le meilleur/the best
Made It to Final Selection Commissioning but did Not get accepted
(Some questions and answers are included)
(Some questions and answers are included)
December 15 2004 - post from E.V. (nick name Tragedy) "An american who was told to come back in 18 month's"
September 27 2004 - post from E.V. who decided the Legion was not for him and got himself released after six months and Follow up as to reason to depart
August 29 2004 - Excellent post about Joining and basic training by Juxtaman
March 15 2004 - Post Info about Fort Nogent (Paris) recruitment center
March 7 2004 - Post from Tony reply to commando question
March 7 2004 - Post from E.V. (volunteer recruit)Mike who just returned from the Legion
March 7 2004 - Post from Tony reply to commando question
Feb.10 2004 - Post from E.V. (volunteer recruit) who just returned from the Legion
February 8 2004 - Post about French Special Forces By Peter Lyderik
January 27 2004 - Letter from brother who joined recently. It is in English and Finnish
January 22 2004 - Latest Information from legionnaire who returned after BSLE interview
2b - Latest Information from a serving legionnaire
November 2003 post about eyesight
1b - Latest Information from legionnaire who returned after going rouge
1 - Letter/post of enlistment requirements
1a - Latest Information from E.V.
2 - letter/post about joining procedures
2a - Letter/post Cooper test info
3 - letter/post about joining and basic training
4 - Letter/post about joining and leaving
5 - Personal view of joining the Legion
6 - Letter/post joining process
7 - letter/post about joining process
8 - Joining criteria of a recruitment officer
9 - Information about Legion commandos
10 - Tips about joining
11 - tips about joining
12 - Pay in the Legion
13 - Letter/post about joining the Legion
14 - Letter/post about joining the Legion
15 - A poem about the Legion
16 - Latest(jul-aug 2001) info about joining the Legion
17 - Various info about the Legion (pay, french citizenship, etc)
18 - Letter/post about what to bring when joining (June-25-2002)
19 - Letter/post from Legionnaire presently in basic training (July-20-2002)
20 - Letter/post apt reply By former warrant officer to insulting remarks(July-21-2002)
21 - Directions to reqruitment station in Paris
TOP
Epsa_May-6-2016:
Epsa's account of joining, basic training and leaving.
Re: [wannabe] joining somewhere in summer 2010
Update:So, I made it in, I write this day by day like a diary and not from memory (some syntax edited by Voltigeur for easier reading)
Day 00.
I did get selected with a group of 25 out of a group of 39, 5 guys were Europeans.
I did 9 paliers and 8 tractions, climbed the rope with my feet.
In the psychotechnic test, I scored very high showing my six years of university were not in vain.
It took me 2 days to get black, 2 to get green and 13 to become rouge. The group that went before mine had 29 selected out of 50.
As I see it, the selection consists of passing the tests, being approved by your immediate superiors, like the caporals and sergents, and only after that the comission decides.
I saw the selection process as being a transparent and righteous. Every arrogant guy was put in place and I believe that the people meant for the legion were in at the end.
I don't say that because just because I got selected myself.
I spent a total of 9 days working outside the base in legion facilities, that and seeing the just incorporated legionnaries helped me to get to know what would have awaited me had seen it through.
I didn't see corruption or ethnic bands or anything. Contrary to what you have heard all languages you know will help you communicate, especially English.
One given day there where 135 people doing selection, 25 of whom where russian speakers, about 15 rumanians, etc.
Most are here for the money because of the crisis and the romantics and those don't last long, but the legion wouldn't be what it is if it didn't take people with a harsh past.
I had a very realistic idea of what it would be and am highly motivated to go professional and I know there are others that will strive also to achieve the best.
Day 20.
When you get rouge you are initiated to army tasks, like doing guard duty, learning the code of honor, recognize different ranks and, last but not least, cleaning the rooms of your superiors.
So far I haven't ever had a problem with authority.
Many guys need additional guidance as they don't understand orders, more so in an unknown foreign language or are unwilling to work in a group.
Physical fights are strictly prohibited between equals in rank. I am worried about the rumours of homosexuals being attracted to the legion, but have not seen anything compromising by myself, yet.
Day 21.
We were issued the gear we will need at Castel and today we received the money, 170 euros each. It will be deducted from our salary later.
There are people in our group with military experience and for me they, and the francophones are the most valuable.
Day 22.
There is a way of keeping money rotating inside the very legion, it's also a form of enforcing comraderie.
Many times we are almost forced to spend our money.
These are the times I feel proud for not drinking, smoking or using drugs. You can remain a man even if everything around you goes chaotic but in a so patriarchic medium like the army, you must hide it just to not be swept away.
The people in the midst of us who have the military background keep helping me and teaching me new things, they have the highest working ethic, even if they come from the third world.
I'm just more than three weeks here, but it seems like three months as every day is different, not like in civil life.
Physically it seems I'm improving just because of the regime here, for instance I have no more belly fat.
Day 23.
To get extra food or sleep or anything here you have to use wit, social skills and every talent you have to improve your wellbeing little by little.
It is not that obeying every rule will kill you instantaneously, but it will drain your energy.
Today I signed my 5 year contract and all of my group is going to Castel. Most of the army problems arise because of the peacetime syndrome, my believe is that with all the population growth and lack of resources it won't happen to us.
Day 25.
No time for writing. Going to Castel.
Day 26.
Second day at Castelnaudary. Yesterday did all my medical. The doctor said something about my knee, but I think the test results show what I'm capable of.
The food for lunch is very good. Today was my physical, on the Cooper I ran 2850m and fulfilled the standard situp, pushup and pullups. From the initial 31 we are just 29 left. No fights, robbery or other issues yet. Climbed the rope without legs for the first time in my life.
Day 28.
Today seems like a holiday, the ordinaire is closed and we eat rations all day.
Received all our color shoulder strap and are now officially voluntary conscripts of the 4th foreign regiment of the french foreign legion, assigned to our company and section.
The farm that i thought was going to last 4 months ended up to be only of 30 days, after which we return to Castelnaudary and do the rest of basic training.
The superiors give us always time to adapt to our new military life, sometimes i hear that nobody wants the instructor job, but almost everybody does what they ought to do.
The discipline, loyalty, order and fidelity i see here resembles so much my catholic french order school that i'm just enjoying all this experience, but not letting anyone know, as it's not what you should do in the army.
Day 32.
Yesterday I finally got through all the procedures to receive eyedrops for my conjunctivitis issue.
My throat is not a problem, the doctor said.
We are learning a lot, like marching, singing and all the military stuff we will need. As we progress in training, there is more responsibility, more opportunities and everything is more serious and organized.
Day 34.
The new rouges are adapting rather fast. We are already distributed into three groups for the farm and the caporals and sargeants in charge are attached.
I'm in the most anglo-western group. My preparation includes taking all the salt and sugar I can, like in the anti-cholera beverages.
It is said that the food isn't the biggest problem at the farm, but I think the sleep will be the rural version of Aubagne.
When I'm free I try to learn french talking with the caporal, translating porn and military magazines at my room.
The German and Japanese are also in my group that doesn't seem to be random.
Yesterday I did above average on the swimming test. The philosophy of preparing for the unknown, using the knowledge base of your sport does prove to be beneficial.
Day 35.
Parting for the farm, located 15 minutes from the regiment.
Day 37.
Life is not as bad here, hot water, food. I started getting calluses on the palms because of the pushups.
Disarmed, armed and safety checked the FAMAS faster than anybody, and that having lost one detail.
Today we go running for the first time in here.
Everytime a superior acts aggressively physically towards me, I'm reacting like I would in the ring, that shows character but also undiscipline.
I also show too much initiative for a soldier, especially with intellectual tasks.
Not a lot of physical violence here anyway.
We were divided into three groups by running aptitude, got into the second group of those running less than 3000 on the Cooper test.
We continue to learn survivalism, singing and marching.
I ate garbage from the garbage pit. If a man can live 7 days without water, then i wonder how many days can one live with little food and water.
Day 39.
Yesterday was the hardest day in here. Woke up at 0530 for a 2km run from our tent camp to the farm. Lost my teaspoon and fork in the process.
Then formation and marching with songs. Then an hour run in sport uniform. Lots of food at lunch, though. Made myself a wooden spoon.
After we had weapon training and other stuff that I don't remember, and before dinner carried trunks round the stadium.
At night i did guard duty and pomped because no one wanted to replace me.
I was astonished to see at combat class how inexperienced the recruits are.
Day 40.
Today was a rest day. In the morning we did the obstacle race, after which a dozen people needed medical attention.
It is like they want to test how though we are. After that we had plenty of time for cleaning our clothes and ourselves.
The food is still good, and even when we go camping like today, we are allowed to eat before and after.
A soldier must be very balanced, what concerns me most is my relative low stamina while running, though I do better on marches with weight.
Today they announced the table with the sports results and there is just a handful of people who swam only the minimum required.
As I'm sure everything counts in the selection after training, I try to show, if not initiative then at least motivation and intellectual capabilities.
In all areas like gun management, hand to hand combat, language, etc I'm ahead of the group.
Recently I found out that there are really special forces in the legion, called GCP.
The superiors seem to take their job seriously, really focusing on knowing well the recruit.
The people are becoming very edgy and uptight, even I had altercations and I had to stand up for myself five times.
I try to not explode as I don't have the strength even for running, much less for streetfighting.
The atmosphere becomes very electricized and this is not even the end of the first week.
All it takes to make people mad is take away basic necessities like bathroom use, food, communications, sleep, etc and the beast shows it's real face.
Seeing this as a human experiment it is very interesting and valuable for me.
One guy is going civil, interestingly He is the one that always gave lots of advice, good sportsman and all that.
Day 41.
The two rest days are coming to an end. Today we did rugby voluntarily and siesta.
Good soldiers ought to be annoying, to annoy the enemy, that is what i'm starting to think and be more cool about it.
The next week has to be harder, so I will probably have no time for writing as in the abscence of food and sleep it is really hard to think.
Nobody here wants to kill us, just keep us on edge to make the weakest quit.
Already two people are demanding going civil.
Day 51.
Doing guard duty the last five days was killing me, I started falling on the walk.
Today they opened the buffet and I could get chocolates and soda.
They don't want to kill us, but rather give us days with lots of work followed by a good meal.
I'm fine now, going at 2330 doing my guard so I have to finish writing.
The forest and tactical training is very entertaining, marching too.
Day 52.
There is civilian personnel in the legion. Even in the fourth regiment there are at minumum three female cleaners, so it's not that hardcore.
I feel very well after an obstacle course training and having eaten well yesterday. I'm still in medical care mode for the last five days, with sport shoes instead of boots and no running, so i'm full of strength compared to the others.
We study, as I understand it, anti-guerrilla tactics, as we are all infantry.
I started to remember songs from my school and started laughing like back in the day when i did it out loud. This is so a good therapy for the soul and the body.
I'm so much more ripped every day from work and the marches, that I'm amazed.
Day 54. Survived the 25km march with the fit as hell sergeant.
As fatigue starts accumulating I'm becoming less concentrated, more talkative and prone to be picked on as a scapegoat. I should keep to myself and not call attention to my self.
At this point all the officers, sub-officers and military ranked personnel know everything about everybody.
I don't know how good their intelligence and communication is or if the Gestapo is leaking information, but it's better not to pretend what you are not.
Controlling oneself is sometimes difficult, if I wrestle I want to win, if somebody asks, I want to answer, etc and that creates problems. On the other hand you stand out, and it is known there is a ranking system for recruites in the legion and that the superiors objective opinion is important.
I'm feeling worried about my relative low running times, as they keep scaring me on the thoughness of the combat regiment. Today I called to much attention to myself.
Day 59.
Yesterday we should have fulfilled all our pensum, as they don't teach us much more French. The ones that teach us french or tactics don't know the language very well.
Being isolated from mainstream France and surrounded by foreigners is the biggest barrier for me to learn new things. Many words used in the legion are not in the dictionary, even verbs.
The kepi blanc march will be two days long and we should be carrying the FAMAS, which will make it much difficult. I hope there is a chance to hang it on the bag.
Day 65.
Finished the kepi blanc march. I had and still have an issue with my ankle from carrying two bags at the mountain on the way down, nevertheless I finished on time. nevertheless It all seems easy on paper, but in reality the lack of sleep, food, the changes in the pace of the march and the low quality shoes make it way harder. neverthelessThe ceremony was in a little nearby town, the people knew who we were and were very nice.
Tomorrow we should go to Castelnaudary back for another three months of hard training.
I can barely believe I received a kepi blanc and have so many emotions and ideas it will take some time to formalize.
Now the moon is full and I'm already two months in the legion. I hear many bad things about the Rep.
Like high prices on the island, harsh discipline, slavic racism, low recreational possibilities, hate of the locals, etc. But from what I see, the best staff comes from the Rep.
Others are fit too, but I don't want to spend my time with people whose motivation is money and the passport but with the real soldiers.
It is difficult to make a right decision with my lack of military experience. I can only judge what i see.
Day 71.
I started to know how to get food and other stuff in the regiment. Yesterday we had a mass in a catholic shrine, I cried for the first time in a long time.
We are becoming soldiers little by little, capable of doing a job or arranging ourselves in a two-column formation, march and then change formation again, all without a supervisor.
Life has been calm all this week, I can even write my diary sitting on the toilet while awaiting to be called to the infirmery for my ankle to be viewed.
Our guard duties are starting this week, the jobs around the regiment too.
I'm trying to access the internet but haven't been succesfull yet.
While working in the cuisine one can buy oreos I didn't have for 10 years in my country.
There is also female military personnel in the legion, it must be French army personel working inside. Today I saw a female Commander I didn't think it possible.
The doctor gave me 7 days of rest, that means I'm losing guard duties and physical training, which is only running, for the rest of the week, then immediately we part to Formigueres for a week of rest.
Today, at the time of another evening military nonsense group drill in the corridor I got into my first fight, me on the ground and he standing, so there is not much to tell, comrades intervened but it was invigorating anyways.
Two thirds of the pills they gave me at the infirmery are painkillers, so hardcore i don't feel anything in my legs and can run like before.
Day 76.
My guard sucked. At the last time I ****ed all the ironing of my chemisse (shirt), so I had to rendre compte. At the end of the day lost one of my kepi blancs.
Many guys, mostly the younger teenagers, are going civil. This army is one of rough men with a life experience, I understand why they go, as they haven't had a taste for life yet and are afraid of being maimed.
Yesterday the professional biathlonist refused a direct order, that got everyone in trouble.
We are going to be 35 men at the end of the week. The problem is that as the most educated and sensible types leave, only the thirld worlders and the criminals will remain.
We were allowed to go to the local store for the first time oficially, but no drinks, besides mineral carbonated water, (I got two bottles of those), or food allowed. The prices are normal by european standards.
Yesterday evening we changed rooms randomly so we can learn comraderie and our rooms were dearranged for us to understand order and cleanliness.
Day 84.
Spent a week in Formigueres doing mountain training.
I talked to the section leader, He said that people who wanted to be soldiers, go to missions and didn't care for partying on weekends. The Rep was the best option where the corvee there is minimal.
We were allowed to leave for two hours in the city, but there was no internet.
I bought chewing gum and lots of milk.
Fought again with a bigmouth who didn't want to respect me. On the stairs, after he hit me with a useless jab, I took him and his friend down, dropped on him from the side and delivered three punches that left marks on his head.
The caporals all knew about the incident but didn't say anything as we both denied it happened.
Day 87.
The first day of our company's field operation training we slept all night doing guard without shelter and didn't have breakfast.
When I saw the legion has a field cuisine, I understood I love this place.
Little by little we are treated more humanly and given little privileges.
Day 95.
Just returned from our four days in the farm. This was the last time we visit the place who gave us so much pain.
An army has to be rough, in order for the men to give the best of themselves.
The next week will be guard and regimental duties, and then we are going to the firing range.
This army doesn't know how to survive cold weather. My french is improving as I'm studying it old school while, for example, standing in line.
I'm starting to solve problems I have with my fellow soldiers verbally abusing my reputation. Morale is good.
The date of our return to Aubagne is already known. My hands are rougher than ever.
Day 96.
Today I worked at the cuisine, which means access to the store and lots of food that I was lacking on the field.
The food has to be prepared by yourself to be clean and good, I stopped trusting restaurants.
The camelbacks are for one-day missions, not for use at this level.
The women working at the kitchen seem narcotic addict prostitutes.
The caporal said that for each combat legionnaire there are three for support.
The GCP is 60 men strong what roughly equals to 0.9% of the legion force.
When you have only 15 minutes for yourself a day you start to appreciate the beauty of, say, the full moon.
I started to remember times and people past and experienced a little nostalgia.
Today I had to slap-jab another guy who wasn't showing me the respect I think I deserve.
They start with joking, but slowly try to put you down to the point it became instinctive for me to use force.
Day 100.
Today, during the medical test following the sport test I was told by the colonel it could be very difficult for me to get into the Rep with my knee injury.
The first thing that came to my mind was that I'm going civil if not sent where I want to go, as I saw many injured people.
Anyway, I said only one desired regiment, but he said that it would be unprobable or something.
Maybe I can find another regiment with the same action, missions, pride, more freedom, return home or just persevere.
The most difficult thing is to get accurate info, as everybody here lies, is in for the money or is simply scared.
The sport tests i did average, with a 2950 Cooper, 0853 seconds to climb the rope, 15 pullups, etc.
My blood pressure is 127/64 that I don't understand anyways, but my pulse is 50 per minute, as in my teens.
Overall I think I got already healthier in these three months. My weight is the ideal 82kg, though my body hasn't changed that much for me to tell without a camera.
The biathlonist told me he doesn't want the Rep as it's a prison and suggested the 2 Reg as a good alternative.
Whatever the rumors I will keep the Rep my first option.
At last got a nailclipper and noticed I have no more a nail in my little toes, the whole toe is a callous mess and I wonder how many other physical changes will I undergo in the army.
Day 102.
Did the 8km with a 11kg sac-a-dos in 45 minutes and the swimming test in a time they didn't let me know, but far better than the average for what i heard.
I'm not the best runner and start feeling pain in my knee, that's why the infantry wouldn't be the best choice for me.
Day 105.
In the morning we snuck out of the regiment to go a party.
We had two groups going and returning in the morning, so I was very tired.
I'm not doing this again as it's not the way I want to spend my weekends, doing BBC (bitches, beer, cigarettes).
From what I see here it must be like that in a regiment like 2 Rep with a harsh regime.
The thing is, with everybody doing it, it could be very miserable to keep oneself apart.
The internet and phone I can get regularly here, to know if there is someone on civil waiting for me.
The 2 Reg seems like a good option as I'm an engineer and have plenty of skills like swimming that you don't get without technique.
As I'm told they are not only builders, they have also 3 infantry companies, compared to 5 in the REI.
Day 107.
Three more guys are going civil after instruction. I heard that during basic training the first two months in the regiment is possible to go civil.
Day 115.
My morale is low nowadays as I have skyped to the civil world, as many go civil, as punishments continue, freedoms are restricted and I'm scared of a prospect of a second class soldier with my injured knee.
On one hand I'm eager to see the real regiment and missions, on the other hand I don't want to do the things I could do in civil.
I'm closer than ever thinking about civil.
I'm doing the guard 24, which is easier if you know what you want to do.
To get essential things like tea, coffee and clothing from the store is easier but forbidden as a rule.
One guy got injured and when he wanted to jury with the legion, they found out he had police problems and are saying that he will be deported.
I'm getting pain on my knee everytime I run on concrete, and I do it every day for an hour or more and with boots.
Day 117.
Our test of French was fake, though it's true that we four knew French well, but I think it's the same for the others. Ok, there is corruption here, it is the army.
Today they announced the vacancies: 9 Rep, 9 Rei, 4 Regs and Rec, 4 for Guyana.
I lost a little want of going to regiments with so many vacancies.
An army like the Legion is better man for man than the armies of Nato because these men are hungry for food and women, not like a paramilitary, say, Finnish army.
The driving test was real, I passed but they said I'm not so good.
On the parade I saw the wife and child of one of our top cadres and was disappointed.
These last three weeks are passing relatively slow, as I'm getting used to it. At some point I think I'll have to choose between civil family life and the celibate adventure of the army.
As I promised it will be my last adventure before settling down.
Ultimately, i'm a man who needs food, shelter and a woman.
Day 127.
Returned from the field. We made a combat training scenario with the whole regiment.
Deplacement, communications, etc may not seem a lot, but they are the base of any army and the bigger part of the rest is a joke.
Day 131.
Yesterday we returned from the farm and our instruction is over. We did nuclear defense, FAMAS, patrol and other tests. I'm demanding civil the first opportunity I have. In 12 days we are going back to Aubagne.
Day 134.
Today I work at the officers ordinaire, yesterday asked civil and nobody made a problem. In a month i should be out. I'm so tired of no sleeping.
Day 137. I asked the Chef of the company formally to go civil. He said I should wait for 10 days for the paperwork.
It happened that I finished fourth of the 48 initially in the section and was offered all regiments including the accelerated Caporal program by the chef of section.
Shamefully I don't see the sense in being looking forward to go to the ville inside a prison when I can get freedom right now.
This army is more rough and limitative because it is supposed to hold people with no other place to go, and that is true.
It seems everybody in my section got the regiments they wanted and are happy.
I was told to wait on the stage of peinture anti-stress till the administrative job is done.
Day 138.
I'm way more relaxed now. In the morning I was taken to the bureau major to do paperwork, instead of a sudden permission for the group to do sports, the Caporal there said I should wait for 2 or 3 weeks for the paperwork and for me that's fine.
I'm paid so they won't keep me for ever. My group leaves in 5 days, but some will return to do stages or wait their regiments, so I won't be alone here.
I'll be free in 20 days approximately and I wait, read a lot and so.
Day 147.
These last days are passing easy. I can have internet, phone calls and store almost at a cadre level.
I'm sleeping not less than 10 hours a day.
I'm working as a barman, which means I'm getting food, no dirty work and weekends.
I was thinking that my intelligence is what pleased the cadres, mostly my French language skills.
Being outside the initiation system gives a perspective about the shit and lies the soldiers live in.
I have already won the right to phonecall in civil life, so why should I renounce to it?
Day 152.
As I was told by the chef of company, I came to Aubagne on time. I already saw the local Chef, handed in all my military things and I'm waiting another six days to leave definitely.
Only 31 guys out of 48 made it through Castel. The Colonel that said I won't go Rep was a general, so I had no chance.
Day 155.
One thing that caught my attention is the lack of smokers in the guys going civil compared to those of my section, it's like five to one.
Most of the legionnaries of my section had backgrounds linked to drugs.
Day 157.
Yesterday talked to the ex repman, ex para, who received a paradrop trauma and he said the hardest part is knocking the door at Fort de Nogent, getting the kepi and finishing instruction, as the rest is mostly bureaucracy.
Djibouti has already been closed and transferred to the regulars, according to the people who have been there.
We are all twelve leaving tomorrow after midday.
TOP
EngageVolunteer_AUG52015:
My Experience at Aubagne.
https://www.cervens.net/legionbbs123/showthread.php?16724-Part-I-My-Experience-at-Aubagne&p=194131#post194131
Posted on deCervens forum. Written by EV: Michal Jack/James Martin
My Experience at Aubagne My Experience at Aubagne
First let me say that no two experiences are identical during preselection. The procedures change daily and nothing that you read can actually prepare you for the experience. Also, preparation is not indicative of your success. I will elaborate on my experience and hopefully assist future EV’s in one form or another.
BIO: 35 year old white male (turned 36 while blue, no cake) with no prior military service (Gov’t Contractor) and in peak physical conditioning. Pre-Training: Followed Stoengs 3 month training plan, learned Legion Chants, history and memorized the Code of Honor prior walking through the gates.
The walk through the Gates:
On August 28th 2015 I took a taxi from Marseille to the front gates of Aubange. I exited the vehicle, grabbed my bags and was waved in by a tall dark skinned Corporal who was guarding the gate.
He looked at my passport and smiled while saying “American ha ha, walk in there” as he pointed towards an open door.
I approached the door and stuck my head in as I knocked. The Corporal Chef who was smoking on a cigarette glanced at my passport then waved around the corner and said in broken Anglais “sit next to the other.”
I walked around the corner and saw a few guys sitting on this little red bench.
I sat down next to them. It soon became clear that waiting would be a major part of preselection.
As I sat on the bench clearly overdressed in black jeans a black shirt and combat boots, the sun slowly crept a little higher by the hour.
After about two hours a Corporal Chef exited the door and called me into a little room. My bags were inventoried, my money was counted and my undesirable possessions were tossed out.
Lucky for me I came relatively light and the only thing tossed was a first aid kit.
Contrary to what I thought prior to entering, Cell phones are inventoried and placed with your other belongings.
I happened to send mine back to the US with my Laptop and Driver’s License that very morning (I regretted this later).
Once I signed off on the inventory I sat back outside on the little red bench where I continued to wait with about half a dozen other gentlemen most of whom were speaking Spanish. We waited silently for several hours cooking in the sun as I started to question my clothing choice with sweat pooling in every crevasse possible.
Finally the Corporal Chef walked out with his bag and or files and told us to debout.
My heart started to race as we walked deeper up a hill and into the installation. I was thinking to myself “yes, all of the preparation and planning has paid off, I am finally here.” I was extremely happy and confident with my decision. This was day one, or so I thought.
As we approached a building we were told to wait by the entrance. I was very happy not to be sitting on that little red bench and the adrenaline was pumping. I hardly noticed standing in the sun for 30 min in silence just awaiting our next orders.
We were then waved into the building and told “silence” or Silance as it was pronounced by the Corporal Chef. We were led into a room some of us more fortunate than the others by receiving reasonably comfortable chairs while others were handed little metal stools.
One by one we were briefly interviewed and asked family questions. Each person sat for about 30 minutes with the Corporal Chef as we were given our new identities.
Yet again, some of us were more lucky than the others, it just so happens that I was given the precious name of Michal which might be Mike in Russian but by all other accounts it sounds like Michelle when pronounced by any other of my Corporal Chefs.
(Just so you future EV’s understand you will more than likely be answering to a Corporal / Corporal Chef. My experience during Aubange was almost solely dealing with Corporal Chefs. It is in your best interest to learn how to read the ranks and how to address them before walking through the gates.
Once I was given my name which you will have no control over unless you are a combat veteran who has earned a couple of medals than if they like you they might let you pick your own name. Regardless don’t count on it. You are who they say you are. I was “Michal” and proud of it.
Once you are given a name you are then sent outside into for lack of better words the “prison yard” this is the case if you came straight to Aubange, the “Prison Yard” is not occupied by those who are from Paris or already completed their sport and medical somewhere else.
The “Prision Yard” is perhaps the first test for those who have come directly to Aubange. It is an easy but grueling experience and I believe that it may be designed as such.
Basically you have four things which must be completed before you make the transition from Civil to an actual EV. The name change, the medical, the sport test and the contract signing. You would hope to knock all of these out in a day or two but during my experience it was one per day. How long do these things take?
Day 1 - Name change: 2 hours Day 2 - Medical: 5 hours Day 3 - Sport Test: 15 mins Day 4 - Contract Signing: 2 Mins
Now you ask well what the hell do I do with the rest of my day while I’m waiting to become an EV. The answer is tres simple. YOU WAIT!
Basically your day will go like this. 5:00am wake up then wait, 6:00am eat then wait, 8:00am Test (either medical or sport) then wait. 12:00 Lunch then wait 6:00pm Dinner then wait 10:00pm shower then sleep.
It may sound easy enough but it is truly the first test of the Legion. Are you content with sitting without being able to do any sport and just sit and wait for 18 hours a day in uncomfortable conditions?
Also I deceive you when I say breakfast, lunch and dinner. You may eat but unless you are a squirrel it is not even close to enough especially if you are a larger muscular person. You will starve and grow weaker by the day. It is all part of their process. I came in doing 25 pull-ups and left struggling to do half as many.
Your body starts deteriorating and burning muscle the second you walk through the gates. So you are waiting for 18+ hours a day for 4 days some for more and a few get lucky and get away with 3. You can optimize your chances by coming in on a Monday morning or a Sunday evening.
If you come in late in the week then you will be spending your weekend doing corvee before you even get to do your medical.
The best part of the waiting game is that you immediately begin building strong relationships with your comrades. By the end of day 4 I had developed relationships that will last a lifetime. These unfriendly conditions leave you picking each other up when your mind starts playing tricks on you and believe me everyone there at one point or another asks themselves, what the hell am I doing here. Every day is like a rollercoaster. You have your good moments and then you have your moments of doubt. They usually come when your stomach is in knots and you are sitting there contemplating chewing sticks and rocks.
The Medical: I was a bit terrified of the medical as those who have mentored me on here over the last several months know I had injured my ankle, torn ligaments and the whole nine. I wouldn’t of been able to go through those gates a day earlier than I did I mean I really pushed my luck.
That being said I did successfully pass MEPS (US MILITARY MEDICAL) two years prior but I was very concerned about failing because it’s not like you think. That goes for the entire Legion. It is not necessarily performance based. If someone doesn’t like you, they will fail you. I witnessed this during the medical. The Doctor who is a very hands on type gentleman and also a high ranking officer holds your key to the Legion.
I saw two slightly chunky guys go in and one got sent home because he was too fat. The funny thing is he was skinnier than the other guy who made it in. You have to be respectful and keep your mouth shut “silance” when you are sitting there bored as hell for hours staring at the wall. SHUT THE HELL UP. I can’t stress this enough.
It could cost you everything! The medical is pretty nerve racking. The day after I went 14 guys went to get there medical and only four passed. It’s common that if the doctor hears a pop or crack or just suspects there is a problem then you will get a paper and you are out until you return with that paper and another medical professional’s opinion.
The good news is I saw 6 people leave with papers and come back either the same or the next day. It’s not the end of the world if you get one just get it checked out at the hospital and come back.
The Sport Test: Ok so I must have been reading some old documentation because I over trained like a mofo. I was climbing rope and running 2800 meters in like 12 minutes trying to prepare for the test. What I should have been doing is the beep test and a couple of lousy pull-ups.
As for me though I sort of dropped the ball on the beep test. My sport test was the first time I ever ran a beep test. Let me touch on a couple of things about the Legion Sport Test.
Depending on your Corporal Chef in charge of the test is going to determine how well your group does. For instance, the Corporal Chef in charge of my groups test made us run both feet past the line. My group made levels 8 and 9. However the next day’s group had a different Corporal Chef and they only had to put one foot past the line.
This is about 2 to 3 meters shorter than the way we did it and their group all made 9 to 10 levels. The same thing with the pull-ups, some Corporal Chefs let you kip a bit and others are exceptionally strict.
This I think is a big issue that they should sort out because their controls aren’t the same so their results are flawed IMO. Other than that the test was ridiculously easy. I regret not practicing the beep test prior, I feel that better technique could have resulted in a bump up in levels. Be sure to practice. You do the pull-ups immediately following the beep test so practice as such.
First let me say that no two experiences are identical during preselection. The procedures change daily and nothing that you read can actually prepare you for the experience. Also, preparation is not indicative of your success. I will elaborate on my experience and hopefully assist future EV’s in one form or another.
The Contract: Sometimes you will sign it the evening of the sport test and if you are like me you wait a whole extra day and sign it the following day. They take pictures of your scars and tattoos then you sign a contract and become an official EV. Up until you sign that contract you are nothing. You are Civil. Now you are official and you feel a remarkable pride. You are also issued your blues, your super comfortable and not tight at all underwear and are issued your Blue kit. This is when the fun really starts. I loved every single minute including the 1 minute showers!
Being Blue: The next steps you will take will be the following. Aptitude Tests: 1 ½ hours Psychiatrist: 1 hour Medical #2: 1 hour Gestapo: 1 hour
A day as a Blue: You wake up, make your bed, clean your dorm, hit a quick workout outside, run, formation, run to breakfast, eat your petit dejeuner (piece of bread), run, formation, repose, run, formation, repose, corvee, formation, repose, workout in the yard, formation, repose, corvee, run to lunch, formation, repose, corvee, run, formation, repose. Your shoulders will hurt, your feet will go numb and you will learn to love it.
I chose to always be in the front row as close to my Corporal Chefs as possible. A siren goes off at any given time and you sprint into formation.
My thoughts were first to the front, they will remember my face. The back rows have it much easier especially if you are standing there for hours. They can stretch their arms and cheat quite a bit but if you are in the front you lead by example and remember all eyes are on you.
I did my best to be noticed and stand as still and upright as possible. I was under the impression that the Corporal Chefs had total power of my future and I wanted to set a good example for the younger guys as well.
Back to a day as a blue. Formation, pull-ups, formation, repose, corvee, formation, dinner, formation, pull-ups, wait, maybe if you are lucky the Foyer would open up and when it does the little things in life really turn a shite day into a true treasure.
A Cola and a candy bar really boost morale especially because you are still starving 90% of the time. Finally Formation, Appel, Dorm assignment, Make bed, 1 minute shower, inspection, wash clothes in the sink and last sleep.
You hope that your name is towards the rear of the column so that you can run your ass off and get one of the single beds instead of the bunks. When you are a big guy you will really appreciate this. That about concludes a day as a blue. Now just repeat 7 to 10 times and viola if you are lucky you go rouge. & yes luck has a bit to do with it.
Aptitude tests: That’s what they are. There are more questions that anyone except Einstein can answer in the amount of time allotted. You figure out the rest that’s all I’m saying on that topic. Do some spatial reasoning and math puzzles if you want to practice. That will help.
Corvee:
Corvee is sometimes a test and there is also a great deal of favoritism and discrimination involving some duties.
The discrimination lies mostly within the kitchen. My Russian buddies would get to corvee in the kitchen because they could speak the language. They also would come back bragging on how they ate all day and feel like they are going to pop from being so full.
This is painful to hear when you are starving and they have the same complaints every day. There were a couple of guys who actually put on weight while we were there. I found this hilarious and upsetting in the same sentence.
It isn't just the kitchen though. There are other places where countrymen stick with and lookout for fellow countrymen. However if you are an American you can just suck it up and forget about all of that countrymen shite because you are all alone brother. You will have to out work and out starve many of your comrades.
I didn't mind it that much because it toughens you up quick and doesn't give you the false security blanket that mommy usually packs for you.
The other side of the corvee is when you go and work for other Corporal Chefs.
These are tests and you should always attack the duties vigorously and passionately although don't expect it to mean a damn thing in the end. Just do what you are told and don't expect a cookie or a good job. You might be lucky enough to get a punch in the gut which you should wear like a badge of honor.
The Shrink:
Ok so this is the most important interview that you will have in my opinion. Again everyone’s experiences are different but here’s how mine went.
There are 3-5 different shrinks there at any given time. Some are more likeable than others. It’s just my luck that I was travelling to the other side of the earth to sit down with such a loveable character.
Here is the problem with this interview. This guy or girl if you are lucky sit down with you for 1 hour and their words hold more weight than the Corporal Chefs who are with you all day every day.
Basically your Corporal Chefs can love you and tell the Officer in charge of the commission that you are the model recruit after observing you for weeks, watching how you wake up, take orders, corvee, but none of their words can trump the LT or the ADJ who sit with you for an hour.
It was my luck that I had sat with a shrink right before lunch and the shrink was clearly grumpy and agitated with me before I even opened my mouth. To add insult to injury I come strolling in totally unrehearsed and chipper so excited that I’m here and experiencing all of this beautiful camaraderie. I was under the legions spell.
It all started to go wrong when we were talking about my job and how I make 6,000 bucks a month back in the US (meanwhile the shrink makes like 2,500 a month). I was told that I have it all a car, a job and why would anyone in their right mind come here to the Legion where life is hard and food is scarce.
My explanation was simple. For the discipline and the camaraderie. I explained that I had originally planned on joining the Army in the US but I lost my father and by the time that was all over with I had already reached the age limit.
I had brought with me letters of recommendation from a LT COL and all sorts of documentation and accolades I received as a Gov’t contractor.
I believe that all of these things hindered me more than helped me for it showed them that I was not desperate and that I had someplace to go. Unlike many of my friends who were there as a last resort or for the money.
I was actually there on principal by choice which in hindsight was clearly a mistake. I should of came desperate and in need of the Legion not as I did. The shrink was very snooty and Psst at every answer that I gave. I left actually feeling good like I answered every question to the best of my ability and I was excited to take the next step.
The Gestapo:
Again everyone’s experience is different. Some guys said they got thrown against the wall while I was just asked the same questions that I was asked by the shrink but by a really nice and relaxed guy. I was in and out in an hour and felt great about the way things went.
They all seemed to focus on different questions and when I tried to go into detail many times I was cut off and we moved on. I would do a few things differently if I was able to do the interview again.
When I was rushed onto the next questions I would have him slow down and go back.
If there is lack of clarity or your answers do not match exactly then they consider you untruthful or so I think and I know that when we were talking about my immediate families medical history and focusing on my father I had failed to mention my brothers diabetes and my grandmothers cancer.
These same questions were asked during my medical but in more depth directed towards any of my family members. It’s these discrepancies which haunt me and I wish I would have corrected.
Also, my juvenile record which they don’t have access to was rushed through when I tried to explain it in further detail I was just blown off but it’s what they see on paper that they use as tools to decide whether or not you’ve been honest.
Just remember be thorough and be precise with your answers. Always answer the same. Do not get diarrhea of the mouth is advice that I should of took a bit more seriously.
Medical 2: It was a hearing test. The guy messes with you leaving long breaks in between the beeps. Only push the button when you hear beeps. It’s easy. I get ringing in my ears sometimes from all of the shooting that I do and the harder you try to hear something the more they ring. Just relax and don’t over think it. It’s really easy.
Selection Day:
You say your goodbyes, then get called into formation. Some names get called and others don’t. It’s really luck of the draw.
I watched guys who Corporal Chefs in charge of Corvee wanted to see sent home make it and guys who the Drill Corporal Chefs thought were solid candidates and endorsed go home (like me). I found out after I “went civil” which is what happens if you are not called to go rouge.
I was told as I was driving to the bus station by my Corporal Chef he said “I don’t know who you pissed off but I was endorsing you as an exceptional candidate.”
He told me that I was exactly what they were looking for, although on paper I’m a 36 year old with no military background and apparently a crappy review from the shrink on my motive for being there which is extremely important, but then again who really knows after all it is the Legion and the Legion does things the Legion way.
It may not be the best way, it may not make any sense to you but it is the Legion way and there is a reason it is so.
TOP
Mercator:
My three weeks in the Legion by Mercator.
https://www.cervens.net/legionbbs123/showthread.php?15740-My-three-weeks-in-the-Legion
I hope this proves valuable to some. So after 1½ year of dreaming of the Legion, ½ year of preparation, I finally tried. It turned out that “my profile does not correspond to the needs of the Legion.”
Preparation :
My physical condition half a year ago was abysmal : 107kg for 1,78cm, not a single pull-up, barely 3 on the shuttle test (Luc-Léger) !
Nutrition :
I started by getting my nutrition in line, no more junk food, lots of fruits and vegetables (salads became most of my meals) and a very tight calorie budget.
With training added to the mix, I lost 20kg in four months. I also added protein supplements to avoid loosing too much muscle mass.
My typical daily diet started with a cup of milk with a protein scoop (chocolate flavored whey) with a chocolate bar (my little sugar rush for the day) for breakfast; and a big salad (tomatoes, cucumber, salad, carrots, tuna, eggs, cheese...) for dinner. I drank a lot of water, so much that my bladder was always full.
Training :
I joined a gym for three months. I had been procrastinating for so long. Paying the monthly subscription gave me the incentive I needed.
First month :
I did 10 minutes of cross-trainer for warm-up then did weight training. One day for Pecs and Shoulders, one for the Back and one for Quads. Core muscles and calves I trained every day.
I chose heavy weights, so that I would be able to do only 3 to 6 reps per set. Always looking for the point where the muscle fails to deliver what you're asking it to. That's what makes it grow and improve.
Second month :
I started to run on the treadmill 12min at a constant speed. Started at 8km/h then kept slowly increasing, reaching all the way to 14km/h by the end of the third month. I also added an inclination of 1° to simulate air resistance. I kept training with weights all the same. Increasing the weights as I grew stronger.
I started training for pull-ups. I did 4 sets of 8 negative pull-ups, as I couldn't do a regular pull-up. You just jump up and hang for a second, then slowly lower yourself to the ground all the way till your arm extend fully. Then I followed with pull-downs and other back exercises.
Third month :
I started running outdoors. I did 6km in 45min the first day. Then started running 8km a day. At the end I could run it in 42min. Then I started running 20km in 2h, every two or three days, as it takes a toll on your joints, especially at first.
After the run, I'd go to the gym and run on the treadmill. 12min. I'd start at 9,5km/h with a 1°incline and add 0,5km/h every minute. Then I4d do my weight training.
For the pull-ups, I did as many as I could, then followed with negative pull-ups, pull-downs and other back exercises. By the end, I could do 6 pull-ups, and run 2800m in 12min.
Psycho-technical test :
I didn't need to prepare for this one, but I've seen so many people fail this ! Do a lot of IQ test puzzles before you attempt to join. There are tons of them online.
Pre-selection in Fort de Nogent
I joined in Bordeaux. They sent me the next day to Fort de Nogent in Paris. There I did the following things :
- entry test : a pull-up test (3 minimum) and a mini psycho-technical test (12 questions in 12 minutes, 8/12 good answers minimum)
- incorporation :
they create your file, measure your weight and height, take away your phone, any written phone numbers, any money exceeding 50€ (you get it back later), USB sticks, any cards you have in your wallet...
You keep all your stuff with you for now. You are given a uniform to wear and clean sheets for your bed.
You should bring a watch, sandals, soap/shampoo, towel, shaving tools, cigarettes and lighter if you smoke and a good pair of running shoes. You shouldn't bring SIM cards or credit cards (or hide them well in your bag before joining, cause they destroy them when you go red).
- psycho-technical test:
a test on the computer. Three categories : numerical, spatial and non-verbal. About 20 minutes each, 20 or 30 questions. Failing this one in Paris, doesn't get you thrown out. Consider it training. The real official one takes place later in Aubagne, during selection (the one in Paris however will apparently become official soon, so beware).
- medical test:
you fill a form with your medical history then they test your eyesight, your urine (for drugs, diabetes...), your heart, your blood pressure, your weight, your hearing, then you see a doctor who checks your breathing, your heart, your footprint and your balls (lol !).
If you need glasses bring them. If your teeth are screwed up, fixed them first. If you have had a surgery, bring any documents you have for it. Be prepared for the possibility that they may send you do some tests in a nearby hospital if need be (broken bones, crooked spine, problem with the urine or hearing results...)
- security/motivation interview:
a brief interview about your reasons for joining the Legion, your desired regiment, your history, potential problems with the Justice...
- sports tests:
a shuttle test (Luc-Léger). As already describe before by others, you run between two lines, 20m apart. You have to reach the line before every beep. The beep frequency increase every minute.
You have to reach Level 7 (7 minutes) minimum. Then comes the pull-up test : you have to do 3 at least. I did Level 11 on the shuttle test and 7 pull-ups (I'd say you should do 10 or more to maximize your chances, some did 20+).
If you've made it to this point. You sign a bunch of papers and are sent to Aubagne (groups leave every Tuesday and Thursday). Every day from this point on earn you about 30€ that you receive at the end of the selection period.
Selection in Aubagne
I was sent to Aubagne on December 31st. Arrived there, we became ‘bleus’ (blues). The steps here were as follows:
- incorporation:
this time all our clothes and backpacks were taken and put in storage. You get issued a small backpack with everything from socks, underwear to razors, shaving cream and a roll of toilet paper. You also get a uniform. We wore a camouflage "Parka". It looked cool as hell.
- psycho-technical test:
this time it's the real deal, same as the one in Paris, except this one counts. Three tests (spatial 20 questions, numerical 36 questions, non-verbal 36 questions), 20 minutes each. If you fail this one, you're out.
- personality test:
on the computer, like the previous test. You are given a list of qualities or weaknesses, you are asked to rate them according to how close they apply to you. The psychologist will later use your answers for his interview.
- Medical test:
you get an injection in your forearm. It's a Tuberculosis test (thanks for the info a1b2c3). It gets checked after 48 hours. If you have a swelling/redness bigger than 3cm, you're out. I didn't get any redness at all, some did, but no one failed this one. You also have an interview with a doctor, but it's of no consequence, just going over what you did already in Paris.
- Psychology interview:
you get an interview (30min-1h) with a psychologist about your personality, your past, your reasons for joining.
- ‘Gestapo’ interview:
they take your prints and a urine sample then they ask you about your past, any problems you my have had with the law, your history and your reasons for joining (last 1h-2h)
After you've done all this, your file goes in front of the Selection Commission which will decide your fate (it meets every Thursday).
If you're lucky, you get to have your head shaved, become ‘rouge’ (red) and get to wear a military uniform in which you spend a week while you wait to be sent to Castelnaudary for training.
If you're like me, you get your stuff back and some money for the days you spent in Aubagne. If you've made it all the way to the Commission, you'll get rejected permanently.
If you've failed a test like sports or psycho-technical, you usually get only a temporary rejection (3-18 months).
If you make it to Rouge, you're basically in. You get the money you've earned so far, you start earning a bit more as Rouge (about 45€ a day), start learning the Code d'Honneur, learning to count in French, learning to march...
Twice a week, you go for a run in a nearby forest, 13km or so. You also do some further medical tests (x-rays of your lungs and teeth) and receive some vaccine shots.
I learned that after a month in Castelnaudary, you are indeed allowed to make phone calls and even go out in the city on Wednesday afternoons if you've been a good boy.
From my experience, I learned that - being French - speaking French - having prior military experience improve your chances while - having a criminal history - being oldlower your chances, especially the last one.
Final thoughts:
I think I was rejected because I had an asshole psychologist, he was angry through the whole interview, I don't think he liked me one bit. He asked me the bare minimum questions, with sarcastic remarks here and there.
He didn't give me a hard time about one particular thing, I think it is mainly about his first impression.
I was sent on corvée that afternoon by mistake, instead of being told to wait for the interview.
When he called my name and didn't find me waiting He went mental.
They brought me back from where I was in a rush, but I guess he was already too pissed off by then. I'm not even sure I was rejected because of that, but that's all I could think of.
Still, it was a great experience over all. Met a lot of friends in there. I wish I was able to pursue it further, but it wasn't meant to be.
If you get in, expect to work your ass off every day, all day, either you're doing a test, or you're doing a ‘corvée’ (cleaning floors, setting up tables, helping in the kitchen, gardening, cleaning showers/toilets, washing dishes...). I did not mind working. What I hated was when we had nothing to do.
This forum helped answer a lot of my questions. Sharing my experience is my way of giving back to the community. I hope people find value in this. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be answering questions for as long as I can. I can't answer questions about whether the Legion is the right thing for you or not, you'll have to find that out for yourselves.
And I wish good luck to all the wannabes !
Post from ransac
By forum member ransac
Posted March 2011 by ransac on de Cervens legion forum.
By Member "ransac" of the forum http://www.cervens.net/legionbbs123/forum.php
9th February 2011 16:25 - I'm in Aubagne
Just arrived at Aubagne this evening (9 Feb) from Paris. Will hit the gate in the morning. I've prepared for this so long. The gate of the Legion is suddenly in front of me.
I haven't posted much at this forum but have been wisely use the search button to get the updated info I need. Thanks everyone who has contributed to this forum. No matter what the result I will have, I will try to post what I have experienced and gone through here in the future for other's reference.
Frankly I am nervous and a bit hesitate now.... I won't possess too much and high expectation tomorrow as I know that the Legion will get what it really wants. I will just frankly expose myself to them for choosing. Nonetheless, I will do my best in every tests and interviews.
Only a wanna-be steps into the gate will know what's going on and the reality of this place. I know that since I enter the gate, my life has changed.
Best wishes to you and other wanna-bes.
At the beginning of Feb I left a message here saying that I would hit the gate of the Foreign Legion in Aubagne.
My selection is over and I didn't make it. I'm now back to my country safely and recollect myself the things happened in Aubagne.
Before I joined, I said I would post my experience of the selection here for others' reference in the future. I honor my words and have started to write. I intent to put down my experience into different sections and post them in various threads. I will edit this post from time to time and update the links to each section.
Your experience in the selection could be different from mine but these are my personal account. Things could be changed there, but at least this post could give you some idea on what is going to happen in the weeks of selection.
Enjoy reading and good luck!
#1 Legion's Gate in Aubagne
There are some good posts in this forum describing in details how to get to France and the different stations of the Legion in France. You can use the search button to find them so I don’t repeat here.
My story started at the Legion’s gate in Aubagne. If you join in other stations in France, ultimately you will be sent in group to Aubagne.
If you can afford the additional travel expense, I advise you to hit the gate at Aubagne directly, since I heard from others that they had to wait in Paris or other recruiting stations for up to a week or two before being sent to Aubagne.
I arrived at the Legion’s gate and told the guard that I want to become a legionnaire (in French). He checked my passport briefly and asked me to wait, as it was lunch time (1200-1400). Couple of guys arrived after. There’s a notice showing what to bring to the selection, including toiletries, slippers, underwears, sport shoes and clothes. It’s good to have a look and make sure that you don’t bring less than the required. But try not to bring too many belongings, including valuable items, as this is not boy-scout camp.
At around 1430 a caporal-chef (1 gold and 2 green chevrons on the shoulder) came and asked if we wanted to join the Legion. He checked and collected our passport. There was a guy from a European country with only driving license and citizen card and he was rejected by the caporal-chef.
We followed the caporal-chef and entered the gate. There were 7 of us at that time and later a few of them became my good friends there.
