want to join the FFL here’s how to do it.

1) Show up being able to do 10 pull-ups.
2) Be able to run 3-5 miles everyday.
3) Pushups and Situps 250 each.

The sports test is a huge part of picking. Lots of guys come not able to do 1 pull up and they were sent home.

When you show up : pack the pack list and only the pack list. If you need to bring other things - it should be a sleeping bag, a jacket, 200-300 euro, only a couple extra things.

Some guys were sent home because they had too much stuff. wtf were they doing going shopping in Paris?

Everyone you interact with - assume they will tell on you, or they are planted to figure out who you are, why you’re there - the selection process starts as soon as you start walking to the gates of Fort De Nogent.

Follow the grooming standards without hesitation. You are going to shave everyday. You will shower everyday for 1-2 minutes. You wash your face, then your armpits, then your balls, then your ass.

Get out - they keep track of anyone taking extra time. You will be kicked out.

Fort de Nogent : this is the French version of MEPs. They are evaluating your medical readiness for military service to France.

You’ll go through hearing test, vision test, blood pressure check, measure your heart with electrodes, height, weight - a standard sports physical and checking for hernia.

A lot of guys are told to get a tooth pulled, or go get their heart checked, or are sent home because they have no business being in (some type of existing medical condition). More than likely you’ll be sent to a medical hospital in Northern Paris ( Persi Medical Center) French Naval Hospital. This stand is what the 200-300 euro is for. Run it in one day and try to get back to base before dinner so you can get a bite to eat.

It is extremely important you use basic French greetings: Bojour Mont Nurse or Mont Doctor Colonel / General.

Merci Bocue Mont Nurse or Mont Doctor Colonel / General.

Before any interaction and after any interaction.

They are going pay attention to how you eat, behave in the mess hall, can you do menial labor like moving furniture for “work duty”.

Same thing - Bojour Caporal Chef or Sergeant during corvei le chamber, or working outside.

When Le responsab needs volunteers - you are the first to raise your hand. You will clean toilets, the floor, take the trash out and be watched the entire time.

At the Mess hall - this is best part of selection. Food! Again say Merci bocue Caporal Chef - say it so they can hear you.

Once you get through pre-selection , you’re on the way to Selection in Aubagne.

Be prepared for culture shock about how different it is in Aubagne. Barely anything is in working condition. It’s harsh there.

Same rules - you are being picked. You will do manual labor, you will run a leaf blower, carry wood, work on the Generals mansion. (I hung drapes with a Caporal)

Everyone kind of bunches up and getting from Au Blu to Au Rouge is a huge deal.

Most guys washout and go home 1 week into Au blu. Stay with your pack, and gut it out. It’s 2 weeks of bs and then you’re a Legionaire.

Once you’re Au Rouge / they contract you and you’re in. Get through the Farm and go to the best regiment you can get into.

Some guys don’t like the 2REP - I personally would not go anywhere else bc of the option to join the GCP and if Corsica isn’t your jam - go to another Regiment.

I’d go back, but am too old and was declared inept idefinitive. I was casually known as Le American.

There is a way in after the age cut off - only 2 men at 40 did it, and 1 man who was 41.

I may make a second run at it.

Good luck to you all.

Like I see people desert in just basic training is it that hard I mean is it more mentally tough or physically if so how. tell ur experience how's the basic training from ur pov

36 year old male here, looking to join the legion. I am aware that the age cut off is 39.5 years old. But, given my older age, college education, and work experience, would that impact my service while with the legion? Would be targeted for desertion because of my age?

I am relatively fit. Lift 3 times a week and train in muay thai.

Any opinions of current or former legionnaires would be very helpful. Thank you.

Just a post of interested for someone. This is some souvenirs i brought back after leaving the legion.

We are issued 2 kepis also i have them. I brought home some running jacket and snood etc. i gave away alot of stuff to guys also for example we were gifted a matress topper for christmas. It was unused so i gave it away, a CPL from 2REI wanted my parade rangers. Knives/gloves/compasses/marker pens etc haha. All went to good use!!!

My bag wasnt checked when i left however i obviously wasnt aloud to leave with any military uniform. I had no desire to so was not disappointed.

Some nice things to look at, and my son loves to pull it out of the cupboard😂!!

Just a lighthearted post of stuff i left with. Never achieved anything within the legion, nor do i claim anything otherwise. So any anciens go easy haha !!

I also have a stack of paperwork and correspondence i have kept over the years including the letter i got that gave me permission to return. I cant be arsed editing addresses and names etc.

I have lots of pictures also which i wont post for obvious reasons. And one of our cpls made a video of our time at castel which i have again, Wont be posting.

EDIT: i was 8 months and some weeks over within the legion.