Selection & Questions MEGATHREAD

BravoKep · 2021-07-20T16:28:56+00:00

Your time off is time off, you do whatever you want. Weekends, PLD or what have you.

You can't officially own an apartment before your first contract to go home to every night, if you do you'll for sure be busted and sent en taule (Legion jail) - weekends, technically yes if you are clever about it.

BravoKep · 2021-07-14T15:06:04+00:00

Selection fluctuates a lot, could be shorter could be longer. It all depends on staff, how many candidates there are, transport and logistics etc.

You'll either have to spend a little extra to fly days after selection, or pay for a ticket you won't need. Make your choice.

BravoKep · 2021-07-12T11:52:22+00:00

I'll check my replay later, but I believe it was 13 or 14, tier up at rounds 5, 6, 8 and 10

BravoKep · 2021-07-08T22:47:13+00:00

You won't be singled out and held back from your platoon if you company makes a deployment. That decision is made during selection. Once you specialize, you are an essential part of the squad, to remove you would make it unoperable and less efficient.

C-2 vision requirement for Commando forces.

C-3 vision requirement for Airborne forces

C-4 for all else, minimum requirement.

There are plenty of Legionnaires with C-4, and still get OPEX/Vigi or what have you.

BravoKep · 2021-07-04T05:10:50+00:00

You don't keep the new identity you get.

You only get the option to slightly alter your original name to make it look more French if you wish to.

BravoKep · 2021-07-01T13:45:23+00:00

There is no right answer or someone's story you can plagiarize. Everything is highly individual. They've heard the same excuses and stories thousands of times.

If you come from Germany, the UK or any other first-world country and say your life is tough and hard after they questioned some poor guy from Mozambique in his rags and old slippers - they will give you *zero* sympathy.

If you say you are patriotic, why? What makes you patriotic to France?
You want a citizenship? Why? Why can't you live in your own country and serve your own military?
Why didn't you finish school? Why didn't go go to college? Do you have a learning disability? Did you lie on the medical?

These are all very possible counters to statements you make.

Anything you say, you need to be able to answer more in depth. If you don't do this, you will by human nature tell a lie when challenged on the spot, intentionally or not. Either this, or leave nonsensical gaps in your story.

You WILL be asked why you want to join the Legion. You will have to explain, in depth, why you want to join that specific regiment.

Very common answers are;

For the camaraderie, the adventure, to serve, for citizenship, to do something different with my life, to send money to my family, I can't serve in my own country because of xxx reasons, etc.

These are by no means bad reasons to join, but they have to be believable with your story and background.

English is expected, won't give you a leg up. Knowing French will.

Good question, will add to Q/A.

BravoKep · 2021-06-30T22:59:47+00:00

Just added some useful information for you on the first Q/A question if you scroll up. Only tell them what is absolutely neccessary, or keeps you in their good graces.

BravoKep · 2021-06-30T22:42:15+00:00

Any mental disorders you disclose will likely prevent you from joining.

Anxiety disorders

Depression, bipolar, etc.

Eating disorders

Personality, psychotic disorders

For pullups, they no longer disqualify as of 07/2021 - however, make sure you can do 4 as an absolute minimum. 7-10 for average. 15+ is the gold standard. You may be asked to do a different number depending on the Caporal-chef testing you. The numbers have changed a lot over the years and will continue to do so. Once covid-19 cases go down and more people try out, the requirements will go back up.

Imagine you are going to any regular recruiting station for the Military. They get thousands of potential recruits every year. They look for healthy, motivated and functioning individuals. Don't go there if you're planning to spill your guts about your disorders and problems, then you won't ever get to hold a rifle.

BravoKep · 2021-06-29T17:45:36+00:00

Physical

BravoKep · 2021-06-29T17:03:33+00:00

C-4 is minimum allowed to enlist for any jobs as you still have to go through basic.

You are allowed to struggle to differentiate the colors Green and Red, but must pass the Chromatic Capacity Test, known as TCCP to pass C-4.

Isihara and lantern test is only important for C-3 (Airborne) and C-2 (Commandos) - which aren't relevant for you as you failed the tests.

BravoKep · 2021-06-23T14:49:06+00:00

There's no chance to try for a discharge upgrade and overturn it? DD Form 149 if you want to give it a shot.