I was excited as it’s my first time to enter the Legion’s camp where the selection was held. Nothing is more exciting than realizing the dream for long time. We passed the big parade ground in front of the gate, with a statue of 4 soldiers in the middle and the words “Legio Nostra Patria” on the wall in the end. We also passed a place called “Centre de Sélection et d'Incorporation” (Center of selection and incorporation), where you will spend weeks or months there to know if you will become ‘Rouge’.
Always bring a VALID passport, which means it is not expired at the time you present yourself to the Legion, no fallen pages and is intact.
We were brought to an office and were asked to put all our belongings on the table. The caporal-chef came and made a checklist of items one by one. Keep your items tidy and in group, which can ease the work of the caporal-chef. He also searched our body and see if there’s any prohibited items. He retained the valuable items e.g. mp3 players, wallet, cell phone, etc. You can’t bring any papers in too. All these items will be put in a separated envelop with your name in it. If you are lucky enough you will see them after 5 years.
We were asked to fill in some forms in another room. These forms include the personal info, parent, emergency contact, the reason you join the Legion, etc. The caporal-chef then asked us a couple of questions like personal information, how we came to France, previous employment, education, etc. and type into the computer. He also counted the cash I had in the wallet and returned me around 80 euros. The rest were put back into the envelop. Then we had to sign some forms written in French (one of them is the check list of our belongings) and left our bags in a locker.
We were asked to stay in an area outside the office, where there’s a tent and a room with TV and some old movies (I call this the ‘civilian camp’). There were some Képi Blanc magazines in the room too. We met some other guys in the room who had been there earlier. We saw some guys wearing blue sportwear (I call them blues) in another side of the fence. We were not allowed to talk to them. We were still civilian at that time, though our passports were retained by the Legion.
All we had to do was waiting. Try getting used to ‘waiting’ as it is the major part of life in the selection process. There was another Caporal-Chef in charge of our living there. Our area of staying is outside the window of his office. We kept an eye on the window and when the caporal-chef showed up in the window, we lined up quickly in front of him for his order.
We ate in the same mess hall with other Legionnaires and blues. There was not much time to eat. But we always get the food earlier than the rest. You can see so many races of legionnaires and blues in the mess hall! If you are lucky you can find some people from your country there. At night we were assigned in group to get the bag back and take shower. We slept in a room with bunk beds in the ground floor of the office building.
#2
Initial Medical Examination
In the next morning after breakfast, the Carporal Chef called several guys out, me included, and headed for the medical center. We were asked to strip off the clothes until underpants and stayed in a room. We waited for 2 hours until the doctor (I think he’s an adjudant) came and started to do some medical tests, like measuring weight, height, blood pressure, heart rate, eye sight and color blindness.
We also needed to complete a form with more than 50 questions of your medical history, declaration of any illnesses, whether you do regular exercise and the frequency of doing so. The form is printed in several languages and the adjudant will give you one you understand. We also had to sign a consensus of receiving vaccination if we are accepted to the Legion.
Then we had to wait outside of another room again. We saw other legionnaires coming and had medical consultation and the new Rouges for extracting blood samples. We were called one by one into the room to meet another doctor for checking the teeth, joints, movement of arms and legs, and the balls – I don’t know if the size of the balls matters but I passed the medical anyway. The doctor also asks if you smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs.
The whole medical examination took over 3 hours. Again waiting took most of the time. After the examination the doctors found some problems in 2 of the guys. They were given a letter stating the problems and were asked to have medical check-up in the civilian hospitals before coming back again. They were sent away immediately in that afternoon.
Later I learned that the Legion keeps certain number of blues in the selection camp. The day before I did the medical examination some blues were sent away and that’s why they put us to blue the next day.
When we came back to the civilian camp, some more new guys arrived in the morning. Some of them joined in Marseille and other locations and were sent to here. There were over 20 civilians.
After the lunch, I and other guys who passed the medical exam were called out. We knew that we would become blue in the afternoon. We got our bags and were brought to a building in another side of the parade ground. After waiting in the corridor of the building for another hour, we were called one by one to see the Commandant (4 gold stripes). My file had already been presented on the table of the Commandant. He asked again your reason of joining the Legion. He knew I could speak a little French and asked some more questions about my home. Then he asked me seriously if I wanted to become legionnaire, and the contract lasted 5 years. I replied “Oui commandant!”, and signed on the contract.
Then the Carporal brought us to the “Centre de Selection et Incorporation”. We went to the cellar of the center and already there were some blues waiting for us and ready to give us clothes to change. We stripped off all the clothes.
They rationed the following items: 2 underpants, 2 pairs of white socks, a black t-shirt, a blue sport jacket and pants, a bag of toiletries including tooth-paste, tooth-brush, shaving cream, razor and a bar of soap, a pair of slippers, a roll of toilet papers, and a green backpack for putting all the things in.
These are all your possession during the selection and if it’s lost, it’s hard to get re-issuing. We put on the clothes they gave and our own sport shoes. We were allowed to keep only our cash and all our belongings and the civilian clothes were locked up in the store room. When it’s done, we were discharged to the open area next to the center, where it is surrounded by fence, and met other blues there.
The life of blue started.
#3
The Life of Blue
Let me explain these words clearly before going on. Blue: Candidates for the selection to be the legionnaire. The blues wear two types of T-shirt – Black T-shirt and Green T-shirt, depending on the stages of selection they have gone through.
Black T-Shirt: represents new blues (just came from civilian camp) and those who have completed the Psychotechnical test.
Green T-Shirt: those who have completed the Sports tests and awaiting for the remaining parts of the selection process.
Rouge: The guys who have passed the selection and have been selected in the weekly ‘Commission’. Officially they are called ‘Engagé Voluntaire’. They wear combat uniform but without rank slides, or sometimes green track suit and white t-shirt. If you see guys with combat uniform cleaning toilet or floor, guarding in the gate of the center, or walking around and repeating the code of honor, he must be Rouge. Rouges usually stay in the Center for one week before going to the 4th regiment for the basic training. Some francophone Rouges can stay in Aubagne for more than a month to help training other new Rouges or doing other duties in the office.
When you become ‘blue’, you say good bye to the civilian world. You will have punishment from Carporal or other officers in the center if you are dumb enough to make mistakes. You are not technically the legionnaire so the punishment is not quite hard on you. But if you mess up, the Rogue suffers, and you won’t have a good time there as well. So behave yourself or you will be sent away before the Commission.
The common question asked by the blues there is, when will I have my Security Interview (Gestapo)/Commission? While the official recruitment website tells that it takes around 10 days to finish all the tests, interviews and selection, the actual time for each one can be different. I saw a guy who had been blue for over 1 month and still waiting for the Gestapo. Another guy became Rouge within 2 weeks. Some guys who came later than me finished everything and waited for the final result from the Commission, while I still didn’t know the time for the Gestapo.
The bottleneck could be in the Gestapo. There can be over 30 new blues coming in a day, but on each day at most 10 to 12 guys will be lucky enough to be called to have the Gestapo. Once you go through the Gestapo, you know it is a long but important process to the Legion. There’s reason for it to be slow. I will talk about the Gestapo in the later section.
Be sure that you can stay in France for a period of time without trouble in your home country if the selection goes longer.
The sequence of tests and stages of selection are Civilian > Initial Medical Exam -> Blue (Black T-shirt) -> Psychotechnical Test + Personality Test -> Sports Tests -> Blue (Green T-shirt) -> Medical check-up -> First Interview -> Second Interview -> Security Interview (Gestapo) -> Commission (every Thursday) -> Rouge
The following is the schedule from Monday to Friday in the Center.
0445 wake up, get dressed, room cleaning, make bed.
0530 assembly, head count and breakfast
After breakfast, assembly again. The Carporal/Carporal Chef asks “Qui veut partir civil… who wants to go home, papa, mama, playstation…”
0530 – 0800 free time
0800 assembly. Assignment of work (corvee). Call out for tests and interviews.
0800 – 1100/1130 work in different location in the camp
1130 assembly and lunch
1200 – 1400 free time
1400 assembly. Assignment of work (corvee). Call out for tests and interviews. Announcement of the blues who fail in the test of the day and go civil in the afternoon.
1400 – 1700/1730 work in different location in the camp
1730 assembly and dinner
1800 – 2000/2030 free time, the foyer (cantina) will be opened for selling cigarette, chocolates and soda.
2030 assembly and head count. Room assignment for new blues and other blues who spend the night outside the camp for work.
2030 – 2130/2200 shower, room cleaning, make bed, room inspection by Carporal or Carporal Chef
2200 Light out and sleep
For Saturday, Sunday and public holiday in France, you can sleep until 0530 or 0600 and have breakfast slightly later. The schedule for the rest of the day does not change.
#4
Psychotechnical Test, Sports Tests and Medical Test
You need to pass three tests in the following sequence: Psychotechnical, Physical and Medical. No test is done during public holiday, Saturday and Sunday.
Psychotechnical Test
The test is usually done in the morning and occasionally afternoon. It has 3 parts, each of which lasts for 20 min with different types of question. The test is done in front of the computer. Before entering the test room, the Carporal in-charge will give you some sample questions of the 3 parts with explanation written in your own language. (And DO NOT fold the sample questions…) Before the start of each part the Carporal will demonstrate how to use the computer to do the tests, and give you chance for questions.
DON’T ask me what the questions are. You will know it from other blues there or you will find it out yourself in the test room.
You never know the passing mark of the test. But you must know whether you pass it or not. If you can’t make it you will be called out in the assembly after lunch and will be sent away in the afternoon on the same day. If you do the test in the afternoon but is not called for the Sports Tests in the next morning, you probably fail and will go home in the next afternoon. You can come back 18 months after if you fail this test.
I don’t think there’s way to prepare for the test but if you are afraid of failing, get some education (I mean schooling) before you come. Most people passed. But I did see some blues who failed the test in the first time and came back. Some of them passed the second time, and some failed again…
Sports Tests
The test has only pull-up and luc leger. I haven’t seen any rope climbing and sit-up. The test is done every morning except Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. An Adjudant conducts the test. The size of the group doing the test can vary, from 4 or 5 blues to a large group of 12 or 13, depending on how many blues (black t-shirt) passing the psychotechnical test the day before.
1. Luc Leger There’s a speaker playing the tape of the beep test. The ‘beep’ sound is very clear but the announcement of the number of level (palier) is a bit hard to catch. I can’t remember how many ‘shuttles’ were there in each level. You have to run faster and faster between the beeps when the level goes up. Many people consider level 7 to be the passing line. But there’s no guarantee for that. Run as many levels as you can.
Tip of the test
Get a pair of running shoes with good grip to the ground. When I was in Aubagne it was spring and it rained sometimes in the early morning. The test was still carried on even the ground was wet. I saw many guys wearing the running shoes provided by the Legion. It’s the same as the one rationed to the Rouge. I have no idea on its quality.
Be sure to step on the yellow line at each end before the beep sound. You could be stopped by the Adjundant if he thinks you cannot make it. Find the old post and download the sample beep sound track and get some practice before you go.
You will be called for the test in the assembly after the breakfast and wait in the foyer. The test normally begins at 0800 so you have plenty of time for digestion, hydration and toilet. So do have breakfast before the test.
2. Pull Up
Soon after you finish the luc leger, the pull up test begins. There are three pull-up bars with different heights. If the group is large two blues will do the test at the same time.
Tip of the test
Make sure your hands are straight when you are in the low position; otherwise the Adjundant will press on your shoulder to lower down. The pull-up starts immediately after running. Your arms could be numb as your heart is still pumping fast and the blood circulates to the lower body. You may do less pull-up than normal. Again, practice before going.
If you fail the Sports tests, you can come back 3 months after. Please train yourself before coming. I never heard about the passing mark of each test there. But the Carporal will tell you whether you pass or fail. Some said it’s comparative of your performance with others in the same group. I can’t comment.
Once you finish the test, you will be given time to take (quick) shower and change your black t-shirt to green. This does not mean you pass the test. If you fail you will be called out in the assembly in the afternoon and go home.
Medical Test
Soon after you finish the physical test in the morning, and if you are not called out to go home, you will be sent to the medical center for the test in the afternoon. The doctor will inject something to your left forearm and draw a big red circle around the injection area. There will be a red spot coming up in the area 1 or 2 days after. You are told not to scratch or rub it.
You will be back to the medical center after 1 day for re-examination of the area (if you did the test on Friday, it will be the next Monday). The doctor will measure the size of the spot. If the size exceeds the standard, you will be failed and given a list of civilian hospitals in France to conduct the test again at your own expense, and come back anytime with the certification issued by the hospitals.
Upon completion of the tests above, what lies ahead are the 3 interviews. You won’t fail in the interviews as your file will be presented to the Commission for consideration. The decision of the Commission is final and permanent so if you fail to become Rouge in the Commission, you can never come back.
That’s why some blues (black t-shirt) decide to fail the sports test intentionally once they find that they are not up to the standard. They can prepare again and come back after 3 months. This is not a bad move.
TOP
E.V.
Volunteered Early 2014 • Made It to Final Selection Commissioning but Not Accepted
Hey guys.
I volunteered earlier this year (2014) and made it all the way to the final commissioning, but was not selected. I spent about a week in Marseille, and about 2 weeks in Aubagne.
If anyone is thinking about volunteering, and has any questions about what you might experience during selection, go ahead and ask me. I can only share what I personally experienced, anything else is either just my opinion or second hand information.
Please don't ask me about what they are and aren't looking for, as I have no idea, and most currently serving Legionnaires I know have no idea either. Also PLEASE do not speculate on why you think I may not have been selected I AM NOT asking this question, I am merely providing insights based on my own personal experience of the FFL selection as it was February/March 2014
Thanks for accepting me on your forum.
Originally Posted by D
Bravo sir! Any guys with glasses make it in?
Answer:
Yes, there were guys with glasses who made it in.
Originally Posted by T
The only page on the official recruiting page that won't translate to English for me is the medical one. Are the doctors weary about you having any scars, or just surgical ones? Thanks for taking the time to fill us in.
Answer:
They seem to be weary of all scars. Everyone that went through the medical in my group that had a scar, including me, got ‘inapte temporaire’ and had to go get them checked out at their own expense.
Originally Posted by P
Thank you for sharing your expirience, good luck in the future! Were there any guys over 30 with you?
Answer:
Out of the 300 or so guys I met while I was going through selection, there was only 10 that I knew for certain were over 30. EVs don't really walk around asking each other how old they are, and a good amount of the time no one knows what the hell anyone else is saying anyway. Extraordinary experience.
In an attempt to preempt what your next question might be. I only saw one guy, that I knew was over 30, get selected.
For all those private messaging me about what the ‘Tests’ involve, check out the official French Foreign Legion recruitment page.
http://fr.legion-recrute.com/
If you are having trouble navigating the site then:
Check out these links:
For more information on the 'physical' requirements, check out this link:
http://fr.legion-recrute.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=7
For more info on the medical requirements check out this link:
http://fr.legion-recrute.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=8...
They don't check your teeth out until you have made rouge (red), that is if you make rouge.
For more info on the what the ‘psycho-technical’ test covers check out this link:
http://fr.legion-recrute.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=10...
It is just a test like you would do at school when you are about 15 (in a first world school).
For the ‘motivation’ interviews, just check out this link:
http://fr.legion-recrute.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=11...
It is just like a job interview.
This links is for the fitness requirements:
http://fr.legion-recrute.com/mdl/inf...titre=sportifs
Please don't complain to me that it is in French. Use Google Translate or something.
It is the French Foreign Legion, they will only speak to you in French for the most part, so best get used to it.
The most intensive test, if you can even call it that, is the DSPLE (security screening). It's not really a test, it a security screening, but it is more intense than the motivation interview.
You get asked some really strange questions, and you get asked them over and over and over again.
You get asked the same questions multiple different ways too. In a lot of ways it is a bit of a test, one of nerves. The interviewer just sat there eyeballing me a lot of the time. You are asked to do all sorts of things.
Take off all your clothes in under 45 seconds, put them back on in 45 seconds. Stand on one leg. At one point the interviewer walked behind be while I was standing in my underwear on one leg and aggressively kicked over a rubbish bin. To be honest it is hard not to laugh sometimes. I bet this sort of stuff cracks some guys, I know one kid came out and burst into tears, it looked like he had already being crying for a while.
The interviewer also threw his beret at me out of nowhere. He was a very peculiar German guy which made the nickname the ‘Gestapo’ quite fitting. He sat there making funny noises at one point, constantly staring at me, while wearing this surgical type mask. I think the mask was to stop him from getting sick, all the EVs were really sick while I was there.
Originally Posted by k
Thanks for sharing.
When purchasing a round trip ticket, what time frame would you recommend putting between your arrival and departure from France? I've heard 3 weeks, 5 weeks, buy a one way ticket and bring money so you can buy a return ticket whenever. What time frame did they gave you to potentially come back and try again? Thanks.
Answer:
In my humble opinion, because that is all this is, there is no hard and fast answer to this. It depends on where you are planning on volunteering, and when. Personally I bought a return ticket so I would not have any problems getting into the country (or out) in the first place.
I considered the whole one way ticket scenario, but the complications that could have arisen going through customs regarding this did not appeal to me i.e. questions I did not want to answer.
It may have taken some jibber jabber just to get out of my own country on a one way ticket to France. So again in my opinion, unless you are from the EU, I suggest pre-purchasing an ‘exit’ ticket of some form.
If buying an exit ticket I suggest booking it out 3 weeks and paying extra to make it ‘flexible’. However this would only be if you are going to volunteer in Aubagne. If you are going to volunteer in Paris I would book it out 4 weeks. If you are going to volunteer around some ‘significant’ French, or international holiday time, one where the Legion is likely to be ‘preoccupied’ with other things I would add another week. So 4 or 5 weeks respectively.
This is just my my opinion based on what I read on this forum before leaving, and my own observations while I was there. I was there for almost three weeks and I volunteered in Aubagne. Some of the guys arriving from other locations, like Paris, that had volunteered around about the same time as me, still had a week to wait for selection commission (if they got past the DSPLE). So this meant some of those guys (the ones that weren't turfed by the DSPLE) would have been going through the selection process for over three weeks. However some of them went up for the selection commission at the same time. I get the impression the FFL doesn't always run like clockwork. They try their level best, but every EVs situation is unique to him, so some blast through the process, whereas others linger for some time.
The official FFL recruitment page says up to three weeks, so that seems fairly accurate from what I saw. As for the time frame they gave me to ‘potentially come back and try again’, there was none given. I was given ‘inapte définitif’. So that is it for me.
Originally Posted by M
At least you went. Fair Play. Now move on in life young man.
Answer:
Thanks M. I've already moved on. It turns out not being accepted by the FFL was the best thing that could have happened to me, every cloud has a silver lining I suppose.
I was very unsure of what to do next when I was not accepted into the ranks of the Legion, I had put a lot of time and effort into preparing, and was definitely ready for the challenge. However I only malingered over what to do next after I was not accepted for about two weeks, and then got right the **** on with it. As I said not being accepted seemed to trigger a ‘butterfly effect’ of good things. I was able to turn my life around somewhat in the last few months, and things are going great for me now.
Originally Posted by D
You mention you only “have to do 3 pull-ups” and that some guys even get in with 1. Just about every tale I've heard of people who go to Aubagne has mentioned that right at the front gate they make you do a certain number of push ups (4-6 seems normal) before letting you in. Was that not a thing when you showed up?
Answer:
No, I was not made to do any push ups at the ‘gate’ (it's a window at Aubagne), or anything like that. I also never heard or saw anyone else having to do this. I did see a big fat guy (and I mean obese) and his skinny mate get turned away when they turned up with just their passports and no kit. I couldn't hear what was being said, but they walked away laughing. If I was turned away like that, without being given a chance, I would have punched the Caporal in the nose, so I think he could just tell they were not serious.
Originally Posted by cu
Does this include burns? I got a burn on my hand about 1 and half CM big from a hot glue gun.
Answer
They seem to be weary of all scars. Everyone that went through the medical in my group that had a scar, including me, got ‘inapte temporaire’ and had to go get them checked out at their own expense.
Originally Posted by E-P
They have no basic fitness requirements? Really, or am I reading this wrong?
Answer:
Being able to do 3 tractions (pull ups) is definitely considered a ‘basic’ fitness requirement. So yes, if you are referring to anything I have written, you are reading it wrong . The basic fitness requirement in order to be ‘eligible’ to pass the ‘fitness’ test during FFL selection, is now set at being able to do trois (three) tractions, and ‘perform’ the Luc-Léger V02 Max test. There is no minimum set to ‘pass’ the Luc-Léger.
You can check this out on the official FFL recruitment page.
While I was there I saw a few guys who were passed only running palier six (level six) on the Luc-Léger, and squeezing out 3 ‘shitty’ tractions. One guy even passed running a palier cinq (5) and squeezing out one shitty traction. That guy even went on to become a ‘rouge’ candidate.
Of the other guys that only managed palier six on the Luc-Léger I only saw one make it. Most guys who couldn't manage palier sept (7) were failed ‘inapte temporaire’ on the fitness test, regardless of how many tractions they could do.
From my observations they were only really passing people who could run at least parle sept on the Luc-Leger, any less, more often than not, got an inapt temporaire fail. The amount of tractions you can do seems to be meaningless.
Please don't ask me why they let some people through for achieving a much lower fitness 'score' than others, I have my 'theories' but I really don't know the answer. When being administered the fitness tests the Caporal Chef didn't even seem to be paying much attention to us at all, he certainly didn't scrutinise the 'quality' of the tractions, even after taking the time to being very specific about how they should be performed.
Originally Posted by B
... was wondering about if they do any extensive colour-blindness tests and if any colour-blind volontaires made it through? Also, do you know why you weren't let through?
Answer:
Yes they do extensive color blindness tests. I have no idea if any color blind volunteers made it through. But why would they? Why administer a color blindness test and then pass anyone who fails it anyway? Makes **** all sense to me, but then again a lot of things don't make sense there. So in short, I don't know the answer to the second part of your question. I don't know of anyone who failed the color blindness test, so I don't know if anyone who failed the test made it through. Logic tells me they wouldn't have.
No I don't know why I was not selected, they don't tell you. I did ask and was told by the Caporal-chef that he did not know and that it was not up to him. What I do know is that roughly 50% of the guys who go up for the final selection commission each week don't make it. I have a hunch that it is largely a numbers thing though because a Caporal-chef gave all the EVs going up for commission in my group (about 40 of us) a big speech about how they would only be taking 20 of us, and that if anyone wanted to quit they should quit now or they would potentially be taking someone else's place.
So that says to me that a lot of it comes down to numbers. They have about 40 guys going up for selection commission each week and only need about 20. So they cut 20 from the mix just because they can't take everyone.
Look at it like this. If you **** up in the DSPLE interview and have ‘serious’ criminal problems you get sent home. I saw this happen. If you have lied about your criminal past, they make you yell out “Oui Caporal-chef!” the next morning, when all the EVs are asked if anyone wants to leave. I think this is to embarrass you in front of your peers. Not sure. One kid came back from the DSPLE in tears. He was quietly escorted out some time later.
My point?
All of the guys who make it to the final selection commission are potentially of ‘legionnaire quality’. If they weren't they would have been sent home after the DSPLE interviews, or the ‘motivation’ interview (I saw this happen too). From how it appears to me they just have too many people by the end of the process. ****ed if I know how they choose who they choose, again I have a ‘theory’ but I am not prepared to spell that out publicly on this forum. For the most part, if you make it this far, I believe it comes down to what you say in the motivation interview.
Essentially they need guys who are going to ‘stick around’. So they make their best guess based on the intel they have gathered about you since you volunteered. They definitely don't (can't) get this right all the time though. It takes longer than 2 to 3 weeks to really know someone. There was an EV there who told me he was going to desert right after basic training, and that he was only there to get “ripped” ; he got selected, I did not...
Originally Posted by A
I think that you know for what you are not in, but that's my opinion. Just to mention that from my brother's group in the end of the farm was left only 5 boys. So they really need to pick from these 40 the best ones. On the other side I know few guys , in which was given even possibility to go out and bringing medical notice, which confirms that no have any healthy problems. So they really giving you the chance, other is the question - are you really for the Legion?
Answer:
I have already mentioned that I have a ‘theory’ why I may not have been selected, not to mention I spelled out that they had 20 guys too many, I'm fairly certain that was a contributing factor. ‘The best’ is subjective, and obviously they are getting it wrong if they only have 5 men left at the end of basic training. I know for a fact that they selected a guy who planned on deserting right after he finished basic training (if he actually completed it at all), because he told me this is what he was going to do.
In regards to your last question. No, not now, but at the time yes, absolutely. I have far too much going for me now (too many positives in my life) and the Legion would think me a fool to be volunteering, I would agree with them.
Part of answer to useless questions:
I actually wrote this thread to answer any questions other guys who are planning on volunteering might have about the selection process, as I experienced it as of February/March 2014. Nothing more, nothing less. In regards to the guy who told me that he was going to desert right after basic training. Yes I believed him, why the **** else would someone tell you something like that if they weren't going to do it? Whether he was or not, that is a fairly strange ****en thing to go around telling people if you aren't going to do it.
My point is that had that got back to the 'selection committee' I doubt he would have got in. He got in because they didn't know he was planning on doing that, or at least telling some people that this was his intention. I don't think it that odd to believe someone who says they are going to do something like that. Look what Asia_Y wrote above about her brothers 'group'. Only 5 men left after basic out of 40. That is a terrible turn out.
I wouldn't know a good candidate from a bad one as I am not, and will never be, a part of the Legion 'selection committee'. I simply pointed out that some EVs who passed the 'fitness' tests were 'unfit' by international standards, and compared with other military 'minimum requirements'.
The international standards set out for the Luc Legar test, (which the Legion uses as part of their fitness test), for 18 - 35 year olds says that a parle cinq is considered very poor. There was an EV who was selected who only just managed a parle cinq. He was also only able to manage one poor form pull up and was visually overweight.
Another couple of EVs only managed parle six. Again by international standards this is considered 'poor'. Parle six is the equivalent of a 'fairly' fit 40 year old, and parle cinq is the equivalent of a 'fairly' fit 50 year old. You can look it up yourself.
Again most guys were not being passed without at least a parle sept, which is considered 'fair/average'. To give you an even more alarming comparison, FEMALE volunteers of the British Army are required to run at least parle huit virgule un, and the men parle dix virgule deux to pass the fitness test. And that is just the running.
I met some EVs that I would have been very happy to bump shoulders with as a Legionnaire who were selected, conversely I met some that were not selected either. The same goes for 'the others'. I met some guys I was cringing that I might have to bump shoulders with as a Legionnaire who were selected, however a bunch of these guys did not make it in also.
Admittedly the guys who were selected that were 'very unfit', for the most part, were great blokes. There was only one guy who I am certain would have committed suicide one week into basic training, but that is just my opinion.
I believe he was selected because he claimed he was on his sixth try. He claimed he initially failed the medical for being anemic. He returned and failed again for being too anemic. Third time he passed the medical but was failed on the fitness test for parle quatre. Fourth time he was failed for parle cinq. Fifth time he passed the fitness test with parle sept but was failed on the intelligence test. Sixth time, the time I was there he 'passed' the fitness test with parle six, and supposedly passed the intelligence test (he wasn't the brightest spark).
This is why I think he was selected. He just wouldn't ****en give up. However I personally could smell weakness in him and frequently saw him being 'bullied' and 'stood over' by other EVs. While he was rouge I saw him being told by other rouges to stand at attention (gardez vous) and recite the Legion Code of Honour while they sniggered and jeered at him. Like I said, suicide on legs.
Anyway I hope this post brings my other posts back into context. You can read them however you want and draw your own conclusions, however wrong they may be.
Originally Posted by R
So, if I sum it up, you were first declared inapte temporaire during the medical test, because of this scar, and later received an inapte définitif discharge, following the final selection commission. Have I got it right ? If yes, could you detail how you handled the additional medical tests you had to go through?
Which type of tests did you have, in which hospital did you go, how much did it cost, how long did it take, did the Legion suggest some hospitals where to go or were you left on your own, etc. ? I think this would be valuable information for the wannabes here.
Answer:
Yes. I handled the additional medical tests by going to a medical clinic in Aubagne and having them carried out. I had to have an x-ray of my foot performed where I had a scar from a previous operation (probably a big red cross against my name that may have been a contributing factor in me not being selected).
I can't remember the clinic name, but as you are the second person to ask about this now I will be sure to include the name of it in my blog. (I am going to have to dig out all my paper work for this). I can't remember the exact amount it cost either, but again I will include this in my blog once I have dug out the receipt. It was about 40€. The x-ray procedure in itself only took about 5 to 10 minutes, however I was waiting around for a few hours to have it done.
The Legion suggested nothing, although had I asked I think they would have been obliging, I just chose to head of and get it sorted on my own. So 'technically' yes I was left on my own, don't ask don't get I suppose. I hope this helps any other aspiring Legionnaires who plan on volunteering some time soon, that is the only reason I am here
Originally Posted by ds
Can you go into more detail on this please? Do they give you the address of the clinic (or whatever) where they want you to get checked? Do you get some kind of paper detailing what they want you to get checked? How do you pay for whatever tests you need to do?
The money part is what worries me the most. From what I understand they cut your debit/credit cards in half when you come in and you're not allowed to come in with a lot of cash. So how do you pay for lodging while you're out and about in Marseille?
I'm asking all this because I have a scar from an appendectomy I had when I was 12 years old (with no issues at all), and so I'm sure they're going to send me to get tested. edit: wow, R had already asked everything I just asked. Sorry for not reading through the thread thoroughly No, but I did not ask. Yes I was given paper work detailing what they wanted to get checked. I paid for the tests with money.
Answer:
I would recommend taking at least 200€ with you. The official FFL recruitment page suggests you only take 50€, but if you do and you end up needing to get medical testing done at your own expense you could end up stuffed.
Yes I chose the more expensive option for my testing by going to a private clinic, but that is because I was going to have to potentially wait days going to a 'hospital'. This is what la capitaine (female) who had medically inspected me, (and given me inapte temporaire), told me.
That potentially meant having to pay for a couple of days accommodation somewhere and still having to pay for the test anyway. That just didn't compute with me. It could have ended up costing me the same amount and just delayed my selection process by a few days. So I just got it sorted and went back within a few hours. I was hoping this might help show them that I was serious about joining.
Your understanding of what they do to your debit/credit cards when you arrive is wrong. They do not cut them up when you first arrive, they just confiscate them. They only cut them up if you are selected. Not until then. I only know this as I was explicitly told this by my DSPLE 'interviewer' (a Seargent Chef). So you can cross that off your list of things to worry about.
As for your appendectomy scar, I have one too and they did not ask me to get this tested in any way shape or form, however I did take extensive medical documents with me, although this counted for nothing when it came to my foot.
I would say be prepared. As I mentioned above, I suggest taking at least 200€. I know for a fact that there was an EV who spent 180€ on his medical tests all up. He did not have the money and spent days on the streets contacting home trying to rustle up the funds. In the end he returned only to be failed on the 'fitness' test, and again was returned 'penny less' to the streets of Aubagne.
Moral of the story is be prepared for the unexpected, if you aren't you might end up broke and without shelter on the streets of Aubagne
Originally Posted by tw
Could you elaborate on how your interview processes generally went? I'm guessing in there lies the key as to why they turned you away, not knocking you at all, but I'm assuming you made it sound like the legion was something you were interested in doing rather than something you had to do because you've no alternatives.
That's just my guess, if your perception of selection was accurate, it seems to me that they primarily take people who are likely to serve the full 5 years because of circumstance.
Answer:
The interview consisted of them asking me questions and me answering them. Your assumptions are largely correct. First and foremost I volunteered to the Legion to be a legionnaire. Not for the money, not for the French passport (this is what most guys were there for, money and a French passport).
So in my opinion your ‘guess’ is probably spot on. Yes again, as I have already clearly stipulated in this thread many times, they make an ‘educated’ guess at who is most likely to stick it out, and from what I read on this forum from currently serving, and Anciens legionnaires, they get this wrong more often than they get it right.
As A_Y posted earlier, in her brother's group there were only 5 of 40 men left at the end of basic training. That is a horrible turn out. Also, as I have already written, they selected an EV who told me himself that he had every intention of deserting after basic training, and that he was just there to get “ripped for Summer’.
He already had a job and everything lined up for him back home once he had deserted. The Legion selected this guy. So I rest my case.
Originally Posted by ds
Thank you. Just one last question: were the medical documents you took translated to French?
Answer: No.
Originally Posted by th
What would be the proper required paper work denoting the scars\burns are not self inflicting or cause from surgery ? I have a few burn marks and what not from few various accidents but none required any doc attention would I need. Doc saying there not intentional and \none from surgery.
Answer:
From my experience they don't give any weight to any medical records you take. Unless of course it is negative, i.e. a note from your Doctor saying your foot is good and healed after a surgery does not mean squat to them, but if it says your foot is stilled ****ed -> inapte définitif.
Originally Posted by D
Just noticed, there is no mention of the famed Cooper Test in your post. Did you not have to run around the track for your physical qualifier?
Answer:
It is not mentioned because they don't use it, and from my understanding, including from the official FFL recruitment website, they have not used it in selection for years. So no we did not have to run around a track, I thought I had been very specific already about what they did and didn't make us do already.
Originally Posted by Le G
Thanks for taking the time to write up your experiences. Useful and interesting stuff. The instances in which such out-of-shape people pass selection are pretty surprising, or counter-intuitive to say the least. But perhaps this is because they are the exception; so what about the rule? Specifically, what about the candidates on the other side of the spectrum? Do you feel that the men who were in the best physical shape had an advantage over other candidates when it came to final selection?
I'm curious to find out if the 2 or 3 best runners in the Luc-Léger test from your group got selected. I'm getting the impression from some people on here that it doesn't matter at all how fit you are (in terms of getting selected, I know it will make life easier at the farm), so long as you can meet the basic physical requirements.
Answer:
Out of the top 5 most physically fit men I encountered while I was there, only two were selected. You do the math. Yet they took 3 of the most physically unfit men that were there, including one that was clearly overweight. Being fitter than other EVs seemed to have no impact whatsoever.
My 2 cents: if you can reach level 7 on the Luc-Léger, and manage 3 ‘good form’ tractions. Just ****en go. There is no point malingering. If you have the time to get fitter because your flight is 3 months out, or whatever, then get as fit as you can. Yes I agree that the fitter you are, the less ‘physically’ demanding basic training will be (if you are selected of course). However you still can't prepare ‘mentally’.
Originally Posted by th
Yes none of my scars or burns required medical attention but I do have a rather big burn on u bak from being hit by a car and trapped under it but it was in ya burn so I might just go get a "doctor's note" just to be sure.
Answer:
If you tell them that, and when they notice it, I would bet a lot of money you will get inapte temporaire (possibly inapte définitif). I would bet even more money that you will be at least asked to go and get x-rays etc. Be prepared for that. That could cost you a couple of hundred €.
My suggestion would be to take your medical records, if you can afford it get them translated into French, but be prepared to have to get these checks mate. Like I mentioned earlier in this post, they don't appear to be too interested in anything you take with you, they almost appear to be insulted by it.
Not many people passed the medical in my group. Only about 20 (40%) from what I witnessed, and that is including the people who were given inapte temporaire (go away, get tested and come back). About 80%, so 16 out of about 20 of us, were rejected initially.
About 8 of us were inaptes temporaires, the rest inaptes définitifs. Of the 8 that were given inapte temporaire, all of us returned (eventually), however out of these 8 only 2 of us made it to blue. 4 of these guys I did the ‘fitness’ test with.
We were merged with another group of 4 to do this (so 8 in total). Only two of us passed that. Numbers get whittled down real fast. I'm not sure what happened to the other 4 guys that I saw return over the next few days, but they did not go blue. It is possible they failed the medical ‘retest’, or failed the fitness test, I didn't see. They may have got inapte definitif in the medical retest, or the may have got inapte temporaire.
If you have had anything ‘serious’ medically ever happen to you, you will be expected to go and get tests to prove that you are no longer ailed by this.
If you have anything remotely wrong with you, you will go under the microscope, if it is something that cannot be easily corrected you will get inapte définitif. For example I got a PM from a guy asking me if they will reject him for having asthma. I had to reply with: “does a bear shit in the woods?” I mean come on... Is is just me that thinks the answer to that should be obvious?
Originally Posted by Ac
Can one bring some form of medical document say from one's own home country stating the scar isn't anything serious, or does the checkup have to happen there after being told to leave and get it checked out in France? Sorry, I'm asking because I'm planning on making the trip from the USA to Aubagne in the near future, maybe in a year. Thank you in advance!
Answer:
Like I mentioned earlier. You can take all your previous medical information, or even the results of tests you had specifically carried out prior to volunteering to the Legion, in 'preparation' to 'prove' you are medically fit and healthy. I did. However from what it appeared to me, this means nothing to them as I was still made to go have these tests again in France once I arrived.
Voltigeur mentions getting them translated into French. I was not able to afford to do that, so I didn't. I can't confirm or deny this would make any difference.
The Capitaine the inspected me spoke very good and fluent English, I assume she could read it too, however she still sent me off for tests after reading all my medical information.
Well I assume she read it as she was flicking through it on her desk while 'interviewing' me before inspecting me.
Originally Posted by C
The most intensive test, if you can even call it that, is the DSPLE (security screening). It's not really a test, it a security screening, but it is more intense than the motivation interview. You get asked some really strange questions, and you get asked them over and over and over again. You get asked the same questions multiple different ways too. In a lot of ways it is a bit of a test, one of nerves. The interviewer just sat there eyeballing me a lot of the time. You are asked to do all sorts of things.'
Answer by EE
...remember the interview: a 'walk in the parK' as I told Gestapo the truth from the moment of my conception.........the worst part of it was this little shit NCO walked into the room asked if I'd been to university and struck on top of my melon as I sat down....don't know if the guy was frustrated as he hadn't been to college or whether he was testing my reaction...wanted to thump the LITTLE FOCKER but refrained myself in order not to spoil my chances.....brawling at Gestapo HQ would not have gone down too well: WANNABES SHOW RESTRAINT+PATIENCE AT ALL TIMES AS A PRE-SET MODUS OPERANDI
As I promised R earlier in this thread, here is the specifics of my private visit to a medicale in order to get the checks the Legion requested.
Centre d'Imagerie Médicale Lafond
Dr Cayret - Dr Fields - Dr Fouque
Avenue Lafond
B.P. 133 13674 Aubagne Cedex
Tel: +33 (0)4 42 03 13 88
I had an X-Ray carried out on my foot and the cost was precisely 24.30 €. I think that about covers that question now. If I have missed something please let me know. As for the PMs I am getting regarding how fit you should be. This thread more or less spells it out. However I will add this. I mentioned earlier that if you can run a palier sept (level seven) on the Luc-Léger and perform trois ‘good form’ tractions (pull-ups), you should just go. I would like to retract this and say in my opinion I think you should make sure you can run at least palier neuf (level nine), and perform huit ‘good form’ tractions.
This is my rationale.
When I left New Zealand I was able to perform parlier X on the Luc-Léger, and X amount of tractions. However when I performed the test I was only able to do X minus 2 on the Luc-Léger, and X minus 50% on the tractions.
Call it performance anxiety, call it lack of exercise once arriving in France, call it what you will. However most EVs noted that they were able to run at least two levels more on the Luc-Léger, and perform 100%+ pull-ups when they tested prior to arriving in France. I experienced this also.
Hope this helps somebody. In short, have a buffer.
No problem mate. I suggest taking about 200€ with you too. Either in cash, or on a ‘Debit Visa’ etc., more if you can. Last thing you need is to be stuck in Aubagne with a huge medical inspection cost requirement and no accommodation.
Also they let you keep change (coins) on you during selection, which is great for buying hot chocolates and coffee etc from the vending machine if you go blue.
Yes, la Légion étrangère has a vending machine the bleus and rouges can use to buy all sorts of hot drinks including mocha lattes (or whatever that fancy coffee shit is called), you are actually spoilt for choice, there is about 50 different options to choose from. You can also buy chocolate bars and cans of fizzy drink in the canteen area around midday and in the evenings .
The ole grey mare ain't what she used to be Anciens
Just make sure you don't try and buy shit via the bleus and rouges through the fence before you get to that point. A lot of guys got caught and got told off, not sure whether this counts against you or not, but why risk it.
This I do know, DSPLE is on the top floor and I often saw them watching this sort of stuff taking place. Best not to get involved I think .
Also on the weekend the EVs (blue and red) tend to take a nap. I SHIT YOU NOT! There is nothing more amusing than seeing 20 odd blues, and 20 odd rouge sleeping all over the ‘yard’, including in the canteen (foyer) or whatever it's called. Again this didn't seem to stop a lot of guys from getting in, but be warned DSPLE sees all of this from the top floor. I saw them watching.
One other thing that happened while I was there that you might see is people stealing food. EVERYONE does this. I did not. Don't even put any food you have left over after meals in your pockets if you can't eat it all.
YES, they feed you A LOT of food (except breakfast). I saw guys get sent home for getting caught with stolen food. They spot check people. It's just not worth it, but as I say, EVERYONE steals food. You are only supposed to take ONE piece of bread in the morning, but you will gradually see everyone start to take two. I did not.
Eventually the shit hits the fan and culprits are stared at intently (boo hoo), LOL! I was hoping to see some skulls get cracked... didn't happen.
Just for the record, it may appear as though they don't notice this, but they do, eventually. I suppose we all kind of paid for it in the end too as the shitty handed EVs that had taken extra and had been coffing and blowing snot into their hands and rubbing it onto their tracksuits only moments earlier then had to return the extra bread to the sack... on the floor. LOL! We all ate this bread later. Oh good times.
Also keep your spare undies, socks, and bog roll in your pockets (just spread it all out so you don't look like a mong or a fat ****).
EVs steal EVERYTHING, at least they did while I was there. You are only issued 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of undies, and ONE tracksuit. This is to last ALL of selection, and you NEVER wash your clothes.
So be prepared to stink. If you leave your second pair of socks, undies, or your toilet paper in your sac a do someone WILL steal it. So keep them on you at all times.
Also you are only issued ONE roll of toilet paper to last all of selection. I spent the last few days hording paper towels from the kitchen, and trading food for toilet paper (my own food at dinner time). On the very last day I had to scrape my arsehole clean with my fingers.
You might also want to air your soap out at night time because it reeks and you wont want to put it on your body LOL! Be sure to shave first thing in the morning too, and not at night. A lot of EVs had there faces molested by caporaux-chefs (*) in the morning and had to dry shave on the spot while everyone watched. Nice.
Enjoy . (*) ndlr : in French “caporaux” is the plural form of “caporal”, like chevaux is the plural of cheval (horse), etc.
Originally Posted by S
Thanks for the advice, I'll be bringing around 800 €. And I saved this as a document just to remember in the future hahaha.
Answer:
S. mate, like Don says, don't go telling people you are carrying around that much cash with you. Don't worry about the Legion doing anything 'dodgy' with it, they aren't like that. In fact they seem nervously pedantic in noting exactly how much you bring and making sure you are certain about how much you are giving them.
When I was there they don't even seem to want to touch it. They make you count it, and confirm how much there is multiple times. They also make you sign a form saying how much you give them. You will get this all back at some point.
If you are sent off to get additional medical tests done you are declared inapte temporaire. This means you have effectively been returned to civil and therefore you are given everything back, and ‘signed out’. So don't worry about the official site saying to only bring 50€. You could turn up with 50,000€ and they will deal with it.
There was one EV who turned up from Japan with 6,000€. The caporal-chef was bemused, but he dealt with it. Don't go stuffing money in socks or anything, they will just think you are a dork, besides they check everything, empty all pockets, no stone is unturned.
After all, you could be a terrorist, LOL! 50% serious, 50% joking. Anyway if you go to get tests you will have your money returned to you, including any credit cards, debit cards, etc (if you take any). The FFL is modern these days, and the administration is effective.
For me I had prepared to be yelled at and treated like shit. It didn't happen. The administration were top notch guys. There was one big fat Mongolian caporal-chef who walked around on a war path most of the time, but you could tell he had a few ‘confidence’ issues. He had ****en Star Wars and Lord of the Rings figurines on his desk for ****s sake. Generally a bully is being bullied themselves, catch my drift.
As for the guy waffling on about the socks and shit the official FFL page says to take with you. **** all that. I was there. They take ALL this shit off you. You could turn up with a fresh pair of undies and socks for everyday you are envisioning being in selection for, but they take ALL of this from you, so just take the ‘minimum’ suggested, but don't expect to keep any of it.
Also don't worry about anything being stolen from your sac-à-dos PRE stage bleu. Your bags are locked up securely at all times and anything ‘valuable’ is stored someone where else safe. There were guys turning up with iPhones, iPads, PSPs and all sorts of shit. Everyone who was returned civil with me got all this stuff back, and they are really careful with it.
I think a lot of people have the wrong idea of the FFL administration during selection. You are still kind of civil, and they treat you as such, including your possessions, they are very careful. It is not 1831 anymore, or 1991 for that matter. Respect was noticeable and paramount. I personally received nothing but the utmost respect from most legionnaires, yeah there was the occasional arsehole, but there is a lot of people in this world that meet that description (just take this forum for example, lol ).
So yeah. Personally I suggest just taking one bag of the stuff they recommend on the official page and nothing they suggest you don't bring, aside from the money thing.
I don't think it is a stupid idea to take 800 € with you, in fact I think that is very sensible. However if you have a laptop or a phone etc. that you want to take with you (even though the official site says not to) take it anyway (if you really want to). A lot of guys did, a lot who got in too.
You see a lot of legionnaires walking around texting on the latest iPhones etc (much later gen then the iPhone 3 I took with me that was worth no more than about 30 €, lol). Sometimes you would see them sitting down using Laptops and iPads with swanky separate little keyboards etc.
The Legion I saw is a lot different to the Legion you are often painted by Anciens. They are not trying to ‘trip you up’ things have just changed. I would say they suggest not taking that sort of stuff with you because it creates unnecessary administration work for them, and the potential to provoke theft, but they deal with it.
However be prepared to have the DSPLE go through your laptop and phone etc. if you take that sort of stuff. Make sure you have deleted any photos of you in your snuggie with your favorite teddy bear, otherwise you might have a tough time convincing the DSPLE that you are not a soft cock.
Think that about covers it.
NB: Pour les Anciens. The ole grey mare ain't what she used to be. One of the guys who I met in selection who finished at the top of his section, and was held back to do the accelerated caporal's course before being sent to the 2rep, well he has just posted a whole lot of ‘model’ type pictures of himself on his Facebook page.
Most of them are not of him in uniform, but they are the sort of stuff a budding ‘movie star’ would forward onto their agent , or you might sell to a womens ‘PlayGirl’ magazine.
Times have a changed... drastically. This guy scored 20/20 on the ‘assessment grade’ before being sent to la ferme (don't ask me how I know that ).
Post by L.
As far as laptop and iPhones are concerned, either you don't take any with you and after instruction, when you can use one, you have to ask the permission to buy one (this was my case) and if the request is not written on the proper form, and with all the requested information, it will be denied.
In my case, the Cne in charge decided that my bad form represented a lack of respect for an officer and I was good for 7 days en ‘taule’ and one month consigné au camp, that was already in 2 REP. The other possibility is that you have taken your laptop and/or iPhone with you : it is provisionally confiscated but you get it back AFTER instruction, before you leave for your regiment.
You can then use it without special permission.
Post by C.
Yes. There are pull-up bars, dip stations, push-up things etc. But there is jack shit room to go for a run.
You can do interval training on the concrete slab, but I wouldn't bother. Every time the siren goes off you will be doing a 50 metre sprint (with NO warm up), and that can happen a couple of dozen times a day, sometimes multiple times within 10 minutes.
Everyone races, there is no need to get there first, but you don't really want to just slow poke round. I tried to just stick to the middle of the bunch. That way when you line up you can stand in the middle of the group, not at the front, not at the back. Makes it easier not to get noticed. If you go rouge you will be doing this in BRAND NEW boots, best to rest up while you have the chance.
Be careful not to walk on or through the FFL emblem that is made of painted stones in the yard.
A few people made this mistake and got a stern talking to. Also make sure to never walk over ANY FFL emblems on the ground. They take it VERY seriously and so should you.
For example in the ‘barracks’ where the bleus, rouges, and some Legion staff sleep there is like a main foyer area with a big Legion emblem on the floor. NEVER walk over this. Walk AROUND it.
Oh yeah, try and stay of the grass around the area where you do the Luc-Léger test and tractions. You will know what I mean. You will only have the opportunity to walk on this grass if you go bleu. DON'T. They don't like it. Stick to the concrete.
Also when being taken somewhere by a legionnaire, whether with others or alone, walk behind him, never directly to the side of him or remotely in front of him. Don't walk on the roads within the compound, stick to the footpath. This all might sound like fairly straight forward stuff, but many EVs got told off for this sort of thing. Some of them over and over and over again.
reply by C.
L. mate, don't be mad. It was I who was not selected, not you I agree with your advice in regards to showing respect, humility, and modesty, and that is exactly what I did.
However your advice about ‘standing out’ goes against the advice of EVERY SINGLE MAN I have EVER met that has served and currently served in ANY military EVER, including any advice EVER given on this forum, and even advice given to me by a few Legionnaires while I was going through selection.
I gave it my all where absolutely necessary, I volunteered for everything, but for the most part I tried to BLEND IN. I didn't feel the need to be the first man to arrive by way of sprinting when the siren went off, to look like some hero.
The Legion was perfectly aware of my running attributes. I also didn't feel the need to max out my pushups in front of everybody in the yard like a hero. The Legion has seen how many tractions I could do.
You are the FIRST man to have served that has ever told me to try and ‘stand out’ in a military environment. Very odd comment from you I must say.
