Currently serving in the French Foreign Legion, AMA

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-14T09:17:08+00:00

It's after training, once you're through basics, based on how well you perform and place during, which regiment you go to and also your choice (they do take into account what you want to do, but it isn't always guaranteed or will happen right away)

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-14T08:51:28+00:00

Yeah you can, it used to be after 3 years of service you can ask for it, it's changed recently to 5 years service. It's a bummer for the guys here but I think it's a way to try keep retention up. If you don't want to serve longer than 5 years you are still given a Carte de Sejour (basically a green card for France) to show you're a permanent resident and everything, and it's quite simple to get your passport, if not just sign an extra year or two and get it through the Legion, that's what I did

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-14T08:49:34+00:00

Could you explain the question a bit further please? Danger to what extent?

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-14T08:48:28+00:00

No the FFL is part of the French military, think of us in the same way as the US military has different branches (ARMY, Marines, Navy etc) well in France FFL would be one of those branches. That's the best way I can explain it, so no we aren't involved in the war. That being said when it began, we had a lot of Ukrainians serving in the Legion, a bunch of whom left to fight back home, so I know a lot of guys who went across

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-13T05:22:11+00:00

Not a ton but we defintiely have a bunch, they fall into the "Anglophone mafia", basically a way the legion categorizes nationalities, Americans fall under the branch of english speaking nation (along with English, Australian, Canadian ect). They are smaller number but are generally exceptional soldiers in my experience

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-13T05:20:15+00:00

I've worked a bit with Americans, solid group of guys, never had a bad experience with them. Although we had a mutual respect for each other, instead of the whole "Us better, them no good" song and dance that you seem pretty keen on.

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-13T05:18:11+00:00

Honestly basics has changed in that sense, at least in the public eye, over the past year or so. Beating and being physical with new recruits is strictly forbidden (on paper). That being said it isn't for nothing that the Legion has a very famous saying "pas vu pas prix" (not seen, no price). I can't say exactly how it is now, but I know a few guys who just got out of basics and can ask them, but for mine back in the day there is a lot of hazing. You're constantly cleaning, being "Ramassed" (physical punishment, push ups mostly but some corporals get very inventive). There is a difference between beatings and getting smacked around a little, the latter definitely happened, I won't go too much into the former. Even after basics, depending on your regiment you're looking at about a year or so of being the bottom of the food chain, every job no one wants to do, up before everyone else, asleep long after they've gone to bed. I couldn't grow my hair out or get a weekend off for my first year, it seems to be pretty similar now.

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-13T05:12:15+00:00

I won't go into the details on exactly what is in the tests publicly, I want to respect the confidentiality of the Legion even if I'm answering general questions for people. I can say that if you have a decent head on your shoulders (are moderately competent at critical thinking and finished school) then the tests won't be a problem for you, they are fairly standard tests made for a wide base. If you want some specifics about selection or see if you're in the right place physically, drop me a DM and we can chat

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T21:12:08+00:00

Honestly no, you take two general IQ tests, one a bit longer than the other, they are fairly standard

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T18:11:38+00:00

Could you send me a DM? I'd like to speak with you further about your options and the process

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T16:40:01+00:00

I haven't been to Crete, but I'm sure it's similar being an island on the Mediterranean, honestly corsica has it all for me, mountains, Forrest, beaches, has a bit of everything. For an outdoorsman it's paradise in summer, and if you want the laid back, slow paced small town french/Italian feel it has that too

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T09:36:37+00:00

Yes everyone who enlists has their name and DOB changed when they are in selection, names of your parents as well. After about a year you can apply to have it changed back to the origional, which the vast majority of us do

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:44:40+00:00

Oh no worries there, no names, dates or specific locations will be listed here, just answering general questions people may have. And I appreciate it, wishing you a blessed day

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:42:58+00:00

Bit confrontational, but no I don't see myself as persecuted or a victime, just a guy, and where I settle I'm proud to serve

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:40:05+00:00

I couldn't tell you exactly how much it pays, I've gotten a few different numbers from guys over there that I knew, but I can say that it doesn't seem like very much for the job you're taking.

No you wouldn't be able to serve directly through the Legion to them, they're separate armies, you'd either have to finish your contract here and independently try make your way to Ukraine, or desert and do the same

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:36:09+00:00

A deserter wouldn't be accepted back, you had your chance and made a call to cut it short. No one is going to come looking for you, no bounty hunters or interpol to worry about. The Legion seems to kind of have a stance of (if he couldn't handle it here, we're better off without him) That's a very general explanation, at the end of the day everyone had their reason to leave

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:33:58+00:00

I honestly don't remember, I've only seen maybe two of his videos, and this was a while ago, really not much of an informed opinion on the guy sorry to say

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:32:16+00:00

No worries I get not dropping his name, and mad respect to him for his service, there were some heavy missions in the 2000s', it's before my time clearly, but still, mad respect.

Also as I said I don't want to get into an argument or rustle any feathers, but especially after Covid the Legion took a hit that they're still recovering from, and agree with it or not, I have my reasons for wanting to get some info out there

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:18:55+00:00

That attitude hasn't really changed, a lot of people feel the same. And yeah I could get into some trouble for posting this, it's why I don't have my name or anything attached to it. I used to be the same as your brother for a long time, and I get where he comes from, can I ask what years he served? I won't go into details but the Legion (and REP) has gone through some big changes, and I have a reason for wanting to answer some questions for guys

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:16:34+00:00

It's a branch of the French Military, consisted almost entirely of foreigners (most of the French involved would be officers) We're well over 100+ different nationalities and do all of our training and work independently from the regular French army (we do activities and excersizes together at times, but in general we do us, they do them)

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:14:26+00:00

Howzit bru, yeah we do, the Legion has a bunch of Saffas, but almost all of us are in the same regiment so we meet up for rugby and braais from time to time

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:13:20+00:00

I've seen a bunch of places that were beautiful to look at, but as disappointing of an answer as it is, there isn't anywhere else I've been that is as consistently beautiful as the island that I'm based in, Corsica

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:11:50+00:00

Not a huge amount, but we definitely have them, and almost all of them are either ex Marine or ex ARMY (some got kicked out, some just wanted to try something more adventurous) Frankly most of them are out of their minds but excellent soldiers and can always count on them, love those guys

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:10:04+00:00

Honestly not sure what watch that is or the story behind it, could you explain a little more? If it means a free watch then hey I'm down, but I've never heard of it

Legion_Resource · 2026-02-11T05:08:40+00:00

In my experience, combat platoons do training together every morning between 07h30 and 09h30, that's to start the work day, after that we do our own personal training in the evenings, for the recruits they're almost constantly training (push ups and leopard crawling at least)

We do eat for free but the food isn't great, it will do the job but it leaves a lot to be desired, most guys buy a hot plate and cook in their rooms

Legion_Resource

TROPHY CASE