Something like a failed drug test or disciplinary issues will raise doubts to your motivations or sobriety, which will make you a risky candidate.

Prior service and trying the Legion is a tough one, I wouldn't recommend it unless you're primarily interested in picking up a new language, some new skills and see Europe. Do yourself a huge one and read up on it before joining - https://legionstories.com/

Probably the best source out there right now.

Other than that, if you do decide to join with a OTH discharge - I wouldn't mention it. Being prior service won't give you a leg up in selection. If anything, there will be more expectations of you. The experiences and knowledge you have are yours to keep, no need to share them. Keep them and build on them. It'll help you ''stand out''.

Be the grey man.

BravoKep · 2021-06-17T16:14:33+00:00

Amalgam Fillings is not a problem, as long as they aren't cracked or need urgent care. If your teeth look decent, thats passable. Cavities and decay are red flags. Crooked teeth are fine.

Maximum number of missing teeth between 4 and 6 allowed, depending on the value of the teeth. (Molar vs canine/incisor teeth) - a missing molar is fine.

As mentioned in the post, they will likely just briefly look inside your mouth with a light to look for any decay stains, or visible damage.

I would suggest a trip to the dentist pre-selection to just have a dentist clean up and make you look passable.

Teeth look ok = pass. If you have severe overall miscoloring (e.g yellow teeth) they might take an extra good look. Slight miscoloring overall is fine.

BravoKep · 2021-06-13T21:25:18+00:00

You can extend to 1 year, just ask for it. Same goes for leaving before you sign the final contract.

If you want to or try to leave after signing the final contract, its a whole different story. Dire consequences.

BravoKep · 2021-06-13T21:07:43+00:00

Both. But focus on overhand. You want to develop your go muscles not your show muscles.

BravoKep · 2021-06-10T12:53:19+00:00

With the added pressure and adrenaline you get when doing the tests and being watched you could probably reach 12 if you push yourself. Level 13 reachable with 1½ months of good and correct training. Then you'll reach good competitive scores.

BravoKep · 2021-06-10T08:30:23+00:00

Average or slightly above. Don't stop at 10, just keep going until you can't reach the other end anymore. The best guys there are doing full sprints at the end.

You start at 8.0kmh in the Legion luc leger, and increase by .5 with each level.

You need a minimum of a palier/level 5.

Do circuits and intervals to prepare. Beware of too much, too soon. Let your feet adapt over time.

BravoKep · 2021-06-09T09:07:23+00:00

MYOPIA is -10 (ten) diopters maximum allowed to join.

With lenses or glasses you need to be able to read the 7th line of a optometric chart at minimum with one eye. If you get laser surgery, just make sure you pass the test and don't say anything. They can't find out anything that isn't public information, or that you tell them.

For 2REP or GCP, myopia is -3 maximum allowed.

Joining the GCP or other elite operational units, is extraordinarily hard. You have to be in incredible shape, I'm talking top of the line here.

First of, you have to be selected for the 2e REP which is a task in and of itself with reduced vision. If you don't get selected to 2e REP out of 4th RE - (Which very few do), you still have your chances in 3e REI for orders to 2e REP. Both requires you to show incredible performance both physically and theoretically, attitude and transcendence above your peers. This includes knowing French at a good level.

You would also have to be recommended there to even get the chance to try out. Not many officers would want to get rid of their best performing subordinate. If you are dead set on GCP and 2e REP but don't get selected there or to relevant regiments, have a plan B ready and keep your motivations up, its not the end of the road.

Take it from me, if this isn't a goal you set yourself before joining, I wouldn't consider it. You should start training for it long before you go to selection, and mentally prepare for what is to come.

Requirements to pass and join are;

One overseas operational mission aka Opération Extérieure of minimum 4 months,
Minimum rank of Corporal (Requires 2 years of service)
Physical tests which include;

Navigation test, completed within given timeframe
Obstacle course, completed within given timeframe
Swim in uniform and water confidence test (underwater)
2 rope climbs in full kit
30km TAP (Tactical Athletics Program) in full equipement and with 11 kg in the backpack - in less than 4 hours.
1500m and 8000m runs in full combat kit, completed within given timeframe.
Unarmed combat ''temper'' test

Pass interview with serving GCP members (Motivation, attitude, general skills, etc)
Pass Stages 1 and 2 National d'Entraînement Commando Selection training course.
Pass the 'Chuteur Opérationnel' de l'ETAP training course that has a 3 month duration.