Two of the guys that became ‘barman’ while I was there, and stood out to EVERYONE a lot, for what appeared to be the ‘right’ reasons i.e. they seemed to be well respected and ‘stood out’, were both sent home.
Then there were guys who stood out for the ‘wrong’ reasons i.e. never volunteering, being lazy when asked to do tasks, not shaving in the morning etc. etc. A couple of these guys were selected.
There was also more than a few guys who got selected that more or less never spoke, guys that did not stand out to anyone, ever. Conversely there were guys like this who were not selected too.
I think also this trying to guess what the Legion is looking for (or not), is fruitless. You have said so yourself. I also asked for people to stop giving their 2 cents about why I was not selected. That is not what this thread is about, it is NEVER what this thread was about. So why do you persist? You told me yourself to move on and not think about it, which I did some months ago after not getting selected. So why have you brought this up again? I am just trying to help out other 'hopefuls' by volunteering information about what they might experience in selection, and what I experienced. Nothing more nothing less.
You are right about me being transparent though. The Legion knew exactly the competence of my fitness level and intelligence. Because they tested for it. And I gave all the tests, and every task I volunteered for, and was asked to do, 100%. I also performed well in the fitness tests, which I already clearly outlined in the OP. Definitely exceeded the minimum requirements where others struggled to even meet them.
TOP
Chelu:
Hello. Brief introduction and huge post about my basic instruction experience.
Hi there and big thanks for the moderators for accepting my registration.
I am Chelu from Romania. This is my first post, but
I have been an avid lurker on this forum for some years before actually going for the real thing.
This is a brief presentation of my Legion instruction experience. I wrote this as a thank you for all the information I got from here before joining. I will not say names. I will try not to judge people or the Legion (but there are a few exceptions). I do not intend to publish this or get money from this story. I wrote it for Cervens BBS only.
I arrived in Paris mid August last year. Spent a week with a friend, an ex-2REI Legionnaire, who insisted on feeding me amazing amounts of food. I gained 5 kgs during that week.
Next Monday around 16.45, I am in front of the main entrance at Fort de Nogent. The guy on guard duty has a Serbian name. He asks me in French why I am there. I say in English that I want to join the Legion.
He keeps speaking French and I keep replying in English. He takes me in and I end up sitting for about half an hour inside one of the offices nearby.
I used to speak very fluent French, like 12 years ago, but now I can only understand what is being said, so I decide to declare myself as non-French speaker.
A Chinese looking CCH comes and asks me to follow him after briefly checking my passport. We go to a different building, I pass the pull-ups test. I do 11, but another CCH, an Australian, counts only 5 of them. He also tells me that I am too old for the Legion (me being 30 at that time) and says that I will only be there for one night.
Some French civilian guy, fills out my forms and checks the contents of my bag.
I came with 3 t-shirts, a pair of jeans, 3 boxers and 3 pairs of socks, an old Nokia phone and my passport.
He gives me a uniform for my stay in Fort de Nogent, a black stinky t-shirt and shorts. He shows me to my bed in one of the rooms, after that I get dinner.
Later I find out that the French guys is a former Armée de Terre soldier who want to join the Legion.
He was one of those that most of us disliked, He was bullying us and when someone slapped him, he would report him to the cadre and the guy got immediately kicked out for violence.
This French guy had also failed his initial medical tests, but later on he went home and came back with some medical papers from a civilian doctor saying that he is fit for army life and he got re-accepted.
He made it all the way to Rouge in Aubagne. There was also another French guy who acted out, but the MPs went after him. It turned out he was a deserter from the French Navy.
My stay at Fort de Nogent lasted about 12 days. I befriended a few Romanians, two Americans, a Finnish guy, a Libyan, a Dutch, a Japanese, a Nepalese, a few French guys, some Brazilians and some other South Americans.
Because we didn’t do shit the entire day, besides sitting in the Foyer and eating, I decided to volunteer for every single thing that came up.
So I did corvée toilets every morning with one of the Brazilians and the Finnish guy.
I also got to wash dishes in the officer’s popote (mess-hall) a few times
Help set the tables for a private party of Parisians, who were celebrating the liberation of Paris, by dressing up as American soldiers and driving American second WW2 vehicles.
That was a funny sight, We, foreigners trying to get in the French Army and them, French, dressing up as Americans.
Anyway, got a few glasses of wine out of it.
We did all kinds of medical tests, the Luc-Léger and the pull-up test. Lots of guys come and lots of guys go.
Some have hearing problems, some have bad teeth, some decide that the army is not for them.
Waking up at 5.30 does help some of them to take the big decision of going home.
Oh, and an amazing amount of guys that can’t do pull-ups, not even one! After passing the tests – I just remember another funny thing – we had a retired army general doing the medical test on us.
He was very meticulous, he ordered each one of us to strip and touched our balls to see with we have the desired amount of two.
The ones that pass all the tests get to go to Aubagne each Tuesday and Thursday. The Finnish and the Libyan leave with the group before mine.
My group leaves on a Tuesday, we have some Brazilians, 6 ******* Arabs who everybody wants to beat the shit out of, obnoxious little ****s that steal from everyone, talk bad to everyone and act like they own the place.
One of the Americans from whom I found that has served in Irak, a few French guys and lots of blacks.
We get to Aubagne around lunch time. Stripping and registration routine again plus photo session. I get my tattoos photoed.
The one in charge is a big Brazilian corporal.
I rejoin my Finnish and Libyan friends and befriend some more Romanians, a Japanese-French guy who is in great shape and a few other guys.
There are also lots of blacks and lots of Arabs.
This is the first page, the entire document has 8 pages. I am going to make separate posts in order to make them easier to follow.
Next day, psycho-technical tests, out of the 30 guys in my group only 12 remain: the initial 6 whites, 5 blacks and one Arab.
During our stay in Fort de Nogent we had enough time to check out a few issues of the Képi Blanc magazine and couldn’t help notice the whites to blacks/Asians ratio. The latter are in minority. Now we found out why... the psycho-technicals.
Before getting to Aubagne I was a bit nervous about my physical aptitudes.
All the Africans and some of the Asians could run like crazy and do amazing amounts of pull-ups. Guys going over 25 pull-ups were the norm and not the exception.
The following days in Aubagne pass very quickly, we do corvée in various places where the Legion needs us and we redo all the medical tests.
I even get sent to the Legion’s leisure hotel in Marseille, La Malmousque. I stay there for 4 days together with a Hungarian, the Arab from my group-a Kabilian who made quite some money out of cigarette traficking and 3 French guys: a French gipsy from Marseille, a juvenile delinquent from Paris and big guy from Haute-Savoie (a department in the French Alps).
We spent 2 hours in the morning cleaning the place, I mean really cleaning the place, than we get to watch the sea until lunch, after lunch we get 2 hours to sleep then corvée again and 2 more hours of looking at the sea like idiots, that was an actual order from the CCH in charge, then dinner, corvée again and sleep.
I ate a lot and managed to become a bit of a super star because
I spent 7 years in Indonesia training silat before coming to the Legion. The guy from Haute-Savoie did a few years of kick-boxing and him, being the bully type, was trying to impress himself on me and the Hungarian. We were the only ones not speaking French. I managed to put him on his ass two times without actually injuring him or his pride and the group gets more homogenous.
After our arrival in Aubagne, most of the French speaking guys find out about my silat experience and come to know me.
I forgot to say that during the three days before Malmousque we went to Marseille for chest and teeth x-rays and we also spent two days sitting like idiots in front of the psychologist’s office waiting for an interview.
At that moment my impression was that this was some kind of test. Now I know that the guys there are a small Mafia within the Legion and don’t really give a **** about the volunteers. Oh, and there is the Foyer, where you can buy, snickers, mars and coke or fanta.
It is actually recommended to buy as you won’t be able to change money to get some coffee from the coffee machine downstairs.
Another thing I forgot to mention was that during one of my corvée I got to be paired with a little French prick. He was 18, came from a rich family, his father was an Ambassador and he really believed that he was the only one that was good for the Legion.
So, he took advantage of being French and got three guys sent home by lying to some of the CCHs and CPLs and saying that the guys either stole something or bullied him.
He tried his luck with me and I managed to got out of it as I understood French. This c*nt eventually made it to Rouge with me, along with the American, the Finnish, the Libian, 3 other Romanians, the Japanese from Nogent, 2 Nepalese, some French and few other guys.
While we were Rouge, we did guard duty and were also on charge of the rest of the bunch, we had to make them clean the dorms, take showers etc.
From our first night as a Rouge group we got into conflict with the Russians, a pretty big and homogenous group including some ex-Russia military: Ukrainians, Bielorussians, Moldovans (these wankers are Romanians, but due to historical circumstances they ended up being part of the former USSR and now they speak both Russian and Romanian but hang with the Romanians only when they need something).
We do get to learn a little bit more about each other, the Finnish guy was a Ltn in his country, the American a staff sergent, one of the Nepalese can’t keep his mouth shut and seems to fall asleep everywhere, even during guard duty.
Our group get also joined by a Chinese raised in Paris and a Malagasy that didn’t go with the previous group.
We all want to beat the French c*nt. We almost do it a few times, but he gets lucky and we postpone it for the farm.
After 6 days of Rouge I know that I am going to get ripped off by various people. We pay 15 euros for sandwiches with cheese and tomatoes-like 3 times more than in other places. We pay 80 euros for 40 euros shoes and can’t even choose the model we want and every time the Brazilian CPL in charge with the Foyer opens it we have to buy cans of juice and Snicker bars. "Bye bye money".
During my stay in Aubagne, I spent around 100 euros just on juice (that I gave away anyway", coffee and snickers.
Then an Italian CPL and a very tall French sergeant came to pick us up to go to Castel.
We are a group of 18 and they call us the first fraction.
3 guys, me included have problems with the rangers(boots) they mercilessly chafe on our feet, tendons and nervs and we are already limping.
The sergeant expertly takes the soles off with the army knife and we get to change the rangers. GOD BLESS YOU!
Twitch, forum join Date: Aug. 2010
twitch:
When the guy tried to tell you that you were too old at 30, was he really trying to discourage you or just kinda ribbing you? I'll be trying out at age 30 myself.
Chelu:
For each guy they try to find how motivated he is. They always use something that they think is your weak spot. For me it was the age in the beginning and the fact that I could earn a lot more money with my diploma outside the Legion. Also about the age factor, my section average age was 25 and the oldest 3 were the American, a French-speaking African who was the first to ask civil and me.
Member Sasa92.
Mate gotta ask, anyone get rejected due to scars or lack of medical documentation?
Chelu:
Sasa92. you don't need to bring any medical documentation. Just bring a valid id: passport or id card (EU citizens) and if you want to make it easier for you bring a 6 month new and valid birth certificate-it will help later with RSM (Régularisation de Situation Militaire) procedure. As about scars, the guys that got rejected and had scars, either had medical problems (there was a guy with screws in his bones and the scars were from the operations) or he had scars from self-inflicted wounds.
Chelu:
Part 2:
We get to Castel and get in our quarters. There we meet two CPL's for our Section: a 19 year old ‘Fut-Fut’ from Croatia and another ‘Fut-Fut’ from South Africa. We get assigned to our rooms.
I am in the same room as the American, another Romanian, a small Nepalese, the Libyan, a tall French, a black from a former French colony and a Malagasy.
The young CPL is our Caporal de chambre. We spend the next 3 hours running outside to pick up the stuff the South African was throwing out of the window.
It is night and the Libyan loses his beret. We are in shit, the entire Section. Nights become very long as we all get punished for that beret.
I later find clues that the CPLs hated arabs and threw the beret away to make him a victim and get him to desert. Training started and it will not end until mid January.
We found out that the Section is incomplete and that we have to wait for 2 other fractions. That’s two weeks. In this time we take a Cooper test and most of us do at least 3000 M, another Luc-Léger, but around a football field and with different intervals, pull-up test where I score 10 (minimum was 7 and maximum was 25 by an Ukrainian), and rope climbing test where I score 5.18 sec. Best was 5 sec in my Fraction.
We start doing OS (Ordre serré) marching and singing and also montage-démontage (putting together and taking apart) of the FAMAS.
I am grateful to the Italian CPL that gave us so much useful advice and taught us how to handle the FAMAS.
The other 2 Fractions in my Section would finish instruction without the minimal knowledge on montage and démontage. We are now complete, we realized that we were joined by the exact group of Russians we hate . We were supposed to be 60, but an Ukrainian got postponed, we later saw him in a different Cie, and a Russian got transferred because he told a little French **** that he will sodomise him at the farm . The French complained that he was afraid of being raped by the comorades and he went civil.
Before going to the farm we meet the rest of the CPLs and the NCOs. Bad news, lots of highly decorated former 2REP, 2 REI and 2REG. Our SCH had more medals than the Chef de Corps and we saw him a few times in the Képi Blanc magazine.
Truly amazing person, I learned a lot from his experience.
I don’t want to ruin other guys' farm experience as it is something extraordinary but I will give a few hints: sleep deprivation, food deprivation, a bit of brutality, cold showers.
The farm was from 30 September to 25 October, lots of running, marching and bivouac on top of the hills surrounding the Raisac farm (told you I won’t give names of Cie, section or cadres, but this is for the guys that passed instruction). I ate from the garbage bins, I was praying to get the guard duty to sneak out and steal some apples an figs.
I lost so much weight that it was the first time in my life that I had no fat on my body. I almost feinted a few times, and on top of all, the Képi Blanc march was filmed by TV channel France 3. So we did the whole Cpt Danjou speech in front of his house and we had to pass check points where we were filmed.
First night was at the farm of another CIE. It looked in very good shape compared to the shit where we had spent 4 weeks.
Then march again to the last farm who was a ******* demo version used for parades and shit. The Defense Minister was visiting the Legion and we were chosen to do the whole Képi Blanc ceremony in front of him.
We arrived there around 13.00 having marched since 4 in the morning, almost non stop. We were very happy to have finished and were congratulating each other (8 guys had already quit during the farm). Then came the order, change rangers with rangers for parade and demi-tour droite back 1.5 km.
The assholes from France 3 forgot to film our arrival. We were so demoralised and in pain, I swear, tears would have come out of our eyes if it weren’t for the dehydration.
We did the shit, did the oath, became legionnaires and were waiting behind the building, near the tents with food for a few photos with the minister. Interviews, photos, lots of blabla, but **** we were hungry. And... the food was not for us, it was for the journalists and the Legion vets who had helped with the ceremony.
Some of the guys cracked and stole food. The entire Section was ordered to hit the floor and we spent half an hour in push up position with the cadres lecturing us.
From then on, this was the norm. During our instruction period the only outcome of any action we took, whether we did great or failed was punishment: down to the floor, pompes Coréennes, Santa Rinas to name but a few.
One time, I did pompes Coréennes for 5 continuous minutes until all my fingers were bleeding, when a Brazilian ex 3REI CPL caught me eating some food given to me by other CPL. I had to lie that it was sugar I stole.
The following week after the képi blanc march would see some of our guys ask to go civil: a short Salvadorian (he actually had a broken knee and did the march with it), a Russian whose feet were one big piece of raw meat pie and his breathing was failing him (me and the American had to carry him through the second day of the képi blanc march while the others in our group had to carry his backpack), an Italian, former mountain ranger or something- who got special attention from the Italian CPL who told him every day that he would desert and a few others I don’t seem to remember.
One night, 3 weeks after the farm, 3 French guys and the Libyan hit the road. Military Police interrogatories followed. The Libyan and one of the French were in my room. 2 weeks later they were back in the Cie, but in a different section. The idiots went straight to Aubagne and complained about brutality and racism.
Another batch of MP interrogatories followed, but this time the CIE SOA was involved. An Adjudand-chef from 2REI made it his personal task to get some of our Sergeants kicked out of the Legion and make a name for himself.
I was the only one in my combat group that didn’t see anything and didn’t hear anything. I wrote it down in an official report and had to suffer the consequences for the next 2 months.
We were between the SOA and our cadres, both sides wanting to use us against each other. I chose our cadres. I am old school and, although I don’t like violence, I understand the Legion methods. Plus, if you are a small **** that throws a grenade, be-it and exercise grenade, and the grenade falls at your feet and 14 Leg plus 2 Cpls plus a Sgt have to jump over the protection wall in full gear, you more than deserve the beating that comes.
We were already into two months of instruction when we were told we have to go to Formiguères,(an ski area in SW France) during the official holiday week.
By this time we already knew that we were special. We were not allowed to talk with anyone outside our Section and everybody got punished if someone was caught doing it, even at the mess hall.
We ran 4 times a week and were the only Section to run on week-ends.
After the farm we had a whopping 12 guys in the infirmary. The number was pretty constant for a while. Some of the guys had severe ligament problems. There were also, a broken ankle, a broken elbow, a broken leg and some pulled muscles.
I did hear the Ltn, a young and very fit French, fresh from the ranks of Saint-Cyr military academy, and the SGTs talking that we are one of the fittest Section they ever had, and that was why we were getting special treatment, it was harder for them to break us with physical training.
Perun:
Thank you for posting Chelu. I enjoy reading it. You mentioned that the Italian EV got “special treatment” from an Italian Cpl. What do you think? Would it be kind of rule or of a way that Cpls behave if an EV is from their country (sort of prevention on coruption and nepotism) or I'm on the wrong track here? Anyone else from Croatia, beside that fut-fut? Thanks, Cheers!
Chelu:
One of the Sergeants was from Croatia. Very good soldier, one of the best shooters I've seen. He also had a very fast technique of dismantling the FAMAS which I tried to emulate. A no bullshit guy.
During the farm and the first part of the basic training most of us got some special treatment.
This Croatian Sergeant for example continuously teased a guy from Slovenia, telling him that he should desert as fast as possible or else. The guy did ask civil after 2 weeks of farm.
Later on, the Brazilians got special treatment from the Brazilian Corporal. But the French, well everybody ****s with the French, even the French in the FFL. It is because if you are French you get promoted faster, that's why they try to make sure the only French that make it are, I quote “boule de feu” .
The Russians though, they get helped. We were all tired an shit after the first two months, but it seemed the Ruskies had no problems. We found out why, some Russian CPL and SGT in our company were giving them extra rations at night.
It did make a huge difference during the temporary tests where the Russians were the only ones that didn't drop that much in fitness level.
As for the Romanians, the SCH who was a Romanian would always request the 6 Romanians, the Moldavian, the American, the Finnish and the small Nepalese to work with him, when there was serious work to do, but he always spoke French and only cuss in Romanian.
Perun:
I feel sorry for the Slovenian guy (the word Janez was used a lot I bet ). You said a lot of injuries occurred. Any advice on how to avoid them, or keep them to minimum during farm?
Chelu:
Originally Posted by Don Pedro It happens when the body is reaching the limit of extreme tiredness, in the same time you become an easier victim to infections.**** Exactly. After the farm most of us had infected wounds on our fingers. Frostbite, push-ups on pebbles, polishing rangers and cleaning the FAMAS all add to this condition.
Bring Fastum gel, voltaren or something similar, you will be able to keep it. Do mild stretching every now and then-normally you have stretching session after each running/parcours d'obstacles session, tie your shoe laces properly, brake in your rangers, use two pair of socks during marches (sports and military ones) or/and if they provide you with band aids (our SCH did), use them on your heel and toes.
Always have a full bidon (canteen) of water and drink as much as you can, even if the bidon is a pain in the ass to carry when you are tired. The cadres will make sure you guys drink a lot of water.
Originally Posted by Perun. Is it possible to receive an injury so severe that it may take months to heal? And if so, would you continue roughly where you left off or would you have to start over again?
Don Pedro:
Yes and once up and back on feet, back to where it stopped, thus to finish.
Member PercyWildcat.
Weird, i knew a guy who said he was told he would start over again. Then again, he was full of shit on many subjects.
denmla:
Chelu, I'm going to Aubagne in a few weeks and I saw that you wrote that you had to buy shoes? How much money should I bring with me? I really doubt that I'm going to have 100 euros.
Don Pedro:
Originally Posted by denmla Chelu, I'm going to Aubagne in a few weeks and I saw that you wrote that you had to buy shoes? How much money should I bring with me? I really doubt that I'm going to have 100 euros***** Running shoes, if I were you, I buy those that you can do road and off road with... there's a name for them... all country I think. Or if you already have a pair of running shoes, that solves the problem. Cross country they are called, mixed running, roads and off the roads in mother nature.
Chelu
Originally Posted by MuayThaiGuy
Chelu, would you say the younger you are the better your chances? Ive just turned 18, would they see that as being too young and no experience or an advantage?***** It is more about the attitude and motivation. From day one, whether you go to Aubagne or Fort de Nogent, it should be just Oui Caporal, Non Caporal and just execute the order as best as you can, even if it seems dumb.
Don't think too much about it. As about the shoes you are supposed to buy, you will only have to buy them if you make it to Rouge and they will use the money you receive for working there before you become Rouge-roughly one week to 10 days, so in reality you don't touch the money, it's all on paper.
For MuayThayGuy
Originally Posted by Loustic.
Remember the three pillars : RESPECT, HUMILITY and MODESTY. Start from day one, first minute first second ! Add to it a doses of "VOLUNTEER" for "corvées" like Chelu did. And don't forget DISCRETION when discussing with non legionnaires or on a forum, what Chelu is also trying to do by hiding all names of places and people.
Originally Posted by Chelu
Sasa92. you don't need to bring any medical documentation. Just bring a valid id: passport or id card (EU citizens) and if you want to make it easier for you bring a 6 month new and valid birth certificate-it will help later with RSM (Régularisation de Situation Militaire) procedure.
As for scars, the guys that got rejected and had scars, either had medical problems (there was a guy with screws in his bones and the scars were from the operations) or he had scars from self-inflicted wounds.
Chelu:
For those asking if I am still in or out, please bear with me after a few more posts.
About Voltaren and band aids, the truth is, in the Legion you have the randomness effect- as I would call it, or luck as others do. If you are lucky good things might happen, like having a tranquil basic training without much going around. Again if you are a different kind of lucky, you will have a good story.
Same with the Voltaren, I had no idea I could bring it in and didn't bother, but others, that had relatives in the Legion brought Voltaren, Ben Gay and more. Again some were lucky and the Brazilian corporal allowed them to keep the stuff, some weren't that lucky.
Here goes part 3:
When we went to Formigueres most of us were in a lousy shape. We had to take some tests before going there and my results were: 2700 in Cooper, down 300 meters, 4 pull-ups, down 6 pull-ups, 7.6 sec climbing the cord and under 20 push-ups. Oh and barely manage to swim 100m.( We swam every week for one hour without resting.
The Cpls would wait at the end of the couloir and step on our fingers if we were resting.)
We got lots of food during our so called week off, but no holiday and we still had the rations for lunch, without bread as the Cpls couldn’t be bothered to send one of us to the kitchen and ask for it.
They also refused it when the chef sent bread the third day.
We worked our assess off, we cleaned 8km of mountain road by joining with a local team from the Mayor House, who cut some of the pine trees on the sides. We were carrying the wood and stashing it on the side.
We also went skiing, that is..we marched all the way to the peak of the mountain so that the Ltn could start skiing downhill, the rest of us, Sgts, Cpls and Legs had to march back-it took us one full day.
We did fun things too, we went caving, it was -6 outside and +12 inside. We wore only the uniform pants and vest and rangers. After 1 km caving through water belly deep we had but 5 minutes to get in the GBC. 20 minutes riding in the back of the truck, wet at -6 is an experience we won’t forget soon.
Another day we went to an amusement park, the one with trees and ropes and difficult obstacles courses. Our cadres made us sing our unofficial anthem S2 S2 boule de feu and decreed that if it isn’t max difficulty it ain’t for us.
Few hours later 4 of our guys were stuck 5 m above the ground. We waited in push up position until the cadres got them down.
Saturday night we went to a restaurant, next morning the entire Section had the shits, Cpls included. It didn’t make any difference, so we ran the 8 km, up the mountain this time at -6 in our black gay french Army approved tights.
I got a severe nose bleed and some of the guys almost shat their pants. A French CCH decided that was insubordination if you had to stop for a dump during running, so we all had to write compt rendues in green and red.
7 days passed like this and when we got back to Castel, we were better fed but more tired than before. I also had a cracked rib. The French CCh hates Romanians and keeps calling all 6 of us gipsies, beggars, scum, vermin and other synonyms.
One day in Fourmigueres we are all lined up to the all waiting to reintegrate some materials.
He runs towards us and slams some of us into the wall. He weighs around 120 kgs. He becomes angry at me and all of a sudden he sandwiches me into the wall. The following 3 weeks I suffer chest pain in the right side, have difficulties breathing while running and swimming and a calcified bump develops above one of the ribs.
After watching so many times the treatment guys get after coming back from Infirmary I decide not to ask to go there.
TO THE DAY I CONSIDER IT ONE OF THE SMART DECISIONS I TOOK WHILE IN INSTRUCTION.
And then the guard duty started. We had spent few nights at the farm ironing the TDF and shit, but that was nothing compared with guard duty. At this moment in time, i could iron a shirt better than my mom or any of my previous girlfriends. We also noticed that our Section was the only Section of the CIE that was doing 24 and EIT. The others were doing mess and cuisine. The SOA was taking good care of us, all of us.
Mid November came and we went to Caylus. Normally each Section does 1 week of it, but we did two as there was an exercise regimentaire.
First week was awesome : shooting all day long, throwing real grenades all day long, exploding stuff all day long-I later found out that we were the only Section that did this.
I have no ******* clue from where did our cadres picked up 200kg of old French explosives, but we had an amazing day.
This and the seminars we had with the Sergent from 2REG made me want to join genie. Initially I opted for 3REI, as I had previous jungle experience having lived for 3 months in Borneo with the Ibans, but that is off-limits for legionnaires nowadays.
We did day shooting, night shooting, even 300m shooting. The Finnish guy used to be in the officer sniper club or something and he taught me how to control the breathing while shooting. Thanks to him I had 100% accuracy on all the shooting tests-even with the crappy lunettes de tir.
Second week was the regimental exercise. We were stationed in the same building with another CIE, actually the guys that left for Castel the week before us. Almost 3 months with my Section have already shaped us. Nobody figured why the food and boiled water of the other Section was never enough. We stole everything, mainly because we were hungry, the CIE was a disorganized shithole and nobody gave a **** about us. Heck, nobody gave a **** about the CPLs and they were more demotivated than us.
Imagine, CPL in a combat regiment is a small king, and in our Section they were a little better than us due to the fight between the SOA and our cadres and because of our Ltn being a freshman.
This week on the exercise with the entire regiment is my best memory so far. The action, live rounds, grenades, anti char rockets, helicopter runs, patrolling duty, assaults, city combat, night combat-tous la totale. And the French 24h rations we were getting. Some of us put on 12 kgs during these two weeks mainly because of the rations.
Back at Castel, a Russian deserted. Cpls didn’t like him and made him desert. It took them a while, the guy had 2 years experience in the Russian army in Tajikistan and other stans, was a tough and violent dude that would occasionally beat up some of the colored guys.
Did I tell you we became racist and homophobic ?. He was a very good camarade, but only to the Russians. He got caught with 24 loaves of bread, 2 for each Russian in our Section. 30 minutes of pompes Coréennes plus few sleepless nights, lots of corvee toilet, ironing and guard duty got him.
Last we heard he was caught at the Spanish border. I have no clue how he got there as he had no money and spoke only 3-4 words in French.
Remember the little French cunt we wanted to beat up? Well, cadres liked him as he was such a good asslicker and he made it through farm untouched and without losing weight-he did corvee cuisine every day.
Later on, when he demanded civil he got transferred to Aubagne and now is part of the Legion Music Section or whatever it is called. He posts Legion pictures and youtube movies on facebook. He is the epitome of French Foreign Legion looking so smart in his TDF.
He didn’t do the raid march with us but he will represent the Legion wherever he goes. We hated him and later on the CPLs regretted not letting us get him.
The only bad memory from Caylus was the trip to and from. Our Section never used busses, only trucks, even for cartier libre. The trip back was the worst, trucks on troop carrying mode.
When we stopped to pee, we didn’t obey the order to get off and pee. We couldn’t move, we were completely frozen. They had to climb in the trucks and start slapping us to get us off the bus. I lost three nails due to frost byte.
After 3 days we got to on rapport with the capitaine and to see the chef de corps on the place d’armes, we are all dressed neatly in our TDF. Again no breakfast, and no sleep the previous night.
At 10 o clock, after 1 hour waiting for the chef de corps, in the rain 2 guys faint. The colonel came dressed half in tenue de sport and half in tenue de combat, with his goretex on. He didn’t even look at us when we did the reglementary maneuvers in front of him and the cadres.
Back at the CIE quarters we waited for the rapport capitaine. I went in first. Major de stage and the captain and lieutenant wanted me to be fut fut, but I had to say no.
These two became bloody furious. It seems no one says no to a FFL captain. The sergeants and CPLs were jubilant and they congratulate me.
There was little respect for the officers in my CIE. I am not going to elaborate on this as it is not my problem, no one knew the true reason of my choice.
One night between Christmas and New Year’s I did manage to call home, I had to be sneaky and call at 3 in the morning.
For 4 months it was forbidden for us to call, use internet at the foyer, buy phones etc.
Even during the few cartier libres we had we couldn’t call as we went to a shoping mall area with no public phones.
I found out that my father had another heart attack and has a pace maker. I never had a good father and son relationship with the old man, and when I heard it, it didn’t bother me that much. But , somehow, I couldn’t sleep anymore.
You see, during all this time, I knew I belonged in the Legion. I went through all the instruction without having a watch. By the way, guys, bring a good watch, with alarm and light as it will be usefull during bivouac nights and guards.
So, with all the mental stress, fatigue and the rest, I had no problems with my sleep. Heck, I slept like a baby. But not anymore. After the Raid I made up my mind to ask civil. The hardest decision of my life.
And the day came when we had to go to Aubagne. 15th january. 4 of our guys are still in infirmary with torn ligaments. 2 more are using crutches, one with a broken ankle and another guy has a hearing problem from firing the FAMAS without the BABs. He didn’t go with us.
We went with the French CCH,the Ltn and 3 CPLs, one from our section and two from another. We get quartered at the CAPLE. The building looked like an Easter European jail.
The CCH forbade us to talk to anyone as they were, I quote merde de la Legion. He went drinking with the Ltn and left us with the CPLs.
We managed speak with some of the guys on our floor, they were either legionnaires with injures that made them inapt or guys that have asked civil during basic training.
They told us that our CIE called and said we were the worst bunch and asked the CPL de jour at CAPLE to put guards in every room without a key so we wouldn’t steal. We also had to have guards in our rooms so these guys wouldn’t steal from us Divide et impera mother****ers.
Early the next morning we passed rapport capitaine again.I went in the first and I asked to go civil, everybody wass taken by surprise. Standing outside the door I did get to hear my captain and the other captain agreeing on me becoming fut fut, even if I was major de stage and theoretical could choose the regiment.
After that, the CCH tried to look angry but he was happy as ****. I told you he hated Romanians and the fact that the first two in the final classification were 2 Romanians really pissed him off. He ordered a CPL to take me away and lock me in a room under guard until the rapport capitaine was finished.
In the end, it was me and another guy, a Czech that had asked civil, both with the same reason, family problems. I knew at least 5 other guys that were talking of going civil but didn’t have the guts.
We said our last good byes, all my friends went to their regiments except the 2REP guys. They have a great night with pizza and beers and slept until lunch, they left after that
. The Czech and memoved to another room with the so called civilians.
After spending 2 weeks with these guys I got to see a different picture of what basic training means. I met guys from the other 2 CIE and from the other section in my CIE.
Some of them had past the farm, some hadn’t. Some were in my situation, having finished instruction and asked to go home. From them I found out that my Section was pitied and also given as an example by the cadres in the other CIEs.
Guys in one of the other CIE didn’t do the Kepi Blanc march, they just took the oath at the end of the farm and went straight to the Caylus regimental exercise.
The exercise was considered to be equivalent with the march. Another company did only 25 kms of raid march out of the standard 120. We did 75 only because orders came from up above to finish instruction 2 weeks earlier and when we did the march there were very few cadres in the CIE.
The Section before mine did 120, but they had good rangers and a lot better food than us, standard 24h French combat rations. We were always picked up for piquet d’honneur for various officials visiting the regiment as it seemed we had the best ironed tenue and discipline.
We were the piquet d’honneur for general de Saint Chamas when he had visited the regiment in december. And also the piquet d’honneur 2 times before for the chef de corps and his guests.
I only spent 2 weeks before becoming civil thanks to a degraded CCH that managed to find out that the capitaine with whom I had passed rapport forgot to write that I have already passed rapport with him and put me and my Czech mate in a loop.
For 2 weeks, we cleaned and repaired the CAPLE building. Although in the beginning nobody was differentiating between EVs and Legionnaires, after seeing us work, the Czech and me ended up not doing corvees and other physical work anymore.
Us two and two more Legionnaires that had finnished basic instruction before us were the only ones that didn’t consider themselves civil and kept the discipline and obeyed the orders. The others just wanted to get the money and get the hell out of there, run as far away as possible from the Legion.
Most of them were the Rambo type that complained about not doing commando like training and having to do stuff like the farm that didn’t make sense.
Imagine a team of French EVs, all arrogant and whining bitches trying to change the neon lights. One of them was a certified electrician. In two hours, they managed to change one and broke a second one.
The other team, me, the Czech, an American EV, a British EV and a Polish EV changed all the couloir neon lights on 3 different floors and in 6 rooms. Similar stories took place every time we had to do something.
My personal conclusions from my experience and what I heard from other Legionnaires/EVs: -motivation is key -do take time and prepare yourself for the worst.
Personally, after coming from Indonesia I took 6 months only preparing push ups, pull ups and running-of course after reading this forum. When I got in, I was still taken by surprise.
There is a huge random factor you must anticipate, so always prepare for the worst.
There are 3 basic training Cies: blue first, red second and yellow third, each with 3 different sections. The cadres at these CIEs change periodically, so you might talk to one guy and he will tell you that his CIE was the wors/best experience as in tranquil and when you get in, you might experience the opposite.
Another e.g. in the same CIE, my section starved to death and was literally pushed to the limit during the farm and the next Section with an Ukrainian chef de Section had a totally different experience: they were throwing away food as it was too much and they actually built the body, we destroyed the body and built the mental factor.
After the farm we were a wrecks who could do less than 20 push ups, they could climb the rope 3 consecutive times and told us how cool physical training was and how they got 6 pack and huge biceps.
They never ran more than 5 km and always on the street, we never ran less than 8 and never on the street. We always showered with cold water, them with hot water. And all this took place in the same farm but under different Section.
The other Section, thanks to their chef de section never did corvee toilet or clean the CIE's FAMAS, we did. They also did very little guard time. They were allowed to buy phones and contact families right after the farm. We had to wait 4 months.
-There is always a positive side. With all the shit I've been through, I can tell you that I am grateful to my cadres and what they tried to teach us. We learned things, not from the books but from their experience: basic explosives, both theoretical and practical, basic climbing, city combat, night combat, how to secure and take hostages, how to check hostages for hidden weapons, how to board/get off a helicopter, how to efficiently pack you musette/sack a dos-totally different than the text book etc. All these things are not part of basic training, but we benefit from our Sgts and Cpls experience.
-it is all in the head-up to some point - it ain't over till it's over, and you ar enot the one to decide when it's over -FAMAS is never clean. Never ever tell the SGT that you have cleaned your FAMAS-he will always find some dirty place.
-although you pass through the same crossroad a third consecutive time, keep going, no need to bother with the details. Even if you think the SGT/LTN can't read a map and he can't read a map, it is his job to lead not yours. The soldier's life is a very simple life: Oui/ NO.
-this should be first: the order is like this:civilians, legionnaires, engages volontaires, merde=you. The faster you get this the better.
My experience was reminiscent of the old Legion, almost every week I had some anciens telling me that they=the French killed the Legion and I should have come earlier, 5-6 years earlier.
Hearing about my experience I could see a gleam of hope in their eyes. It used to be like this. The norm is different, very PC nowadays.
When some wanker got the Section in trouble over and over again, the Section would physically teach him a lesson and nobody would bat an eye. Now you can't do this and all the violent guys get expelled real quick. Of course pas vu pas pris pas puni still works.
A sad but true thing in my Section: if you give the young generation the choice between a beer and a snickers, they will take the snickers. Even East Europeans. Must be globalization or something.
Real advice from my friends that had served 5-7 years in the Legion before I joined: if you feel that you can't take it for whatever reason, or if you realise it is not what you want, just ask to go civil, but ask civil after the farm or after the raid march, not in between.
Practical reason: if you ask between the farm and the raid march, your papers would be in progress, meaning you will not receive any money, you get your carte bleu aka debit card after minimum 2 months and it might not even work, you might not access the money.
If you leave after farm, at least you could say you have experienced the worst and have done the Kepi Blanc march.
As my Brazilian nut case CPL would say: Never look for comfort, if you want that, just find a job with Renault, Peugeot or any multinational company. This guy is a ******* lunatic, but he had some very valid points. He was king everywhere he went, he was king in my room as well as in the prison. ******* Selva to the bones.
Always listen to the CPLs. I have to thank the Italian CPL for all the advice he has given us, from breaking in the boots to cleaning the kepi with shaving foam, well the Croatian CPL also taught us that.
In the end I can only say I should have went 8 years ago when I finished university. Fear was what kept me from not going.
Then again, I learnt my lessons in Indonesia. Picking grass at 3 o clock in the morning using only your head lamp it's called a Chinese work day. You will do plenty of those. Going uphill to bring the Sgt a leaf, any leaf and being sent back cause you got the wrong leaf is normal. Sleeping and carrying all over the place a huge rock or a sand sack and calling it your girlfriend is also normal . If you think it is stupid, don't waste your time and money, stay at home!
Chelu:
From a French Foreign Legion Forum : cervens.net
Post from Zanzara
By forum member Zanzara
Posted Nov. 11 2010 by Zanzara on de Cervens legion forum.
Inapte temporaire - going back in 2 weeks
Here's my contribution, tips for EVs and my experience during selection.
I passed all the tests but got inapte temp. (no time frame given) for a medical thing I'll explain later.
I'll go into the details for the wannabes, because I hope this one long post would decrease the number of stupid questions on the board.
Arrived last Tuesday around 10am in Aubagne, found the base but was told they were full and to come back the day after.
In the evening I met a guy at the train station heading to the base, a Morrocan from Italy, so I talked with him.
He said he was told in Nice the post was full and to come to Aubagne. Anyway the night passed quicker but still pretty cold.
The next morning there were around 10 of us, showed our passports to an NCO and were told to wait.
A cch (caporal-chef) came, and told the last four in the line to come to the office and to us others to come back tommorrow.
Thursday we got in, and joined some others on benches below a tent. There's also a heated container with chairs, tables, samples of psycho-test and kepi blanc magazines.
Here as a civilian you wait for an initial interview with a cch. Basic stuff, then you write some of your info and in short why you want to join the Legion.
Then you sign some papers and go back to the tent to wait for your medical. As long as you're here you just sit and eat - btw the food in Aubagne is excellent! I was really pleasantly surprised!
The medical test.
You fill in some papers in the language you ask. If you ever smoked weed don't lie. I ****ed up with one question "do you do any sports", if you train something with a club say so, I misunderstood the question as "do you do any exerscise" so I put in running, which basically I did a bit in the army at the beginning of this year and a bit by myself before coming to Aubagne, but never intensively/with a club. Nothing special.
If you put in running or football and do only 7 and 8 on beep test the "gestapo" will ask you (I'm told) how come you train running and didn't do level 10?
Your height and weight is measured, your heart is checked on some machine.
Now this part is important. The urine test. Use this information. If I knew this back then I'd still be in Aubagne right now doing my motivational and "gestapo" interviews.
You pee, some piece of "paper" is put in it and the paper into a little machine, after a few seconds a little piece of paper with numbers comes out. Sugar, protein level and what not (I didn't know then). Some guys including myself will get strange numbers which make you inapte.
When you do these tests civil YOU DON'T EAT before the tests. In Aubagne you do them after breakfast and lunch. Here you don't drink a lot of water so there's always someone who gets inapte.
I did the test, then did it again. The second time I drank a lot of water and my urine was almost white. I failed the first the second was good, but I didn't know that untill that point.
I thought they were checking THC levels, I got a little freaked since I had marked that I haven't even smoked (which is the truth) but feared I had absorbed some from the smoke of my roomate, eventhough I always close myself in my room when he does his thing.
Anyway, the second test result was ok so I was apte, but both test strips were attached to my file.
So like the cch and adj doctors told me later, watch what you eat (I say don't eat at all) and drink liters of water!
The eye test. I have -0.75 and -0.5 and I could see the smallest letters clearly. Even the smallest letters are quite big, and you look at them from about 5m distance, one eye, then the other eye, and that's it.
You then wait for the colonel (doctor), he checks your body, your breathing, if you can touch your toes and asks some questions like why you want to join the Legion.
If you pass that, you go to a lieutenant and sign a contract, so practically you're not a civilian anymore. They take photos of your face, your scars and your tattoos for the "gestapo".
You move to another building, get into blue sweats, black t-shirt and in this colder period a goretex vest. You'll have this t-shirt untill you pass the psycho-test and the physical.
The psycho-test.
I call it the panic test, because anyone with normal IQ and above can do it if HE DOESN'T PANIC. My tips...
Always be calm, there's enough time, for the first part more than enough. Don't go jumping out of planes and swimming with crocodiles during the test. The time you see counting towards zero is just to help you manage time and like this calm you down, it's not a death timer.
You'll be shown how to do the test before you start, don't worry. You're doing it on a computer. Remember this - in the first part (20min, 20 questions), if you can't solve figure out a question in 10 seconds, skip it.
I skipped nearly a half and reached the end with 12min left. Then I came back, did all with 7min left. Those I spent on checking everything again. Remember - if you're not 100% that you're right with a question, deselect, otherwise if you're wrong you lose points. I did all questions at in the first part.
Second part is numbers (36q,20min). I think more than a half is relatively easy, just some sequences of adding and multiplying. Unless you really sucked at math, you'll manage it. Spend about up to 15-20sec on each, if it seems too complicated in the first 5sec, skip it. I had enough time to do about 30 if I remember correctly. I had the time to check them and some I just looked at and couldn't figure out. My head hurt heh.
Third part some symbols, simetry, very fun. 36q,20min. Do the same as with the second part.
Remember - remain calm, do not worry.
If you get called for the personality test, it means you've passed the psycho-test. On this last test you can't fail, there are no right and wrong answers. However the caporal's instructions in English had double meaning so I later figured out I did it the wrong way. Basically, with plus you select an adjective that applies to you, and minus that doesn't.
The physical.
Ehhhh....The minimum is 7 paliers for the beep test and 4 pull-ups. No rope, no abdominals. Easy.
However don't be like me and overestimate your fitness, I was unpleasantly surprised to see I could do only 7 paliers. I passed, because we were 5 in the group with pretty much equal fitness.
In the other full group a guy had 7 and 7 pullups and got inapte 3 months. And watch this, in that same group a guy did 6 paliers and 3 pullups and passed. A guy who did the test the day before me did 5 paliers and passed. It all depends. Do at least 8,9 to be sure.
If you passed the physical you get a green t-shirt. Go back to the infirmerie and do the ear test. You get in a closed space with a window, put on a pair of headphones and raise your hand when you hear beeps. As soon as you hear the beeps start raising hands, I though it was the cch was just turning on the machine and testing it so I missed the first few beeps.
Then you get a little tuberculosis shot and the adj draws a wide circle around the spot. In 2,3 days you will get checked and if the spot grows beyond the borders of the circle you fail. It basically tests your resistance. I hear Africans fail this in drows, since they don't get the appropriate vaccines when they're young like we from more developed countries do.
Now the called me to do the urine test again. I failed twice, since I drank no water that day and had a big lunch. The colonel then finally told me what's the problem and told me to come back with a medical certificate (translated into french) that I have no diabetes and no kidney problems.
If I had known this before, I would've skipped breakfast and lunch and drank water like crazy, and passed it like i did it a few days before that.
The other Dutch guy had the some problem and we both were given inapte temp (no time frame given). It's silly, I did a urine and blood test last NOV for the army and passed.
A Serbian the week before had the same problem, but when then called him to go out he argued with a couple of cch for a while and then they called him tommorrow to do the test. He ate nothing, drank water and passed. He's been selected rouge yesterday. Good guy!
The Dutch guy went to Marseilles to do the test in the military hospital next week. I decided to go back to Italy and do two weeks of fartlek and some intensive training to add a palier or two to my beep test capabilities. After that I'll go to France and meet a French guy I met in selection (he's the one that did 7paliers and 7 pullups and got inapte). I'll do the diabetes test in Marseilles, have a few beers, sober up, grab the results (sure hope I won't be unpleasantly surprised!) and head for Aubagne.
I won't have to do the psycho-test again because the results remain for 18 months according to a cch. I heard I don't have to do the whole medical either, but I'm not so sure about that.
There's so much I could write about but it's already so long, I only talked about the tests, if you have any questions about this or abour other aspects of selection, shoot. Just don't ask me about the interviews, I haven't done any.
Perdi molte opportunità per stare zitto.
From a French Foreign Legion Forum : cervens.net
Post from Chval
By forum member Chval
The Ultimate EYESIGHT / EYEGLASSES Thread. (once and for all).
Okay: I wear glasses, all the time. I just finished basic training at Castel. I understand how much anxiety people with glasses would have before they go to join la Legion and I also understand how annoying it is seeing stupid threads asking the same question about eyesight over and over again.
So here it is: the frigging ultimate thread about eyeglasses/eyesight and joining+basic training. I will try to tell what I know and experienced and answer the questions if anyone got any (not much freetime during the weekday though).
1.People with glasses can still join. Usually in one rouge section at Aubagne there will be one or two guys wearing glasses, its not unusual. The only disadventage for people with glasses in selection process is probalbly just the "sport aptitude" score (how 'athletic' you look, not how much you can run or pull-up), which is not a big deal. If you can still do running and pull-up, be reasonably intelligent, then its fine.
2.But if your eyesight is horribly bad like more than -8.0 and you need to wear the lens of 2 cm thick then you will fail the medical test in the preselection in the fist time. Other than that its fine. Im -3.5 and could get pass the selection, like lots of other eyeglasses wearing people.
3.Mild color blindness is Okay. as long as you can manage to get pass the color test. A buddy of mine is mildly color blinded, he just got a crappy markmanship score in basic because he couldn't see the orange triangle at the target and thats all.
4.If you wear contacts, bring them to Aubagne, but dont wear them there. Wear your glasses instead. Because in Aubagne you will not 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 (along with dictionary and shit) with you to castel. There you will need them.
5.Dont wear fancy glasses. In Aubagne its probalbly fine but in castel you will have to tape you pink-colored glittering playboy eyeglasses with black duct tape for se camouflage. So go find a low-profile dorky glasses one before you leave for Aubagne.
6.If you want high markmanship score, get yourself a prescription glasses with ballistic clip-on (like mine). Because its obligatory to wear protection glasses in the shooting range and the ones they provided in Castel is foggy and shitty, not to mention emcumbering with your prescription ones. So I got my own ballistic clip on in and scored higher than most people with normal eyesight (cuz they got foggy glasses and couldnt see the target). This is very important if you want to choose specific regiment, because shooting score is highly weighted and if youre good at shooting you will get very high placement, hence the first to select the regiment.
7.Forget 2REP and 1REC People with glasses will got "inapte TAP" and "inapte AMX pilote/tireur" branded on there forehead after medical exam in castel. No problem with other regiments.
8.Bring a pair of back up glasses with you. Lots of harsh activity in basic training. Also make sure you have a hard-shell case for your main glasses.
9.You can take your glasses maintenence kit or contacts with you in Aubagne and Castel. Just tell the CPL/CCH that's they are for your glasses/contact.
10.You will get a pair of dorky heavy shitty army-issued glasses at nearly the end of basic training in Castel, along with a pair of insertion for gas mask. I tried them one day and never use them again. (the one for gas mask is neato though)
11.If you have a prescription swimming goggles, bring them along for using later in castel (not in Aubagne). There are some swimming/diving test and some weekend if youre lucky you can go to the swimming pool.
12.A sunglasses clip-on would be nice for your holidays in Pyranee. Not necessary though.
Oh and if you have done eye surgery before you have to wait for at least 1 year. And even then I dont know if you will have problem with REP/DINOP or not. (high/low pressure)
Thats all I can think of now. Post any question if you have and I will answer them when I have a chance.
TOP
From a French Foreign Legion Forum : cervens.net
Post from Phantom 309 known as Big Al
My selection and basic.
Ok guys, first off I need to apologize for how long it has taken me to write this.
It's eleven months since I joined up and five since I got back. To be honest it took me a little while to formulate my thoughts and get my annual beer consumption quota up.
More recently I work some crazy hours on a farm.
This account of my time in the Legion is not exhaustive, even as I read it back I think about stuff I've missed out, but at well over 11,000 words it's already groaning under it's own weight, so I'm just going to have to draw a line somewhere and let you judge for yourselves.
Second thing that needs saying is a big thanks to Cpl K. Apart from all the work on the forum, he put himself out to run me to Aubagne, buy me a McDonald's and take me round the museum before I joined (worth a look as you may not get the chance otherwise). Really solid bloke (and got me to thinking about keeping a gas mask in my car).
So here it is, crude yet revealing, of myself as much as the Legion. Don't take the piss.
C'est parti...
It's a bit of a moment walking up to the gate in Aubagne to join, scary, exciting and enough to make you question your own sanity.
The guard in full TDF pointed me towards the office where an eastern European caporal-chef met me and asked all the stuff you would expect, like – was this the first time I tried to join the Legion? Any trouble with the police back home? Etc.