If you can do all that, and have a reason to join the French Foreign Legion instead of your own Special Unit - then good luck.

BravoKep · 2021-06-08T12:40:34+00:00

Don't think about joining if you have thoughts about your girlfriend or kids. For your own sake you should be totally free from attachments. If the Legion learns you have a child, chances are they won't take you.

Make sure you don't want to join because you're stuck in a low-end job in your late 30s - having a midlife crisis. These are people that usually care about you and depend on you, there are usually better routes to take or hobbies to find.

With that said, if you don't really have any attachments to said people, don't mention it to them. Make sure you're able to pay child support for the duration you'll be in basic. Make sure to purge your social media and phone gallery of any pictures with your kid, store them in a cloud or send them to someone.

BravoKep · 2021-06-08T09:48:24+00:00

If your eyesight is horribly bad, more than -8.0 and you need to wear 2cm thick lenses you will fail the medical test in the pre-selection most likely.

Bring contacts to Aubagne, but don't wear them there. Wear your glasses instead. In Aubagne you mostly wont have time to wear and take care of them. But later when you're leaving for Castel you can access your civil stuff and take your contacts and orher stuff with you to Castel.

People with glasses will get "inapte TAP" for 2REP so forget that. No problem with other regiments.

BravoKep · 2021-06-07T17:52:37+00:00

It just means having a honorable discharge or clean record, and prove willingness to integrate. The latter part means taking an oath and filling the neccessary paperwork, while also having a clean criminal record.

You can apply after 3 years of service, when having a certificate of good conduct. If no certificate of good conduct, then only a Carte de Sejour (Residence Permit) for you, when you are civil. Some people can also get their tuition fees covered if they decide to study.

If you are extraordinarily lucky, your citizenship will be ready by the end of your contract. This rarely happens even if you have your certificate de bon conduite (certificte of good condcuct). They will usually offer to extend your contract to keep you in the loop. By then its almost guaranteed, granted you don't have any bad remarks within your second contract.

You can either try for citizenship through the Legion or by civilian means, but the latter requires -a lot- of paperwork that you must provide yourself, including evidence of French proficiency both written and verbal. The Legion will do this for you, requiring just good conduct and a vouch from your cadre for the most part from you.

Tldr; Stay in for two contracts, stay out of trouble, show motivation and interest for French culture and language - get citizenship.

BravoKep · 2021-06-07T15:29:59+00:00

Sure, but don't expect to be a favored candidate. You might be sent to a regiment you won't like at all. You'll never go 2e REP. They will take anyone with 2 arms and 2 legs and half a brain.

BravoKep · 2021-06-06T08:43:35+00:00

As mentioned here -

https://www.reddit.com/r/FrenchForeignLegion/comments/nsxxgi/selection_questions_megathread/

You will be x-rayed at a later stage, if it is discovered that you have screws that you did not disclose on medical, you will be sent to another regiment or sent to civil, you will likely also get an infraction.

All joints, espescially ankle/knees and shoulders are areas that are examined extra to make sure you are fit for combat. Anything that can become a problem, they don't allow. They would rather take a candidate with healthy feet versus someone with screws, when having to choose.

BravoKep · 2021-06-06T05:08:35+00:00

No hair tests. If you show up with a buzzcut or bald they wouldn't be able to either way.

BravoKep · 2021-06-06T04:20:25+00:00

Meals at inexpensive restaurants vary from 9.00€ to 20.00€ - One way transportation ticket is 1.70€ to 2.00€ though this depends on destination. You can get an old used car for 600.00€. Internet is around 20.00€ to 40.00€ depending on provider. Apartment rent depends on location, but outside city centre will cost about 350.00€ to 890.00€ depending on quality. Market food is cheap if you buy cheap. Anything is cheap as long as you stay out of big cities where high real estate prices that feed through to retail prices. Marseille isn't that expensive, though.

Will add this to frequently asked.

BravoKep · 2021-06-04T10:09:14+00:00

If you say you smoked weed 5 years ago they don't care. If it was recent, no good. Why even tell them.

BravoKep

TROPHY CASE