He went through my things and changed my name to Stafford (decent English name I thought, thanks God, given some of the stories I've heard) and had me sign the contract before taking me up the hill to the pre-selection building, something you bypass I think if you join in another city.
There is a definite smell on the base in Aubagne. I think it must be the vegetation or something, a sort of sharp almost acrid scent that is the first thing you notice when you wake up in the morning.
The first CCH handed me over to a huge German CCH (who was quite mad) with 15+ years service that looked like a 'roided-up Popeye gone to seed. He took one look at my nice new name and started taking the piss out the first CCH for choosing it. “We can no call you Stafford, that name of dangerous dog. We call you S***, good English name!” Erm, no it's not, I thought. Ok, S*** what? Seeing my acceptable name for the next few years going out the window, “We call you A***** S***.” Oh. Ok Mr Huge German CCH. I mean, what you gonna do?
The mad German showed me to a room where I could dump my stuff and put me in another room with desks and a TV. There was another recruit there, a Brazilian that struck me as a good guy despite our language barrier. We had to hang around in this room watching Legion videos (every language but English it would seem) and after a while a couple of Arabs and a very shifty Frenchman showed up. At about six the CCH took us down to the mess for dinner.
To this day I honestly do not know if what we were served that day was animal or vegetable. If it was meat it was rotten, if it was vegetable it was probably rotten. Oh dear God, what have I just signed up for? I survived the ordeal however and it was back to the selection building where I did my first bit of corvée and dossed about 'till bedtime when the CCH fixed us each with a stern gaze and solemnly issued the order - “No wanking.”
The next day was corvée, breakfast and a quick medical. The Brazilian and the shifty Frog were sent packing and me and the two Arabs were taken down to the recruit selection building where we had everything taken off us (except a watch if you had one and whatever money you had been allowed to keep at the gate, in my case non) and were given a black T-shirt, shorts, socks, some horrendous trainers and a basic wash kit. I also got hit for the first time in the Legion by the big black Brazilian CCH (who was quite mad) that ran the stores. You would think that doing what the French speaking Arabs were doing would be a good idea eh? No.
We were bunged into what I came to think of as general population, all the blues and greens in the yard with the Rouge section loitering on the benches by the entrance like a bunch of White Lightning drinking teenagers on a street corner. You basically hang out in the yard, sticking to the shade and shooting the shit with the other recruits, it's too hot to use the chin up bars or other equipment so you just try and chill out until the siren goes that summons you to the front of the building, where names are read out to go to tests or corvée. The corvée will take up huge chunks of your day, the most common one being working in the kitchen after meals. This can last for a couple of hours to all day long and makes a surprising number of people jack it in and ask to go home when the CCH asks each morning. I remember bursting into laughter mid way through a six hour solo pot scrubbing session, neck swollen in a reaction to the apron I was wearing and sweat dripping into the basin, when “It's a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong came on the radio in the other room. Yeah Louis, fucking wonderful.
Some of the recruits that show up will blow you mind for one reason or another. I met a crazy German neo-nazi covered with knife scars, middle aged professionals with all sorts of reasons for joining, a Czech guy that seemed amazed by the amount of paperwork he'd had to do in Paris when he showed up with a Browning 9mm. Most if not all of these nutters get dropped one way or another. You have to be careful who you speak to and who might overhear you. One incident that I found very strange involved a 40ish year old black guy that spoke French and some English. I chatted with him a bit but got a bit of a weird vibe off him. Afterwards I was foolishly discussing my undeclared drug using past with a Dutch guy without realising this guy was sitting nearby. No drama. The next day I was at the mansion helping prepare for some wedding reception for the colonel's daughter or something while a CCH (who was quite mad) tried to orchestrate twenty recruits with the sole command of “la-bas!”. Guess who walks by in a full colonel's uniform, yup, our fellow recruit. Weird.
To be honest I can't remember the exact order of the tests that we did but it's not really that important. We did a computer test for numeracy and visio-spacial ability as well as a sort of “are you a psycho” test. It's not the sort of thing you can or need to prepare for, if you managed to make it to France on your own then it should be a breeze. Nevertheless, some people still got binned afterwards, go figure. Bits of it were like the British armies BARB test (or the “What colour is the red bus?” test, as I call it) but overall it was a bit lame I thought. Rigorous psychological testing my arse.
There were a few separate medicals, some just to give you jabs, and others for eyes, hearing etc. A shaven headed CCH (who was quite mad) in the infirmary did our eye test. When it came to my go I walked in, presented and was greeted by a torrent of screamed abuse. Out came the colour-blindness booklet, with numbers in made up of dots. I got to the last one, “Quatre-vingts-huit.” Wrong answer. “Quoi? Est-ce que tu es un putain de mongol?! C'est quel putain de numero, putain mongol debille?!” Erm, well, I thought that to some it could be seen as 86 “Quatre-vingts-six?” Wrong again, this shit continued for the whole test. A few days later when we went back he sat there nice as pie and chatted to us all, me included. I later found out that he has a rep for picking one or two guys a day to just tear the shit out of in order to make his life a bit more interesting, just not my day I suppose. You also get a hearing test and a colonel has an enthusiastically thorough examination of you bollocks. I forget the details, they're not important, there is enough already written on this site about the ins and outs of selection testing and I'm not going to go into it all over again.
The infamous “Gestapo” interview is nothing to worry about. In fact I didn't even realise I was having it until it was over, I just thought I was filling in forms for them to quiz me over. A big Spanish Chef who spoke appalling English had me fill in forms about family history, criminal background, countries I'd visited, all sorts like that. I even had to write about “what I want make in the Legion” - You'd think they could put a bit more effort into this stuff, like getting an English speaker to write the questionnaires. I lied a bit, how the hell were they going to find out? We then went through it and the chef put the info on a computer and fingerprinted me. That was it, no lamp shone in my eyes, no slaps in the face with leather gloves or “Vays of making me talk!” Bit of a let down really.
The tests lasted about two weeks before the rouge commission. Once you have finished all the tests and are just waiting for the commission you will probably be sent for corvée off-base. The day before the commission (my birthday as it happens) I was sent to work at the Maison des Légionnaires, a sort of retirement home for the old boys, others got sent to the vineyard at Puyloubier. It was very strange and to be honest a bit depressing to see the state some of these old boys were in. There were veterans from Algeria and Indochina who had lost the plot or had physically had it and were looked after by their more able bodied comrades. The guys in the kitchen were cool and fed me and this Romanian guy I went with pretty well, including caviar (?!) while the local radio station played Robbie Williams songs with the chorus in English but verses in French. Bit surreal I thought. I made the decision then that if I ever got to that condition in life, Legion vet or not, I'd put a twelve bore in my mouth and meet my maker. Even so it was nice to see that camaraderie can survive the years, without each other these guys would have nothing.
The fact is that all the selection could be done in a much shorter time period if they cracked on with it. I think it drags I order to give people plenty of reflection time on what it is they may be in for. Each day the bearded CCH (who was quite mad) would do the role call and then pause, survey the crowd, and almost whisper “Qui partir civil?” Most days there would be one or two guys that decided to jack it all in who would be made to wait, facing the wall, until the admin guys could be bothered to start the paperwork. I was ecstatic when two or three of the little French shits that were in my room as greens asked for civil the day before the commission, I didn't fancy training with those twats getting us punished all the time. I'd be lying if I said I never had my doubts, the shitty daily grind gives you plenty of time to think “what the **** am I doing here?”. It's difficult to say why you don't just chuck it and say “bollocks, at least I had the guts to come here, now I'm off home”, I suppose my only answer at the time was that I couldn't face the humiliation of showing up at home a week after my grand departure with the explanation that I didn't like the pot washing, that and I knew that in the long term “At least I had to guts to come here....” wouldn't cut the mustard. What changed it all for me was one night when I was still green, we had all just got to bed when the siren went off to call us to assembly. Wtf?! So off we went in our posing pouch Legion issue pants (I believe the Americans would call them banana hammocks, we looked like some very low-rent chip 'n' dales when shower time came round) and flip-flops to the front of the building where the CCH explained some infraction we had committed to do with lights being on after extinction des feux, next thing we were doing knuckle press-ups on the concrete. This is more like it! I thought, This is a bit more Legion! I went to bed with bleeding knuckles and grinning like a spanked chimp. No more doubts, I was there to be a bad ass.
The Polish CCH (who was quite mad) that was in charge of the Rouge section when I was there is probably the hardest looking, hardest acting man I have ever seen. I think he is literally the poster boy for the Legion, I've seen him on a banner or something somewhere. I can't remember his name but he had a face that must have been chiselled out of granite and spoke in three volumes, loud, very loud and a you've-really-fucking-done-it-now loud. My first introduction to him was when I was a green waiting to do an interview with an adjutant, sat in the corridor and I heard apoplectic screaming coming from the direction of the rouge section. Next thing the rouge guys were doing the marche canard up and down the selection building while the CCH gave them shit for something or another. Just stare straight ahead, I thought, Don't make eye contact.
For the commission we were all lined up with our kit in musettes under the glare of the Polish CCH. If our names were called we shouted “Present, mon Adjudant!” as loud as we could and left the rank to join the others that had been selected. Then ensued my first Legion beasting, lots of sprinting up and down, press-ups, sit-ups, marche canard etc until everyone was about to or already had puked up. “Qui partir civil?” the Chef would demand as we did laps of the exercise yard, “Pas moi Chef!” would come the reply as we passed him. When it was all over and no one had quit we were taken to the magazine where we were given our combats and sports gear that defined us as rouge.
The week you spend as rouge is spent learning the code of honour, le Boudin and how to present. One or two guys asked for civil in that time. You also have to sort out the greens and blues at night and pull two hour guard shifts standing in a box or doing laps or the building with an iron spike. Oh, and corvée of course. The CCH was a real hard case but I got the impression that he was like that because he actually gave a shit about how we turned out. The second group that joined us to complete our section at Castel had a different CCH and didn't know the code of honour or anything when they showed up, much to our annoyance. Towards the end of the week we went for a very pleasant run with the CCH and received our green berets and went to the museum to receive our contract from an Adjutant in the hall outside the tomb of Capitaine Danjou. We then sorted out our kit and, very early in the morning, got the train to Castelnaudery.
There was a very different vibe when we reached Castel. No poncing around in Kepis Blanc, everyone wore berets like a combat regiment. We piled off the bus and grabbed our sac-a-dos and other bags before being herded up to the corridor that would be out home for the next few months (the top bloody floor). The eastern euro CPL that had met us in Aubagne started screaming his instructions at us, I'm pretty sure in a calculated “Let's 'shit' them up” kind of way. One of the French guys actually tried to explain what he had been up to and was dropped by a sternum kick by the CPL. Lots of orders were given re getting bags in rooms and before long we were installed in our new gaffs, six per room.
We spent a week in Castel, waiting for the second “fraction” that would make up our section. The time was spent learning the Chant de compagnie and, when we had got that, the chant de section. There was also a ridiculous amount of time devoted to ironing the fourteen razor sharp creases into the chemisette dress uniform before the new Capitaine took over command of the company and we all had a bit of a piss up in his honour. Wake up was at 5:30 am each day, make the bed, corvée chambre, breakfast and then a day of singing or learning basic presentation etc. After a week we were sick of it and couldn't wait for the “new” guys to arrive so we could get on with the whole basic training thing. Having said that, it wasn't without a certain amount of trepidation that we looked forward to the farm. Lets face it, we've all seen the documentaries, read the books, and Legion basic training is never portrayed as a complete cake walk, is it? I spent a fair time sat on the balcony overlooking the parade square talking with my freakishly tall American friend about what was in the pipeline, what might happen to us and what could be in store for us afterwards. Probably the coolest thing that happened in that time was my first real introduction to the Legion marching when, sat on the balcony with my mate, the low bass of a hundred plus men singing began to grow. Within a minute about a hundred and twenty men from the CIC, complete with képi blanc and FAMAS, marched in step across the place d'armes, singing about death and honour in low and serious tones. It was quite a spectacle
After ten days in Castel the other fraction had arrived and we were ready to go. We were all issued with our FAMAS and packed up the kit we needed for one month on the infamous farm (hot tip: even if you a going in the middle of Summer, take your olive green fleece, it gets fucking cold at night on guard duty. I didn't take mine and my god did I regret it).
We loaded up on the bus for the thirty minute drive to the farm of 3eme Compagnie with FAMAS and musette (I triumph of French design, I can't comprehend how much thought must of gone into the design and manufacture of such an inefficient backpack that could cause so much pain and discomfort). We were dropped off in what seemed to be the middle of rural France, at the end of a long drive. We formed up and double timed it the kilometre from the road to the actual farm building, sweating like paedophiles in a playground due to the Summer heat. We checked our rifles into the armoury and were lined up on the small field next to the orchard while the caporaux assessed our ability for perform demi-tour, droite and à droite, droite! etc. We then had to get all the equipment and food we needed for the next month off the lorries and stored away correctly. Food, camp beds, ammunition, targets, tents (for the cadre) etc all of which must of taken at least a couple of hours. It gave me a bit of a chance to look around and get my bearings, I couldn't help but think Fucking hell, I'm actually here. I've seen the documentaries, read the stories but now I'm actually at the fucking farm, **** you lot who didn't believe I'd do it! The farm for the 3eme Compagnie, called Raissec, is in its own little valley surrounded by pitons, most of which had well worn dust tracks running up their steep sides and I thought Yup, we'll be getting to know them pretty well.
Next thing we were assigned our binome and put into groups with our SGT and CPX and set up our beds in one of the three Spartan (ie empty except for the shelves) rooms that made up the EV accommodation. One of the caporaux had an iPod dock that he used to blast out The Prodigy while we got our kit laid out just as the powers that be required it. I don't know if it was because it was the first English music I'd heard in a while or what, but I remember feeling pretty excited at the prospect of what was to come.
When we were finished we were taken outside and guess what? We were introduced to the pitons by the Spanish sgt (who was sous-officier adjunct), who spoke such heavily accented French that I honestly thought he was speaking Spanish for the first week. First off it was Anne-Marie, the steepest and closest to the main building which had a big flaming grenade emblem on the side made of stones and broken glass. This was of course not done fast enough and because we failed to actually say hello to Anne-Marie, we were off again. Next it was Eliane...
The day to day routine of the farm doesn't really change throughout the whole month. Your watches are taken off you on day one so you have no real idea what time it is. You get up early and shave in cold water, blearily staring at yourself in the mirror and wondering what the **** you are doing there. Breakfast (a small bread roll and coffee). Corvée. Rassemblement. Singing or some shit, lessons of some sort. Corvée. Lunch. Corvée. More shit. Dinner. Corvée. More shit. If you're really unlucky it might be your turn to wait on the table for the sous-officiers, running in to take them the next course whenever the belligerent bastards ring the bell. You do this in whatever kit you were wearing when you get called, I was fingered for the job and had to serve lunch in full camo paint with gilet and and assault rifle slung on my back. Once again, weird.
I heard a few different versions of what the farm was like from other recruits in the week we spent in Castel. Some said the biggest problem was the lack of food, others it was daily punishing runs or the freezing cold if they had been there in winter.
Our Chef obviously had a penchant for sleep deprivation. Don't get me wrong, the food was low protein crap in short supply and we all lost a shit load of weight, but the lack of sleep was, in the long term, absolutely crippling.
Not having watches we never knew when we went to bed or got up but there were nights when the moon barely moved between sleep and waking. One night we were woken after what I reckon must have been no more than thirty minutes of sleep to grab our sacs-a-dos and go charging off on a night march. Before a week was through we were like the walking dead. Whenever we had a lesson in the salle de cours there was a bucket of cold water brought in for us to dunk our heads in to wake ourselves up. It took barely an instant after sitting before we all had to stand up to stop us falling asleep in the lesson, and even then I'd catch myself slipping off, knees buckling beneath me. Due to the lack of sleep and the constant standing our legs were knackered through the constant effort. It's not worth getting caught having a cheeky sit down or it'd be tours of the farm with a backpack full of rocks. There is an expression used about crap street fighters in the UK - “He couldn't fight sleep” Anyone that says that has never been as tired as I was at the farm, I even fell asleep while marching along singing and one night on guard was convinced that a Mitsubishi evo 8 with a massive spoiler was parked near the armoury. It turned out to be a bridge. Not hallucinated like that since I was a student.
I remember one night very early one where they kept us going late into the night with a surreal mind-f***. We made camp down in the orchard and they drove in a lorry with a load of lights on to illuminate the scene, it was all a bit clockwork orange. We were running about and doing press-ups for ages, unable to perform any task fast enough or well enough, then we were lined up and shown how to use a fire extinguisher (no explanation given), up to the gare, “demontage FAMAS”, “remontage FAMAS”, sing, back to the FAMAS, break camp, up the piton, make camp, break camp, down the piton, make camp, at least eighteen seconds sleep and then off we go again. A real mind f***.
On the physical side I found it a bit disappointing. Apart from the constant beastings and apperatifs (en position, tout le monde!) we didn't work on our fitness at all. Proper runs were only done once a week, as were marches. The marches were horrible. Whatever farm you might go to pray that you don't get a lunatic 2eme REP man as your SGT. The pace he set was more than a little punishing, I don't think there was a march were my group didn't finish at least twenty minutes before the next one despite never leaving first. Apart from the pace he set he obviously didn't believe we needed water or rest throughout the course of the night and drinking on the march was forbidden. While another group got a SGT from 2eme REI with a bit of pace on him (but were allowed to drink, however) I definitely think we had it the hardest. The marches themselves were all done at night except the first one. Some of them were hellish. When you start you're already tired, you don't know what time it is, how long you've been going, how far there is to go or where you are. Some nights it was so dark you couldn't see more than a few yards in front of you. The disorientation along with the flaming agony in my legs (more on that in a second) sent my mind into some very dark and introspective thoughts. I did however gain a real respect for my sergeant, he struck me as a proper hard case soldier. I'm under no impression he liked any of us, and if he did he'd never show it, but I couldn't help but think that if I could clone him and create an army I'd take over the world no problem. I later found out he'd just got out of prison for hospitalising a recruit from the previous section.
A word on Rangers: The issue boot for the Legion is, in my opinion, absolute complete and utter shit with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. There were times on the farm that my feet looked like they had a flesh eating virus, I got blisters that covered half my foot and after a couple of weeks part of my right heel started to come off. I developed a shin splint and lost most of my toenails, I also had a very weird sort of blood blister on one foot that was invisible until you crinkled the skin up so I was able to hide it from the SGT (probably very stupidly) and avoid going to the infirmary back in Castel, like some guys did. By the end of training I found that by mummifying my feet in elastoplast, wearing two pairs of socks, doing my laces up so tight that it crushed my calves and buying some new insoles from the foyer, I could survive relatively blister free (at the cost of other problems) if still sore. I developed tendinitis up both my Achilles heels which made it painful just to put my boots on, let alone march anywhere. Some guys had no problems (bastards), others had equal or even worse than me. Some of it was probably due to the crap socks we had, some a lack of conditioning, but either way they were fucking shite as far as I was concerned. The training staff all wore boots they'd bought themselves for the march, lucky buggers.
It was about a week before the first guy deserted, a Lithuanian guy that spoke good English. I admit I didn't see it coming. He was hunted down by the staff and we never saw him again. As a result we were made to sleep in the gare, a sort of outdoor hanger that housed the gym equipment. Each night we would carry out our camp beds and sleeping bags (another crap piece of issue kit) and line up by group so the caporal de jour could see and count us in the night. Considering how hot it was in the day it was freezing by night. We weren't allowed to wear anything in bed other than our pants and the Summer sleeping bags were totally useless, as a result there wasn't a night where I didn't wake up shivering at least once with my legs cramping. You had to be careful in the morning as you leapt out of bed because your legs would be so stiff you could easily find yourself crawling on the flaw unable to walk. It was only a few days later that the second guy deserted, a French kid that looked like he was about twelve and I had been expecting to jack it in from the beginning. After that the staff locked our boots and trainers away each night, harder to desert barefoot.
It wasn't just the Ev's that deserted. In an incident I'm not going to elaborate on for various reasons (you never know who might read this) a caporal (who had been drinking, which was common) lost the plot completely, put a carving knife through a Ukrainian recruits arm and deserted. 'Nuff said.
It wasn't all shit though. I have never seen stars as clear or as numerous as one night on guard duty, I remember thinking it must be like that in the desert or out at sea where there is no light pollution. The commando raids we launched at night targeting the sweetest plums I've ever tasted that grew in the orchards. Good memories.
The actual training was basic. Weapons handling, assault course, navigation and some woefully inadequate French lessons. We did some orienteering exercises, learned how to use obsolete radios and got the basics of NBC and laying explosives (a lot of these lessons were done by a large group of guys on their cadre instruction course that were with us for a week or so), we also played in some zodiacs. We got to fire grenades, which resulted in us setting fire to the dry grass by the assault course and having to run around in the choking smoke with beaters trying to put it out. We did night exercises and bivouacked a lot. Tip: For gods sake put your FAMAS in your sleeping bag when you sleep, it's so obvious a thing to do I couldn't believe it when the morning after our first night camping about six guys had had their weapons stolen in the night by the SGT. You don't want to be one of those guys. Never leave your weapon unguarded! I had a little smile the first time I squatted down in the toilet with a rifle propped up against the door.
You also do a shit load of singing on the farm, learning various traditional songs as well as singing le Boudin before each meal. At time you'd think you'd joined a very brutal choir, not an army. Tip: get le Boudin right early or it will cost you a lot of food. We also had nights around the camp fire where we were made to sing songs in our own language, so go equipped with some dirty rugby songs or something. I had non, but still got a resounding round of applause for my rendition of “I am the highway” by Audioslave.
A month to the day after we got to the farm we left on the infamous marche Kepi Blanc. We set off early in the morning with about 20kg of kit on out backs and marched all day, while we were waiting to set off our caporal made us all name our rifles, I called mine Rachel, she was hard and dark and broke my heart...
To start with I quite enjoyed the walk, we climbed up a ridge line and the SGT let us pause to turn around and admire the view of snow capped mountains in the distance while the burning orange of the dawn sun rose over the horizon. In true Legion march fashion though it soon became an exercise in head-down-and-ignore-the-pain.
When we made it to the camp site that evening the huge Finnish guy in my group turned round and high-fived me with a big grin. There was beer, a bit of wine and plenty of terrible food. The next day we set off early and trudged on for about half a day, by which time I was really flagging. Let's face it, the march itself is hardly a feat of super-human endurance but, after a month of the farm and having lost about 10kg in bodyweight it wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
We finished our march at 2eme Compagnie's farm (a holiday resort in comparison to Raissec) in the early afternoon, I couldn't believe it was actually finished, I had been steeling myself mentally for at least another 10 kilometres. I think that enough people were knackered that the Chef thought we'd better stop before they started collapsing.
We showered , ate and got into our tenue parade before hanging around (no sleeping though) waiting for the ceremony.
During this time a load of coaches showed up full of sixteen year old kids that were from a military lycee – a sort of college, that were doing a tour of all things Legion as some sort of field trip I think. When it came time for the ceremony they assembled off to one side of the field to watch us swear the code of honour and don our Kepis.
I'd like to say that receiving the Kepi Blanc was the proudest moment of my life but, to be honest, it wasn't (though now I come to think about it, I'm not sure what is). Once again I had an attack of the Holy fucking shit, I'm here, I'm actually doing this! feeling I had when first at the farm, but I couldn't help but feel it should have been harder to earn in some way, that the mythical bonds of brotherhood forged with your comrades over the course of training should have been a lot stronger than they were. It just wasn't, like so many things in the Legion, as I'd imagined it would be, and as a result it felt somehow cheapened.
The captain gave his speech, ending with “Coiffez vos kepi blanc!” and as one we lifted our kepis in front of us, placed them on our heads and returned our arms to our sides with a perfectly synchronised slap. The eastern euro guy in the middle of the front rank (who was a real twat) strode solemnly towards the captain, saluted, and promised that we would serve “...avec honneur et fidélité!” He returned to the rank and started us off for the code of honour “Legionnaire....!”
As we filed off the field towards the waiting BBQ and beer that we'd set up, the Chinese guy in front of me (who was a real nancy boy) was limping and moaning. A combination of wrecked feet and brand new stiff parade rangers meant that more than a few of us were walking like John Wayne with a bum full of cocks. I growled at him to march properly, he was a legionnaire now after all. Pride at my new found status as a legionnaire? Maybe. Or it could have been because about a hundred sixteen year old French schoolgirls were watching.
I rode back to Castel in the back of a lorry with all our kit in and the CPL telling me stories of his instruction. It was cool, whipping along at night, my new kepi on my head, looking at the lights of the car following us thinking That's right mate, I'm a legionnaire, who the **** are you? Unfortunately, these feelings never last very long.
Life back in Castel is shit. After a week I was wishing we were back at the farm again. We did get a trip to the foyer once and so could phone home and write letters, I found myself writing some very garbled and honest letters to my family begging forgiveness for my life's previous f***-ups. We later got to go into Castel town, not exactly a metropolis but we could see and talk to the first civilians in over two months.
You will spend a couple of days a week performing regimental corvée. These things vary from kitchen and mess duties, corvée generale, corvée matériel, garde 24, EIT etc. The best one is EIT, you basically get to sleep and watch TV all day with the odd patrol thrown in. Or you would if you didn't have my sergeant, who kept shouting “Alarme!” and timing us to get the rifles out, helmet on and gas mask attached. Under forty seconds for me and two of the other guys. When the Slovakian retard that was the bane of our groupes existence took in the region of four minutes for the third time in the day, the sergeant decided he'd had enough and smashed a whole in the wall with the guys helmeted head. I just stared ahead trying not to smile at the fact he was finally getting a taste of what he deserved. Does that make me a bad person?
You will finally go shooting at Castel, though not a lot. When you do it involves the morning down the range where you will fire about twelve rounds and an entire afternoon cleaning your rifle. The instruction is virtually non-existent as well, bad shots result in a “Qu'est-ce que c’est cette merde?!” and a smack in the head. It's generally the same for most areas of instruction.
I grew to hate the routine. Rassemblement umpteen times a day. Singing the chant compagnie on the way to meals, the endless boot polishing and press-ups in the corridor. Oh yeah, and corvée.
We did a few marches back to the farm for training in the field, throwing in night ambushes and raids. We spent a day at the farm doing some cool stuff like learning to take and search prisoners. The mad Russian sergeant from the REP showed us some restraining techniques (do not volunteer for these, they hurt!). He looked at us while standing on another guys ankle and nearly breaking his fingers and said in a thick Russian accent - “Si ca fait mal c'est pas grave. Il est l'ennemi, il est communist.” Brilliant. These exercises normally finished with a bit of a bbq and some beer. Coincidentally I had my first Kronenbourg since the Legion a week or so ago, that taste is always going to be the taste of the Legion for me.
After a month or so of this you go to the Pyrenées to a ski resort town call Formigeur (not too sure on the spelling). This is meant to be a sort of holiday with adventure training, though the word 'holiday' is a bit strong, it is the Legion after all. We got to rock climb, go caving and canyoning.
There is still corvée and shit but there is plenty of food each night and you get a bit more sleep. And some beer. Towards the end of the week we went out on the piss in tenue parade to a bar where we had dinner and got absolutely shit faced. Karaoke was involved and I seem to remember a drunken rendition of “Welcome to the jungle” by Guns 'n' Roses followed by “Highway to Hell” while being propped up by a 6'8'' American. Then “the boy” (as I called a stupid French kid in my groupe) and the Slovakian retard had a punch up and it looked like the night was over.
Not yet. In the lorries and off to a surprisingly good nightclub in the middle of nowhere where I got to see the Chef in the middle of the dance floor doing 'big fish, little fish, cardboard box' dance moves. We crawled out at about 4:30 am, just as I was making progress with a pretty blond girl. When we got back to the chalet the mad Russian dropped the guys who had been fighting with a couple of good slugs in the gut. The next day we slept and nursed hang overs. A night to remember, that one.
The only other major event in training is the weeks combat localité training done at another base not far from Castel. I unfortunately missed it due to a knee injury. I hurt my knee running down a mountain with a backpack on and hadn't had long to recover before the annual regimental half marathon. Mon Lieutenant (who had assumed command of the section after the farm and was a complete twat) had declared that everyone was running and everyone would finish. I did run, and I did finish, though in complete agony and with knackered ligaments in my knee. So how's that for logic? Miss the most intense combat training you get at Castel in order to run a half marathon and make the LT look good. Twat.
A word on French officers: a lot of them are complete dicks. Madame Guillotine obviously wasn't quite efficient enough back in the day as a few too many toffy nosed supercilious arse wipes survived to have descendants that could join the Legion as officers. A German CCH (who was quite mad) in the CP kept referring to the “dirty French pig” officer that was obviously his pet hate. I even saw a young lieutenant salute with his left hand. Dear God. I blame the Scarlet Pimpernel.
By the time the Raid march came about I was totally pissed off with everything. I hated the routine, I hated the caporaux, I hated the way they dangled trips to the foyer in front of us only to take them away and I really hated the fact that I'd begun to be effected by their little games. The first day when we set off I was actually excused from all sport, running and marching due to my knee injury. No-one was aware so I didn't mention it, I felt okay and wasn't going to chicken out when it came to “the big one”.
We carried the same kit as for the Kepi Blanc march and then some. More clothes, camo, ammo, radios and spades, machetes, food, more ammo, helmet, more ammo. I estimate it was about 30+ kg plus FAMAS. It was a hard slog. We'd not had a lot of sleep the night before and off went the sgt at his usual pace. Being a tactical march we all had our areas of observation to adhere to and the sgt and cpl were always watching. Even so we had a good first day, being ambushed and running around firing blanks.
My suspicions about the caporaux were confirmed when, being the last group in the march, we had to move up the column and join the group that had countered an ambush, picking up their sacs-a-dos which they had dropped on the way. I ran up to one which turned out to belong to a caporal and braced myself to lift at least another 20kg onto my chest and trot the half a kilometre to its owner. The thing must have been full of toilet paper it weighed so little. No wonder they never seemed tired. Later in the march a caporal (who was a really nasty piece of work and had a habit of hitting people, myself included, with the butt of his rifle) stole my burner so he could heat his rations up. Way to gain respect there mate.
The second day was much harder. I'd had maybe two hours sleep thanks to guard duty and a late night attack and bug-out mission and was utterly knackered. It was burning hot and by late afternoon my body was on the verge of giving up. I was dehydrated, my knee, shins and feet were killing me and as we approached a long climb up a ridge line my calves and quads just started cramping viciously with every step, so bad that I had to be encouraged to the top by my friend the FAMAS-happy caporal.
It was without doubt the worst few hours of the worst day of my entire life, something I hope to never come even close to again. But as the often misquoted Friedrich Nietszche said “What does not destroy me makes me stronger.” Even with this thought in mind that night I sat alone in my basha with a bottle of Kronenbourg, full of self doubt and fear, thinking Well dad, if only you could see me now. There was one cool moment that day though. We had found the enemy (a few guys in a truck) on the green of some small village and swooped in firing and throwing grenades, much to the bemusement of the locals. I was lying next to a tree, keeping watch up a road when a very English guy with a camera to my left called out “I say, would it be possible for a photo? I'm sorry, I don't speak French.” I turned to him and grinned through two days of camo paint, sweat and mud and said “Sorry mate, no pics, we're the foreign Legion.” before getting up and running to join the rest of the section. The look on his face was priceless.
Fortunately the third day was not so long, though everyone was pretty used up by this stage. The packs weren't any lighter but with the end in sight I managed to find it in myself to keep going. **** watching my sector, it was gritted teeth and head down trying to ignore the pain, redoubling my efforts with every pace. At one stage another caporal lifted up my rucksack and grimaced at the weight, it was obvious that he didn't fancy carrying it. There were just a few ambushes left to get through before the end and a bit of combat simulation, which I think was fairly realistic as it was all running and shouting and I had almost no idea what was going on.
We finished at the farm for the CIC and camped for another three days, doing our final tests on weapons knowledge, NBC etc, all the stuff we'd been doing throughout instruction. It was a bit of an amateur affair to be honest. When it came to the NBC we were asked questions that not only did we not know the answer to but nobody had ever even mentioned in training.
Three weeks were spent at Castel giving back kit, cleaning stuff and, yes you guessed it, corvée. We also did the final assault course, Cooper, shooting, swimming and TAP tests. We passed report with the captain and were told our regiments. It was at this point I told a caporal I was going civil at the end of training as I had plein les couilles. He obviously told a SGT who I presumed told the LT, but nothing was ever said so I thought Okay, it's like that is it? I'll just keep my trap shut and ask in Aubagne.
The CPL in my room said it made no difference so I decided to just tow the line for the time being. Not to say I didn't give it a lot of thought, I admit to allowing romantic notions of Legion life back into my head again, but then such things are easy when the hard parts are over and you're stood around with you mates thinking of the future. To be honest I think I knew deep down not long after the farm that this life was not for me, I think it just took a while for the truth to overcome my pride.
And so we cleared out our armoires, cleaned the section like you wouldn't believe and with what I thought to be some very misplaced nostalgia, bid farewell to the 4ème Régiment Étranger at Castelnaudery to head back to Aubagne and on to whatever awaited us.
We did a detour in Marseille on the way back to go to Malmousque, the Legion's hotel (sort of) for an afternoon of beers and gazing out over the ocean. I felt quite emotional as I talked to my friends and got slowly pissed on Kronenbourg. Despite the disappointment I had made some true friends, unfortunately some of whom I've already lost touch with due to a building in Surrey being demolished and poor internet service in Chad (just don't ask). After a few hours it was back on to Aubagne (the smell was still there) and the C.A.P.L.E building where we were to spend the night. More beer was involved that night and the next morning it was report time in front of a Commandant.
When it came to my turn I entered the office, presented and started chit chat with the officer while my LT sat to my right, grinning at my very English pronunciation of “...a vos ordres, mon Commandant!” We chit chatted for a few minutes, how was instruction? Oh, very hard sir (they don't want to hear that with the odd exception you thought it was shite). I think I was pegged as one of the best French speaking non-francophones. He seemed pleased. And then came the moment. “Donc, tu vas au 1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie. C'est un bon régiment avec beaucoup de missions et je pense tu vas faire tres bien la bas. Peut-etre dans trois ans tu peux faire l’ instruction pour cadre. C'est bon?” Erm..... “Malheureusement, mon Commandant j'ai changé ma decision. Je sais la vie de la Légion n'est pas la vie pour moi et je veux partir civil.” The commandant was totally cool, mon lieutenant, not so much. It went down like a fart in a space suit.
So that was me in the dog house and guarding the equipment outside the C.A.P.L.E building while the others went to the museum for a bit. I got talking to an English CPL that was picking up the guys going to the 2eme REG. “So what are you doing?” he asked. Oh shit, time to confess. “I'm going civil mate, just asked the Commandant.” He laughed “Fucking hell, you've got some balls! Good lad, it's fucking shit here, I'm getting out as soon as I can, it's not what it used to be.” We were then joined by another Brit that knew the CPL from Djibouti and was going civil due to injury. He was of the same opinion. They then formulated a plan to steal the hand of Capitaine Danjou and sell it on e-bay with the description “One not-so-careful owner”.
When the others had gone to regiment I was told to load the car that was taking the SGT, CPL and LT back to Aubagne that night. Shit, no week in Aubagne and a quick release. The LT had given me a real ear bashing telling me I'd fucked him and made him look like a twat, which was only fair, 'cos he was. The mad Mexican CPL, who had a real small-man-hard-case complex but who I later got to know and decided was a good bloke, reassured me, explaining that whatever the officer might say it was the caporaux that really dished out the punishments and they weren't going to bother me if I was going civil. We stopped at a service station on the way back and stood at a table eating sandwiches. The LT turned to me, obviously still pissed off and said, in English “Enjoy this last moment of peace.” Erm, okay. Then, in French “Quand tu arrives à Castel, pour toi, c'est enfeu, compris enfeu?” No. “ou habit le diablo.” Ah, gotcha. Did I mention he was a complete twat?
Well, in the end he was all mouth and no trousers. I spent the night back in the old corridor, spookily bereft of the section before a day at the disposal of the bureau de semaine doing corvée. Not sure what to do with me, it was arranged that I would join SIA (Section d'Instruction Adaptée). Prison never happened, despite what the LT said. I was kind of disappointed by this as I wanted to be able to refer to “when I was doing bird in the foreign Legion....”. Thus ensued the best month I spent in the Legion.
SIA was basically formed when the new SCH arrived and saw what happened to all the long term injured guys that had had to leave their sections to recover. Rather than just doing menial corvées like the other companies he formed a section that would actually try and teach you something, despite your injuries, and combat the “instruction de merde” as the chef called it, that we received in training. The Chef himself was a big shaven headed guy who had broken his back in the REP and looked like a rugby league player. He was another proper soldier that had no time for bullshit. One day I had just nodded off on the table by the window when the door burst open and there was the chef, Oh god, I've been caught napping, literally. Prepare for punishment. He then made a series of chopping motions in the air accompanied by Bruce Lee noises before stopping abruptly and fixing us with a stern gaze. “J'ai ai plein les couilles.” He declared before slamming the door behind him. Complete nutter.
Life in SIA was, comparatively, awesome. We still got up at 5:30 am for appel, but, because we were big boys, were sent to breakfast on our own and didn't bother shaving 'till we got back. We did some form of sport every morning, either running, swimming or weights (way more than in section), we had a radio (why is all French music except hip hop utter shite?), could keep food in our lockers and didn't have to strip the bed each morning. The lessons we did were cool as well.
The whole section had clubbed together to buy some airsoft M16's and G36's and we'd go into the woods to practice contact drills or do a parcours de combat. We also did rope work for river crossings, pistol shooting down the ranges (I missed that one, grrrr) and, if there was a lull, pistol disarming. Sometimes we'd set a load of targets up in the building and practice room clearing, much to the jealousy of the regular training sections.
The Chef also showed us videos of him doing commando training in Guyane, complete with interrogation techniques you don't see on the discovery channel or youtube. A combination of us swanning around with M16's and the appearance of being able to do whatever we wanted led to new EV's calling me caporal a couple of times, I guess I had the shouting and swearing in crude French thing down pretty well. Due to the lack of bullshit I had more downtime and learned more actual soldiering skills in one month in SIA than I did in five of official instruction. Despite this the section had a reputation as a bunch of wasters. Not wasters, just taking a sensible approach to everything.
It was also viewed that I was a legionnaire that had finished instruction and so was afforded liberties unheard of in the regular section. The foyer (ie beer, internet and phone) were allowed all weekend and most week nights (hence my previous, now six month old posts). There was another Brit in SIA that had a major injury and had a full years service despite not having finished training. He was ex British army and really knew his shit after tours of Afghan, Bosnia and **** knows where else. He was also, due to the fact he was basically an alcoholic psychopath, a very bad influence, but a very good friend and kept me sane.
Every weekend was spent getting hammered in the bar on crap lager with the CCHs (all quite mad) and SGTs of the English mafia, wearing our sports kit and glaring at the premier class' who assumed we were CCH or something due to our drunken belligerence and lack of visible rank. One night the CPL of SIA, a Latin American (who had broken his back in the REP and was a real solid dude) that preferred to speak English rather than French just looked at me disapprovingly one night as we waited, swaying in the wind of drunkenness, for the sergeant to show up for appel de soir and told me to “stand over there, so the sergeant doesn't smell you.” I spent that night shouting Huweee!! into the big white telephone (that means throwing up in the toilet for you're non English).
I did have one potentially deadly encounter in SIA though. We were all in our room, shooting the shit, when I heard my name being shouted. Opening the door to see who it was I was confronted by my lunatic 2eme REP sergeant. “C'est bon pour les tendors?” Wtf? He obviously wanted me to give him a haircut. Oh, so this is it, this is how it ends for me. I'm going to f*** up the Sgt's hair and he's going to tear my skull apart with his bare hands. I got some clippers and went into a disused room where the Sgt sat down with a towel over his shoulders and started, with what I thought was a slightly over the top air of nonchalance, to read the paper.
No easy skin head, he wanted the classic USMC style fade. I considered making a bit of a joke by taking a swipe with the clippers and then saying “oh merde” under my breath, but decided against it. I also refrained from asking if he would like “quelque-chose pour le weekend”.
In the end I did quite a good job and the Sgt seemed pleased as he got a dustpan and brush to clean up. I stood there utterly confused as he refused to let me clean up and got down on his knees saying “C'est bon, c'est bon merci,” It took a while for my brain to process and accept the image of a sous-officier doing the cleaning. Hard case but good guy. I'd buy that man a beer.
Another thing we did in SIA that I was pleased about was go back to Raissec to do a bit of cleaning while a CCH (who was quite mad) did some redecorating. The place was very different in the winter. Freezing cold with a howling wind constantly blowing. We mooched about and I got some photos on the crappy disposable I'd bought at the foyer though unfortunately they didn't come out well. Bit of nostalgia there. We then defied death again by riding back to base in the back of a lorry driven by the CCH, who had been at the bottle a bit and drove the truck like he'd stolen it. Full on white knuckle.
I was glad of my time in SIA, I got to see a different side to the Legion. We could go to the company club and chat with some CCHs (who were all quite mad) and were generally treated with a bit more respect and friendliness than when we were the lowest of the low trainees. I even got to see a different side to some of my old training caporaux and realised some of them weren't so bad. There are still some nasty bastards there though, if I saw the FAMAS-happy caporal walking down the street of my home town, I'd feed him his teeth.
And then it was over. I was sat in my sports gear waiting for the day to begin when a Sgt of the 2eme Compagnie opened the door and shouted my name. Five minutes later I was on a bus in tenue de sortie with my bags in the hold and heading for the train and Aubagne. A week of make-work jobs in Aubagne ensued (the smell was still there, faint, but still noticeable) and that was it. Me and an itinerant Frenchman found we could buy beer from the CCH bar in another building without anyone batting an eyelid (they obviously didn't care as they were all quite mad). Rock on. I bought a Zippo in the foyer with the code of honour on for my dad and a hip flask for my mate.
I saw the Polish CCH was back, terrorising a new rouge section. We passed report again with the captain of the C.A.P.L.E and the next day were given back our true identities. We packed our bags, gave what was left of our kit back (I managed to keep the black leather gloves, I call them my murdering gloves) and walked down the same steep hill I had walked up six months previously, following the eastern euro CCH up to pre-selection.
We (“we” being the other civils, going for various reasons) got the train to Marseille, walked to La Poste to get our pay and went our separate ways. By eight that evening I was sat in a bar in Nottingham with my mate, drinking a Jack Daniel's and coke and feeling utterly bemused by the English civilians all around me.
So that's it re the Legion. Years of planning for me, months in the execution. So now we have the largely irrelevant (to the reader anyway) and possibly poignant self analysis stage of my story. I've taken the time to write this, you can take the time to indulge me in some “Disney philosophy”.
So what is the moral? What have I learnt? Well, to be honest I'm not sure. Not a day goes by that I don't think of the Legion. What I did well, where I failed myself, how things may of changed me. The biggest question I ask myself is “Did I just bottle it in the end? Am I basically a coward?” I'll let the reader judge, but to be honest I don't give a shit what you think. I've realised that what others think is, in many cases, not important.
There are some strange hangovers from it all - I have found myself saying c'est partir, swearing in French and constantly singing bloody Legion songs! (something I've now largely cured thanks to constantly listening to my iPod at work). I also had what I can only equate to a panic attack not long after getting back. I was sat on a bus and was suddenly consumed by a complete hate and contempt for everyone around me, I wanted to smash everything and everyone to dust. I was so tense across my shoulders and in my arms that my biceps started to cramp up. It passed, thanks God, but I had a window into why people get guns and go on killing sprees. Was it Legion hangover or am I just a fruit loop? I don't know, I mean it's not like a did five years or saw combat or anything. Maybe I'm just a drama queen.
Before I joined I didn't tell many people what I was doing. I suppose I was worried about what they would think. It turns out it doesn't matter, most people know dick shit about the Legion anyway. I had been back for a while before I got messages from family friends and relatives saying “Glad you're back, didn't realise what it was you were doing.” I don't know if they'd just seen a documentary or what. To be honest I've not really talked in depth about it to anyone, not even my best friends or family. I've told them some of what happened but not how it effected me. How do you put soul searching into words?
I certainly don't go around saying I was a legionnaire and to be honest I cringe a bit if friends mention it to strangers. Not because I'm ashamed or embarrassed in any way but because it opens up a whole conversation I just don't want to have with strangers (he said, posting this on a website for all and sundry to read), it just takes some explaining and opens up uneasily answered questions like “Why?”.
I don't think it's changed me much on the outside, but then you'd have to ask those that know me. I know I'm different, for the better I think, on the inside. I have a bit more determination for sure, and focus. I can't go walking with my friends now as I just storm off into the distance. I don't want to come across as melodramatic but as a result of my experiences I've looked deeper into myself than most people ever have cause to. I can't say I liked what I saw but I wasn't completely discouraged either. Of course not everyone will see it like this or have the same experiences, it all depends on where you come from and how you view something like joining the Legion.
Life now ain't perfect. There's still a few things missing, but at least I now know what they are now, or think I do anyway. I'm off to university in September for a shit hot course that I'm looking forward to and who knows where it might lead. I do feel a measure of pride when I look at my Kepi Blanc photos as well.
So why did I leave? Well, the best way I can explain it is that I realised the Legion was not what I was looking for. What am I looking for? I don't know, but I'll know it when I find it, and it wasn't to be found in the Legion.
So to finish, a little practical advice. Wear sunscreen. Okay, seriously. If you want to join the Legion, then you should examine your reasons carefully, figure out what is wrong with your life that makes you want to do it and try and fix them. If you live in the West you do not need to join, you just might think you do. Always bear in mind that, in my experience at least, it's not all it's cracked up to be. The Legion is a highly operational military outfit and it's not there for you to waste its time with your own voyage of self discovery, even if that's what I basically did.
On an even more practical note:
Maybe the Legion is for you, maybe it's not. I've no regrets about joining and no regrets about leaving. If anything I regret not getting it out of my system years ago. The fact is you won't find out by reading this so get off your arse, turn of your computer and **** off to Aubagne.
There you go, I've nothing more to say. I don't hang around this site anymore but if you have Q's post them or PM me, I'll check in over the next few weeks.
Bonne chance
Alex
Finex
__________________ The member formerly known as Big Al
Topic: Calculate your chances to join FFL (Read 1036 times)
rickyhimalayan Current or ex-legionnaire Regular Member
Calculate your chances to join FFL Hi wannabe's
First of all, forget about quota thing. At this time per my knowledge the Legion needs many volunteers. If they want you, you'll be in, no matter how many other legionnaires or candidates of the same nationality are already there.
Try to focus on plus points. Here is a kind of system which can help you assess your chances of getting in (this is just according to me, what I have noticed)
Every quality you have gives you a plus, for example :
1. You have driving licence.
2. You have a licence for heavy vehicles (big trucks).
3. How good can you swim ?
4. Skying, mountaineering, experience.
5. Previous army experience.
6. French language knowledge.
7. How many other languages can you speak ?
8. Specialisations like :
- computing - cooking - mechanics - music (can you play some instrument)
9. How good you are in sports ?
10. How motivated you are ?
11. Important item : what are the risks that you desert and why do you want to join the Legion ? Don't mention anything negative like "I hate civil life" or anything superficial like "because of the glory attached to the Legion", stay practical.
12. If you desert, what are the chances that you will get a good career in civilian life, and before the Legion how did you perform ? Surprisingly, if you had some sort of failure you have better chances.
13. Your family : if you've stayed in touch with them, how strongly are you attached to your parents ? Does someone else depend on you outside the Legion ? The more positive the answers are, the lesser are you chances to get in.
14. Main thing you can learn from marketing or sales guys is how to "sell" yourself in an interview. This accounts for about 50% of your success or failure to be accepted. Keep in mind that you need to keep your story the same in all the interviews. If you are not a good liar stay honest and tell the truth.
From above criteria one can calculate his chances and improve them before coming to the Legion. One thing i would like to mention: it's easier to get accepted into the Legion than staying for a full 5 year contract and becoming a successful legionnaire, so try to focus on what you want after entering into the Legion.
Like someone in this forum said, you can fail anytime here but you can pass this exam only after five years, correct me if I'm wrong.
What I wrote above is only my own opinion, formed after what I've observed. I could be wrong.
Regards « Last Edit: June 02, 2007, 02:29:49 AM by Patrick Hervier »
Report to moderator Logged HOPE 4 D BEST PREPARE 4 D WORST
Post: My brief but fun stay in Aubagne by Mad Jock
24-04-08 12:52 PM -
[Note, I have placed the posts fro M.J.and the replies to his posts in the order received.
His main post are between the break lines]
1er REGIMENT ETRANGER
CENTRE DE SELECTION ET D'INCORPORATION A AUBAGNE le, 23/04/2008
DECLARATION-DECHARGE (pour l'interessé)
CE DOCCUMENT N'EST VALABLE POUR AUCUNE DEMARCHE ADMINISTRATIVE
Je soussigné, Engage Volontaire Mad Jock Déclare n'avoir aucune réclamation à formuler lors de mon départ
AVOIR RECUPERE:
Mon ARGENT
Mes objets de VALEUR
Mes PAPIERS personnels
Mes VETEMENTS civils
que j'avais placés en depot lors de mon arrivée. Ils m'ont ete restitués intégralement.
Le motif de mon depart m'a ete egalement notifie :
RENDU A LA VIE CIVILE POUR LE MOTIF SUIVANT :
INAPTE DEFINITIF: Son profil ne correspond pas aux besoins de la Légion étrangère. SIGNATURE conforme a l'acte d'engagement
As you can see I'm back in UK. Did’t get a chance to get this translated could anyone help?
voltigeur Super Joe Re: inapt definitif 24-04-08 01:30 PM - In response to mad jock
It basically states that you the undersigned declares that he's got his money, personal papers and clothes back..
Turned back to civil status for the following reason: his profile did not meet the needs of the Legion.
mad jock Advanced Member 24-04-08 02:53 PM - In response to voltigeur
What pisses me off is the fact there where people here who wanted to go civil and I wanted to stay
Cpl K... Moderator Inapte définitif 24-04-08 03:01 PM In response to mad jock
The Legion is a weird place. They take who they want!
Now you know why people get pissed off with people who manage to get in and then desert.
PS: Hope the council give you the house back and you get your car.
william Newbie 24-04-08 03:08 PM - In response to Cpl K...
Hard lines jock. What goes around comes around
mad jock Advanced Member 24-04-08 03:29 PM - In response to Cpl K...
now I understand why you guys get so f****d off with time wasters.
flash010 Newbie 24-04-08 03:29 PM - In response to william jock its no reflection on you just some twat in a office who put a mark at your name it means nothing against you mate.
mad jock Advanced Member 24-04-08 03:31 PM - In response to flash010
don’t stop me being pissed about it though
mad jock Advanced Member Inapte définitif 24-04-08 03:34 PM - In response to mad jock
Any you guys remember we had girl on forum about a week ago who said her man had buggered off to the Legion?
Well I met him and as it turns out he was a time waster as well.
He anted to go civil after 18 hours in Aubagne. In total, we had 6 Brits at Aubagne.
We all wanted REP. Damn, that would have been fun.
Prospekt5 Member inapt definitif 24-04-08 03:50 PM - In response to mad jock
LOL, I wonder if he’s back with busy bunny right now.
Sorry this happened to you mate.
Phantom309 Member 24-04-08 04:17 PM - In response to Prospekt5
I'm really sorry for you mate, I have an idea of how you must feel and I know its not a great place to be.
The member formerly known as Big Al
ApldeAp Newbie 24-04-08 04:23 PM - In response to Phantom309
That sucks Mad Jock! but, like flash010 said, it means nothing against you mate...
Guess it's time for plan B?
Nickfury Newbie inapt definitif 24-04-08 08:19 PM - In response to ApldeAp
Hey Mad Jock how long were you there and when/why did you get sent home? (after the medical, or run or interviews or what?).
They never do really tell you why you get sent home. I made it to Rouge Selection then didn't make the final selection and got sent home inapte définitif.
It sucks, especially when idiots who were sent home earlier for this and that got to come back in 3-6-12 months...
ah well, good luck. Nick
PS: love to hear more about your time. When I was in Aubagne there were only one Brit and one American (me), then 1 South African and a couple Dutch guys.
Those were the Anglophones, except for a few guys from various countries who preferred to hang with us and spoke perfect English (a German, Hungarian, a Greek guy, couple of French guys who liked to speak English, and a guy from Sierra Leone).
Prospekt5 Member Re: inapt definitif 24-04-08 09:15 PM - In response to Nickfury
Makes me paranoid of my chances.
Brad Member 24-04-08 10:31 PM - In response to Prospekt5
Mad jock... you did more then most people do and actually went instead of hanging around and saying you 'will do it one day'.
Be proud that you went out and actually tried. Although i'm disappointed for you YOU STILL TRIED!!!
I second NickFury and would love to hear in depth of what happened the minute you turned up to the gates. Spare nothing, every detail helps others.
Take care and go to the next challenge.
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay
in Aubagne
25-04-08 01:28 AM - In response to mad jock
Well as asked, I will put my experience on the board.
ok so I arrive in Marseille airport and go straight to the taxi rank where I informed the driver "Aubagne, Légion étrangère s'il vous plaît".
The driver looked at me with a rather shocked look in his eye and started to drive. For info taxi is 80-100 euros depending on traffic or route that the driver wishes to take you on.
I arrived at the gate and made my way to the sentry who immediately pointed to the Poste de Securité.
I presented myself to the sergeant who asked for my passport then told me to wait outside on the bench.
After about 20 minutes a CCH appeared and I was again asked for my passport and told "AVEC MOI". So I followed him. We walked through the gate and up the hill going to the left of the parade ground and continued until we come to what I assume was an accommodation block where we embarked a vehicle.
The CCH at this point turned on the radio and started blasting out ramstien "fire frie" and proceeded to drive round corners like a psychopath on drugs all the while sniggering as I struggled to stay upright.
I was then presented to the cpl who asked for my passport and said "first time to join the Legion?" I answered and he ushered me into a room, told me to put my bag on the table and emptied it in preparation for an inventory.
I did as instructed and waited for him to come back into the room. The cpl came back, took an inventory of my belongings and instructed me to place back in bag and sit.
He looked at my army discharge papers that I had brought and asked me "why you fired from army?" I informed him I was chucked for fighting and drinking, at which point he laughed and informed me that about 2-3 months ago 20-30 legionnaires from 3em REI got pissed up found they were bored and proceeded down to the local town with baseball bats and set about every adult male they came across.
My name was changed and I was shown to my room where there were 5 others waiting.
The cpl pointed to bed and told me to follow him. I was then shown the shower and toilets and told to take shower and toilet and go to bed.
05:30 lights went on and we all got up, I went straight to the toilets do the usual morning stuff as well as have a shave then made down my bed and went outside taking my bag which was left in the entrance hall.
We went to breakfast which is a crusty rol and some jam (nutella if you are quick enough) and a bowl of coffee, chocolate or milk. You don't get the choice so anyone that is gastronomically fussy you're f****d.
On the way back I noticed that we were following a path that snakes its way through the grass. This is something I just could not get my head around, being in Brit army for 5 years had taken its toll, as grass was not for walking on it.
It was there to look pretty for the queen.
We were taken inside the recruitment building and shown videos in our native tongue of what you can expect from the Legion and more importantly what the Legion expects from you.
At about 08:00 we were called outside and taken to the medical centre, where we underwent our initial medical. I saw the doc who is a colonel and he noticed that I have psoriasis.
He told me that the Legion does not need this and my journey ended here. The next thing he asked was "do you play rugby?" I answered yes he then asked "what number?" I replied n°3 and at this point he threw his hands in the air and said "ah good you stay now we need a good number 3".
I was told to leave the room and did so, one of the lads gets an inapte temporaire for 1 year for drug taking.
We went back to the block and waited outside at the rear of the building. I started speaking to a Romanian who could speak Italian, French, Spanish and English as well as Romanian.
We were called and went to lunch : pasta and what I assume was chicken and some sort of fish pastry which was foul.
At this point my stay in the recruitment centre ended and we were transferred over to the "centre de pré-sélection Légion étrangère".
Well as asked, I will put my experience on the board.
ok so I arrive in Marseille airport and go straight to the taxi rank where I informed the driver "Aubagne, Légion étrangère s'il vous plaît".
The driver looked at me with a rather shocked look in his eye and started to drive. For info taxi is 80-100 euros depending on traffic or route that the driver wishes to take you on.
I arrived at the gate and made my way to the sentry who immediately pointed to the Poste de Securité.
I presented myself to the sergeant who asked for my passport then told me to wait outside on the bench.
After about 20 minutes a CCH appeared and I was again asked for my passport and told "AVEC MOI". So I followed him. We walked through the gate and up the hill going to the left of the parade ground and continued until we come to what I assume was an accommodation block where we embarked a vehicle.
The CCH at this point turned on the radio and started blasting out ramstien "fire frie" and proceeded to drive round corners like a psychopath on drugs all the while sniggering as I struggled to stay upright.
I was then presented to the cpl who asked for my passport and said "first time to join the Legion?" I answered and he ushered me into a room, told me to put my bag on the table and emptied it in preparation for an inventory.
I did as instructed and waited for him to come back into the room. The cpl came back, took an inventory of my belongings and instructed me to place back in bag and sit.
He looked at my army discharge papers that I had brought and asked me "why you fired from army?" I informed him I was chucked for fighting and drinking, at which point he laughed and informed me that about 2-3 months ago 20-30 legionnaires from 3em REI got pissed up found they were bored and proceeded down to the local town with baseball bats and set about every adult male they came across.
My name was changed and I was shown to my room where there were 5 others waiting.
The cpl pointed to bed and told me to follow him. I was then shown the shower and toilets and told to take shower and toilet and go to bed.
05:30 lights went on and we all got up, I went straight to the toilets do the usual morning stuff as well as have a shave then made down my bed and went outside taking my bag which was left in the entrance hall.
We went to breakfast which is a crusty rol and some jam (nutella if you are quick enough) and a bowl of coffee, chocolate or milk. You don't get the choice so anyone that is gastronomically fussy you're f****d.
On the way back I noticed that we were following a path that snakes its way through the grass. This is something I just could not get my head around, being in Brit army for 5 years had taken its toll, as grass was not for walking on it.
It was there to look pretty for the queen.
We were taken inside the recruitment building and shown videos in our native tongue of what you can expect from the Legion and more importantly what the Legion expects from you.
At about 08:00 we were called outside and taken to the medical centre, where we underwent our initial medical. I saw the doc who is a colonel and he noticed that I have psoriasis.
He told me that the Legion does not need this and my journey ended here. The next thing he asked was "do you play rugby?" I answered yes he then asked "what number?" I replied n°3 and at this point he threw his hands in the air and said "ah good you stay now we need a good number 3".
I was told to leave the room and did so, one of the lads gets an inapte temporaire for 1 year for drug taking.
We went back to the block and waited outside at the rear of the building. I started speaking to a Romanian who could speak Italian, French, Spanish and English as well as Romanian.
We were called and went to lunch : pasta and what I assume was chicken and some sort of fish pastry which was foul.
At this point my stay in the recruitment centre ended and we were transferred over to the "centre de pré-sélection Légion étrangère".
andy bannerman Advanced Member 25-04-08 02:40
AM - In response to mad jock
Thanks for posting you tried mate thats the most anyone can ask shame they won`t let you back in and good luck for the future Andy
Moltix Newbie 25-04-08 04:23 AM - In response to andy bannerman
Thank you for you're post if you don't mind me asking, what is exactly psoriasis?
mad jock Advanced Member 25-04-08 05:03 AM - In response to Moltix
it is a skin condition where on certain parts of youre body usually elbows knees the skin thickens through overproduction of skin cells and causes flaking it is painless
Phantom309 Member 25-04-08 06:42 AM - In response to Brad
Do you think it was psoriasis that got you rejected? I remember reading that it and similar conditions were not a problem within reason.
I ask because I have a small patch of eczema that got me rejected from the British a few years ago and am concerned about it re the legion. The member formerly known as Big Al
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 06:49 AM - In response to Phantom309
No, I think it was my motivation. All the other Brits that were there had real problems back home.
I joined for the adventure, I think that maybe two more Brits had gone over with the same motivation, then went and legged it when it got too tough.
As a result they don't want to take the gamble spending all that money training you just on the off chance you may leg it.
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 06:50 AM - In response to Brad Damn bitches even the Legion couldn't keep me from you guys. lol
Phantom309 Member 25-04-08 06:58 AM - In response to mad jock
*******, adventure is my main motivation.... The member formerly known as Big Al
Mad Monk Member 25-04-08 07:16 AM - In response to Phantom309
So you figure that adventure as a reason to join might get you canned?
Marlow Newbie 25-04-08 07:21 AM - In response to mad jock Sorry to hear they gave u inapt definitive, but you gave it a shot. Now you won't be asking yourself in the future about a lost opportunity...
Just curious what kind of serious problems at home the other Brits had?
You said you had met some time wasters in Aubagne. I wonder what could happen to them during a few days of selection that they changed their mind and decided to go civil?
How do they explain their about-face?
Thanks for posting you tried mate thats the most anyone can ask shame they won`t let you back in and good luck for the future Andy
Moltix Newbie 25-04-08 04:23 AM - In response to andy bannerman
Thank you for you're post if you don't mind me asking, what is exactly psoriasis?
mad jock Advanced Member 25-04-08 05:03 AM - In response to Moltix
it is a skin condition where on certain parts of youre body usually elbows knees the skin thickens through overproduction of skin cells and causes flaking it is painless
Phantom309 Member 25-04-08 06:42 AM - In response to Brad
Do you think it was psoriasis that got you rejected? I remember reading that it and similar conditions were not a problem within reason.
I ask because I have a small patch of eczema that got me rejected from the British a few years ago and am concerned about it re the legion. The member formerly known as Big Al
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 06:49 AM - In response to Phantom309
No, I think it was my motivation. All the other Brits that were there had real problems back home.
I joined for the adventure, I think that maybe two more Brits had gone over with the same motivation, then went and legged it when it got too tough.
As a result they don't want to take the gamble spending all that money training you just on the off chance you may leg it.
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 06:50 AM - In response to Brad Damn bitches even the Legion couldn't keep me from you guys. lol
Phantom309 Member 25-04-08 06:58 AM - In response to mad jock
*******, adventure is my main motivation.... The member formerly known as Big Al
Mad Monk Member 25-04-08 07:16 AM - In response to Phantom309
So you figure that adventure as a reason to join might get you canned?
Marlow Newbie 25-04-08 07:21 AM - In response to mad jock Sorry to hear they gave u inapt definitive, but you gave it a shot. Now you won't be asking yourself in the future about a lost opportunity...
Just curious what kind of serious problems at home the other Brits had?
You said you had met some time wasters in Aubagne. I wonder what could happen to them during a few days of selection that they changed their mind and decided to go civil?
How do they explain their about-face?
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun
stay in Aubagne
25-04-08 08:05 AM - In response to mad jock
Now for part 2 We were taken from the recruitment centre and over to the selection centre where we were told "SILENCE".
Now I don't speak much French and I certainly do not have a degree in some science but I know that means SHUT THE F**K UP.
Why francophones cannot understand their own language is quite beyond me anyhow. The result was a loud bollocking by a CCH and the immortal words "POSITION POMPES"
(for the Brits that means press up position down as quick as you can). Again, me the only non francophone in the group managed to get my tits on the ground while others stood with a blank expression on their faces.
This blank expression suddenly turned to pain when a Brazilian CCH walked round the corner.
We finish pompes and were taken round the side of the building to a basement which is where you're possessions are taken off you.
You are issued 2x socks 2x underpants, (very fetching), 2x face rippers (disposable Bic razors), 1x towel 1x wire rifle cleaning brush (toothbrush that rip yer gums to pieces), 1x toothpaste (this was top notch theramed, bit of a waste with the toothbrush if you ask me), 1x bar of pig fat (soap), 1x very cheap tin of shaving foam (just as well as giving out Gillette would have been a total insult), 1x blue tracksuit (I was making that s**t look good), 1x black t-shirt (smelled real bad) 1x pair of cheap trainers (insoles removed so feet stink after 3 hours), 2x cumfy bum (that's bog paper to all you non educated out there lol), and 2x bed sheets (there is a story about the bed sheets soon coming up).
We were shown to our room told to put the bags on top of a locker and told something in French with the CCH pointing out the window I figured that meant get outside and guess what?
Yep you all guessed right : the francophones stand about with thumb up a**e and mind in neutral so more pompes was had.
We eventually went outside after having a lactic acid burnout (arms stretched in front do 1 sgt then 1 press up ,2 squats then 2 press ups all the way up to 10).
This is where I meet DELTA FORCE. This was the nickname given to a certain mong that was in the selection centre.
I overheared him talking to some in English and as you can imagine walked over and introduced myself, asking where the lad came from.
He went into some surreal story about how he had a German id card but was American and didn't want to give his American passport over.
I enquired whether or not his dual citizenship was a result of his father being in the military stationed in Germany.
His reply "you do not need to know how this was managed but know this, none is smart enough to know how I done this and those that are smart enough just don't get it".
He then went on about being in Delta Force in Baghdad, Kabul etc. At this point I told him he is full of s**t and walked away promising myself not to talk to this idiot again at any cost.
We were called by way of siren and whistle. If a whistle sounds then the cch wants rouge section and if the siren goes they want anyone wearing blue tracksuits.
We were called for evening meal and go round to the cookhouse dinner. This evening was a whole plate of spinach and 2 boiled eggs (felt like Popeye).
As I was eating all I heard was "hey fuckin Hungary why they give us fuckin grass to eat?".
It was another Anglophone. I lean over and say "yea we'll get in a McDonalds just for you cokbag." We introduced each other and he also introduced me to 3 other Brits, 2 of which were rouge and the other blue.
We left the cookhouse and went back to the block where we are assigned to work details around the camp.
After work detail we were taken back to the block and told to get round into the courtyard after an hour or so.
We were then brought into the foyer where you can buy juice and chocolate. Here I got a proper chance to talk to the other Brits.
As it turned out, one of them had walked from Le Havre to Paris in 4 days wearing a pair of hi-tech magnums that were 2 sizes too big for him.
They all told me their stories of why they were there (sorry folks but their stories are theirs and i am not prepared to divulge what I was told).
At around 10pm we were sent upstairs to our rooms and given 60 seconds in the shower to get cleaned then shown how to make our beds the way they wanted them made.
We were shown a basic locker layout and replicated this ,the CCH inspected then left the room switching off the light as he left shouting "BONNE NUIT"
We replied "BONNE NUIT CAPORAL-CHEF." I CLOSED MY EYES AND DOZED OFF
Now for part 2 We were taken from the recruitment centre and over to the selection centre where we were told "SILENCE".
Now I don't speak much French and I certainly do not have a degree in some science but I know that means SHUT THE F**K UP.
Why francophones cannot understand their own language is quite beyond me anyhow. The result was a loud bollocking by a CCH and the immortal words "POSITION POMPES"
(for the Brits that means press up position down as quick as you can). Again, me the only non francophone in the group managed to get my tits on the ground while others stood with a blank expression on their faces.
This blank expression suddenly turned to pain when a Brazilian CCH walked round the corner.
We finish pompes and were taken round the side of the building to a basement which is where you're possessions are taken off you.
You are issued 2x socks 2x underpants, (very fetching), 2x face rippers (disposable Bic razors), 1x towel 1x wire rifle cleaning brush (toothbrush that rip yer gums to pieces), 1x toothpaste (this was top notch theramed, bit of a waste with the toothbrush if you ask me), 1x bar of pig fat (soap), 1x very cheap tin of shaving foam (just as well as giving out Gillette would have been a total insult), 1x blue tracksuit (I was making that s**t look good), 1x black t-shirt (smelled real bad) 1x pair of cheap trainers (insoles removed so feet stink after 3 hours), 2x cumfy bum (that's bog paper to all you non educated out there lol), and 2x bed sheets (there is a story about the bed sheets soon coming up).
We were shown to our room told to put the bags on top of a locker and told something in French with the CCH pointing out the window I figured that meant get outside and guess what?
Yep you all guessed right : the francophones stand about with thumb up a**e and mind in neutral so more pompes was had.
We eventually went outside after having a lactic acid burnout (arms stretched in front do 1 sgt then 1 press up ,2 squats then 2 press ups all the way up to 10).
This is where I meet DELTA FORCE. This was the nickname given to a certain mong that was in the selection centre.
I overheared him talking to some in English and as you can imagine walked over and introduced myself, asking where the lad came from.
He went into some surreal story about how he had a German id card but was American and didn't want to give his American passport over.
I enquired whether or not his dual citizenship was a result of his father being in the military stationed in Germany.
His reply "you do not need to know how this was managed but know this, none is smart enough to know how I done this and those that are smart enough just don't get it".
He then went on about being in Delta Force in Baghdad, Kabul etc. At this point I told him he is full of s**t and walked away promising myself not to talk to this idiot again at any cost.
We were called by way of siren and whistle. If a whistle sounds then the cch wants rouge section and if the siren goes they want anyone wearing blue tracksuits.
We were called for evening meal and go round to the cookhouse dinner. This evening was a whole plate of spinach and 2 boiled eggs (felt like Popeye).
As I was eating all I heard was "hey fuckin Hungary why they give us fuckin grass to eat?".
It was another Anglophone. I lean over and say "yea we'll get in a McDonalds just for you cokbag." We introduced each other and he also introduced me to 3 other Brits, 2 of which were rouge and the other blue.
We left the cookhouse and went back to the block where we are assigned to work details around the camp.
After work detail we were taken back to the block and told to get round into the courtyard after an hour or so.
We were then brought into the foyer where you can buy juice and chocolate. Here I got a proper chance to talk to the other Brits.
As it turned out, one of them had walked from Le Havre to Paris in 4 days wearing a pair of hi-tech magnums that were 2 sizes too big for him.
They all told me their stories of why they were there (sorry folks but their stories are theirs and i am not prepared to divulge what I was told).
At around 10pm we were sent upstairs to our rooms and given 60 seconds in the shower to get cleaned then shown how to make our beds the way they wanted them made.
We were shown a basic locker layout and replicated this ,the CCH inspected then left the room switching off the light as he left shouting "BONNE NUIT"
We replied "BONNE NUIT CAPORAL-CHEF." I CLOSED MY EYES AND DOZED OFF
Pagoda_Warrior Member my brief but fun stay
in aubagne
25-04-08 08:15 AM - In response to mad jock
Delta to Legion Selection.... Very amusing! You were right to walk away and avoid him, as you would have probably been tempted to drop him. Hopefully the selection Process would weed that dick-head out in quick time....
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 08:20 AM - In response to Marlow
The problem that the other Brits had, without sounding harsh, are no one else's business. Please do not ask any questions in regard to their identity or reasons.
You will just get stonewalled. All everyone needs to know is that they were a great bunch of guys and I think serving alongside them would have been eventful to say the least.
mad jock Advanced Member Re: my brief but fun stay in aubagne 25-04-08 08:24 AM - In response to Pagoda_Warrior
we used to call them Walter Mitties in the British army i sussed him out quick and blanked him the rest of my time there.
Delta to Legion Selection.... Very amusing! You were right to walk away and avoid him, as you would have probably been tempted to drop him. Hopefully the selection Process would weed that dick-head out in quick time....
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 08:20 AM - In response to Marlow
The problem that the other Brits had, without sounding harsh, are no one else's business. Please do not ask any questions in regard to their identity or reasons.
You will just get stonewalled. All everyone needs to know is that they were a great bunch of guys and I think serving alongside them would have been eventful to say the least.
mad jock Advanced Member Re: my brief but fun stay in aubagne 25-04-08 08:24 AM - In response to Pagoda_Warrior
we used to call them Walter Mitties in the British army i sussed him out quick and blanked him the rest of my time there.
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun
stay in Aubagne
25-04-08 08:55 AM - In response to mad jock
There I was dreaming sweet nothings and bang on the lights go. I got up and made my way to the sinks . I got washed and shaved and back to my bed space, where I was met by one of the English lads who was ex Brit army too.
"Right jock I'll show you how you fold your sheets here, you are gonna f*****g love this". He then showed me how to fold my sheets into a roll which is then placed with the other one to form a cross on your blankets.
I was well impressed with this as I would have never thought that you could do this with a sheet.
We went outside and off to breakfast where we all sat and discussed how absolutely awesome the way of folding sheets was (we were all ex Brit army and it impressed the s**t out of all of us).
We went back to the block and do the inevitable corvee round the compound. The 4 others and myself were called inside and this is where we undertook the psycho technique element in front of the computer.
We finished this and were sent outside to the courtyard where we waited until called for lunch. During the waiting a little Chinese lad got caught sleeping and 2 mins later was running round the compound with a backpack full of rocks above his head.
NOTE TO ALL : do not get caught sleeping in the yard, it looks painful.
We were called to lunch of which I cannot remember what we had. After this I was put on kitchen duty.
I was relieved at this, as it meant I was not waiting in the courtyard. We did this until 2, then taken back to the block, we were sent round to the courtyard where I met the last jock who had just come from Paris.
Just a quick note on Paris : they transport you down on a Tuesday or a Thursday. You need to be there 3 days before they transport you, 2 of the lads timed it wrong and ended up in Paris for 10 days before going to Aubagne.
After a while we were called again, as it turned out this for afternoon work detail. My name is called along with 1 other and we were taken to the infirmary for our medical (sight, hearing, p**s test etc.).
We were sent back to the compound after waiting in the med centre for 2 hours. The other 3 guys that came over on day one, have been sent civil. We never found out why.
I met back up with the Brit contingent again and we carried on our usual nonsense of ripping the p**s out of everyone and everything including each other.
After a couple of hours we were called for dinner which turns out to be le boudin (black pudding) and mashed potato. We finished and formed outside the cookhouse where we were detailed off again for cleaning duties.
We were taken back to the block do some more corvee have time in foyer then go upstairs for shower and bed.
I forgot to mention that the previous night we had a hot shower as the cch had forgot to close the hot water valve.
As punishment for not informing him, we were to shower in the dark with cold water then make our beds and wait for inspection.
As you can imagine much bed tipping and shouting was had because some people couldn't make a bed in the dark. Eventually the immortal words "BONNE NUIT" "BONNE NUIT CAPORAL-CHEF" were spoken and off we went to bed.
There I was dreaming sweet nothings and bang on the lights go. I got up and made my way to the sinks . I got washed and shaved and back to my bed space, where I was met by one of the English lads who was ex Brit army too.
"Right jock I'll show you how you fold your sheets here, you are gonna f*****g love this". He then showed me how to fold my sheets into a roll which is then placed with the other one to form a cross on your blankets.
I was well impressed with this as I would have never thought that you could do this with a sheet.
We went outside and off to breakfast where we all sat and discussed how absolutely awesome the way of folding sheets was (we were all ex Brit army and it impressed the s**t out of all of us).
We went back to the block and do the inevitable corvee round the compound. The 4 others and myself were called inside and this is where we undertook the psycho technique element in front of the computer.
We finished this and were sent outside to the courtyard where we waited until called for lunch. During the waiting a little Chinese lad got caught sleeping and 2 mins later was running round the compound with a backpack full of rocks above his head.
NOTE TO ALL : do not get caught sleeping in the yard, it looks painful.
We were called to lunch of which I cannot remember what we had. After this I was put on kitchen duty.
I was relieved at this, as it meant I was not waiting in the courtyard. We did this until 2, then taken back to the block, we were sent round to the courtyard where I met the last jock who had just come from Paris.
Just a quick note on Paris : they transport you down on a Tuesday or a Thursday. You need to be there 3 days before they transport you, 2 of the lads timed it wrong and ended up in Paris for 10 days before going to Aubagne.
After a while we were called again, as it turned out this for afternoon work detail. My name is called along with 1 other and we were taken to the infirmary for our medical (sight, hearing, p**s test etc.).
We were sent back to the compound after waiting in the med centre for 2 hours. The other 3 guys that came over on day one, have been sent civil. We never found out why.
I met back up with the Brit contingent again and we carried on our usual nonsense of ripping the p**s out of everyone and everything including each other.
After a couple of hours we were called for dinner which turns out to be le boudin (black pudding) and mashed potato. We finished and formed outside the cookhouse where we were detailed off again for cleaning duties.
We were taken back to the block do some more corvee have time in foyer then go upstairs for shower and bed.
I forgot to mention that the previous night we had a hot shower as the cch had forgot to close the hot water valve.
As punishment for not informing him, we were to shower in the dark with cold water then make our beds and wait for inspection.
As you can imagine much bed tipping and shouting was had because some people couldn't make a bed in the dark. Eventually the immortal words "BONNE NUIT" "BONNE NUIT CAPORAL-CHEF" were spoken and off we went to bed.
mad jock Advanced Member My brief but fun
stay in Aubagne
25-04-08 10:14 AM - In response to mad jock
04:30 the following morning we were woken. Again, I was up shaved and made down my bed before some had even sat upright.
These lazy few were starting to do my head in as it was always them that were getting everyone else punished.
We went outside into the courtyard on what can only be described as a beautiful crisp cool morning albeit still dark.
The jock that had come down from Paris started moaning and couldn't see sense of why we were up so early when breakfast was at 6.
Once I explained that they just didn't want you getting used to a sleep pattern he was fine. Again the Brits all congregated and proceeded to make light of a bad situation and rip the p**s out of everything.
We were called for breakfast after which we did the corvee round the compound and then were detailed for work party.
I was assigned to the officers mess to help clean the kitchen and also the dining areas . This was actually more boring than standing about in the courtyard, at least in the courtyard you can interact with people or do some phys.
In the mess once I had cleaned everything all I could do was stand in total silence. Again once finished we were transported back to the compound where everyone was already formed to go to lunch.
After lunch we were again sent back to the courtyard until 2pm when we were called. The CCH started to read out the names and mine was one of them.
I assumed that we were being assigned to a work party, but this was not to be.
however, when we were dispatched the guys all ran into the block, I grabbed a Senegalese chap who spoke a little English and asked him what was going on.
He informed me that we had finished and we were civil.
We were taken round the side of the building and instructed to hand back all that had been given to us. In return we received all that we had given upon arrival, our discharge papers were handed to us and we were escorted onto a bus and driven to the centre of Marseille and dropped off there.
This is where my encounter with the Legion ended and I am extremely sad that it did so but it is an experience that I will never forget. If any wannabee want to ask questions do not hesitate to ask or pm me. I will answer any questions that I can.
That is what the forum is here for. Thank you for your messages of support from all corners and bonne chance to anyone who wishes to undertake this road in life. As they say in the compound many try few succeed.
04:30 the following morning we were woken. Again, I was up shaved and made down my bed before some had even sat upright.
These lazy few were starting to do my head in as it was always them that were getting everyone else punished.
We went outside into the courtyard on what can only be described as a beautiful crisp cool morning albeit still dark.
The jock that had come down from Paris started moaning and couldn't see sense of why we were up so early when breakfast was at 6.
Once I explained that they just didn't want you getting used to a sleep pattern he was fine. Again the Brits all congregated and proceeded to make light of a bad situation and rip the p**s out of everything.
We were called for breakfast after which we did the corvee round the compound and then were detailed for work party.
I was assigned to the officers mess to help clean the kitchen and also the dining areas . This was actually more boring than standing about in the courtyard, at least in the courtyard you can interact with people or do some phys.
In the mess once I had cleaned everything all I could do was stand in total silence. Again once finished we were transported back to the compound where everyone was already formed to go to lunch.
After lunch we were again sent back to the courtyard until 2pm when we were called. The CCH started to read out the names and mine was one of them.
I assumed that we were being assigned to a work party, but this was not to be.
however, when we were dispatched the guys all ran into the block, I grabbed a Senegalese chap who spoke a little English and asked him what was going on.
He informed me that we had finished and we were civil.
We were taken round the side of the building and instructed to hand back all that had been given to us. In return we received all that we had given upon arrival, our discharge papers were handed to us and we were escorted onto a bus and driven to the centre of Marseille and dropped off there.
This is where my encounter with the Legion ended and I am extremely sad that it did so but it is an experience that I will never forget. If any wannabee want to ask questions do not hesitate to ask or pm me. I will answer any questions that I can.
That is what the forum is here for. Thank you for your messages of support from all corners and bonne chance to anyone who wishes to undertake this road in life. As they say in the compound many try few succeed.
Phantom309 Member 25-04-08 12:48 PM - In
response to mad jock
Hey Jock, thanks for going over your experiences for us.
Could you give us more details on your interviews with the gestapo?
All most people say is that they ask you about 'everything' which isn't very helpful. (i fail to believe they want to know the name of your first pet or your fav colour)
Thanks in advance mate. The member formerly known as Big Al
Rapace Forum Admin 25-04-08 12:55 PM - In response to Phantom309
Good question by Phantom. Did you go through the interviews with the 'gestapo' or did you get dismissed before getting to that stage.
How many days did you stay in Aubagne in total ?
Aurelie3 Advanced Member 25-04-08 02:29 PM - In response to Rapace
What did the medical consist of? There are always many questions involving eyes/teeth .
what sort of checks did they run? Make you eat a toffee-apple and see if you introduce yourself to the hat stand?
Mad Jock Advanced Member 25-04-08 03:33 PM - In response to Aurelie3 did not get to the gestapo or even the physical test but from what i gathered from the other brits they do not know a thing about you but they will put questions to you or say something that you did not so be prepared to correct them
Bushi Newbie My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 04:04 PM - In response to mad jock
Thanks for letting us know about your experience.
Did you get a note that proves that you've been there even though you only were there for a few days...?
Don’t they tell you why you didn’t get accepted? as i read you didn’t do anything that they will fail you on. Other than that, you were there for only adventure; do you think it was something else they failed you for? Thanks
Sam Member 25-04-08 04:33 PM - In response to Bushi
Thanks for memories, Jock. Sorry you were denied more of your own. It sounds like the psorriasis got you.
It also sounds to me like the taxi driver got you too! 80 - 100 Euros? A Euro is worth more than a buck isnt it? Jock, I was there in April of 1977. The experience (except fot the inapt definitif) was still VERY similar, even the menu.
The dreaded hardboiled eggs and spinach dinner PLUS the delicacy of boudin and mashed potatoes? I will BET the potatoes were REAL at least.
The foul fish pastry? We were served that as well and it was a TREAT! Maybe they changed the fish sauce recipe? You can walk on the grass in Aubagne but you better not set foot on the Voie Sacre!
Its true, you tried.
TOP
Post
from Rifleman who just returned from Aubagne after being turned away.
News flash from Aubagne Jan-20-2007
Well I just walked through my front door after returning from Aubagne.
First the good news, Devil D and Taric are both at Castel. I met Taric at Aubagne and he was already rouge. No sign of Steve though.
As for myself, I went green so passed the tests but didn't get selected at the commission.
This has just made me more determined to try again and I will. Because I lucked out at the last hurdle, I got an inapte definitif however, I am writing a letter to try and overturn this so could do with some pointers from any anciens.
If this fails, I think I may sit outside Aubagne's gate until they let me in.
Even though I only had a glimpse of legion life, I know I must succeed at any cost now.
Here goes, first I must thank Eagle Eye because his observations of the French recruits were spot on.
Well I left for Paris on 20 Dec and intended to enlist immediately. However, I stopped off in Paris and after a few beers decided to spend Christmas and New Year there.
Paris is truly an amazing city. I enlisted at Fort Nogent on Jan. 4, I turned up at the gates in a taxi, but before ringing the bell decided to have one last shot of coffee at a bar down the road.
Ringing that bell when i returned was the most profound experience I have ever had. It seemed like hours before a Caporal let me in. I managed to mutter in French that I would like to join the legion.
He took my passport and ushered me into a room opposite the gatehouse. The room had a lot of books and assorted legion memorabilia.
There was musty old smell in the room and I must have sat there for half hour or so when three other lads turned up within this time.
v The Caporal returned and led myself and the other lads to the back of the camp and into a block. We went up to the top floor and entered an office.
We were issued an exam paper and shown some example questions. The Caporal Chef said something in French that I did not understand and I followed the other lads lead and began the paper.
I cannot remember how many questions there were but they were quite difficult and I did not come close to finishing the paper. The Caporal Chef said finish and I thought F@@k me I must of failed that. I will hold the record for the shortest ever time spent as an EV, In and out in an hour!
They took the papers away and a few minutes later my name was called and I was taken to a room next door.
I was told to empty the contents of my bag on a table and item by item was listed. My passport and other valuables put into a brown envelope.
I was then told to strip and put on a blue tracksuit that was two sizes to small. I was then shown to a room and a bed space.
In Paris you wear your civil underwear and socks and use your own wash kit. You also keep your bag with you.
The first night in Fort Nogent was somewhat surreal. When scoff time came around about 17:30, we had to form up in four ranks outside the block and march across to the ordinaire. My first impression of the food was very good; there was plenty of food and more than enough time to eat it. We could take what we wanted and as much bread and FANTA as you could manage.
On returning to the housing block we lined up in the corridor and the bitch, (seems everywhere in the selection process is an arse licker present and in return for wiping the Caporal Chefs backside he gets a tiny percentage of privileges ) issued the corvee to our group.
Because I was one of the latest arrivals, I expected the worst job of the lot. However he told me to take shower and then go sit in the salle de TV.
Even when I asked if he had something to do for me, he insisted shower and TV.
As people finished corvee and came into the salle de TV I could feel everybody’s eyes burning on me. Do not know if it was curious, looks or they were eying up the new competition. Being 30 and a stocky fellow it was not intimidating for me, but I could see how it could be for a young lad.
I sat in the salle de TV for what seemed days when word got around that I was English.
Eventually two friends from Belgium started speaking to me as they spoke good English. They had arrived in Fort Nogent the day before after joining in Lille.
Over the next 8 or 9 days, they would become good friends. They explained the structure of a typical day and we managed to crack a few jokes before the order came to go to bed at about 21:00.
I had no problems sleeping that first night surprisingly maybe because of the several coup de champagne’s the previous night.
The following morning after washing and brushing my teeth, I had time for a quick cigarette. IMPORTANT if u are a smoker take in plenty because in Fort Nogent they can be extremely hard to get hold of.
Breakfast was good and then time for a little corvee in the block. This was very easy and it consisted of several Frenchmen (fellow recruits) supervising the work.
i.e. standing, watching you doing nothing. Still I managed to keep my mouth shut and just get on with it.
Because it was now a Saturday (I enlisted on a Friday afternoon) I learnt it would be Tuesday before I would be able to do the medical. This meant plenty of salle de TV and petty corvee but hey I was warned on this site beforehand lol.
In the next couple of days, I met most of the guys in Nogent and found the majority to be likeable. There were less east Europeans than I expected.
A few Chinese, Columbian, Bolivian but the most came from France and Germany.
Tuesday eventually arrived albeit very slowly because apart from a little corvee it was mainly hanging around in the salle de TV.
When it was time for the medical, there were 28 of us to take it. I was about number 20 in the line. I was apprehensive because I knew my teeth were good, but I was not sure of the rest.
The first fellow that went in was a likeable Chinese fellow who spoke a little English. All the Chinese people were very nice people always polite and courteous. We westerners could learn a lot from these guys.
He was in the room for approx 5 minutes when he reappeared. He failed on teeth and they asked him how long it would take him to rectify it. If I were in his shoes, I would have said 2 days see you soon, but for some reason he agreed to 2 months.
For the first in to the medical to fail was quite unnerving for the rest of us.
Now a couple of years ago I decided to have a couple of piercings done, one in the nipple and also a pa. I will not go into details on the pa because I would not want to corrupt Joette's mind lol.
Before leaving to enlist, I took the nipple piercing out but was somewhat apprehensive about messing with my little soldier so decided to leave it in because it was hidden.
I have never lost anything because of religion if you get my meaning.
As more people went through the medical we lost a few more fellows for varying reasons but I can only remember two more reasons for rejections, which were overweight and underweight.
As my time neared I suddenly panicked about the piercing I left in. When another Chinese reappeared from the medical I decided to ask him in sign language just how much the undercarriage was inspected.
Judging by his hand signals in reply, it looked as though I had no choice but to take the piercing out. Luckily, I knew that down the corridor were toilets (I had cleaned them before lol). I went into the toilets and the next 10 minutes yes 10 minutes were the most painful and worrying of my life.
Eventually after a lot of messing around I was successful and headed back to my place in the queue.
The 2 Belgians went into the room just before me one after another. When the first went in the other was outside the door waiting to go in. Suddenly there was a shout from inside the room, so loud that everyone heard. The Caporal Chef assisting the Colonel in the medical shouted, "We hate Belgian’s". Well that was it, I thought he must of failed here if not for medical reasons then for sure because of his country of origin. The other Belgian who was next in was bricking it at this point, but he shouldn't have been worried. His mate came out with his thumb up because he had passed. Well the second Belgian passed no trouble as did I. I worried about the piercing for nothing because the doctor had a quick feel of your balls and after you coughed twice, the medical was done. After returning upstairs, I spent a good 30 minutes returning the piercing to its rightful position.
Well after the doctors examination I thought that was it, medical wise for the day. However, boy was I wrong. After the midi scoff it as once again downstairs for the eyesight and hearing test.
This took all afternoon for those of us that were left.
One guy was rejected for his hearing and guess who it was. The French BITCH. There is a God!!. I guess the Caporal Chef was thirsty for the rest of that day with no bitch to make his coffee lol.
Out of 28 who took the medical with me, five were rejected at this stage. Good odds really, because I thought more would go.
Later that day (Tuesday) there was a whisper that people who passed the medical would travel to Aubagne on Thursday. I knew at this point it was only a matter of time before I was headed for Aubagne.
The next day or so was hilarious. Apart from manger, corvee and salle de TV the only official thing done was the signing of the first contract in an office for administration. Other than this, it was more laughs with some of the boys.
The 2 Belgian’s were extremely funny, but not well liked by the staff at Nogent. The French seem to detest the Belgian’s, as for why, the only explanation I can think of is they are so close to France but not French.
On Wednesday evening, all recruits who passed the medical were told; we would be leaving for Aubagne first thing the next morning after breakfast. We handed the tracksuits in, and dressed in civvies ready for the journey the next morning. So that was it I was off to Aubagne
Before I continue I must add one more detail about a good friend I met in Nogent. I never expected to see any fellow Englishmen but in one week in Paris I met 3.
The first was in Nogent when I arrived. He must have been 18 or 19 from London like me. The day I arrived, he went civil voluntarily lasting a whole 24hrs in Nogent. I think he had no business being there in the first place.
The second lasted about 2 days. He was from Birmingham and a little overweight. He also chose to go civil.
This is all bad news for new British recruits because it hardly sets a good impression. The third English chap arrived a couple of days after me and came to Aubagne and went green with me but was also rejected at the commission. His legion name was Nelson. A was good chap with an amazing story. He had been serving as a signaler in the British army for 5+ years. He had been based in Germany, but got disillusioned with life there.
After repeated attempts to change regiments without success, he had finally made the decision to travel to Paris.
In normal circumstances, I would not have given the fellow the time of day for going awol, but these were not normal circumstances.
I found over the next couple of weeks that he was a quite likeable chap.
Well Thursday morning soon arrived and we were woken up at 04:00. After rushing around washing and stuff, we had a quick breakfast and then straight onto a coach.
We drove to Gare de Lyon and boarded a train for Marseille. Now I have read many times from different sources that the legion takes you down to Marseille on a slow train but for us this was not the case.
It was straight on a TGV and in around 3hrs we were in St Charles station stopping only once. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the station we stopped at, but it might come back to me and some of you guys probably know anyway.
Marching through St Charles station was pretty freaky. I could feel 10s of eyes looking at us although I doubt with respect, probably sorrow lol.
Marseille like Paris is quite a beautiful city in its own right but nothing could prepare me for how very special Aubagne is.
I know now why Cpl. K has settled there. The surrounding views of the mountains are truly amazing. On the way 2 1RE we passed the Red Lion, but I thought it bad discipline to ask for a brief refreshment stop lol. We arrived at 1RE between 11:00 and 12:00.
The camps location is kind of set on a hill so you are looking over Aubagne. When we arrived as an ex soldier there were three main things i wanted to know. 1) Where do i sleep 2) Where to eat 3) Where to sh**
None of this info was forthcoming and I was marched off with 9 others into a room full of pc’s. It was time for the psycho technique test.
The psycho technique test, well it is actually not one test but three separate tests. In each, you are given 20 mins.
From what I remember there are approx 38 questions to each of the three parts. All three tests are quite similar in that they all require you to recognize patterns whether it is with numbers or shapes.
I am no brain of Britain but after the first two tests, I felt confident I had done well. When it was time for the third test, it blew me away. It is definitely the most difficult.
With 2 min of the 20 allowed I had only answered 28 of the 38 questions. These questions really needed to be thought out.
Instead of answering maybe two more by thinking them through, I hedged my bets and guessed the last 10.
My reason of thinking was that with six possible answers I was bound to guess a couple correctly.
There is no way to study for this test, you can do it, or not do it, simple as that.
Overall I left the test room feeling quite confident I had performed well enough. About 30 mins later my name was called again but this time with only 7 others.
Again we were led to the pc room. I noticed I was in the same group as before only 2 recruits were missing. One of the Belgian recruits and a Bolivian.
I later found out that if you are not called for the 4th test then you failed the niveau general. The fourth test was to determine your personality. I will quote a similar example question below.
How would you describe yourself?
1) Impatient 2) Disciplined 3) Lazy 4) Organized 5) Self Motivated
a) Firstly the computer asks you which answer most describes you. You must choose only one answer.
b) Then out of the 4 options left you must choose 1 that least describes yourself.
c) Then you must repeat a and b again leaving 1 answer that hasn't been used.
To fail this test u would have to be a complete lunatic so nothing to worry about here. It has only 11 questions of a similar nature to the example above and I was not aware, if there was a time limit.
After finishing this test we were led outside to join the rest of the rouge and blues at the rear of the building in the exercise yard.
When reaching the exercise yard i was surprised to see the Belgian fellow that was missing from the test. I thought he might have disappeared as so many people do in Aubagne. Sent civil when nobody is looking.
I greeted him and he introduced me to an American and guess who? Yep, Taric. Both were already rouge. Taric was leaving for Castel the following Friday, so I was unable to talk with him much apart from 5 mins on our first meeting.
However I must thank him for the full bottle of shower gel he got me because it saved washing with the soap that you have to use for washing both yourself and your clothes.
In Aubagne little things make the world of difference.
The American had only just gone rouge so he had to spend another week at Aubagne babysitting us blues.
I will not give even his legion name on this site but I can tell you he hails from Arizona. He was only 19 years of age but aced the psycho techno test with 100%.
Now that is some feat in itself, he must be for sure a very clever fellow. I hold out much hope for him in his career in the legion.
I know his physical test was just on the minimum but I’m sure it will improve rapidly.
The rest of the day was taken up with corvee and before I knew it time for dinner. The word “dinner” I must use very loosely. How different from Fort Nogent can you get?
Of course, we all ate every last mouthful, but compared to Fort Nogent the food is diabolical for want of a better word.
In addition, the portion sizes were strictly rationed, no second helpings of anything here. Time for eating is also limited.
When entering the ordinaire the recruits do so in order. Rouge first then Green and finally Blue.
Because it was a Thursday, there weren't any green recruits because of an earlier commission. If you are unlucky enough to be at the back of the queue as I was for my first meal you will make sure you never are again.
After dinner we were issued a mini Bergen with another blue tracksuit, black t-shirt, 2 socks, 2 underwear, towel, parker, flip-flops, trainers and wash kit.
At this point, everything personal was taken from us and put into storage. All I kept was French dictionary, cigarettes and wristwatch.
The first night was hectic. I soon discovered that not only was food rationed but showers too, ten seconds of cold water equals a shower legion selection style.
In the evening, the rouge helps the blues with their bed and locker layout as to be ready for the Caporal Chef's inspection before lights out.
For this first night, the American showed me how to do it and made the first night pass without incident.
Before it was lights out, I managed to wish Taric luck at Castel and early next morning he was gone.
This left the two Belgians, the American, Nelson the AWOL signaler and I as the only native English speakers.
The lights were turned on at 05:00 am and we were given 30 minutes to shave and prepare our beds and lockers.
In just over a week in Aubagne I never slept through an entire night.
I am not sure why, maybe because of the excitement or the not knowing what will happen next. I cannot really put my finger on it.
During the day from maybe 05:30 till 20:00 nobody is permitted to enter the block. If you have no test or corvee you must wait in the yard.
Friday passed quite slowly and the only test done, was the psycho technic for those that had not completed it already.
Nelson was called and passed with no problem. However, a few guys did fail and went civil in the afternoon before the weekend including a very funny chap from Haiti.
Although the day passed slowly the evening was a completely different matter. After a few hours of corvee during the day I expected dinner and then the usual nightly routine.
No, not tonight. I was not chosen for cuisine corvee after dinner, so was marched back to the yard. It was not long before the siren went for the blues to parade at the front of the building.
I was chosen along with a few others to work in the officers mess and boy did we work.
When we arrived at the mess it was teeming with officers because some kind of banquet was being held.
Over the next 7 hours it was non-stop washing up. No dishwasher here like in the ordinaire it all had to be done manually.
The number of plates and glasses must have run into the thousands.
At a little past 23:00 a Caporal Chef asked if we were finished. We all agreed that we were but the Caporal Chef made a Hungarian chap lift every glass up to the light to check for smears. Bon, pas bon, etc etc etc
I knew from the start these kind of games would be played so I played them. Unfortunately many other recruits hadn't thought this could be part of the game. Many decided to leave on the following Monday morning.
In this post I have mentioned 2 other recruits specifically the Haitian and Hungarian fellows. This account cannot continue without my next post involving these 2 recruits but many others 2. I think this part should have a title and I must call it Lunatics in the Legion.
Lunatics in the Legion
Out of all the people I met in Paris and Aubagne the Haitian and Hungarian were the strangest. They were for sure in Eagle Eyes words the gods gift to the legion boys, but these two were something else.
I first noticed the Hungarian chap on my first night in Nogent. The first evening everyone was looking at me curiously but this guy kept staring and staring.
When I stared back he shifted his eyes elsewhere. I thought nothing too much of it at first, apart from that he was probably a homosexual.
As the days continued so did the stares.
About the third night in Paris I had a little run in with him. As my luck would have it, he was on the bunk above me.
I was chatting to a Chinese fellow before getting some sleep. Definitely not shouting and laughing, but keeping things at a quiet level.
As we're chatting I hear "SILENCE" shouted from this Hungarians mouth. Although his stares had been winding me up, I managed to keep myself from giving him the good news.
No sooner as I decided the best course of action was to stay out of fights, he again said "silence". That was it I was out of my bed like a rat up a drainpipe.
I looked down on him laying on his bed and gave him what for verbally. Not touching him knowing if I did, it would be curtains for my wish to join the legion.
He never spoke to me again but all through Paris and Aubagne He continued with the staring.
When talking to the Belgians and Nelson the next morning I was explaining what happened with the Hungarian and discovered he was always staring at them also. We nicknamed him the WATCHER. I never did find out if he was homosexual, eyeing up the competition or just plain f**king crazy.
Now as for the Haitian a completely different kettle of fish. The few times I spoke with him left me sure he was a nutcase.
He would sit in a corner of the salle de TV firing pretend machine guns and shouting that you shouldn't join the legion unless you were already dead.
At times, he was hilarious but I wouldn't want to be on a live firing exercise with him for sure.
As for their fates, the Watcher made it rouge and the Haitian failed the psycho technic test. Surprise
Well time flies when your having fun and before I knew it the second weekend had arrived. Not much happens in Aubagne on a weekend. No tests but the corvee will continue. After a couple of days in Aubagne corvee becomes a blessing, in the form of a chance to forget your situation.
Late Saturday afternoon we hear of another rumor, so ridiculous it just might be true. The group of rouge that left for Castel the day before with Taric in it apparently received a welcoming party in Castel.
I am not sure what this consisted of, but the result being three rouge went AWOL after less than 24 hours in Castel.
This was confirmed the following day when they reappeared at Aubagne. We were not told what their punishment was, but I hope it was severe. At the time, I found this vaguely amusing but now sitting at home after rejection at the last moment, I am not laughing. It only angers me.
Well on Sunday the boys from Castel reappeared in Aubagne another casualty this time a rouge waiting to start Castel the following Friday. The American tells me he has elected to go civil because of missing his family.
What the hell is wrong with these people and how did they manage to get so far? I suppose in their defense if there is such a thing is that being rouge has no real perks. As you, progress life only gets harder. The rouge wake up at 04:30, so they are able to wake the blue at 05:00. They also have guard duty to perform nightly. Two men at a time for two hours. The above rouge will depart civil tomorrow morning (Monday)
Well the rest of Sunday did pass without incident, except for one terrible blow for me. After Friday night corvee in the officer’s mess, I was sure lightning could not strike twice in the same place. Maybe it does not in civilian life but it most certainly does in Aubagne.
Back to the mess and another few thousand glasses. This time mind I made sure I received some perks. Three in fact taking the form of 330ml cans of Krony. To quote a famous catchphrase from another splendid brand of lager. It was probably the best lager in the world.
After finishing corvee at the mess we were marched back to the block. It is around 23:30. Now usually when coming back at this late hour there will be a guard in a little box at the entrance to the sleeping block.
He was nowhere to be seen. Then one of the funniest things I have ever seen happened. The Caporal Chef pushed open the gate and the large wooden baton the rouge guard should have been holding clanged on the concrete floor. He had obviously placed it there so he would be alerted, if anyone were to come.
Then there was a rustle from the bushes next to the guard hut and a rouge appeared half asleep stretching and yawning. Everybody was rolling over in hysterics. The punishment was quick and discreet just a hard kick from the Caporal Chef to the rouge's upper leg. I am sure this punishment was the best choice in the circumstances. One thing I do know, the rouge won't sleep on stag again.
Well it was a quick douche/shower and then straight to sleep. I had the feeling that the following day (Monday) was going to be a busy one, and let me tell you the Legion didn't disappoint me.
Before I continue with the last 5 days I spent in Aubagne. A little post on sickness is suitable at about this time.
If your journey takes you through Aubagne expect to get sick. Possibly twice before the jab you will receive and after. Living in close proximity with so many others makes it evitable that you will catch something.
For me I started to get a cold and cough after only a few days, but don't worry because everybody ends up suffering so you will not be alone. I remember one morning especially. We paraded outside at 05:30 and we were given a little aperitif before breakfast consisting of a little run and press-ups. After we were finished, the Caporal told us to close in around him. Suddenly it hit me, I got hot and cold sweats and dizziness. I remember thinking S**T, I am going to drop here. There was no way I was going to make it known I was that sick incase they waved me goodbye because of it.
As we gathered around the Caporal, I was clinging onto anybody and everybody just to stay on my feet. Eventually it subsided and I felt a little bit better. I cannot say whether any training staff noticed because my vision was all blurred, but I would guess not. I had not a clue what the Caporal was on about though.
One lad ended up in the infirmary because of this illness. In short, I think sickness is part of traveling and being in a large group during selection Well Monday morning soon arrived after a night of 2-hour blocks of sleep. After our morning bout of exercise and breakfast, we had our usual parade. This took place every morning and the reason was to ask all recruits who if anyone wanted to go civil. Of course, the rouge I mentioned earlier who missed his family was going, but looking around me another 5 blues raised their hands. I noticed that a couple of them had been working in the officers’ mess with me and I think that must have been breaking point for them.
After an hour or so the siren went off for the blues to parade. By this time that siren was beginning to get right on my t*ts. I was called along with the Belgian who had passed the niveau general.
In total 10 of us were marched to the medical centre for the second test. I would not describe this as a test more of a mini Gestapo. After stripping one by one, we were called into a room with a Caporal. When it was my turn I entered the room and he asked me "is this the first time you have applied to join the Legion". I replied, that yes it was indeed and he told me to leave and wait outside.
After endless waiting we were again called into an adjoining room to see a sergent chef. He checked my arms and asked if I was self-harming or had tried to commit suicide. He asked about family history and illness associated with it, the same questions as in the medical at Fort Nogent. I think the reason for these repeated questions was to try to catch us in a lie. I had not lied in the first place so there was no way my story could differ from previously.
More waiting and then we got called into a captains office. When I entered, I was told to drop my pants and turn slowly in a full circle. In case you are wondering, I left the piercing in this time and everything was fine. He did not spot it. He asked me about drug use which was one of the most frequent questions we were asked. As before, I mentioned cannabis use in school days but he wasn't overly concerned. Heroin or Cocaine is a different story. If you have used these before I would lie.
Lastly we were called back into the first room and had what looked like a chest x-ray taken. After this, we dressed and returned to the exercise area. The morning had flown by and it was 11:30 time for lunch.
Well after the medical and eating and no cuisine corvee for me I knew something else was on the agenda for the afternoon. They gave us an hour or so, hanging around before they called my name along with nine others. They issued us with a numbered blue vest and told us to wait in the foyer. This could mean only one thing it was time for the physical test.
I couldn't see the Belgian who had so far, been in all the same test groups as myself. At the time I did not think too much of it. Out of all the tests this was the one I was dreading.
Before commencing the test, we were given two mins to take in some water and use the toilet. As I left the toilets, the missing Belgian approached me with his kit over his shoulder. He told me that the Legion was not giving him a shot at the physical test and he had to go civil. I had to hurry outside so did not get to say "all the best". I never saw him again. His friend the other Belgium left with him. I do not understand why the Legion kept him over the weekend when he failed the psycho test on the Friday.
We arrived outside of the block and were met by an American Adjudant Chef and a Caporal. They showed us each to a running lane marked on the pavement. I remember looking at the boys around me, and feeling very old at 30. I was worried for nothing because the beep test is easy for anyone with moderate fitness. Four boys dropped out before me so I done ok. I am not sure of the level I reached because the recording was in French but at a guess, I would say level nine. The strongest runner reached level 12.
After the beep test and a 2 min breather came the pull-ups. The average in our group must have been about six however, I only managed five. Again, the strongest / fittest member in my group managed only 10.
The last physical test was the rope climb. It is not hands only and even if you do not need to use feet make sure you use them. There are two reasons I say this. Firstly, when you have to climb the rope with a 65 lb Bergen on your back in Castel or at a regiment you def will need to use your feet. Secondly the training staff have a strong dislike for show offs. So strong in fact that they rejected the two fittest members of my group of 40 greens, during the commission
I managed the rope climb no problem. I must have been in the middle bracket of recruits in the physical test results. They sent three of the four boys who dropped out of the beep test before me, civil.
If you intend to enlist in the future, I would take it easy on the physical side of things. All anyone on this site and all through Fort Nogent and Aubagne were talking about was what they are capable of and showing off. In Aubagne there is only one competition and that is with yourself. After all its no good having 2 supermen in a section that just f**k off into the distance on a 40 kilometer tab. Being too fit can work both ways.
S**t, I knew I would forget something, going back to the Belgian contingent. I have explained the reason for the first ones departure (failing the psycho test) but have not explained the reason for the second chap. I can only speculate on this, but these are my thoughts.
The drug questions are the most frequently asked questions you will receive starting from the minute you walk into the legions fold. I remember in Fort Nogent the Belgian telling me that they asked about previous cocaine use.
He replied that he had never partaken in this drug, but after he reappeared from the second medical in Aubagne just before the physical test he mentioned to me, the Sergent Chef had asked him about any previous usage. He told me he had replied, "I have used it only about 5 times in my life" I think lying about this cost him his chance. That is the reason why in a previous post I mentioned that you should lie on cocaine issues if you have been that way inclined in your past.
(Next part is a reply to a post) Nick, nowadays you are nominated green after passing the medicals, psycho and physical tests. They give you a green armband that must be worn on your left bicep. The tracksuit stays blue the same. The armbands are useless and keep slipping down to your forearm. The only privilege for being green is a step closer to the front of the eating queue.
Usually you are given the armband before the interviews with the Gestapo however I completed the 2nd medical, physic test and 1st Gestapo interview on the same day ( Monday ) and was given the armband a few minutes before turning in for the night on this Monday.
By the time another physical test was completed after my own, it was nearing 16:00 and I was counting down the minutes to scoff time. We all seemed to time watch and countdown to eating time. Sometimes keeping a wristwatch was a curse. The siren went off at around 16:30 for everyone to parade. It was far too early for our trip to the ordinaire so I was curious as to what was going on. I knew I would not be leaving for civil because there is a set time for this. Anyone returning home on a weekday only, because no one departs on a weekend, is sent at 14:00.
My name was called for the third time that day and I was off for the first Gestapo interview. The Gestapo is housed on the top floor of an adjacent block. I'm not sure why everything in the Legion is located on the top floor of buildings but I'm sure there is a reason.
I sat only outside the locked door for a few minutes when an adjudant opened it and invited me in. The interview progressed quite smoothly maybe too much so. I had already decided that honesty was the best policy when dealing with these fellows.
The adjudant spoke good English and was making noted as we spoke. In the first interview, you also have to make notes on sheets of paper given to you. On the sheets of paper are headings to the questions you will be asked. As you verbally answer the questions, you write down your answers also.
I can't remember all the questions asked of me but I will list a couple below for examples..... 1) Have you ever visited any foreign countries in your life 2) Family details eg. Names, occupations, are they aware you are here 3) Your work history Many more also but I won't bore you. The most important questions have to be your motivations for joining.
This first interview lasted about an hour. I don't think I hit it off with this chap very well. When I explained, I had a mortgage on a flat and a good managerial position in a worldwide company he seemed to go cold.
There are more important things in life than money like honor, enjoyment of your occupation, and pride coupled with loyalty. I don't think he was impressed. It takes a lot more b*lls to be willing to give up many things to achieve your dreams rather than knock on the gate with sweet f… all. Or maybe I should of failed the personality test lol
(Another reply to post) Nick, the showers downstairs are now reserved for the rouge only, as are the rooms. At times, there must have been between 60 to 80 blues upstairs. As you know with 8 or 10 (didn’t count) showers for that many men time was cut to the bare minimum. The fanta supply was hooked up in Aubagne all the time mate it was just getting the time to drink it that was a problem. My second to last day was spent in Puyloubier and yeah compared to Aubagne the food was much better. I will write more on this as I come to the end of the thread.
After the first interview with the Gestapo it was time for dinner and a little cuisine corvee. Most unusual was, that I got to spend an hour or so in the foyer that evening. No krony but you can buy cigarettes, chocolate and soft drinks. Before the inspection, that evening I was called downstairs and given a green armband and told if lost it, a donation of 5 euros is required. Each band is numbered whether to prevent theft I really don't know.
Next thing I know its Tuesday morning and the English Mafia now only consisted of Nelson, the American and myself. Nelson was about 24 hrs behind me in the testing schedule so we guessed he had a busy day ahead of him.
It was early this morning that the American informed us he would not be traveling to Castel with the rest of his group of rouge. The reason being when you make rouge, a blood test is required and his results showed a minor abnormality. He had been told it was nothing serious and could be related to his sudden surge of physical activity. He wasn't due the final verdict till yesterday (Monday) so was unable to leave for Castel last Friday.
For me Tuesday was quite relaxed. In the morning, I had another Gestapo interview with the same fellow going over my life and the information I had given him the day before. In the afternoon another interview with a different Adjudant whose office was in our housing block. I think he was American judging by the accent.
As for Nelson he went through the 2nd medical, physical test and 1st Gestapo interview in the one day, as had I the previous day. That evening he also made green.
It was also on Tuesday that we learnt officially that the rouge commission would take place on the Friday not the Thursday like it normally was. I think the reason being, they wanted to rush through more Greens because daily more people were turning up. In fact by this time I only recognized a handful of faces from Paris.
The following morning (Wednesday) it was up at 05:00 and paraded for a little exercise. As usual, we were told to set off running around the front parade ground. Usually this might last only 10 minutes before the Caporal would reappear and shout "en position". However, this time we must of been running for 20 minutes or so before this happened.
I must at this point mention that the training team deserves much respect, as for every push-up completed by us recruits the caporal issuing these instructions would do the same. This is for sure the sign of a good leader.
After a couple of sets the Caporal pulled one of the two fittest recruits to one side and got him to lead the push-ups in front of us. On closer inspection the Caporal looked like s**t. He was sneezing and coughing obviously with the same sickness that we, us recruits had.
Now the recruit he pulled out to lead the exercise was a proper ignorant arrogant little Frenchman, always picking on some of the smaller lads in his chambre. I know Nelson had already come close to knocking him out, but fear not he was about to get what he deserved.
The Caporal asked him to lead a set of twenty push-ups and all eyes were on this arrogant f**k to begin. Well before he got into the position, he indicated without the Caporals blessing to do this set of twenty with our fists clenched.
Now a couple of days earlier we were made to perform this exercise as punishment and for some of us our knuckles were still grazed and sometimes bleeding. The Caporal looked at the Frenchman and I could see the distaste in his eyes. The Caporal indicated to us that no the exercise should be performed with the regular outstretched hands. As we were doing the twenty, I looked up to see this Frenchman performing them with clenched fists. From that moment, I knew he would be history.
There is surely no room in Aubagne for the individual.
(reply to post) Nick, in response to your enquiry on other nationalities and ages of recruits they differ so wildly that I can't really give an in depth account on this issue.
I do know that age is not really a factor in joining as long as your in the 17-40 bracket. Kids of 18 and men of 35 both went rouge. One of the chaps at 35 wasn't really in the best of shape either. Looking back their were a few recruits on their second attempt. My personal view is this could work in your favor. Never giving up is a good asset to have. The average age of the recruits in Fort Nogent and Aubagne I would guess at maybe 24.
As for nationalities it was a real mix. There were a few French speaking Africans and more Chinese than I expected. Out of the four Chinese I spoke with two made it rouge. Germans and Hungarians were the second largest group other than the Frenchmen.
Hope that answers your question(end of reply)
After our morning exercise with the arrogant Frenchman, I spent most of the day sitting in the corridor of our block waiting for my second and last interview with another Adjudant. I must have sat for approx three hours before finally being called in.
This time the Adjudant was a French chap. There was also another NCO present to translate. Many of the same questions were repeated but I don't feel I was given a good enough opportunity to get my points across.
One question I do remember was "How long did I intend to serve in the Legion". I replied truthfully that I was willing to serve for as long as I was physically able and at thirty, I had at least another ten to fifteen years in me.
Out of the four interviews I had this was the one that seemed to not go very well. When I was asked, "Why do you want to join the legion" I had three reasons but after telling them firstly a career I was not given the opportunity to expand on this.
Other than this interview and a small amount of corvee the rest of the day was spent thinking about the commission which was only two days away. Every time we paraded at the front for corvee to be dished out I was praying I would be chosen, to escape my own thoughts for a bit. Alas, it wasn't to be and I was left thinking about what might or might not be.
Thursday morning was the single weirdest morning for me. They paraded us in front of the block just after breakfast. Three more boys elected to go civil when they asked our group. As this was happening, I remember standing guarde vous and looking up at the two Legion insignias plastered on the front of the building. I thought to myself at this moment there is nowhere in the world I would rather be than stood right here and given a chance I would prove my loyalty to this organization.
Then a bombshell hits. I hear my name called along with one other and we are asked to follow the boys going civil inside. I thought, S**t, why me what have I done wrong? I thought for sure that I had screwed up and was on the next train to Gare de Lyon. Ten long minutes were spent standing with this German considering what had gone wrong.
Eventually a Caporal Chef approached and instructed us to follow him. He led us to a minibus outside and we climbed in the rear. A Caporal as well as the Caporal Chef was in the front. It was still dark at this time so I was unable to appreciate the views on our journey.
After approx thirty minutes driving I caught a glimpse of a road sign. Labeled on this was a place called Puyloubier and from what I'd learnt before traveling to France I knew this is where we were headed.
It must of been around a 45 minute journey but could possibly of been closer to an hour. By the time we arrived, it was light anyway. The Legions retirement home (please correct me if this is not a suitable description) seemed to me to be stuck in the middle of nowhere. It was like a little town in itself. Again, the views were out of this world. We stopped in the guardroom so the NCO's could say hello to their mates.
The first bit of work was to replenish the wine stocks in the little shop they have there. Although the warehouse and shop are close together, an old truck was used to transport the wine. I found this quite strange, as before leaving for the Legion I would have imagined carrying these cases by hand.
I seemed to hit it off well with the Caporal who was with us, maybe because I was communicating with him in French. Ok it was bad French but hey, I tried. After replenishing the stocks in the shop, the Caporal kept me with him and sent the German to the cookhouse for corvee. I chatted with this Caporal for a little bit and then he informed me it was time for breakfast.
Bloody hell, two breakfasts in one day I was starting to like this place. We drove to the cookhouse and the German was hard at work. The Caporal and I sat down and tucked into the food. It consisted of the same as in anywhere in the Legion I guess. Coffee and bread but enjoyable all the same. I ate as fast as I could because to be truthful I kind of felt guilty that the poor German was still hard at work with the sapier. After finishing eating, I asked the Caporal if there was something for me to do. He just smiled glancing at the German and said no.
For the rest of the morning I definitely had the better deal. With the two NCO's we took some fold down chairs to a church in a little town nearby and threw out some old TVs and videos as well as assorted rubbish to a local tip.
Lunchtime soon arrived and it was back to the cookhouse. It was the recruits’ job to serve the Anciens lunch. Even though these guys were fairly old they had the look of men that couldn't be surprised by anything. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to talk very much with any of them but even if I had time language might have been an issue. The majority were German I think.
In the afternoon the German was left in the cookhouse and I again had an easy time of it. I washed a Legion van and a couple of pushbikes. About 17:00 it was back to the cookhouse for something to eat before leaving. While waiting for the food an Ancien called me over and started speaking in French to me.
He seemed lonely to me so I didn't have the heart to tell him I hadn't a clue what he was saying. I sat and smoked a cigarette with him trying to make conversation in French, which was difficult for me. I just tried to nod and shake my head in the right places.
The one thing I took away from Puyloubier with me was that under no circumstances would I ever become a patron. However you must appreciate the efforts made by the Legion to accommodate its ex members.
On returning to Aubagne a few friends were surprised to see me again. They thought, as did I that morning it was all over and I must be off, “partir pour mon maison”. Looking back, I am glad that I was afforded the opportunity to visit Puyloubier. The daytrip also managed to stop me thinking about the commission the following day.
And so judgment day was upon me. Every minute seemed like an eternity. I had been informed by the American who was Rouge, that the verdict of the commission was always given at 14:00. Never thirty minutes before or after. So imagine my surprise when I heard the siren at 13:30. By now I was nervous as hell, but no, it wasn't an early decision just a wander around the block picking up any stray cigarette butts and litter. At 14:00, exactly the siren went off again. Waiting there in the sunshine, I couldn't think of anything, pass or fail, nothing at all. As the names were called, I could feel my heart sinking. My name wasn't called. I was herded into a separate group and we were informed "going civil". I think I managed to hide my disappointment quite well. Nelson was also rejected.
We were taken to the clothing store and received our clothes and bags back as well as passports and other valuables. We each received a train ticket to Gare de Lyon except for a German called Kruger (nicknamed Freddy) who had volunteered to go civil in the morning. He was bitching because although he got paid he had no ticket. I got a glimse of his discharge paper, which said three months inapte temporaire and thought to myself you can have all my money and ticket if I can have that piece of paper. My discharge paper read inapte definitif.
I was paid a handsome sum of 297E and led to a waiting coach. We were not taken to St Charles station but to a metro station closer to the camp. Before departing on the TGV Nelson and I decided a beer was the order of the day. After a couple we decided to extend our drinking session in Paris. After a few beers on the TGV we arrived at Gare de Lyon.
Here we ran into two Chinese fellows who had been turned down also. The session continued late into the night and the early morning. We ended up staying the night in some hotel. At midday, I boarded a train headed for Calais as I'm not a big fan of Eurostar and prefer the ferry. Nelson headed for Germany.
The journey home was quite uneventful until I reached the port of Dover England. Passport control was ok but the walk past customs something else. I had only one sports bag slung over my shoulder and was shuffling along past about ten customs officers.
Now I'm not the most mummy’s boy looking fellow and with next to no hair a good bet as a criminal of some kind. Just as I was walking past the last official I heard "excuse me sir may I look in your bag". With nothing to hide I agreed and was led behind a screen.
The customs chap asked did I know it is an offence to bring drugs or guns into the UK. "Yes mate I know" I replied. He asked where I had been and for how long. I told him a vacation in Paris and Marseille for a month.
He went well overboard with the inspection and started to open the pieces of paper. Guess what he found. Yep the discharge paper. He asked me what it was and I just told him the truth. Considering I had just lied to him over and over again he was ok and sent me on my way.
What happened to the rest of the boys? Well Nelson probably arrived in Germany back at base on Saturday afternoon. Very shortly, I think he will be staying at her majesty's pleasure in Colchester for going AWOL.
One of the Belgians probably doing some time as well for civilian offences. The American is waiting to leave for Castel on Friday pending his blood test results yesterday. That is about it from me. I have a few conclusions to this experience, but will post these shortly in this thread.
So after all, what’s done is done and the conclusions I can draw from this brief encounter. Well I am surely disappointed, but as for my attitude towards the Legion I respect it more now than before I arrived in France. If any of my posts indicate otherwise than they have been understood wrong.
The selection process is fairly easy to handle if you have any military experience. In truth, I was expecting it to be much worse. I served in the British Army a while ago and I don't know if this old saying is true "Yes it was much harder in my day". I suppose any military force has to change its ways as each new generation enlists.
Does the selection process work?. I will not use myself as an example because I maybe a little biased, but no it most definitely does not. This opinion is formed because of the three rouge that went AWOL within twenty-four hours of life at Castel and the rouge in Aubagne who left civil because he missed his family.
Did these people really need the Legion? Of course, they didn't in fact I would surmise they didn't even want the Legion. The Legion is like any other large organization military or not. Believe it or not, but they make mistakes. These mistakes will never be owned up to, but they still exist.
For anyone that wants to enlist I would say, there is no time like the present. The selection process can't be prepared for it just has to be done. As long as you have no major medical issues, a reasonable education, basic physical fitness and are able to tell the Gestapo what they want to hear. Then you have a good as chance as anybody.
TOP
Posted Nov. 4 2005 for Milan BB
SK
Latest information about the
selection procedures in Aubagne.
(sorry for spelling mistakes)
1- After coming to Aubagne
directly or from any recruit center you do an easy IQ test. You have
only 10 min. and 30 questions to do.
There are pictograms,
geometrical objects etc. you have to find right objects, corresponding
with others or to compare object.
I saw few wannabees sent home
after this test due to poor results. Minimum requirement is 10 right
answers. This info is based on discussion with one legionnaire.
At this stage wannabees coming
from the recruiting post have already gotten a change of identity. You
are asked to sign the contract, of course with your new name. Signing
contract does not mean that you will become legionnaire.
2-After this you go to the
doctor for a minor medical check. They ask you to undress to your
underwear and a doctor with the of rank captain is making a basic
check, like if your teeth are fixed, if your sexual organ does not
shows any sign of sexual transmitted disease or abnormality, your spine
and looking for the major scars .
3. Then you go to Gestapo and
the legion makes pictures of you with your real name on a small card
holding in front of you. If you have any tattoos you are asked to
report it and they will picture also your tattoos.
4. Next action is that they move
you into the selection camp. It is a separated fenced building, where
you stay from one day till three weeks, depending on your performance
during the tests.
Here again, you take the first
part of an psycho technical test. First part consist of 5 or 6 tests,
first 3 are very similar to the very first test described above. Again,
you have to compare objects, find right object or objects from various
answers, tasks and questions are quite easy, but some of them are more
sophisticated.
You have limited time because
you have to complete about 30 tasks in every test in 20 minutes or
less, it can be 10 or even 5 minutes, depending on specific test. Time
passes very fast.
Then you do two classical psycho
tests about your personality with about 50 questions where you answer
is either yes, no, or I don’t know.
There is also a test to memorize
the map of the center of the city. They will give you map and in 5
minutes you have to memorize as much of this map as possible.
Attention, after that they give you blank map of that city with no
objects like schools, gas stations, shops on it and you are asked to
edit those objects into the map.
Please do not focus on
memorizing streets, squares, avenues directions or shapes of the
squares. Be focused only on memorizing the objects, because you will
receive map with all avenues, streets and squares but with no objects
in it.
Stay very focused at all the
times. Tests in some languages might have a very literal translation
and therefore the syntax could make it confusing. The tests last for
about 2 hours.
5- Next day you do the second
part of psycho technical test. It is a computer test. It is very
similar to those from the previous day but you do it on a computer,
clicking correct answers using the mouse.
These tests are focused on your
spatial orientation, you have different 3D objects placed in 2D and
have to find which of the object is the right one, you also have a few
similar comparisons in this test and etc.
There is also easy math/logical
test where you have to demonstrate basic counting and logic.
Then again there is another psycho test. You have a very limited time,
so do not think too long, try to finish as many questions as possible
and listen to the instructions and demonstrations of the caporal chefs.
6-My advice to is: - go and buy
an IQ tests book and study it before you go. You will be not surprised
and you will get better score. This is a very good way to prepare your
self for tests.
Then put yourself into a time
stress and you will have a huge advantage. So do not train only your
body but also your mind. Legion needs smart and flexible men.
By the way after those tests I
was called to go civil. They gave me a declaration of inaptive
temporaire for 18 months, because of failing computer tests.
I was really very surprised but
I had to accept it. I got only 8 points from 20. I think that the
reason was that I was over thinking the answers, and I was trying to
give quality answers rather than quantity output, but this doesn’t work
here. You have to do it quick.
My mental and intellectual
status is ok; I own two master degrees and have many years of
managerial experience. This was maybe one of the factors why I failed;
I was trying to double over think the answers and etc.
So guys, be fast and train for
the tests before you go and forget your civic habits.
7- Luc-leger “navette” test is
quite ease to complete. It’s a shuttle run. The distance is 25 meters
and you have to run it again and again and after 1 minute you have to
slightly accelerate you speed. Just listen the instructions of
legionnaires and you will be ok.
You start at very low speed of
maybe 8 km/h. The limit is 7 and more levels. If you can run 9 or 10
levels than you are ok, but everything above 7 is fine. For the
training just keep running your 12 min Cooper test and if you make over
3,000 m, then you will be ok even during Luc-leger “navette” test.
8- Latest test is the medical
exam, nothing special.
9- Then you wait till Thursday,
because every Thursday they create a new group of approx. 35 - 40 Rouge
candidates, which is to be decimates in few days down to 20 –25 Rouge.
Those guys will go to Castel for the basic training.
10- There is quite big tension
in the camp. Most of the wannabees are ok, but you can find some really
strange freaks, criminals, or war veterans. Basically most of freaks
will be gone in few days. Tests and their behavior will send them out
of legion.
During each week you can see
one or two fights. Do not take part on it, because it can end you stay
in the camp and you will be send out.
11- The average age of the
candidates was from 21 to 24 years. I personally saw 30 year old guy in
Rouge. For + 30 years old men it is harder to get in but not
impossible.
Well, that’s it guys. Now I’m back home. I had a very interesting time
there and maybe that after 18 months I will try again.
The atmosphere there was really
very unique. I saw guys trying for the second, even for the third time
(one guy there was trying for the third time in period of 2 years and 7
months and he made Rouge).
I will go back in business and
soon I will write more about people I met there.
TOP
"a Canadian Deserter" about his regrets and
advise to wannabees
Today, 12:44 canadadeserter New Member Join
Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2 Putting things into context
Hey Jock, thanks for going over your experiences for us.
Could you give us more details on your interviews with the gestapo?
All most people say is that they ask you about 'everything' which isn't very helpful. (i fail to believe they want to know the name of your first pet or your fav colour)
Thanks in advance mate. The member formerly known as Big Al
Rapace Forum Admin 25-04-08 12:55 PM - In response to Phantom309
Good question by Phantom. Did you go through the interviews with the 'gestapo' or did you get dismissed before getting to that stage.
How many days did you stay in Aubagne in total ?
Aurelie3 Advanced Member 25-04-08 02:29 PM - In response to Rapace
What did the medical consist of? There are always many questions involving eyes/teeth .
what sort of checks did they run? Make you eat a toffee-apple and see if you introduce yourself to the hat stand?
Mad Jock Advanced Member 25-04-08 03:33 PM - In response to Aurelie3 did not get to the gestapo or even the physical test but from what i gathered from the other brits they do not know a thing about you but they will put questions to you or say something that you did not so be prepared to correct them
Bushi Newbie My brief but fun stay in Aubagne 25-04-08 04:04 PM - In response to mad jock
Thanks for letting us know about your experience.
Did you get a note that proves that you've been there even though you only were there for a few days...?
Don’t they tell you why you didn’t get accepted? as i read you didn’t do anything that they will fail you on. Other than that, you were there for only adventure; do you think it was something else they failed you for? Thanks
Sam Member 25-04-08 04:33 PM - In response to Bushi
Thanks for memories, Jock. Sorry you were denied more of your own. It sounds like the psorriasis got you.
It also sounds to me like the taxi driver got you too! 80 - 100 Euros? A Euro is worth more than a buck isnt it? Jock, I was there in April of 1977. The experience (except fot the inapt definitif) was still VERY similar, even the menu.
The dreaded hardboiled eggs and spinach dinner PLUS the delicacy of boudin and mashed potatoes? I will BET the potatoes were REAL at least.
The foul fish pastry? We were served that as well and it was a TREAT! Maybe they changed the fish sauce recipe? You can walk on the grass in Aubagne but you better not set foot on the Voie Sacre!
Its true, you tried.
News flash from Aubagne Jan-20-2007
Well I just walked through my front door after returning from Aubagne.
First the good news, Devil D and Taric are both at Castel. I met Taric at Aubagne and he was already rouge. No sign of Steve though.
As for myself, I went green so passed the tests but didn't get selected at the commission.
This has just made me more determined to try again and I will. Because I lucked out at the last hurdle, I got an inapte definitif however, I am writing a letter to try and overturn this so could do with some pointers from any anciens.
If this fails, I think I may sit outside Aubagne's gate until they let me in.
Even though I only had a glimpse of legion life, I know I must succeed at any cost now.
Here goes, first I must thank Eagle Eye because his observations of the French recruits were spot on.
Well I left for Paris on 20 Dec and intended to enlist immediately. However, I stopped off in Paris and after a few beers decided to spend Christmas and New Year there.
Paris is truly an amazing city. I enlisted at Fort Nogent on Jan. 4, I turned up at the gates in a taxi, but before ringing the bell decided to have one last shot of coffee at a bar down the road.
Ringing that bell when i returned was the most profound experience I have ever had. It seemed like hours before a Caporal let me in. I managed to mutter in French that I would like to join the legion.
He took my passport and ushered me into a room opposite the gatehouse. The room had a lot of books and assorted legion memorabilia.
There was musty old smell in the room and I must have sat there for half hour or so when three other lads turned up within this time.
v The Caporal returned and led myself and the other lads to the back of the camp and into a block. We went up to the top floor and entered an office.
We were issued an exam paper and shown some example questions. The Caporal Chef said something in French that I did not understand and I followed the other lads lead and began the paper.
I cannot remember how many questions there were but they were quite difficult and I did not come close to finishing the paper. The Caporal Chef said finish and I thought F@@k me I must of failed that. I will hold the record for the shortest ever time spent as an EV, In and out in an hour!
They took the papers away and a few minutes later my name was called and I was taken to a room next door.
I was told to empty the contents of my bag on a table and item by item was listed. My passport and other valuables put into a brown envelope.
I was then told to strip and put on a blue tracksuit that was two sizes to small. I was then shown to a room and a bed space.
In Paris you wear your civil underwear and socks and use your own wash kit. You also keep your bag with you.
The first night in Fort Nogent was somewhat surreal. When scoff time came around about 17:30, we had to form up in four ranks outside the block and march across to the ordinaire. My first impression of the food was very good; there was plenty of food and more than enough time to eat it. We could take what we wanted and as much bread and FANTA as you could manage.
On returning to the housing block we lined up in the corridor and the bitch, (seems everywhere in the selection process is an arse licker present and in return for wiping the Caporal Chefs backside he gets a tiny percentage of privileges ) issued the corvee to our group.
Because I was one of the latest arrivals, I expected the worst job of the lot. However he told me to take shower and then go sit in the salle de TV.
Even when I asked if he had something to do for me, he insisted shower and TV.
As people finished corvee and came into the salle de TV I could feel everybody’s eyes burning on me. Do not know if it was curious, looks or they were eying up the new competition. Being 30 and a stocky fellow it was not intimidating for me, but I could see how it could be for a young lad.
I sat in the salle de TV for what seemed days when word got around that I was English.
Eventually two friends from Belgium started speaking to me as they spoke good English. They had arrived in Fort Nogent the day before after joining in Lille.
Over the next 8 or 9 days, they would become good friends. They explained the structure of a typical day and we managed to crack a few jokes before the order came to go to bed at about 21:00.
I had no problems sleeping that first night surprisingly maybe because of the several coup de champagne’s the previous night.
The following morning after washing and brushing my teeth, I had time for a quick cigarette. IMPORTANT if u are a smoker take in plenty because in Fort Nogent they can be extremely hard to get hold of.
Breakfast was good and then time for a little corvee in the block. This was very easy and it consisted of several Frenchmen (fellow recruits) supervising the work.
i.e. standing, watching you doing nothing. Still I managed to keep my mouth shut and just get on with it.
Because it was now a Saturday (I enlisted on a Friday afternoon) I learnt it would be Tuesday before I would be able to do the medical. This meant plenty of salle de TV and petty corvee but hey I was warned on this site beforehand lol.
In the next couple of days, I met most of the guys in Nogent and found the majority to be likeable. There were less east Europeans than I expected.
A few Chinese, Columbian, Bolivian but the most came from France and Germany.
Tuesday eventually arrived albeit very slowly because apart from a little corvee it was mainly hanging around in the salle de TV.
When it was time for the medical, there were 28 of us to take it. I was about number 20 in the line. I was apprehensive because I knew my teeth were good, but I was not sure of the rest.
The first fellow that went in was a likeable Chinese fellow who spoke a little English. All the Chinese people were very nice people always polite and courteous. We westerners could learn a lot from these guys.
He was in the room for approx 5 minutes when he reappeared. He failed on teeth and they asked him how long it would take him to rectify it. If I were in his shoes, I would have said 2 days see you soon, but for some reason he agreed to 2 months.
For the first in to the medical to fail was quite unnerving for the rest of us.
Now a couple of years ago I decided to have a couple of piercings done, one in the nipple and also a pa. I will not go into details on the pa because I would not want to corrupt Joette's mind lol.
Before leaving to enlist, I took the nipple piercing out but was somewhat apprehensive about messing with my little soldier so decided to leave it in because it was hidden.
I have never lost anything because of religion if you get my meaning.
As more people went through the medical we lost a few more fellows for varying reasons but I can only remember two more reasons for rejections, which were overweight and underweight.
As my time neared I suddenly panicked about the piercing I left in. When another Chinese reappeared from the medical I decided to ask him in sign language just how much the undercarriage was inspected.
Judging by his hand signals in reply, it looked as though I had no choice but to take the piercing out. Luckily, I knew that down the corridor were toilets (I had cleaned them before lol). I went into the toilets and the next 10 minutes yes 10 minutes were the most painful and worrying of my life.
Eventually after a lot of messing around I was successful and headed back to my place in the queue.
The 2 Belgians went into the room just before me one after another. When the first went in the other was outside the door waiting to go in. Suddenly there was a shout from inside the room, so loud that everyone heard. The Caporal Chef assisting the Colonel in the medical shouted, "We hate Belgian’s". Well that was it, I thought he must of failed here if not for medical reasons then for sure because of his country of origin. The other Belgian who was next in was bricking it at this point, but he shouldn't have been worried. His mate came out with his thumb up because he had passed. Well the second Belgian passed no trouble as did I. I worried about the piercing for nothing because the doctor had a quick feel of your balls and after you coughed twice, the medical was done. After returning upstairs, I spent a good 30 minutes returning the piercing to its rightful position.
Well after the doctors examination I thought that was it, medical wise for the day. However, boy was I wrong. After the midi scoff it as once again downstairs for the eyesight and hearing test.
This took all afternoon for those of us that were left.
One guy was rejected for his hearing and guess who it was. The French BITCH. There is a God!!. I guess the Caporal Chef was thirsty for the rest of that day with no bitch to make his coffee lol.
Out of 28 who took the medical with me, five were rejected at this stage. Good odds really, because I thought more would go.
Later that day (Tuesday) there was a whisper that people who passed the medical would travel to Aubagne on Thursday. I knew at this point it was only a matter of time before I was headed for Aubagne.
The next day or so was hilarious. Apart from manger, corvee and salle de TV the only official thing done was the signing of the first contract in an office for administration. Other than this, it was more laughs with some of the boys.
The 2 Belgian’s were extremely funny, but not well liked by the staff at Nogent. The French seem to detest the Belgian’s, as for why, the only explanation I can think of is they are so close to France but not French.
On Wednesday evening, all recruits who passed the medical were told; we would be leaving for Aubagne first thing the next morning after breakfast. We handed the tracksuits in, and dressed in civvies ready for the journey the next morning. So that was it I was off to Aubagne
Before I continue I must add one more detail about a good friend I met in Nogent. I never expected to see any fellow Englishmen but in one week in Paris I met 3.
The first was in Nogent when I arrived. He must have been 18 or 19 from London like me. The day I arrived, he went civil voluntarily lasting a whole 24hrs in Nogent. I think he had no business being there in the first place.
The second lasted about 2 days. He was from Birmingham and a little overweight. He also chose to go civil.
This is all bad news for new British recruits because it hardly sets a good impression. The third English chap arrived a couple of days after me and came to Aubagne and went green with me but was also rejected at the commission. His legion name was Nelson. A was good chap with an amazing story. He had been serving as a signaler in the British army for 5+ years. He had been based in Germany, but got disillusioned with life there.
After repeated attempts to change regiments without success, he had finally made the decision to travel to Paris.
In normal circumstances, I would not have given the fellow the time of day for going awol, but these were not normal circumstances.
I found over the next couple of weeks that he was a quite likeable chap.
Well Thursday morning soon arrived and we were woken up at 04:00. After rushing around washing and stuff, we had a quick breakfast and then straight onto a coach.
We drove to Gare de Lyon and boarded a train for Marseille. Now I have read many times from different sources that the legion takes you down to Marseille on a slow train but for us this was not the case.
It was straight on a TGV and in around 3hrs we were in St Charles station stopping only once. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the station we stopped at, but it might come back to me and some of you guys probably know anyway.
Marching through St Charles station was pretty freaky. I could feel 10s of eyes looking at us although I doubt with respect, probably sorrow lol.
Marseille like Paris is quite a beautiful city in its own right but nothing could prepare me for how very special Aubagne is.
I know now why Cpl. K has settled there. The surrounding views of the mountains are truly amazing. On the way 2 1RE we passed the Red Lion, but I thought it bad discipline to ask for a brief refreshment stop lol. We arrived at 1RE between 11:00 and 12:00.
The camps location is kind of set on a hill so you are looking over Aubagne. When we arrived as an ex soldier there were three main things i wanted to know. 1) Where do i sleep 2) Where to eat 3) Where to sh**
None of this info was forthcoming and I was marched off with 9 others into a room full of pc’s. It was time for the psycho technique test.
The psycho technique test, well it is actually not one test but three separate tests. In each, you are given 20 mins.
From what I remember there are approx 38 questions to each of the three parts. All three tests are quite similar in that they all require you to recognize patterns whether it is with numbers or shapes.
I am no brain of Britain but after the first two tests, I felt confident I had done well. When it was time for the third test, it blew me away. It is definitely the most difficult.
With 2 min of the 20 allowed I had only answered 28 of the 38 questions. These questions really needed to be thought out.
Instead of answering maybe two more by thinking them through, I hedged my bets and guessed the last 10.
My reason of thinking was that with six possible answers I was bound to guess a couple correctly.
There is no way to study for this test, you can do it, or not do it, simple as that.
Overall I left the test room feeling quite confident I had performed well enough. About 30 mins later my name was called again but this time with only 7 others.
Again we were led to the pc room. I noticed I was in the same group as before only 2 recruits were missing. One of the Belgian recruits and a Bolivian.
I later found out that if you are not called for the 4th test then you failed the niveau general. The fourth test was to determine your personality. I will quote a similar example question below.
How would you describe yourself?
1) Impatient 2) Disciplined 3) Lazy 4) Organized 5) Self Motivated
a) Firstly the computer asks you which answer most describes you. You must choose only one answer.
b) Then out of the 4 options left you must choose 1 that least describes yourself.
c) Then you must repeat a and b again leaving 1 answer that hasn't been used.
To fail this test u would have to be a complete lunatic so nothing to worry about here. It has only 11 questions of a similar nature to the example above and I was not aware, if there was a time limit.
After finishing this test we were led outside to join the rest of the rouge and blues at the rear of the building in the exercise yard.
When reaching the exercise yard i was surprised to see the Belgian fellow that was missing from the test. I thought he might have disappeared as so many people do in Aubagne. Sent civil when nobody is looking.
I greeted him and he introduced me to an American and guess who? Yep, Taric. Both were already rouge. Taric was leaving for Castel the following Friday, so I was unable to talk with him much apart from 5 mins on our first meeting.
However I must thank him for the full bottle of shower gel he got me because it saved washing with the soap that you have to use for washing both yourself and your clothes.
In Aubagne little things make the world of difference.
The American had only just gone rouge so he had to spend another week at Aubagne babysitting us blues.
I will not give even his legion name on this site but I can tell you he hails from Arizona. He was only 19 years of age but aced the psycho techno test with 100%.
Now that is some feat in itself, he must be for sure a very clever fellow. I hold out much hope for him in his career in the legion.
I know his physical test was just on the minimum but I’m sure it will improve rapidly.
The rest of the day was taken up with corvee and before I knew it time for dinner. The word “dinner” I must use very loosely. How different from Fort Nogent can you get?
Of course, we all ate every last mouthful, but compared to Fort Nogent the food is diabolical for want of a better word.
In addition, the portion sizes were strictly rationed, no second helpings of anything here. Time for eating is also limited.
When entering the ordinaire the recruits do so in order. Rouge first then Green and finally Blue.
Because it was a Thursday, there weren't any green recruits because of an earlier commission. If you are unlucky enough to be at the back of the queue as I was for my first meal you will make sure you never are again.
After dinner we were issued a mini Bergen with another blue tracksuit, black t-shirt, 2 socks, 2 underwear, towel, parker, flip-flops, trainers and wash kit.
At this point, everything personal was taken from us and put into storage. All I kept was French dictionary, cigarettes and wristwatch.
The first night was hectic. I soon discovered that not only was food rationed but showers too, ten seconds of cold water equals a shower legion selection style.
In the evening, the rouge helps the blues with their bed and locker layout as to be ready for the Caporal Chef's inspection before lights out.
For this first night, the American showed me how to do it and made the first night pass without incident.
Before it was lights out, I managed to wish Taric luck at Castel and early next morning he was gone.
This left the two Belgians, the American, Nelson the AWOL signaler and I as the only native English speakers.
The lights were turned on at 05:00 am and we were given 30 minutes to shave and prepare our beds and lockers.
In just over a week in Aubagne I never slept through an entire night.
I am not sure why, maybe because of the excitement or the not knowing what will happen next. I cannot really put my finger on it.
During the day from maybe 05:30 till 20:00 nobody is permitted to enter the block. If you have no test or corvee you must wait in the yard.
Friday passed quite slowly and the only test done, was the psycho technic for those that had not completed it already.
Nelson was called and passed with no problem. However, a few guys did fail and went civil in the afternoon before the weekend including a very funny chap from Haiti.
Although the day passed slowly the evening was a completely different matter. After a few hours of corvee during the day I expected dinner and then the usual nightly routine.
No, not tonight. I was not chosen for cuisine corvee after dinner, so was marched back to the yard. It was not long before the siren went for the blues to parade at the front of the building.
I was chosen along with a few others to work in the officers mess and boy did we work.
When we arrived at the mess it was teeming with officers because some kind of banquet was being held.
Over the next 7 hours it was non-stop washing up. No dishwasher here like in the ordinaire it all had to be done manually.
The number of plates and glasses must have run into the thousands.
At a little past 23:00 a Caporal Chef asked if we were finished. We all agreed that we were but the Caporal Chef made a Hungarian chap lift every glass up to the light to check for smears. Bon, pas bon, etc etc etc
I knew from the start these kind of games would be played so I played them. Unfortunately many other recruits hadn't thought this could be part of the game. Many decided to leave on the following Monday morning.
In this post I have mentioned 2 other recruits specifically the Haitian and Hungarian fellows. This account cannot continue without my next post involving these 2 recruits but many others 2. I think this part should have a title and I must call it Lunatics in the Legion.
Lunatics in the Legion
Out of all the people I met in Paris and Aubagne the Haitian and Hungarian were the strangest. They were for sure in Eagle Eyes words the gods gift to the legion boys, but these two were something else.
I first noticed the Hungarian chap on my first night in Nogent. The first evening everyone was looking at me curiously but this guy kept staring and staring.
When I stared back he shifted his eyes elsewhere. I thought nothing too much of it at first, apart from that he was probably a homosexual.
As the days continued so did the stares.
About the third night in Paris I had a little run in with him. As my luck would have it, he was on the bunk above me.
I was chatting to a Chinese fellow before getting some sleep. Definitely not shouting and laughing, but keeping things at a quiet level.
As we're chatting I hear "SILENCE" shouted from this Hungarians mouth. Although his stares had been winding me up, I managed to keep myself from giving him the good news.
No sooner as I decided the best course of action was to stay out of fights, he again said "silence". That was it I was out of my bed like a rat up a drainpipe.
I looked down on him laying on his bed and gave him what for verbally. Not touching him knowing if I did, it would be curtains for my wish to join the legion.
He never spoke to me again but all through Paris and Aubagne He continued with the staring.
When talking to the Belgians and Nelson the next morning I was explaining what happened with the Hungarian and discovered he was always staring at them also. We nicknamed him the WATCHER. I never did find out if he was homosexual, eyeing up the competition or just plain f**king crazy.
Now as for the Haitian a completely different kettle of fish. The few times I spoke with him left me sure he was a nutcase.
He would sit in a corner of the salle de TV firing pretend machine guns and shouting that you shouldn't join the legion unless you were already dead.
At times, he was hilarious but I wouldn't want to be on a live firing exercise with him for sure.
As for their fates, the Watcher made it rouge and the Haitian failed the psycho technic test. Surprise
Well time flies when your having fun and before I knew it the second weekend had arrived. Not much happens in Aubagne on a weekend. No tests but the corvee will continue. After a couple of days in Aubagne corvee becomes a blessing, in the form of a chance to forget your situation.
Late Saturday afternoon we hear of another rumor, so ridiculous it just might be true. The group of rouge that left for Castel the day before with Taric in it apparently received a welcoming party in Castel.
I am not sure what this consisted of, but the result being three rouge went AWOL after less than 24 hours in Castel.
This was confirmed the following day when they reappeared at Aubagne. We were not told what their punishment was, but I hope it was severe. At the time, I found this vaguely amusing but now sitting at home after rejection at the last moment, I am not laughing. It only angers me.
Well on Sunday the boys from Castel reappeared in Aubagne another casualty this time a rouge waiting to start Castel the following Friday. The American tells me he has elected to go civil because of missing his family.
What the hell is wrong with these people and how did they manage to get so far? I suppose in their defense if there is such a thing is that being rouge has no real perks. As you, progress life only gets harder. The rouge wake up at 04:30, so they are able to wake the blue at 05:00. They also have guard duty to perform nightly. Two men at a time for two hours. The above rouge will depart civil tomorrow morning (Monday)
Well the rest of Sunday did pass without incident, except for one terrible blow for me. After Friday night corvee in the officer’s mess, I was sure lightning could not strike twice in the same place. Maybe it does not in civilian life but it most certainly does in Aubagne.
Back to the mess and another few thousand glasses. This time mind I made sure I received some perks. Three in fact taking the form of 330ml cans of Krony. To quote a famous catchphrase from another splendid brand of lager. It was probably the best lager in the world.
After finishing corvee at the mess we were marched back to the block. It is around 23:30. Now usually when coming back at this late hour there will be a guard in a little box at the entrance to the sleeping block.
He was nowhere to be seen. Then one of the funniest things I have ever seen happened. The Caporal Chef pushed open the gate and the large wooden baton the rouge guard should have been holding clanged on the concrete floor. He had obviously placed it there so he would be alerted, if anyone were to come.
Then there was a rustle from the bushes next to the guard hut and a rouge appeared half asleep stretching and yawning. Everybody was rolling over in hysterics. The punishment was quick and discreet just a hard kick from the Caporal Chef to the rouge's upper leg. I am sure this punishment was the best choice in the circumstances. One thing I do know, the rouge won't sleep on stag again.
Well it was a quick douche/shower and then straight to sleep. I had the feeling that the following day (Monday) was going to be a busy one, and let me tell you the Legion didn't disappoint me.
Before I continue with the last 5 days I spent in Aubagne. A little post on sickness is suitable at about this time.
If your journey takes you through Aubagne expect to get sick. Possibly twice before the jab you will receive and after. Living in close proximity with so many others makes it evitable that you will catch something.
For me I started to get a cold and cough after only a few days, but don't worry because everybody ends up suffering so you will not be alone. I remember one morning especially. We paraded outside at 05:30 and we were given a little aperitif before breakfast consisting of a little run and press-ups. After we were finished, the Caporal told us to close in around him. Suddenly it hit me, I got hot and cold sweats and dizziness. I remember thinking S**T, I am going to drop here. There was no way I was going to make it known I was that sick incase they waved me goodbye because of it.
As we gathered around the Caporal, I was clinging onto anybody and everybody just to stay on my feet. Eventually it subsided and I felt a little bit better. I cannot say whether any training staff noticed because my vision was all blurred, but I would guess not. I had not a clue what the Caporal was on about though.
One lad ended up in the infirmary because of this illness. In short, I think sickness is part of traveling and being in a large group during selection Well Monday morning soon arrived after a night of 2-hour blocks of sleep. After our morning bout of exercise and breakfast, we had our usual parade. This took place every morning and the reason was to ask all recruits who if anyone wanted to go civil. Of course, the rouge I mentioned earlier who missed his family was going, but looking around me another 5 blues raised their hands. I noticed that a couple of them had been working in the officers’ mess with me and I think that must have been breaking point for them.
After an hour or so the siren went off for the blues to parade. By this time that siren was beginning to get right on my t*ts. I was called along with the Belgian who had passed the niveau general.
In total 10 of us were marched to the medical centre for the second test. I would not describe this as a test more of a mini Gestapo. After stripping one by one, we were called into a room with a Caporal. When it was my turn I entered the room and he asked me "is this the first time you have applied to join the Legion". I replied, that yes it was indeed and he told me to leave and wait outside.
After endless waiting we were again called into an adjoining room to see a sergent chef. He checked my arms and asked if I was self-harming or had tried to commit suicide. He asked about family history and illness associated with it, the same questions as in the medical at Fort Nogent. I think the reason for these repeated questions was to try to catch us in a lie. I had not lied in the first place so there was no way my story could differ from previously.
More waiting and then we got called into a captains office. When I entered, I was told to drop my pants and turn slowly in a full circle. In case you are wondering, I left the piercing in this time and everything was fine. He did not spot it. He asked me about drug use which was one of the most frequent questions we were asked. As before, I mentioned cannabis use in school days but he wasn't overly concerned. Heroin or Cocaine is a different story. If you have used these before I would lie.
Lastly we were called back into the first room and had what looked like a chest x-ray taken. After this, we dressed and returned to the exercise area. The morning had flown by and it was 11:30 time for lunch.
Well after the medical and eating and no cuisine corvee for me I knew something else was on the agenda for the afternoon. They gave us an hour or so, hanging around before they called my name along with nine others. They issued us with a numbered blue vest and told us to wait in the foyer. This could mean only one thing it was time for the physical test.
I couldn't see the Belgian who had so far, been in all the same test groups as myself. At the time I did not think too much of it. Out of all the tests this was the one I was dreading.
Before commencing the test, we were given two mins to take in some water and use the toilet. As I left the toilets, the missing Belgian approached me with his kit over his shoulder. He told me that the Legion was not giving him a shot at the physical test and he had to go civil. I had to hurry outside so did not get to say "all the best". I never saw him again. His friend the other Belgium left with him. I do not understand why the Legion kept him over the weekend when he failed the psycho test on the Friday.
We arrived outside of the block and were met by an American Adjudant Chef and a Caporal. They showed us each to a running lane marked on the pavement. I remember looking at the boys around me, and feeling very old at 30. I was worried for nothing because the beep test is easy for anyone with moderate fitness. Four boys dropped out before me so I done ok. I am not sure of the level I reached because the recording was in French but at a guess, I would say level nine. The strongest runner reached level 12.
After the beep test and a 2 min breather came the pull-ups. The average in our group must have been about six however, I only managed five. Again, the strongest / fittest member in my group managed only 10.
The last physical test was the rope climb. It is not hands only and even if you do not need to use feet make sure you use them. There are two reasons I say this. Firstly, when you have to climb the rope with a 65 lb Bergen on your back in Castel or at a regiment you def will need to use your feet. Secondly the training staff have a strong dislike for show offs. So strong in fact that they rejected the two fittest members of my group of 40 greens, during the commission
I managed the rope climb no problem. I must have been in the middle bracket of recruits in the physical test results. They sent three of the four boys who dropped out of the beep test before me, civil.
If you intend to enlist in the future, I would take it easy on the physical side of things. All anyone on this site and all through Fort Nogent and Aubagne were talking about was what they are capable of and showing off. In Aubagne there is only one competition and that is with yourself. After all its no good having 2 supermen in a section that just f**k off into the distance on a 40 kilometer tab. Being too fit can work both ways.
S**t, I knew I would forget something, going back to the Belgian contingent. I have explained the reason for the first ones departure (failing the psycho test) but have not explained the reason for the second chap. I can only speculate on this, but these are my thoughts.
The drug questions are the most frequently asked questions you will receive starting from the minute you walk into the legions fold. I remember in Fort Nogent the Belgian telling me that they asked about previous cocaine use.
He replied that he had never partaken in this drug, but after he reappeared from the second medical in Aubagne just before the physical test he mentioned to me, the Sergent Chef had asked him about any previous usage. He told me he had replied, "I have used it only about 5 times in my life" I think lying about this cost him his chance. That is the reason why in a previous post I mentioned that you should lie on cocaine issues if you have been that way inclined in your past.
(Next part is a reply to a post) Nick, nowadays you are nominated green after passing the medicals, psycho and physical tests. They give you a green armband that must be worn on your left bicep. The tracksuit stays blue the same. The armbands are useless and keep slipping down to your forearm. The only privilege for being green is a step closer to the front of the eating queue.
Usually you are given the armband before the interviews with the Gestapo however I completed the 2nd medical, physic test and 1st Gestapo interview on the same day ( Monday ) and was given the armband a few minutes before turning in for the night on this Monday.
By the time another physical test was completed after my own, it was nearing 16:00 and I was counting down the minutes to scoff time. We all seemed to time watch and countdown to eating time. Sometimes keeping a wristwatch was a curse. The siren went off at around 16:30 for everyone to parade. It was far too early for our trip to the ordinaire so I was curious as to what was going on. I knew I would not be leaving for civil because there is a set time for this. Anyone returning home on a weekday only, because no one departs on a weekend, is sent at 14:00.
My name was called for the third time that day and I was off for the first Gestapo interview. The Gestapo is housed on the top floor of an adjacent block. I'm not sure why everything in the Legion is located on the top floor of buildings but I'm sure there is a reason.
I sat only outside the locked door for a few minutes when an adjudant opened it and invited me in. The interview progressed quite smoothly maybe too much so. I had already decided that honesty was the best policy when dealing with these fellows.
The adjudant spoke good English and was making noted as we spoke. In the first interview, you also have to make notes on sheets of paper given to you. On the sheets of paper are headings to the questions you will be asked. As you verbally answer the questions, you write down your answers also.
I can't remember all the questions asked of me but I will list a couple below for examples..... 1) Have you ever visited any foreign countries in your life 2) Family details eg. Names, occupations, are they aware you are here 3) Your work history Many more also but I won't bore you. The most important questions have to be your motivations for joining.
This first interview lasted about an hour. I don't think I hit it off with this chap very well. When I explained, I had a mortgage on a flat and a good managerial position in a worldwide company he seemed to go cold.
There are more important things in life than money like honor, enjoyment of your occupation, and pride coupled with loyalty. I don't think he was impressed. It takes a lot more b*lls to be willing to give up many things to achieve your dreams rather than knock on the gate with sweet f… all. Or maybe I should of failed the personality test lol
(Another reply to post) Nick, the showers downstairs are now reserved for the rouge only, as are the rooms. At times, there must have been between 60 to 80 blues upstairs. As you know with 8 or 10 (didn’t count) showers for that many men time was cut to the bare minimum. The fanta supply was hooked up in Aubagne all the time mate it was just getting the time to drink it that was a problem. My second to last day was spent in Puyloubier and yeah compared to Aubagne the food was much better. I will write more on this as I come to the end of the thread.
After the first interview with the Gestapo it was time for dinner and a little cuisine corvee. Most unusual was, that I got to spend an hour or so in the foyer that evening. No krony but you can buy cigarettes, chocolate and soft drinks. Before the inspection, that evening I was called downstairs and given a green armband and told if lost it, a donation of 5 euros is required. Each band is numbered whether to prevent theft I really don't know.
Next thing I know its Tuesday morning and the English Mafia now only consisted of Nelson, the American and myself. Nelson was about 24 hrs behind me in the testing schedule so we guessed he had a busy day ahead of him.
It was early this morning that the American informed us he would not be traveling to Castel with the rest of his group of rouge. The reason being when you make rouge, a blood test is required and his results showed a minor abnormality. He had been told it was nothing serious and could be related to his sudden surge of physical activity. He wasn't due the final verdict till yesterday (Monday) so was unable to leave for Castel last Friday.
For me Tuesday was quite relaxed. In the morning, I had another Gestapo interview with the same fellow going over my life and the information I had given him the day before. In the afternoon another interview with a different Adjudant whose office was in our housing block. I think he was American judging by the accent.
As for Nelson he went through the 2nd medical, physical test and 1st Gestapo interview in the one day, as had I the previous day. That evening he also made green.
It was also on Tuesday that we learnt officially that the rouge commission would take place on the Friday not the Thursday like it normally was. I think the reason being, they wanted to rush through more Greens because daily more people were turning up. In fact by this time I only recognized a handful of faces from Paris.
The following morning (Wednesday) it was up at 05:00 and paraded for a little exercise. As usual, we were told to set off running around the front parade ground. Usually this might last only 10 minutes before the Caporal would reappear and shout "en position". However, this time we must of been running for 20 minutes or so before this happened.
I must at this point mention that the training team deserves much respect, as for every push-up completed by us recruits the caporal issuing these instructions would do the same. This is for sure the sign of a good leader.
After a couple of sets the Caporal pulled one of the two fittest recruits to one side and got him to lead the push-ups in front of us. On closer inspection the Caporal looked like s**t. He was sneezing and coughing obviously with the same sickness that we, us recruits had.
Now the recruit he pulled out to lead the exercise was a proper ignorant arrogant little Frenchman, always picking on some of the smaller lads in his chambre. I know Nelson had already come close to knocking him out, but fear not he was about to get what he deserved.
The Caporal asked him to lead a set of twenty push-ups and all eyes were on this arrogant f**k to begin. Well before he got into the position, he indicated without the Caporals blessing to do this set of twenty with our fists clenched.
Now a couple of days earlier we were made to perform this exercise as punishment and for some of us our knuckles were still grazed and sometimes bleeding. The Caporal looked at the Frenchman and I could see the distaste in his eyes. The Caporal indicated to us that no the exercise should be performed with the regular outstretched hands. As we were doing the twenty, I looked up to see this Frenchman performing them with clenched fists. From that moment, I knew he would be history.
There is surely no room in Aubagne for the individual.
(reply to post) Nick, in response to your enquiry on other nationalities and ages of recruits they differ so wildly that I can't really give an in depth account on this issue.
I do know that age is not really a factor in joining as long as your in the 17-40 bracket. Kids of 18 and men of 35 both went rouge. One of the chaps at 35 wasn't really in the best of shape either. Looking back their were a few recruits on their second attempt. My personal view is this could work in your favor. Never giving up is a good asset to have. The average age of the recruits in Fort Nogent and Aubagne I would guess at maybe 24.
As for nationalities it was a real mix. There were a few French speaking Africans and more Chinese than I expected. Out of the four Chinese I spoke with two made it rouge. Germans and Hungarians were the second largest group other than the Frenchmen.
Hope that answers your question(end of reply)
After our morning exercise with the arrogant Frenchman, I spent most of the day sitting in the corridor of our block waiting for my second and last interview with another Adjudant. I must have sat for approx three hours before finally being called in.
This time the Adjudant was a French chap. There was also another NCO present to translate. Many of the same questions were repeated but I don't feel I was given a good enough opportunity to get my points across.
One question I do remember was "How long did I intend to serve in the Legion". I replied truthfully that I was willing to serve for as long as I was physically able and at thirty, I had at least another ten to fifteen years in me.
Out of the four interviews I had this was the one that seemed to not go very well. When I was asked, "Why do you want to join the legion" I had three reasons but after telling them firstly a career I was not given the opportunity to expand on this.
Other than this interview and a small amount of corvee the rest of the day was spent thinking about the commission which was only two days away. Every time we paraded at the front for corvee to be dished out I was praying I would be chosen, to escape my own thoughts for a bit. Alas, it wasn't to be and I was left thinking about what might or might not be.
Thursday morning was the single weirdest morning for me. They paraded us in front of the block just after breakfast. Three more boys elected to go civil when they asked our group. As this was happening, I remember standing guarde vous and looking up at the two Legion insignias plastered on the front of the building. I thought to myself at this moment there is nowhere in the world I would rather be than stood right here and given a chance I would prove my loyalty to this organization.
Then a bombshell hits. I hear my name called along with one other and we are asked to follow the boys going civil inside. I thought, S**t, why me what have I done wrong? I thought for sure that I had screwed up and was on the next train to Gare de Lyon. Ten long minutes were spent standing with this German considering what had gone wrong.
Eventually a Caporal Chef approached and instructed us to follow him. He led us to a minibus outside and we climbed in the rear. A Caporal as well as the Caporal Chef was in the front. It was still dark at this time so I was unable to appreciate the views on our journey.
After approx thirty minutes driving I caught a glimpse of a road sign. Labeled on this was a place called Puyloubier and from what I'd learnt before traveling to France I knew this is where we were headed.
It must of been around a 45 minute journey but could possibly of been closer to an hour. By the time we arrived, it was light anyway. The Legions retirement home (please correct me if this is not a suitable description) seemed to me to be stuck in the middle of nowhere. It was like a little town in itself. Again, the views were out of this world. We stopped in the guardroom so the NCO's could say hello to their mates.
The first bit of work was to replenish the wine stocks in the little shop they have there. Although the warehouse and shop are close together, an old truck was used to transport the wine. I found this quite strange, as before leaving for the Legion I would have imagined carrying these cases by hand.
I seemed to hit it off well with the Caporal who was with us, maybe because I was communicating with him in French. Ok it was bad French but hey, I tried. After replenishing the stocks in the shop, the Caporal kept me with him and sent the German to the cookhouse for corvee. I chatted with this Caporal for a little bit and then he informed me it was time for breakfast.
Bloody hell, two breakfasts in one day I was starting to like this place. We drove to the cookhouse and the German was hard at work. The Caporal and I sat down and tucked into the food. It consisted of the same as in anywhere in the Legion I guess. Coffee and bread but enjoyable all the same. I ate as fast as I could because to be truthful I kind of felt guilty that the poor German was still hard at work with the sapier. After finishing eating, I asked the Caporal if there was something for me to do. He just smiled glancing at the German and said no.
For the rest of the morning I definitely had the better deal. With the two NCO's we took some fold down chairs to a church in a little town nearby and threw out some old TVs and videos as well as assorted rubbish to a local tip.
Lunchtime soon arrived and it was back to the cookhouse. It was the recruits’ job to serve the Anciens lunch. Even though these guys were fairly old they had the look of men that couldn't be surprised by anything. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to talk very much with any of them but even if I had time language might have been an issue. The majority were German I think.
In the afternoon the German was left in the cookhouse and I again had an easy time of it. I washed a Legion van and a couple of pushbikes. About 17:00 it was back to the cookhouse for something to eat before leaving. While waiting for the food an Ancien called me over and started speaking in French to me.
He seemed lonely to me so I didn't have the heart to tell him I hadn't a clue what he was saying. I sat and smoked a cigarette with him trying to make conversation in French, which was difficult for me. I just tried to nod and shake my head in the right places.
The one thing I took away from Puyloubier with me was that under no circumstances would I ever become a patron. However you must appreciate the efforts made by the Legion to accommodate its ex members.
On returning to Aubagne a few friends were surprised to see me again. They thought, as did I that morning it was all over and I must be off, “partir pour mon maison”. Looking back, I am glad that I was afforded the opportunity to visit Puyloubier. The daytrip also managed to stop me thinking about the commission the following day.
And so judgment day was upon me. Every minute seemed like an eternity. I had been informed by the American who was Rouge, that the verdict of the commission was always given at 14:00. Never thirty minutes before or after. So imagine my surprise when I heard the siren at 13:30. By now I was nervous as hell, but no, it wasn't an early decision just a wander around the block picking up any stray cigarette butts and litter. At 14:00, exactly the siren went off again. Waiting there in the sunshine, I couldn't think of anything, pass or fail, nothing at all. As the names were called, I could feel my heart sinking. My name wasn't called. I was herded into a separate group and we were informed "going civil". I think I managed to hide my disappointment quite well. Nelson was also rejected.
We were taken to the clothing store and received our clothes and bags back as well as passports and other valuables. We each received a train ticket to Gare de Lyon except for a German called Kruger (nicknamed Freddy) who had volunteered to go civil in the morning. He was bitching because although he got paid he had no ticket. I got a glimse of his discharge paper, which said three months inapte temporaire and thought to myself you can have all my money and ticket if I can have that piece of paper. My discharge paper read inapte definitif.
I was paid a handsome sum of 297E and led to a waiting coach. We were not taken to St Charles station but to a metro station closer to the camp. Before departing on the TGV Nelson and I decided a beer was the order of the day. After a couple we decided to extend our drinking session in Paris. After a few beers on the TGV we arrived at Gare de Lyon.
Here we ran into two Chinese fellows who had been turned down also. The session continued late into the night and the early morning. We ended up staying the night in some hotel. At midday, I boarded a train headed for Calais as I'm not a big fan of Eurostar and prefer the ferry. Nelson headed for Germany.
The journey home was quite uneventful until I reached the port of Dover England. Passport control was ok but the walk past customs something else. I had only one sports bag slung over my shoulder and was shuffling along past about ten customs officers.
Now I'm not the most mummy’s boy looking fellow and with next to no hair a good bet as a criminal of some kind. Just as I was walking past the last official I heard "excuse me sir may I look in your bag". With nothing to hide I agreed and was led behind a screen.
The customs chap asked did I know it is an offence to bring drugs or guns into the UK. "Yes mate I know" I replied. He asked where I had been and for how long. I told him a vacation in Paris and Marseille for a month.
He went well overboard with the inspection and started to open the pieces of paper. Guess what he found. Yep the discharge paper. He asked me what it was and I just told him the truth. Considering I had just lied to him over and over again he was ok and sent me on my way.
What happened to the rest of the boys? Well Nelson probably arrived in Germany back at base on Saturday afternoon. Very shortly, I think he will be staying at her majesty's pleasure in Colchester for going AWOL.
One of the Belgians probably doing some time as well for civilian offences. The American is waiting to leave for Castel on Friday pending his blood test results yesterday. That is about it from me. I have a few conclusions to this experience, but will post these shortly in this thread.
So after all, what’s done is done and the conclusions I can draw from this brief encounter. Well I am surely disappointed, but as for my attitude towards the Legion I respect it more now than before I arrived in France. If any of my posts indicate otherwise than they have been understood wrong.
The selection process is fairly easy to handle if you have any military experience. In truth, I was expecting it to be much worse. I served in the British Army a while ago and I don't know if this old saying is true "Yes it was much harder in my day". I suppose any military force has to change its ways as each new generation enlists.
Does the selection process work?. I will not use myself as an example because I maybe a little biased, but no it most definitely does not. This opinion is formed because of the three rouge that went AWOL within twenty-four hours of life at Castel and the rouge in Aubagne who left civil because he missed his family.
Did these people really need the Legion? Of course, they didn't in fact I would surmise they didn't even want the Legion. The Legion is like any other large organization military or not. Believe it or not, but they make mistakes. These mistakes will never be owned up to, but they still exist.
For anyone that wants to enlist I would say, there is no time like the present. The selection process can't be prepared for it just has to be done. As long as you have no major medical issues, a reasonable education, basic physical fitness and are able to tell the Gestapo what they want to hear. Then you have a good as chance as anybody.
I understand the point of "one should keep
its word". In fact, despite my words about idealism, I remain an
idealist at heart, up to this day, and I lead my civilian life the way
I probably would have lead my Legion life.
I raise a family, I work full-time and study part-time, I cherish relationships with childhood friends and having me as a friend is having a friend for life.
I don't drink and smoke, I still run regularly, I do not suck up to anyone and I owe my results to my abilities and my hard work..
I've come posting in this forum because the memory of my desertion has resurfaced recently, out of some sort of nostalgia, and I wanted to share my experience with those 20 year olds wannabees who are out of touch with reality, or don't quite realize what they're getting into. In fact, I will not hide: I wish them to succeed where I have failed.
My point is: part of me, even to this day, regrets this "deed", and as I'm writing, my mind is trying to figure out how things could have been better, how I could have avoided what I did.
First thing: my biggest "mistake" was not to get over the shitty basic training I had. Because all of it was not shitty: I had the deepest respect for the REP corporals and sergeants who trained us at the beginning.
The fact that they did not approve of the way the adjudant was running the section should have given me a hint and encouraged me to become like them, not discourage me from the Legion as a whole.
At the end of basic training, my confidence was low, and on purpose I chose a regiment (6 REG at the time) that I considered average (and average it was indeed).
I will also go so far as to say that this choice was motivated by some desire of self-punishment or self-destruction: my young, 19 year old mind was in a very bad state, I felt like shit and did not think I deserved better.
Second, Joe (Voltigeur), your criticism towards deserters is somewhat harsh: I've seen you're site. You're a real one, an Ancien, an Algeria veteran.
That explains a lot, but I didn't leave in the midst of a war, and the Legion you served in is not the Legion of today (or, at least, the basic training I had, and the regiment I was serving in, did not fit the idea I had of the Legion at the time).
Furthermore, do not think that my desertion is something I took (and still take) lightly, on the contrary. I am not onto writing a book, or being cocky and telling to whomever that the Legion was not worth of me.
Therefore, my words to those of you who are reading these lines and might one day consider deserting: if you do it, it will haunt you, do not doubt it a second. In fact, I will tell you bluntly, and although it is difficult to admit: the more I think of it, the more I regret not having stuck through..
After basic training I could have gone 2REI, start anew in an infantry regiment which was known to be touring a lot.
I could have redeemed myself, rebuilt, I could have given myself a chance to see things under another light, and work with the type of guys I respected and admired.
Believe me Joe, there is no need chasing me: I am being chased by my own conscience, I am not writing these lines close to 15 years after the fact for nothing...
In the end, I want to make this a little bit constructive for the young (and less young) lads that dream about being legionnaires.
1) Be Realistic
- Stop looking at the pictures of the Legion. What you see there is only 10% (if not less) of the whole. The 90% is cleaning ("corvées"), life in the barracks, military routine, hurry-up-and-wait.
A lot of guys join the Legion for a lot of different reasons. Human nature is very strong, and very present in the Legion also.
- If at the gate of the recruiting center, you don't feel that you're 100% going, then go back. You must feel DEEPLY, without doubts, without potential regrets about what you're leaving being, that this is what you want.
- You have too see yourself potentially long term in the Legion, or at least in the military afterwards. Believe me, I work in the civilian world, and it is changing fast nowadays.
You do not know what it'll be in 5 years. I remember, at Aubagne, after Castel, prior to going to our regiment, an adjudant over there told us at rassemblement that if we wanted to kill ourselves, we'd better not do it in a public place an dirty the Legion's image: a guy out of the Legion had blown is head up in a hotel room the prior night.
Take for granted that you might have difficulty readapting to civilian life afterwards, especially if you have no degree or no relevant work experience in the civilian world, and thus remove from your mind that you are getting into 5 years of adventure and coming out afterwards. Seriously consider a military career by staying in the Legion, or joining the military in your own land afterwards.
2) Be Prepared
- Train before you go, do not count on basic training to bring you up to par physically: you have to be able to run 10km, do 50 push-ups, 10 pull-ups, a lot of sit-ups.
Don’t forget your legs: do squats, You don't need complicated equipment: use you're own body as your weight; get down on one leg, then on the other.
Do a couple of reps like that. In addition, prepare your body for "resistance outbursts": obstacle courses require more resistance (both cardio and muscular) than endurance. Insert intervals in your running to prepare yourself for that.
- Get familiar with marching: all the cardio training, all the push-ups will not prepare you completely for long marches (although good abs will help, they support the spine).
Do some marches if you can, do some that span a couple of days, let's say a week-end.
- Use your gear smartly: your backpack has a belt, it is meant to be used. Tighten it around your hips. Although it's called a backpack, the hips should support the pack, not the back. The back is an auxiliary.
Keep that in mind, when the kilometers add up, this detail counts. Also make sure that you pick boots with the proper size: better a bit larger that too tight. Toes must have place to move. Use your judgment, I'm saying this because I wear 9.5 North American and should have picked 43 European, not 42...
3) Have the right attitude
- Once you're in, do not let doubt invade you. The minute you open the door to doubt, it will flood in.
- Never ask "why?" - Shut the **** up at all times. I did, and I never had to suffer beatings or anything of that sort. If you ever do, keep on shutting up, take it as an accident, as you hitting your head in a lamp.
Most corporals and sergeants aren't sadistic. They're rude, but fair. I've never seen anyone being whacked undeservingly. And be aware you're better off with tight discipline: otherwise, the worst in human nature will perspire all around you, and you'll end up in a "section ratée" (scrapped platoon) as I did.
- Stick to your own case: do no expect to finish first and become a 2REP superstar. Do your best without any pre conceived ideas, work on yourself without comparison with others.
- If shit hits the fan, if you see behavior among your peers that does not fit what you had in mind about the Legion, all the more turn to yourself and what you have to do.
Try to spot those ones with whom you might relate, while at the same time not counting to much on them (as you would maybe in other military corps).
Basic training in the Legion is a jungle. I remember giving some water to another guy on the march (believe me, that was a pretty rare gesture, there's no sharing at Castel), he was a good guy, somewhat I got along well with. Well he almost didn't leave any for me, and he didn't say thank you.
4) Your age
Being "young" is no advantage. Now I know. Not mature enough. If I had to do it again, I'd have joined at 24-25. I'd have finished my university first, in order to not be scared of not having anything when I got out, and also not to feel any regrets.
I would d also have been more mature physically. Believe me, I am 33 now, and with some training I would be way better now than at the time. Consider 25-35 the ideal age range.
My two cents.
Anyway, good luck.
I raise a family, I work full-time and study part-time, I cherish relationships with childhood friends and having me as a friend is having a friend for life.
I don't drink and smoke, I still run regularly, I do not suck up to anyone and I owe my results to my abilities and my hard work..
I've come posting in this forum because the memory of my desertion has resurfaced recently, out of some sort of nostalgia, and I wanted to share my experience with those 20 year olds wannabees who are out of touch with reality, or don't quite realize what they're getting into. In fact, I will not hide: I wish them to succeed where I have failed.
My point is: part of me, even to this day, regrets this "deed", and as I'm writing, my mind is trying to figure out how things could have been better, how I could have avoided what I did.
First thing: my biggest "mistake" was not to get over the shitty basic training I had. Because all of it was not shitty: I had the deepest respect for the REP corporals and sergeants who trained us at the beginning.
The fact that they did not approve of the way the adjudant was running the section should have given me a hint and encouraged me to become like them, not discourage me from the Legion as a whole.
At the end of basic training, my confidence was low, and on purpose I chose a regiment (6 REG at the time) that I considered average (and average it was indeed).
I will also go so far as to say that this choice was motivated by some desire of self-punishment or self-destruction: my young, 19 year old mind was in a very bad state, I felt like shit and did not think I deserved better.
Second, Joe (Voltigeur), your criticism towards deserters is somewhat harsh: I've seen you're site. You're a real one, an Ancien, an Algeria veteran.
That explains a lot, but I didn't leave in the midst of a war, and the Legion you served in is not the Legion of today (or, at least, the basic training I had, and the regiment I was serving in, did not fit the idea I had of the Legion at the time).
Furthermore, do not think that my desertion is something I took (and still take) lightly, on the contrary. I am not onto writing a book, or being cocky and telling to whomever that the Legion was not worth of me.
Therefore, my words to those of you who are reading these lines and might one day consider deserting: if you do it, it will haunt you, do not doubt it a second. In fact, I will tell you bluntly, and although it is difficult to admit: the more I think of it, the more I regret not having stuck through..
After basic training I could have gone 2REI, start anew in an infantry regiment which was known to be touring a lot.
I could have redeemed myself, rebuilt, I could have given myself a chance to see things under another light, and work with the type of guys I respected and admired.
Believe me Joe, there is no need chasing me: I am being chased by my own conscience, I am not writing these lines close to 15 years after the fact for nothing...
In the end, I want to make this a little bit constructive for the young (and less young) lads that dream about being legionnaires.
1) Be Realistic
- Stop looking at the pictures of the Legion. What you see there is only 10% (if not less) of the whole. The 90% is cleaning ("corvées"), life in the barracks, military routine, hurry-up-and-wait.
A lot of guys join the Legion for a lot of different reasons. Human nature is very strong, and very present in the Legion also.
- If at the gate of the recruiting center, you don't feel that you're 100% going, then go back. You must feel DEEPLY, without doubts, without potential regrets about what you're leaving being, that this is what you want.
- You have too see yourself potentially long term in the Legion, or at least in the military afterwards. Believe me, I work in the civilian world, and it is changing fast nowadays.
You do not know what it'll be in 5 years. I remember, at Aubagne, after Castel, prior to going to our regiment, an adjudant over there told us at rassemblement that if we wanted to kill ourselves, we'd better not do it in a public place an dirty the Legion's image: a guy out of the Legion had blown is head up in a hotel room the prior night.
Take for granted that you might have difficulty readapting to civilian life afterwards, especially if you have no degree or no relevant work experience in the civilian world, and thus remove from your mind that you are getting into 5 years of adventure and coming out afterwards. Seriously consider a military career by staying in the Legion, or joining the military in your own land afterwards.
2) Be Prepared
- Train before you go, do not count on basic training to bring you up to par physically: you have to be able to run 10km, do 50 push-ups, 10 pull-ups, a lot of sit-ups.
Don’t forget your legs: do squats, You don't need complicated equipment: use you're own body as your weight; get down on one leg, then on the other.
Do a couple of reps like that. In addition, prepare your body for "resistance outbursts": obstacle courses require more resistance (both cardio and muscular) than endurance. Insert intervals in your running to prepare yourself for that.
- Get familiar with marching: all the cardio training, all the push-ups will not prepare you completely for long marches (although good abs will help, they support the spine).
Do some marches if you can, do some that span a couple of days, let's say a week-end.
- Use your gear smartly: your backpack has a belt, it is meant to be used. Tighten it around your hips. Although it's called a backpack, the hips should support the pack, not the back. The back is an auxiliary.
Keep that in mind, when the kilometers add up, this detail counts. Also make sure that you pick boots with the proper size: better a bit larger that too tight. Toes must have place to move. Use your judgment, I'm saying this because I wear 9.5 North American and should have picked 43 European, not 42...
3) Have the right attitude
- Once you're in, do not let doubt invade you. The minute you open the door to doubt, it will flood in.
- Never ask "why?" - Shut the **** up at all times. I did, and I never had to suffer beatings or anything of that sort. If you ever do, keep on shutting up, take it as an accident, as you hitting your head in a lamp.
Most corporals and sergeants aren't sadistic. They're rude, but fair. I've never seen anyone being whacked undeservingly. And be aware you're better off with tight discipline: otherwise, the worst in human nature will perspire all around you, and you'll end up in a "section ratée" (scrapped platoon) as I did.
- Stick to your own case: do no expect to finish first and become a 2REP superstar. Do your best without any pre conceived ideas, work on yourself without comparison with others.
- If shit hits the fan, if you see behavior among your peers that does not fit what you had in mind about the Legion, all the more turn to yourself and what you have to do.
Try to spot those ones with whom you might relate, while at the same time not counting to much on them (as you would maybe in other military corps).
Basic training in the Legion is a jungle. I remember giving some water to another guy on the march (believe me, that was a pretty rare gesture, there's no sharing at Castel), he was a good guy, somewhat I got along well with. Well he almost didn't leave any for me, and he didn't say thank you.
4) Your age
Being "young" is no advantage. Now I know. Not mature enough. If I had to do it again, I'd have joined at 24-25. I'd have finished my university first, in order to not be scared of not having anything when I got out, and also not to feel any regrets.
I would d also have been more mature physically. Believe me, I am 33 now, and with some training I would be way better now than at the time. Consider 25-35 the ideal age range.
My two cents.
Anyway, good luck.
Here is a letter sent to me about the enlistment requirements of the FFL and some of the things you will have to go through to join.
Subject: Re: Reply
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 00:53:03 EDT
From: JDAINIS123@aol.com
To: voltigeur@home.com
Hi Joe,
For someone really serious to join the Legion today they need to do the following:
1. Learn French or have a good understanding of it. 2. Make sure they can, able and are willing to commit to five years in the Legion whether it be in France, Djibouti, or Guyane.
It is true that the Legion can and is choosy these days. When I was in Aubagne there was an another American who passed all tests by his second week there. In his final interview with an Officer he changed his mind and said that he did not want to join the Legion. This occurred on a Friday. Then over the weekend he changed his mind but it was too late, the Legion said no when he asked to stay and continue on to Castlenaudry. I was also impressed to see all the jokers, clowns, misfits and overweight people go "civil" within a week's time.
The Legion does speed up the selection process for Americans, English, African and South American's. Persons from Russia and former East Block countries they would just hold over for the entire three weeks or longer. I was told in Aubagne by some of the "engage voluntaires" and some Legionnaires that spoke broken English that generally the Russians had a bad attitude and many had deserted to go back to Chechnya to fight or whatever reasons. I also heard they were not wanted in the 2eme REP.
Any drug use will certainly get you kicked out as well as any mention of alcohol troubles, mental disorders or problems, and admission of homosexuality.
Also the medical is pretty tough too. I've seen on Thierry's discussion board many questions about glasses. Glasses will get you on the next bus to the Marseille/St. Charles St. train station from what I've seen and heard. Also for people that smoke they take a chest X-Ray. Lungs that are too black are also a no no.
The Intelligence/Psychoanalysis consists of three parts:
The intelligence test obviously tests your intelligence. Figuring out the sequence of things, memory etc.
The Psychoanalysis test is done to see how you are mentally. How you see and view things in life. Do you get along with your parents, Have you ever thought about suicide, Have you ever had a drinking problem.
Obviously questions like Have you ever had a drinking problem is also asked by the doctor and during your BSLE (Gestapo) interview. Obviously, if you answer no once and yes later they just caught you in a lie and it's good-bye.
The last test for me was the run. By this time I was coming down with the Flu and it was time for me to come back in three months.
From what I heard the BSLE interview lasts from 2 to 6 hours for some people.
If you need any more information, just let me know.
Talk to you soon,
James
The exam that i had in 91 at aubagne, was far more complete than any screening in the us military
My volunteer point was lille, where half of us were eliminated within a few days because of the initial interview or physical problems. one guy was eliminated for one small defect in color vision.
We all noticed that the sgt. would reject half of the people before they got in the front door. Of coursed that didn't keep them from going to another center to give ita try. I don't advise the paris office.....too congested with dreamers. you save alot of time and hassle by going to aubagne directly.
These guys are masters at finding physical defects. a careful chiropractic exam is given , since joint injuries are so common, even for the most fit troops.
I'd say that those from aubagne have only a 10 percent or less chance of acceptance, any many of those will be injured too seriously to serve the whole contract.
It's like being a professsional athlete who's at the top of his sport and in a split second goes down with a serious injury. been there....done that
Dreamers do not delude yourself. It's not as bad as you've heard.... it's far far worse.
The legion is for the desperate, or the big risk taker
Everyone is hurt at some point and medical attention is not always prompt.
A great tip is this.....at aubagne the walls have ears.......what you b.s. to the troops may come back to haunt you at the "gestapo" interview. If you don't want them to know something don't say it to anyone.
The intel guys lean on a percentage of volunteers to gather info as a condition of getting in guys are shocked to be questioned about info they "couldn't possibly be aware of"
Last note: If you can't run.... don't even think about the legion
Posted By: Peter Lyderik (xdsl-176-148.nblnetworks.fi)
Date: Sunday, 8 February 2004, at 12:59 a.m.
In Response To: French Special Forces (Gambit)
An Overview of French Special Forces
The french special forces are under the command of C.O.S. (Commandement des Operations Speciales = Special Operations Command).
This command (formed after the Gulf War) comprises units from both Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The COS is under the direct control of Joint armies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie) Chief of Staff. One of his other combined commands is the DRM (Direction des Renseignements Militaires=DIA).
Army: The 1er RPIMa (Regiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine),which is very similar to the SAS. Indeed, their traditions come from the french SAS units of the WW2. Their missions are: intelligence (LRRP's), special operations (like Green berets), and anti-terrorist ops(with the GIGN).They have buggies, HAHO, HALO...
Navy: The GROUFUMACO (Groupement des Fusiliers-Marins Commandos = Marine Commando Team Command).
They are similar to the SBS and SEALs. This Group is made of four assault commandos (=teams or companies), plus a special commando of nageurs de combat (underwater swimmer): the Commando HUBERT.
The names of the four commandos are: JAUBERT, TREPEL, De PENFENTENYO, and MONFORT. Their missions are the same than the SEAL and the SBS. Moreover, they often train together and exchange people.
Air Force: The GFCA (Groupement des Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air) has some units. Dedicated to CombatSAR and in the Laser Illumination operations. For instance, in Bosnia, French Air Force commandos launched 2 operations to rescue the crew of a Mirage2000Nk2 shot down over Pale
. Some of them are HAHO and HALO qualified, in fact,they are also similar to the USAF Parajumpers. French Combat Search and Rescue aircraft.
For the end, the Gendarmerie Nationale and the GIGN. The special forces of the Gendarmerie are in the GSIGN(Groupement Special d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Natonale).
The GSIGN has 3 companies:
GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale),with 87 gendarmes.It is commanded by a commandant(major).
GSPR (Groupe de Securite du President de la Republique) who protects the president = Secret Service.
EPIGN (Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale).
To those out there who wish to join the french foreign legion,the following information is important to know. Anyone can join the selection portion of the legion at any of the recruiting offices as opposed to joining at Aubagne. This will save you about 70 american dollars for a train ticket,this is about the only benefit. Depending on what day of the week you arrive and how many people are there will decide how long you stay there. Plan on staying there for as long as five days.Try to avoid checking in on a friday, saturday or sunday for the reason that no paper work will get done that will help you move any faster to the selection. You will be bored there as there is not much to do.
My advice is to go directly to aubagne. You will spend 3 to 5 weeks there if you are selected and you might as well get your paper work moving so you can get out of there. Do not give them your passport upon entering,it may create a little stress for you at first but will be worth it later. Sacrifice an old drivers license and tell them your passport was stolen.you can send the passport back home or dig a hole somewhere and hide it before you enlist.
I do not feel a bank account is neccessary but neither do I think it is important to close your existing account. It could be a saftey valve for you at some point but they will destroy any card you bring with you if you are accepted to castel. It will be to your benefit to bring as much as 5 or 6 hundred francs with you and do not tell anyone. It is normal for the instructors in castel to keep the money you earn from you for as long as they can, therefore,depriving you from possible opportunities for beer,cigarettes,phonecards,food,etc. Bring your best running sneakers with inserts,never mind all that bad information about them taking your sneakers away from you.If you use inserts or not,bring them,and put them in your boots when you get them (very important).
At all times in selection you must be careful of your reputation with the instructor cadre,assume they are watching you at all times.The rank of legionnaire first class can send you home if he thinks you pissed him off. Volunteering is acceptable in this phase of training,i feel. You will spend the majority of your days there in a large courtyard with many different nationalities of candidates. It will not take long before you are pointed towards the anglophone speakers. Your time in aubagne will be filled with tests and work parties,be careful of the running test in your preparation for selection. They want you to do seven laps and if you come short you have just given them a reason to send you home. Prepare on running up to a half mile before your test, resting five minutes,and then beginning your test.
The legions medical side of the house is not their strength,take advantage of this by concealing as many old injuries as possible and playing down the more serious ones. I have seen guys get turned down for wearing glasses and i have seen guys in training with glasses. I do not know what they are thinking on this but i would say you need to have strengths in the other areas of your"resume." In regards to past criminal records,you most likley will not have problems with them as long as they believe you and they feel that your problems are behind you now. It is even possible for them to take you in while knowing that Interpol is looking for you. The gestapo interview is far from as intimidating as people like to say, the instructors enjoy the mystique of gestapo simply because it allows them to do their job more efficiently when the interviewee is already scared. Simplify your past for gestapo, memorize it,and then act confidently when you talk to them. Exploit your education,athletic abilities,language skills,etc. They will give you a piece of paper and ask you to write down why you want to join the legion, take your time,I remember taking three hours and the guy told me that he was impressed by this. Somewhere in your essay tell them that this is your second chance on life and that you want to make a career out of being in the legion(important).
I could not see preference to any one nationality,they seem to just deal with who they got back there. They may get rid of or hold back the russians or french because there are so many of them, but sections heading to castel seem to have the two characteristics of enough francophones so the instructors can do their job and not have too many of any one nationality for the same reason. It is difficult to say when the best time to join woud be, you quickly realize in the legion that chance plays a large role in your time there. You are at such a low level and can not do much to change the circumstances anyway,so that you stop caring about life in the same manner that maybe you cared before. Its normal over there and for the same reason the legion produces some excellent wartime soldiers.
If i had the choice of when to go over, I would go at a time of year when the weather was not a factor in making your life more miserable. You will be outside regardless of weather conditions and the bored or motivated instructors have been known to use the bad weather to make you suffer a little extra for their benefit. On a final note, Aubagne will be the very beginning of your legion life, where your life will get broken down to the point where the most imprtant things to look forward to will be the next meal and sleep. Out of this blossoms a remarkable and unique cameraderie that seems to make it all worth it in the end and only expands at castel.
RESEARCHING THE LEGION AND PREPARING TO LEAVE
Before I decided to join the Legion, I read a lot of postings on Thierry de Cervens' web board, visited every Legion-related website I could find, bought and every kind of documentary book about the Legion past and present that I could find, and asked questions via email and postings of Anciens and other "wannabe's" who knew more than I did. I also visited the mass-transit web site for Paris (look up "RER RATP" on a search engine) and read tourist books about travelling in France and Paris in particular. I also enrolled myself in two semesters worth of beginning French classes at a community college. This process took 2 years. I also got laser surgery (LASIK) to remove my need for glasses. At the time, the LASIK was a $5000 (USD) investment (for both eyes). I trained by marching with a heavy pack through the woods. I also later did some running and weight lifting. I had read many things about the physical requirements during selection that I would later find to be untrue. In any case, all that physical preparation was good for me. I also adjusted my sleeping schedule about a month prior to leaving to prepare for the timezone shift.
CITIZENSHIP ISSUES
I am a US citizen. Something that people always said was "you will lose your citizenship if you join the Legion." This is false. I visited the website of the US Department of State and did some research there about loss of citizenship issues. What I found was that four conditions for loss of citizenship could apply in my situation, but would never: (1) I would have to overtly declare that I no longer wished to be a US citizen; (2) If I swore an oath of loyalty to a foreign government; (3) If I enslisted to serve in a foreign military of a hostile nation; (4) If I took up arms against the US. Since I would not declare that I no longer wished to be a US citizen, item 1 would not occur. Since I would be swearing an oath to the Legion and not really to France (although technically, it is probably an oath to France -- perhaps by proxy -- the US government would probably overlook that) item 2 would not be an issue. Since France is not considered a "hostile" nation (like say Iraq or Libya), item 3 would not be an issue. Since france is not a hostile nation to the US (militarily speaking), item 4 would never apply.
VISA ISSUES
For US citizens, we do not require a visa to travel to France so long as we have a return ticket (we are then, technically, tourists). The Legion mentions something about obtaining a visa after joining (actually becoming a Legionnaire -- not entering the Selection process), but I don't know the details of that.
THE PLANE TRIP
I called Air France and got a round-trip ticket to france for about $950 (USD) from Washington-Dulles (Washington, DC area) direct to Paris. I was scheduled to arrive in Paris at Charles de Gaulle International Airport on August 2, 1999 and return at the beginning of September. My fare was for the regular coach class (which REALLY sucked -- it was cramped and I got very little sleep).
GETTING FROM CHARLES DE GAULLE TO THE RECRUITING DEPOT
I found the address for the recruiting depot in Paris via numerous Legion web sites. It is in a suburb of Paris called Fontenay sous-bois. It was impossible for me to find a street map of Paris that included the Fontenay sous-bois area as it is outside what I call the Paris "beltway" (a highway that encircles Paris), which seems to be the stopping point for most street maps of Paris. I did, however, find the general location. Fontenay sous-bois is directly east of Paris, just outside that circular highway. In fact, there is a commuter train (called the "RER") that has a station there, oddly enough, called "Fontenay sous-bois". You have to take two different lines to get from Charles de Gaulle to Fontenay sous-bois. The Blue RER starts at the Airport. You have to buy a ticket. Everyone in the airport speaks English, so you can ask them where to buy a ticket for the RER. When you get to the ticket office, ask them for a one-way ticket to Fontenay sous-bois. Keep the ticket with you the whole time, and make sure it stays in pristine condition (don't stick it in your mouth or crumple or fold it). There are apparently multiple stations at the airport. You want to get on a train headed for Paris (obviously). You should change trains at Chatelet Les Halles (a very major station) -- it will be quite a ways away from the airport -- but pay attention. If you wind up on the express train from the airport (like I did), it will not stop at many stations, but one of the stations it WILL stop at is Chatelet Les Halles. You should just have to walk across the platform to get on the Red RER train. There are MULTIPLE Red RER trains. You want the one headed for Boissy St-Leger (the endpoint -- it is RER A2). Each train has a map stuck above the door in the ceiling. LOOK AT THE MAP. Pay attention to the stations once on the train. The station before Fontenay sous-bois is Vincennes. Fontenay sous-bois is a minor station. For those familiar with trains whose doors automatically open -- these don't. If you are the only one getting off at this station, you will have to push a lever on the door to open it. Do it as soon as the train stops. Once on the platform at Fontenay sous-bois, find the large area map stuck to the wall. Look on the map for the large black fort (you really can't miss it). It is Fort de Nogent. Find the train station on the map. Figure out what streets you need to take to get from the train station to the Fort. I tried to scribble down the map, but wound up getting lost anyway. I remembered a few street names and the general layout, as well as the fact that the fort was East of the train station, so I just kept walking East (judging by the Sun) and eventually came to the entrance. When you exit the train station, you will have to put the ticket that you bought into a turnstyle. If it cannot be read by the machine, you will have to find a station attendant to help you. NOBODY AT FONTENAY SOUS-BOIS STATION SPEAKS ENGLISH.
ENTRANCE TO FORT DE NOGENT
You will know when you reach the Fort as there is a traffic circle with a huge sign indicating LEGION ETRANGERE off to the side. The Fort will be nowhere to be seen. There is what appears to be a tree-lined driveway next to the sign that leads down between two apartment buildings. Walk down this driveway and eventually the stone walls and gate of a very ancient looking fortress will come into view. There will be no doubt in your mind that this is the place as above the gate are the words LEGION ETRANGERE. At this point, I got a tingling sensation down my neck. The most complicated part of your trip is now over.
TALKING TO THE GUARD
I walked up to the gate and the guard buzzed me in. Just like the books say, he knew exactly why I was there. He motioned for me to walk around the small guardhouse to the door. He stared at me expectantly as I nervously said "Je voudrais m'inscrire dans la Legion Etrangere". He sparked up and said "Okay!" He asked me for my passport, which I gave to him. He looked at it and was surprised to find that I was an American. He asked me if I came from the Airport. I said yes. He asked me if I had any knives, guns, bombs, gas or drugs. I said no. He then took me to a side room where I had to sit and wait for a while. Another guy had come before me and was already waiting in the room. He was a francophonic African who didn't speak any English. We just made some smalltalk in French. After a while, a different Legionnaire showed up with our passports in hand. He motioned for us to follow him. We walked around the Fort to a room in the fort wall. It was a dining area. The tables were all laid out, as if a large contingent of people were expected to arrive soon. Each plate had a piece of bread on it. There were two guys in blue jump suits that ran around and filled our glasses with Coca-Cola. We were then fed a delicious, hearty meal of steak and potato fries, bread, a bananna, cheese and ice cream. I gobbled up my meal as fast as possible, having learned from some time spent in a military school that I should do everything fast in the military. I could barely finish my meal when our escorting Legionnaire returned and took us to a large building and up the stairs to the top floor. When we got up there, there were a bunch of guys scurrying around in green jumpsuits and blue jumpsuits who were being yelled at by another Legionnaire. He put us in a waiting room where we were surrounded with pictures of Legionnaires. On the coffee table were old copies of Kepi Blanc, the Legion magazine. On the wall was a glass display case with diagrams of the process of going from a "Candidat" to an "Engage Volontaire" -- the Selection procedure. It was in French. My African cohort helped me out with understanding it. It basically said what I had read before: that selection could last up to a month and that basic training immediately followed selection and lasted four months. After a while of waiting in this room, another Legionnaire (a Caporal Chef) showed up and motioned for me to follow him. The other guy was to remain in the room. I followed the Caporal Chef to another room.
THE INITIAL INTERVIEW
I had read about this initial "interview" during my research. It turned out that my interviewer (the Caporal Chef), did not speak English (I later found out that he was from somewhere in South America). He asked me if I spoke English and I said yes. He then walked out of the room, across the hall to another room, yelled something in French, and then came back with a little African guy in a blue jumpsuit. The African guy spoke English and acted as a translator. I was ordered to strip down to my underwear and dump my things on a table. The African was then dismissed as the Caporal Chef sifted through my things, retrieving my watch, wallet, and papers. He sat down across a table from me and asked me some simple things French. For those questions that I did not understand, he shoved a piece of paper in front of me with the questions written in English and pointed to the particular question. As I answered, He wrote things down on a piece of paper. He asked me things like where I came from, why I was in France, why I wanted to join the Legion, who to contact in case of emergency, how I found the address of this recruiting center, what my occupation was, etc... Some of these things I had to write the answer to myself (in English) on the paper. He sifted through my papers and started taking an inventory of things that I had brought: how much money I had, what cards were in my wallet, what papers I had. He also threw away some of my papers (like my RER map that I printed out from the web). He looked at my return trip plane ticket and I explained to him (in broken French) that it was for returning to the US. He took an inventory of my things (clothing in my backpack, toilet items). He then gave me the vision test. I had to stand at one end of the room and read aloud letters from a typical vision test alphabet diagram on the opposite wall. I had to cover each eye and read aloud. I pronounced the letters the French way. I was glad that I got that LASIK surgery. After the test, he told me to put on a blue jumpsuit. I had to sign some piece of paper that looked like a contract binding me to the Legion. He stuffed my money back in my wallet and threw it back at me. He kept all the cards that were in my wallet, my plane ticket and other papers. He did NOT withold any of my money. I got to keep all of my clothes, which I had to quickly stuff back into my bag. He yelled across the hall again and the little African came running in again. My translator then escorted me out of the room and showed me where the bathroom and showers were and brought me to a room with a bunch of bunkbeds. He told me to put my bag in a locker in that room (with no lock) and assigned me a bed. Then he took me to a room where all of the other guys in green and blue jumpsuits were lounging, smoking cigarettes and watching TV. I was accpeted into the Selection process. I never saw the African who was waiting with me at the guardhouse again.
LIFE AT THE FORT
I arrived at Fort de Nogent in the afternoon on Monday and was on my way to Aubagne on Wednesday. Some of the other guys there had been there for a week before I even got there. There were guys from all over the world. There were a bunch of guys from the former Soviet republics, Eastern europeans, a German, a Swede, a whole bunch of francophonic Africans (everything from North to South Africans), a Korean, a Belgian, some Frenchmen and then there was me, the only American. There were two groups of people: the green jumpsuits and the blue jumpsuits. The green jumpsuits had been there longer, and were on their way to Aubagne later that evening. My fellow blue jumpsuits and I would not go until Wednesday evening, but we wouldn't know that for sure until Wednesday. The green suits later changed out of their jumpsuits and back into their civilian attire prior to going. In what seemed to be a symbolic gesture, the Caporal Chef made them clean the facility one more time (in their civilian clothes) before they were put on the bus. The whole group of green suits was probably about 15 guys. The group of the blue suits was about the same. Life at the Fort was pretty simple. We got up at about 5:00am (I think -- I am forgetting now). We went to bed at 10:00pm (I think). We were periodically throughout the day broken up into teams and had cleaning duties. Everything from the hallway floors, to the bedroom, to the toilets and showers had to be cleaned. We cleaned these same things multiple times in the same day (ie: cleaning the toilets three or four times a day). All without soap -- just water and sponges, towels and squeegees. When we weren't cleaning, we were sitting in that lounge room with the TV. The TV didn't have anything interesting on -- just a TV station that ran re-runs of crappy American TV shows overdubbed in French -- or we watched a video tape about the Legion that was recorded in practically every conceivable language. The tape was a documentary which was far from a typical recruiting video. The general purpose of the video was to acquaint the candidate with the Selection process and the Legion. A great underlying theme was that you should know what you are getting into -- that the Legion is not all guts and glory. There were quite a few scenes of recent UN peacekeeping missions where they were carrying away dead bodies -- and showed charred hulks of KO'd UN armored vehicles. What we pretty much did with all of our non-cleaning waking time was sit in the room and talk with each other. It was a very rewarding experience for me to just sit in that room and talk with all of these guys from all over the world -- to find out just how bad things were where they came from. I also got to use my limited French a lot here and it improved dramatically. Each day, about four guys were taken from the group and assigned to Kitchen duty. On one of the days that I was there, I was assigned to Kitchen duty. We started early in the morning by having to clean the guardhouse. Then we ate breakfast by ourselves (after the rest of our group had already eaten and gone back to the barracks). Then we had to clean the dining area and wash the dishes from breakfast. After washing the dishes, we had to clean the dishwashing area. Almost immediately after finishing cleaning the dishwashing area, it was time to prepare for lunch. We prepared the dining area for lunch as well as assisting the cooks with the meal. Seemingly with no rest in between, people came in for lunch. We had to serve the food to our comrades, then were able to sit and eat lunch with them. Then we stopped, the main group left, and the kitchen crew had to begin cleaning up after lunch. Just like after breakfast, it was the same deal: wash dishes, clean the dishwashing area, then immediately prepare for dinner. After dinner, the same thing over again. After cleaning up after dinner, a Legionnaire who had been instructing us in the kitchen took us back to the barracks. When working kitchen crew, there was essentially no rest time -- it was a day of constant work. It was good to work the kitchen crew, though, because we got to drink as much free soda as we wanted (as opposed to drinking water out of a tap, which we had to do normally -- or paying for soda out of a soda machine in the lounge). We also got to use a "real" toilet (one with a bowl and seat). I think most middle-class Americans are not used to the types of toilets that we had to use on a normal basis. They consist of something that resembles a shower stall, but with a huge hole in the center and two ceramic "starting blocks" for your feet. You just squat over the hole and take a shit, and then push a button on a vertical pipe which releases a violent spray of water around the floor of the stall. The whole time I was at the Fort I couldn't take a shit -- I think because I had psychological blocks about using that toilet. While at the Fort, we had to wear the same jumpsuit the whole time. A good thing about its design is that the fabric it is made of dries very quickly. We took showers each night, but were responsible for our own toilet items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, razors, shaving cream, etc...) The Caporal Chef did, however, give soap to those who had none. We had to wash our clothes whenever we could (usually while the four shower stalls were full and we had to just wait) and in the sinks by hand, then drip dry them on one of a few laundry lines in the shower room. It seemed there was never enough time to take a shower, so the 1-minute showers that I had learned to take in military school came in handy.
THE PRELIMINARY MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Some time while I was at the Fort, the whole lot of us (blue suits) were told to take a shower in the middle of the day and then placed on a bus. We were taken to a military base somewhere else in Paris where we were each interviewed by a doctor. When I got to see the doctor, she seemed quite apathetic and disinterested. She asked me if I had any medical problems. I said no, but I said I had "hay fever" -- where I sneeze because of pollen. She seemed to not want to examine me, but felt that she had to. She made me sit on a examination bed, take my shirt off, then placed a stethoscope on my chest and back and asked me to breathe deeply. After a very cursory examination, she said "okay" and dismissed me.
FROM THE FORT TO AUBAGNE
When it came time for us to leave the Fort (when there were enough of us and we had been through our preliminary medical exam), we showered and dressed in our civilian clothes (everybody was happy to get out of those blue jumpsuits which were beginning to stink). Then we had our turn having to do a final cleaning while in our civilian clothes. Part of this involved dragging our mattresses down the stairs where they were laid out on the tarmac and sprayed with insecticide (I actually saw a few ticks crawling out of the mattresses). Then we had to haul them back up the stairs. We were placed on a bus and taken to a large train station in Paris (I think it was Gare de Lyon) on Wednesday evening. I had read about this train trip before coming to Paris -- it had been described as being a bad trip where you were treated "like prisoners" and escorted "under guard". It WAS a bad trip, but not because of how the Legion treated us (I'll describe later why it was bad). I would describe it as more like a field trip with a Caporal Chef and Caporal as chaperones. There was another Legionnaire who was dressed in plain clothes who seemed to be "along for the ride". We rode on an overnight train to Marseille that stopped many times along the way. We had our own seats, but had to share the car with tourists and local commuters. The Caporal Chef indicated that we were not allowed to leave the car and had to ask permission to go to the bathroom (just to let him know where we were). It seemed kind of wierd to me because both the Caporal Chef and Caporal stripped down in plain view at their seats out of their tenues des sorties and changed into T-shirts and sweatpants (I thought they weren't supposed to do that in public). They would later change back to their more formal uniforms before departing the train (again, changing in their seats). The train ride was bad because I couldn't get any sleep. People took their dogs onto the train and they were barking. Some asshole started shouting to his buddy at the other end of the car sometime during the wee hours. The repeated stops would jarr me awake. People shuffling down the aisle would bump into you and wake you up. And then there was the interruption by the conductor, who suddenly turned on the lights in the middle of the night and walked up and down the car checking tickets (of course, the Caporal Chef took care of us). When we arrived in Marseille, the sun was already up. We exited the train and made our way to another platform where we boarded a double-decker local commuter train to Aubagne. When we arrived in Aubagne, a bus was waiting to take us to Quartier Vienot, the HQ of the Legion and home of 1er REI.
RECEIVING AT AUBAGNE
The first thing we did at Aubagne was get our pictures taken. They resembled prisoner mug shots. Afterwards, we were marched a short ways to a small white building which would be our home until either going to basic training or being dismissed (aka "civile"). We walked around to a side door to the basement where we met a sadistic Caporal who would be with us the whole time we were there. He very quickly introduced us to the Legion words for stand up ("haut" -- pronounced "ah-ooh") and sit down ("en bas" -- pronounced "ohngh baah") by making us do so over and over and over again in very quick succession. We then had to strip down (including our underwear) to naked. They issued us underwear, shorts, a T-shirt, socks and a really crappy pair of flat-soled zero-support zero-cushioning 1970's style tennis shoes (more about these shoes later). Our names were then called one by one and we had to run up to a counter with our bag (filled with the clothes we had just gotten out of) where a Caporal Chef took inventory of what we had. While standing there waiting as the Caporal Chef sifted through the stuff, the Caporal made the person waiting drop and do push-ups until the Caporal Chef was done taking inventory. While I was busy doing my push-ups, a fellow Candidat d'Engage Volontaire ("CEV") who had been at Aubagne before my group arrived was stuffing a select group of my things into a military backpack for me. When they told me to stop and stand up, I had to sign the inventory and then grab the military backpack and run around to the other side of the counter and sit down and wait with guys who had gone before me. While waiting there, the sadistic Caporal made us do the stand up and sit down drill over and over again. After everyone was done getting processed, the sadistic Caporal explained the rules to us (in French) with accompanying gesturing for emphasis. He was the boss. He's the Legionnaire. We want to be like him. We don't talk. We do what he says. The only place where you can talk and do what you want is in the back of the building. There, he said, we could talk, smoke, snort our cocaine if we wanted. He strongly recommended, however, that we spend our time running and doing push-ups. He said that in basic training there will be many push-ups. We were later shown to our room where we were assigned our bunks.
LIFE AT AUBAGNE
We woke up at somewhere around 3:30 - 4:00 am every day and were supposed to go to sleep at around 9:00 pm (you usually could not go to sleep until a couple of hours after 9:00 because the assholes in your room would keep talking). We took showers before going to bed, and it was the same deal as like in Paris -- not enough time and a whole lot of guys scrambling for a few showers. The guys who got to the showers first tended to take their sweet time and the guys stuck at the end would have to rush. We had to clean our room everyday and fold our sheets a certain way immediately after waking up and making it the bed a certain way immediately before going to bed. When not on a work detail or taking a test, we sat in a large "garden" behind the building that was devoid of grass. There, people tended to group together by language / ethnic background and talk with each other. There were probably over 100 guys there all the time. People seemed to disappear everyday, yet new faces appeared to replace them. Some people exercised, but most just sat around smoking and talking. There was a klaxon (air raid siren) mounted to the roof of the building at the rear. When it went off, all the CEVs in the "garden" would take off running -- just like a stampede -- towards the front of the building where there was a large tarmac that served as a formation area. We would have to quickly get into a block formation and stand at attention (known as "gardez-vous"). When in formation, we would be split up to handle work details, or take tests, or go eat a meal, or be yelled at for something, or made to do push-ups, situps, roll-over, or other punitive exercises. Many times, we would get called to the formation, then have to walk around the building en masse and pick up "debris" (cigarette butts, trash, sometimes rocks, leaves, etc...). Sometimes we would have to go "weed the cannal" next to the building. Mainly, picking up debris and weeding the cannal were just busy work for us. Work details included cleaning our barracks, doing kitchen duty in one of several kitchens: either the main kitchen, a satellite kitchen elsewhere in the base, at Malmousque -- the Legion resort, or at the Legion retirement home. There were also non-kitchen work details at these locations as well as "debris" collection elsewhere in the base. I wound up doing kitchen duty in the main kitchen a lot, mainly because I happened to be around after a meal when the mess hall ("salles de manger") Caporal was looking for people to do kitchen duty. I really didn't mind because I found that, generally, the Legionnaires that worked in the kitchens were really cool guys who were [usually] pretty laid back. A major problem that develops at Aubagne is dehydration. It is very hard to stay adequately hydrated because you always have to drink from a tap and access to the interrior of the building is restricted (even to go to the toilet).
THE TESTS
There are 4 major types of tests: Psychotechnical, Medical, Physical and the "Gestapo" Interviews. I read a lot of stuff about these tests before going to France and found a whole lot of it to be untrue. The tests do not necessarily occur in this order, but the Gestapo interviews are usually last.
PSYCHOTECHNICAL
This is a barrage of 5 different types of written tests. I'll list the tests in the order (as I remember) that I took them, but they will not necessarily occur in this order. All tests with questions are given in written form in a language that you can understand (albeit a bad translation):
1. Yes/No Questions like: "Do you feel sad for no reason sometimes?" "Would you rather play than work?" "Do you like to be around people or be by yourself?" "Are you a violent person?" You get asked these questions in at least two different tests -- the same questions asked different ways in a different order (presumably to catch you when you answer the same question differently on two different tests).
2. A drawing test where you are supposed to draw a zig-zag line, a wavy line, draw a tree, connect dots, etc...
3. A pattern matching test. You are given a couple of characters to mark on a matrix of hundreds of characters. You get pages and pages of these matrices and you have to go through them as many as you can as fast as you can.
4. A memory test: You are given a crude street map with certain locations marked and named specifically (the names are in French). You are given something like 5 minutes to "memorize the map". You are not told what exactly to memorize (locations? Names? Locations and names?). The map is taken from you and you are given a clean map (no locations marked on it) and a list of things to locate on the map. The list is in a language that you can understand (English for me), and lists some things with general names (like "gas station"). You have to mark them precisely on the map with the number that is next to the list item. You have 5 or 10 minutes to do this (I can't remember how much time exactly).
5. A mechanical aptitude test: Count blocks in a 3-dimensional drawing of a stack of blocks, say which way a gear will turn in a system of rotating gears, say where a rope needs to be attached to a boat in order to pull it straight down a river, what is the best way to hold a hammer when striking a nail, analyze pulley systems for effect and efficiency, etc...
MEDICAL
This consists of three separate interviews. The first interview is a piss test (with litmus paper dip) and an interrogation as to how much and what type of exercise you do and have recently done (what sports you are engaged in, how often, etc...). The second interview is an appraisal of your physique and an interrogation into what types of medical problems you have and why you want to join the Legion. The first two interviews are handled by an enlisted Legionnaire (a Caporal for me). The third interview is handled by the doctor, who, for me, was a Capitaine. He asked me why I wanted to join the Legion. He asked me why I didn't want to join the US Armed Forces. He asked me about my medical history. He did the typical bodily examination of looking in my eyes, nose, mouth, ears, listening to me breathe via a stethoscope, and then also did the feel your testicles thing. It was not as comprehensive or scary as I was led to believe that it was -- there was no blood work -- no real urinalysis (aside from the litmus paper -- the urine sample was disposed of immediately after the litmus dip) -- no allergy testing -- no color blindness testing -- no cataracht or degenerative eye disease testing -- no throat cultures or such things -- no stool sample --- on and on about things that it wasn't but could have been. Relatively speaking -- it was nothing.
PHYSICAL
So much has been speculated about the physical test. In actuality, it is one thing and one thing alone: run 7 laps around a 400m track in 12 minutes. I had heard that they might accept 6.5 laps in 12 minutes -- provided you were desirable for other reasons. Anything less than 6.5 is probably a failure -- and a failure here definitely means "civile" for you. The test starts with a group of you getting called out of formation after the siren. The group of you go down to the basement of the home barracks and put on different shirts and are given track number jerseys to put on over the shirts. You then have something like 5 minutes to run and drink water. Then the group of you form up (in two columns) behind some Legionnaire whom you've never seen before who isn't wearing any rank (but I've heard is an officer) with a Caporal taking up the rear and run a few km (mostly downhill) to a nearby public track and field stadium. This run is not very far or very fast, but will tire you if you are not in shape or are dehydrated (as I was). Once you get there, you have maybe 1 minute to catch your breath before you line up and they say go. You just run as best as you can, and when 12 minutes are up, they blow a whistle and you have to stop exactly where you are. They then log how far you went and you all gather at the starting line. They ask if anyone is experiencing any medical problems after the run, and if there are none, you all form up again and run back to the base (uphill). Upon arrival, you take a shower and return to the back area to chat with your fellow CEVs. If you fail this test, chances are, you will be kicked out that day.
GESTAPO
There are three "Gestapo" interviews. I didn't actually get to do them (I failed my Physical), but I spoke with some guys who did. They said it was basically the same sort of questions like on the Yes/No test of the Psychotechnical set as well as some "interview-type" questions like "why do you want to join the Legion?" and "what do you want to do in the Legion?" Again, they will ask you the same questions in the three interviews, probably to catch you if you answer differently. I heard that these interviews are carried out by Adjutant and above, and are handled in a "good cop / bad cop" manner.
MORE ABOUT THE TESTS IN GENERAL
Tests are not done during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). After you complete all of these tests, you are in a set of people from which they take the top slice (which tends to be somewhere from 7-12 people) and send the rest home. This small final set then gets to visit the Legion museum and is offered the actual contract to sign. They are asked one last time if they wish to change their minds before signing the contract. After signing, they are taken to the barber and get their heads shaved, then have all of their civilian belongings taken from them and are issued their equipment for basic training. This group of individuals is called "rouge". They will hang around for a day or so, acting as the bosses for the CEVs, before departing in the wee hours of the morning at some point for Castelnaudary. People are removed because of the testing process very quickly. I ran into a guy on Thursday when I arrived at Aubagne who was one of the green jumpsuit guys that I met at Fort de Nogent (the group that departed on Monday evening). He was the last one left out of that entire group.
GETTING KICKED OUT
The siren goes off and the stampede runs for the formation area. Names get called out and you form a line at the front of the formation. A Caporal is there with a clip board and makes you sign your name. You know what this is about, even though they never tell you directly. The thing you sign is some kind of release for transportation (I caught a glimpse). The group of you is then dispatched to get your backpack and belongings from your room. You then go to the basement where you are given back your things that they witheld from you and you change back into your civilian clothes. They take back the shirts, shorts and backpack from you and "give" you the underwear, socks, shoes and towels, which you promptly throw away into the garbage can there. You line up outside a room in the basement, somebody calls your name, you go into the room and find a Legionnaire sitting at a desk who makes you sign a series of papers. Like all the other documents that you have signed for the Legion since day 1, you sign the papers without reading them or knowing what they are about. One of the papers is given to you. The group of you collect outside the basement and read your papers. The paper is a "receipt" of your time in the Legion. It explains your status as either INAPT TEMPORAIRE or INAPT DEFINITIF (inapt temporarily or inapt definitively). If definitive, you are not allowed to return to the Legion. If temporary, you are told a time period in months after which you are allowed to retry enlistment. I believe that some peoples' papers indicated the reason for their classification -- mine did not. The minimum return time for the temporary classification is 3 months and can go as much as a year (maybe more). These papers are in French. Another thing they give you is a train ticket back to where you came from (if you actually went to a recruiting depot other than Marseille or Aubagne). It is good for any train travelling that day. One of the things they give back to you is a little packet which is filled with things that they took from you like my credit cards, ID cards, plane ticket, papers and passport. A Caporal comes and collects the group of you (some of whom are getting very unruly) and takes you to a cashier who gives you money for your time in the Legion. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but I think it was something like 150FF per day. You all then get on a bus and are taken to the train station in Marseille. They drop you off there and let you do whatever you want.
THE CRAPPY SHOES
I wore leather dress shoes when I went to join-up. As a result, they took these from me at Aubagne and issued me a pair of really crappy flat-soled cushionless tennis shoes. Most people had these shoes on, but some (who were wearing athletic shoes and perhaps had odd sizes) did not. EVERYONE that wore these shoes complained about them. These are the same shoes that we had to do the Physical Test in. After less than 1 week in these shoes, my feet were hurting so much that I could barely stand up. It took me almost 2 months after I got kicked out for my feet to stop hurting.
SOME ADVICE FOR OTHER WOULD-BE LEGIONNAIRES:
1. Take toilet items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, razor, shaving cream) -- you will need them at the recruiting depot since these things are not necessarily provided for you.
2. Wear rubber-soled athletic shoes. You will be in these shoes the entire time you are at the recruiting depot -- when you are cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, they are appropriate footwear (as opposed to the leather dress shoes I was wearing). You will also have a higher probability of not having to wear the crappy shoes that they issue you in Aubagne.
3. Get a haircut. People had advised me against getting a "buzz job" haircut before going there, saying that I would be the object of abuse because of it. In fact, many people had such a haircut and they were not abused. It is much more manageable to not have hair in that situation, primarily because you can shower faster without having to worry about washing your hair (of course, if it doesn't bother you to have long hair, then so be it).
4. Shave. Do not have a moustache or beard. They will make you shave it off in Aubagne -- and you will have to do laps around the building and push-ups as punishment to make sure you know that you are not supposed to have it. You also have to shave every day in Aubagne (they take your razor and give you disposable razors that you should NOT throw away -- since you have few of them and they have to last you the entire time that you are there). The sadistic Caporal at Aubagne liked to have shaving inspections by flashlight at 5:00 am.
5. Learn to take a 1-minute shower. Learn to eat fast. Learn to do everything fast. Time is something that you may find that you have a limited amount of -- just because the assholes who beat you to something (like the shower) decide to take their time and leave you with none. 6. Learn to survive for a month on 1 roll of toilet paper. For some people, this is a problem (like me). You are issued 1 roll of toilet paper which is supposed to last you the entire time you are there.
7. Learn French. Everyone says this and it is entirely true. Whatever French you learn in advance will pay off tenfold.
8. Look respectable. I saw people who really looked like the dregs of the earth who got picked on by Legionnaires because of it.
9. Prepare physically by doing lots of push-ups and running. There were people there who could barely even do 10 push-ups. I couldn't believe it! Also be able to run when dehydrated. Be able to stay in the "front leaning rest" (the up position of push-ups) for extended periods of time.
10. Be able to yell "like a man". It sounds silly, but at Aubagne, we were supposed to yell "Oui Caporal!" and "Present Caporal!" as loud as possible. The sadistic Caporal emphasized the veins coming out of your neck. He said is was the "war cry". He picked on people who were meek about it or yelled in high-pitched voices.
11. Learn the ranks and how to recognize them by their uniform insignia (it just makes dealing with the Legionnaires easier).
12. Have lots of coin money on hand if you go to Fort de Nogent. The drink machine only takes coins and the Legionnaires will not make change for you. Don't make change for others unless you don't want to have any yourself for the drink machine.
13. Whenever you go to the dining hall at Aubagne, always stuff a bunch of paper napkins into your pockets -- you never know when you might need them (like for the shitter). You may be allowed to go to the toilet but not to go to your room (to get your toilet paper). The toilets do not have toilet paper in the stalls.
14. Make sure when they issue you your toilet items in Aubagne that you have everything. They let me keep my bag of toilet items, but they took my razor (and didn't tell me). When it came time for people to get their toilet items, I didn't get a bag because I already had mine. Luckily, I noticed that I didn't have my razor so they gave me a bag of toilet items.
15. Use the cap from the shaving cream that they give you as a cup. It makes it far easier to drink water from a tap and thus stay hydrated (I found this out too late).
A PARTING NOTE
Although many doubt me when I say this, but I actually chose to leave the Legion selection. I intentionally failed my Physical test by running under 6 laps (although I was dead tired due to dehydration and fell out of formation on the run back to the base). I had actually decided that the Legion was not the right place for me when I was at Fort de Nogent. After spending a couple of days talking with people who really came from unfortunate and destitute situations, I came to realize that I was really a very fotunate and rich man back in the US. I took for granted my cushy job, my inflated salary, my carefree lifestyle, my car, my apartment, my loving family and friends. When they told me about how bad things were in Russia, in Romania, in parts of Africa -- and then asked me about what my life was like back in the USA, I could not feel anything but utter shame for myself. For them, the Legion represented hope for a better way of life, for more money, for a chance to get free of their desperate situations. For me, it was a worse life that paid vastly less than my job in the US. When they asked me in stunned surprise why I would want to join the Legion -- I was at a loss for an explanation. As I have said now many times after having had this experience: it is one thing to know that there are people in the world worse off than you -- and it is another thing entirely to meet them face-to-face.
On an interesting note, since I had already decided to quit (via failing a test and getting kicked-out) before I even got to Aubagne, I decided to fail the Medical test. It seemed to me that that would be the easiest, most "honorable" and fastest way of getting kicked-out. I have many medical problems that have kept me out of the US Armed Forces -- which I was going to not let the Legion know about -- namely a history of Asthma and numerous allergies to very common things (dust, pollen, cats and dogs, penecillin). My asthma is no longer a problem for me, but the mere fact that I have a history of it has barred me from the US military. I figured the easiest way to bomb my medical test in the Legion was to tell the doctor all about these things -- so I did. I had my medical test on a Friday. I figured I would get kicked out on Monday morning (after finding out, to my dismay, that they don't kick people out on the weekends). Instead, they vaccinated me and scheduled me for the Physical test. I wound up having to bomb my Physical test and they kicked me out that day. I know that the Medical was not a problem, because my classification was INAPT TEMPORAIRE for a period of 3 months. In contrast to my comrades who got kicked out with me, I was quite overjoyed to be kicked-out, and quite honored to be classified as INAPT TEMPORAIRE for the minimum time period. It told me that even with all of my medical problems, if I had made the run, I probably had a good chance of making "rouge". That was quite an honor.
Overall, it was a very rewarding and educational experience. One which I do not regret ever having undertaken, nor all the time, effort and money that I had invested in it. I believe that the returns that I received from it were of an incalculable value, a value of which the investment can not even begin to come close to matching. It would have been nice to wear the white kepi, but some things are just not meant to be.
Hi Joe,
I'm writing because you asked for what my experience was. Here is the unedited account. I do not claim to have all the answers and everything was from my point of view.
First a little background on me. When I went I was 29 years old about to turn 30. I arrived at the end of September 1999. My background is as such. I served for 6 years in the US Navy as a Combat Medic/Corpsman serving with Recon Battalion (not Force Recon for all those who know the difference). I am/was in good physical condition, although I'll admit that three years as a civil made me a bit soft, but not so much that it would have been a problem. I am bilingual in French. I went because I wanted to get back into the military lifestyle and see a little action (which in retrospect was perhaps naive).
The impression I had was that on arrival I would perhaps spend 2 weeks at Aubagne before going to Castel. The first day I was there I was cured of that. There were guys (and I mean Anglos and French, not just Russians) that had been at Aubagne for up to 5 weeks. There was such an influx of people that they were desperate to make room for the people that were coming in (approx 300 candidates arrived and only 15 were selected on any given week). My advice to anyone is to go directly to Aubagne. If you go to Fort-de-Nogent or Paris you may end up spending a week there before you arrive at Aubagne. Though you will get paid for that time, you'll still spend the same amount of bullshit time at Aubagne.
The first week was taken up by your initial testing phase. Your psychotechnical and medical exam were given on or about the first two days (assuming you didn't arrive at Aubagne during the weekend). The psychotechnical test is long and requires a lot of concentration, even though it is not strictly speaking hard. You will find that many of the questions repeat themselves in different ways. Try as best you can to be consistent. You will also have a minute to look at a map before trying to put down as much detail as you can later. There is also a personality test (the Myers-Briggs Personality test I believe).
The medical exam is fairly straight forward, and not really all that difficult. If they have any questions about your eyesight or colorblindness they will send you to the hospital in Marseille to be seen by a specialist. I scored 8/10 on the eyesight portion but they said it was a slight myopia and didn't require glasses and wouldn't interefere with my desire to go to 2 REP.
The urine test is for blood and proteins in the urine...your drug test comes once you've passed to Rouge and been accepted for training. Other than that you will start the physical with a young legionnaire...he was Polish when I was there in the Fall. He will check your eyesight, make you pee in a cup, weigh and measure you and take vital signs. You will then be passed to an Adjudant who will ask you a lot of questions about your medical and psychological history. He was very aggressive and tough. He will try to trip you up. Just answer the questions quickly and directly. Your last meeting is with the Doctor, who was very amiable and after the experience with the Adjudant, I got the impression of the old "Good-Cop Bad-Cop" routine. They will ask you several times if you do sports. If you don't do anything competitive make sure you tell them that you at least run and lift weights. Saying you don't do sports will not impress them.
After you clear medical you'll be scheduled to take the ?Coupere? run, usually a day or two later. You must run 7 laps to be competitive, although I saw people who ran 7 and got cut or some who did 5 and were kept and even accepted to Castel(although it should be said this guy's Uncle was an Adjudant Chef at Castel, or at least thats what he told us. I ran 8 in the 12 minutes and so I was fine.
After the run...you have a long time to reflect on your situation. There will be at least a week of tedious numbing work (a group of us on our hands and knees mowing the grass with our hands...one Caporal called us his "Moutons" or sheep) and otherwise you're bored out of your mind. Sitting in the back talking when you can, doing pushups, pullups and running around the Volley Ball court, to try and stay in shape for Castel. Once in a while (if everyone is good, which no one ever is) they'll open the Foyer for people to buy cigarettes. You'll also be pulled for miscellaneous work details outside of the compound...ie the Vineyard or La Ciotat. These are actually fairly desirable because they will make your day move a lot quicker than just sitting around and smoking and joking. You may also have to work in the Dining Room, washing dishes etc...You can grab some extra food there but God help you if one of the cooks catch you trying to steal something. During this time...work hard and keep your mouth shut. Answer any questions one of two ways "Oui Caporal" or "Non Caporal". Anything else and they will ask you to elaborate.
Side note about cigarettes...If you smoke...bring a lot of them, and keep them safe from thieves. It's kind of like prison...cigarettes are more valuable than gold. The Russians and other Eastern Europeans will jump right on the New Guys bumming smokes and promising to pay you back...It's all bullshit. Share with your buddies if you have to.
You will find that each nationality kind of sticks together. The exception is the Mafia Anglaise...we were comprised of Brits, Irish, Germans, Belgians and Dutch. This group was the most disciplined and hardy of all the groups that came in. The French were the worst (with a few exceptions)...always talking in formation and generally behaving as school children. I could speak French and so they knew who I was and didn't really try to fuck with me, but they were lazy and would often try to get the Anglos in trouble for not doing stuff that they were supposed to do. The Russians were great. Despite what I had heard they were not lazy, and every Russian guy I ever had work for me worked his balls off. The other eastern Europeans were not so reliable. The North Africans were the most violent and would try to intimidate you into a scuffle...Ignore them, they go away and you can settle scores once you get to Castel.
Also you may be struck...or even beaten by some of the Caporals there. Though this is strictly against the rules...you won't get much sympathy if you try to complain. I saw this happen a few times and the only advice I can give you is shut up and learn to take a beating...The experience may serve you well in Castel. Also any fighting at Aubagne will get you immediately thrown out. Some people may be allowed back if they didn't start the fight and were just defending themselves. This is not a hard and fast rule however and so don't take any chances. They selection center is desperate to get rid of people and they don't care what small tiny insignificant thing they find (not shaving one day for example will get you booted). Basically if you have to ask yourself if what you're doing is ok...it isn't.
7-10 days after your run you will meet with the Gestapo. Do not blow this out of proportion. They want you to think they know more than they do. Unless you are wanted by Interpol or have a felony CONVICTION in your history, they won't be able to find out much else. That being said...be honest. A lot of things you might think they care about they don't. They understand that a lot of guys have a checkered past (one guy I know was wanted in the States by the IRS for Income Tax Evasion and Tax Fraud) he got in. Of course he told them about it too. The gestapo guy I had was very personable (although he may have been trying to act like a buddy), and I got the impression it was a very straightforward process. I know others who had a hard time with their interview. This interview took about 3-4 hours although I know some who were in there for 6-8.
After that the process starts to move pretty quick...within a week you'll have two more interviews with the Adjudant and the Lieutenant. This are quick basically informal interviews to ask what your goals are in the Legion and what you hope to accomplish. If there are any questions they have about your security check they will ask, but both meetings last about 15 minutes each.
The adjudant, who was American just as I was, was very honest and direct with me. He said that at my age and having no criminal past, the Legion was the wrong way to go. He said they chances were good that I might end up as a waiter in the officers mess or in some admin position, as likely or more so than in an Infantry or the Parachute regiment. I asked him if my previous military and combat experience would help or hurt my chances. He told me that the Legion is ideally looking for people between the ages of 21-25. He said the don't like to take too many Americans especially of my age and experience because it is awfully hard to get them to conform to the Legion way of doing things. He said Americans are just as likely or more likely to desert because they realize what they have given up in their American life and more often than not come for adventure rather than running away from a past. The Legion doesn't want you to have an out...They like people who can't go back to their previous life, so they will have to stay in the Legion.
I told him that given my experience, intelligence, training and being bilingual in French, I would not find being a waiter in the officers mess very interesting. I also told him that if he genuinely thought that the FFL couldn't find a better use for me, than he would be doing me a favor in sending me civil...which he did. I have no regrets about telling him this. I was honest with him and he was honest with me. He was trying to see what my motivation was and I told him. I left after 4 weeks with about 4700 Francs in my pocket, which was more than enough to get back to the States. I'm glad I went, but it really wasn't what I was looking for. After you have finished all this your packet goes before the Selection Committee and they following Friday morning you either go Rouge or you go Home. If you go Rouge you will be issued uniforms and get your hair cut. You will stay at Aubagne for another week supervising work details and meeting your Instructors at Castel. You wil be given more privileges at this point but do not take anything for granted. Lastly...unless you are dying...Do NOT go to the infirmiary...It doesn't look good on your folder.
To all those who are going to respond to this and tell me that I'm an unmotivated jerk and all that crap or that I never went, don't waste your time, because I'm not going to read it. I was there and I've proven all that I care to.
Good Luck to anyone that goes. It takes a lot of balls to even try, regardless of the outcome. Do not be ashamed to realize that the Legion isn't what you want. I think thap if I had bien about 8 years younger I would have done it, and really enjoyed it. My time had passed but my life is good.
SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH
I was there from 20.6. to 30.6.
I went to Aubagne,(caserne vienot)
I have done every test and after they said me in the morning on 30.6. that i am rouge ,I went home ,because the sommer is not the best time to be in Castel.And now I can return there when it will be not so warm ,maybe in september, I was there now because i wanted to know if I am god enough to be accepted ,and when I return i want to have 99% that I`ll stay there.
The first day 20.6. I arrived there in the evening,I was in a room with 5 another guys,3 from France ,one from Finland and one from Portugal. We stand up in the morning at 5.30 ,go breakfast and clean the rooms, In this building was just some legionnaires and in the 3.stage of this building ,there was the officiers for the gestapo interviews. After the breaksfast we go to the medical test,They just look in your mouth and on your body and thay have some questions about your past medical problems,life and every body is asking about your reason to join the legion,they ask it always.After they do some photos about us,and when somebody had tatoos,they do a photo of it.
This day it was the second day at Aubagne we went to a another building, where was the really selection process.There was to many another guys, EV`s, One legionnaire talk to us about the selection process,what can we do there and what is not allowed to do,and after, they take our clothes and another things what we had there. We got white shorts and black T-shirts,and the guys who didn`t have sport,or running shoes they got some shoes,but thez was raelly not god for running.Thez don`t ask for the siye of your shoes,they give you some shoes,which looks like that they can be good. .....it is better when you go there with running shoes . And they give us things for shaving ,but you can bring it with you from home..
This day we stay outside of this new building,Iwas just talking with another guys, I thought ,before i went to Aubagne ,that there are too manz EV`s, but in the 2 weeks,when I was there we was together from 80-150 EV`s, There were from the whole world,, The must people are there from the east countries,from Russia..always about 30-40EV`s,from France cca 20-30,from Poland 15,from Hungary 5-6, ..there were nobody from England,Germany,USA,Italy,Spain one boy was from Australia,Slovakia,Czech R.,Finland,Sweden,Belgium,...etc In the evening we got a badroom, All the EV`s sleep in one building ,where you must stay the whole time,you go just eat and work to another buildings,and you are not allowed to leave this building and the place behind ,before this building. In one room are 20 beds,and we were there max 15 EV`s, we went sleep at 9.30 pm,and stand up in the morning at 4am.
The next morning we hade breakfast, and at 7.30 am they got us the work or some EV`s went to do the test,I go to the medical test,It was not hard,just reading alphabets,color blind test,you must have your teeth OK,not flat foot,Urine test,you must do cycling for some minutes(i do it 6 minutes),and the doctor must see that you have no problems with it,that you are fit. after he had many questions for me,about the reasons of joining,about my past life,medical problems,school..etc,, You must say true because ,what you say this time you must say it all the time,after this doctor give the documents about me to a another legionnaire he ask me the same questions,and after a another legionar one more time the same questions.
I am from Slovakia ,so the first doctor speak with me slovak,the second doctor english and the third doctor german. After we wait one hour, and one legionnaire told us who pass this test and who not. We was there 6 EV`s and one boy from Portugal ,didn`t pass it ,because he can`t read the numbers in the color bilnd test.
After we get a vaccination in our shoulders,, The guy from Portigal went home this day at 1.30 pm. ....You can go home in the morning at 7.30 or in the afternoon at 1.30, At this time the ask who want to go home and who must go home(people who don`t pass the test)......... This day we go in the afternoon work in the kitchen...
.. the breakfast is at 5 am
lunch 11 am
dinner 17 pm
The next morning we go do the running test at 7am, we was just 5EV,we get a number on our t-shirts,and we run to the stadion in the centre of the town ,this running was very slow,take 6min, when we arrive at the stadion ,one legionnaire said how long should we run and how much,he said it in french and he didn`t speak any another language.After cca 1 min we start the running test , You must run min 7 laps in 12 min(2800m}, from our group pass every body this test,but nobody was running 8 laps or more, I have heard that before one week ,one EV ran 9.5 laps,and they said him that they don`t need so good runners,and he was `civil`, and before 2 weeks,there was a black boy and he run 12 laps /12 min!!!!! ..They said him that he should go to the Olympic games,and he become CIVIL!!!
After 12 min we run to the caserne ,but very slowly. Until 1.30 pm we had no work just relax after running. In 1.30. pm we went do the IQ,and Psychotech. test,, We had to write 5 test every take cca 20 min, ...It really easy,there were to many quastions and you can`t remember it, because they use it in the gestapo interviews and you must answer on the question always the same thing. when you answer on one question diferent,you go HOME. you can`t prepare yourself on this tests ,the IQ test are easy and on the you can`t prepare yourself.in the the psycho test ,you must there answer just yes or no,in another test you must remeber things in a map of a city( bank,hotels,schools,....), in one test you must draw a tree and after you must search in a catalog with 18 trees one ,which looks like as your tree,and you write the number of this tree in the paper, ..this test are not hard.
In the next morning you can know if you pass this test,if yes you stay there and when no ,you must go home at 7.30 am, after this test I was waiting 3 days for the gestapo inteviews,because at the weekend there are no test and you cant become CIVIL,there is just work at this time.
Next week I go to the Gestapo interviews,on Monday one,tuesday ..one and on thursrday one interview, Always by a another officier. The first speak with me polish because I understand it,the second Int. was in german and the third in slovak with a slovak legionnaire who translate it in french. In these interviews they ask the same questions , about my life,friends,school,problems,and every 5 min, the question why want I be a legionnaire, They was asking about my whole life .... all the interviews take cca 3 hours, It was a little hard because it is not so good always say the same thing 100 times in 3 hours....
Before and after the interviews we was working in the kitchen or cleaning the rooms ..etc... on the last day they say us in the morning who is CIVIL and Who is Rouge, and after who want go home and not to Castelnaudary. I become rouge,but I said after that i want to be CIVIL, In one week they need 15-16 EVs,,they take about 10% from the EVs, ..I was really happy that I was rouge,but I wont`t go to Castel in the sommer,it is very hard go there in the sommer,I got a paper that I can return if I want in september. They asked the reason ,why want I go home,and I said that I think that I `am not prepared enough,not fit enough for castel,this answer was for him correct and a was waiting until 2 pm and after they give as our thing,clothes etc, they pay us 160 french francs for one day ,1760ff for me, and they take us to the railway station in Marsielle.
CHARLES
Iam just back from selection in Aubagne. I spent 2 weeks there, and made rouge before i volunteered to go "civile". It would take a book to explain everything i experienced, but i will put to rest some of the "myths" and rumors about selection. First of all, why i decided to go civile is really nobody's fucking business, but because i know there are others in my situation, i will explain briefly. I was a white power skinhead in America for many years and had all the tattoos skinheads have. Now, of course i grew up and changed, but could not easily get rid of the tattoos. I was the center of EVERYBODY'S attention. My first day, I had to see 4 different officers (with the last being the Colonel of the 1st Regiment)and explain my story. None of them wanted me. they told me to go home. The ONLY things that saved my ass was that i had no return ticket, had a spotless record, had just graduated police training in the US (and had the papers to prove it), and i was honest about everything. They made an exception for me on the condition that after Castel (if i passed selection) i would have to have most of my tattoos removed BEFORE i went to my Regiment. They advised me to do it BEFORE Castel, but i insisted to do the selection and instruction first, so they decided to let me try. I had many problems with the other EV's right off the bat. They didnt like me and they didnt even know me. I stayed out of trouble and only had words with a few people and i dont think we even understood what the other was saying. I passed the run and all the tests. The interviews with the Gestapo were hell, but everything came back ok (like i knew it would) and i made rogue. There was an American Adjudant Chef that made the "interrogations" somewhat easier. He was a very pleasant man but was very detailed in his questions. Anyway, I decided no to risk going to Castel with all my tattoos and running into a Caporal Chef who might use them against me. I also didnt want to spend every hour fighting someone who either didnt understand or didnt care. The Legion might see me as trouble and get rid of me out of instruction. So i volunteered to go civil. My Caporal Chefs were shocked and pissed at me at first. I busted my ass and they knew i was not a trouble maker, but after i explained, they understood and agreed. One Caporal Chef told me that if i did not return, he would hunt me down and beat the shit out of me (and i believe him!). Well the Lieutenant who i talked to last, asked me how long i needed to cover my tattoos and heal. We agreed 6 months was enough and so in 6 months, voilà! I will return. OK, now you know. I dont give a fuck about your opinions of my decision. It's my life not yours. In less than one year i will be wearing my Kepi, so it doesnt matter what anyone says to me now. Now to the myths and rumors: -If you want an extra week of hell, sign in at Paris and bon chance. The EV's i met who went through there said they regretted it. But maybe you need to find out for yourself. -the Caporals and Caporal Chefs in Aubagne do hit EV's. I do not care what you have heard. I was there. i saw it. SEVERAL TIMES. As long as you are not a total fuck up or a smart ass, you have nothing to worry about. -I read "learn to take 2 minute showers".....you better learn to take 30-45 second showers...and all the showers on one side had only cold water. I wont say which side. It would ruin the surprise. -Wake up is at 0400 on week days and 0600 on weekends. -The food is OUTSTANDING and you always get enough to eat. (the only exception is when the cook is off or sick -French rations SUCK!) -You only get to piss, shit and drink water during meals or at night after lights out. if you have a weak bladder, you are in for a nightmare (just let a Caporal Chef catch you pissing outside in the waiting area) -no sleeping at anytime, anywhere except you bed at night -Keep you mouth shut AT ALL TIMES unless asked a question -If you speak only english, be prepared to be very confused at all times or be able to learn french VERY quickly. I met only 3 or 4 Legionnaires out of 100 who spoke enough english for me to communicate with. My first 3 days, i spoke absolutely no english with anyone. I also speak some spanish, i survived. -no one who ran 7 laps got sent civile. I took my time, ran 7.5 and had no troubles. Some guys ran 8 and 8.5. No one got let go for running 2 many although i was told buy some of the EV's that had been there longer that it was not good to run more than 9. So my point is, run 7 to 8.5 laps (2800-3400 meters) in 12 mins. and you'll have no problems. -You will not do any pushups (pressups for you UK guys), situps or any kind of rope climb. Maybe that happens in Castel, but not selection. The only time you will be doing pushups is when you piss off Caporal Chef. -Get a good tan before you go. I did, and it payed off. We spent several hours everyday (10+ on the weekends) working in the sun with NO shade. After the first weekend 6 buys were sent civil (temporary) for betting burned. -fights do happen, and when they do, BOTH men are sent civile, no questions asked. -dont come to Aubagne being a tough guy or asshole. If you do, The Gestapo will send you home. - You are being watched ALL THE TIME. act accordingly. - and finally, if you have racist tattoos or any that are questionable (if you have to ask, it is no good, get them covered or removed BEFORE you go or you will not even get in the front door. They strip you within minutes of arriving and will send you out the door if they see anything they dont like without telling you why. OK, enough for now. Good luck to all you guys who are going. I was the only American. I heard of several who came before me and went civile. The selection is not a day camp. keep that in mind and you will do fine.
Posted By: Charles Stöeng
Information sent to me from a legionnaire who was in C.R.A.P. (now G.C.P.):
Well to answer the questions , the usual course of events is you are asked or ask , to be a volunteer for the G.C.P , one must be a corporal minimum within the team but one can do the pre-selection as a first class legionnaire.
Upon spending time in the REP's combat company , and depending one you're speciality " function ! " you are either needed or not. Pre-selection can last 2-3 weeks with the usual para tests .... 8km kit run , obstacle course , push ups and so one .... swimming test and the rope test with full kit.
Upon completions of those you do the 30 km full kit run and they ask for it to be done under 4 hours for their standards ... the record I believe is 2 hours and 35 odd minutes .. a good run.
The rest of the selection deals with all the combat related drills , and they watch to see how you intereact with the others , team player being important ... physical fitness is important but they also try to fit there needs within .... medic, mechanic, computers and good soldiers all round, no past disipline problems is a good one.
The last week is spent on the field working with the different CELLS working at their jobs .. house clearing .. infiltration and skills you would soon see if you were chosen and sent to do you're second level commando course ... The finnally is usually a small excercise within dealing with a commando raid of some type and a prisoner of war bit at the end to sort out some last minute questions.
If selected the usual would see you sent on the commando course as soon as a spot was available wich is a course ran for the french GCP teams and the GIGN lasting 3 weeks at Mont Louis .. the 1re choc ... once completed you are elegible to do the S.O.G.H course in peau at the ETAPE.
That done you are a team member and designated a CEll within the team.
No problem man! I hope joe saves me of my english mistakes that are so terrible. I am very sorry about that.
Listen, Just remember the things to do, Do not screw up there. keep to yourself, but be discipline. It's not a bad idea to volunteer at all. Work hard and show initiative in work and leadership. Never question an order go with the flow and do not let anything bother you. It is a bull shit period that will pass.
Do not get into arguments or fights. It happens all the time and it is easy to be suck into one. If somebody want to fight with you and show signs of violence. Be cool, do not get involved but if you must fight, specially if there is people around, Let him hit you. Do not fight back or you will two will go civil.
If you fight is civil at once, if you say something racist toward any other european or color person you go civil. You will walking on your toes but if you have done your homework here you will be alright.
Remember to always cover your butt, what ever you do Corvee or else, check yourself to make sure that everything is fine. Look after yourself and remember to have extra money and a return ticket just in case. I know that no one wants to go there thinking in failing but sometimes is not you, it someone else that fails you, Ces't la vie. You can use your Visa ATM card in almost any bank in France.
If you are sended home, do not dispair, better times will come and things will happen. Try to enjoy France, Paris, the wine, the food and their woman that are beautiful and pertout!!! You will be happy after all, France can be a lot of Fun!
All the best to you man!
hope you make it
Cheers Mate!
JC
Posted By: James Celson
Posted By: Myers
by Krige.
Re: Want to get rouge? Posted By: Krige (cache.arnes.si) Date: Friday, 29 August 2003, at 1:27 p.m. In Response To: Re: Want to get rouge? (Joe van Raamt) I guess you already know how the selection goes: quick medical exam, I.Q test (psycho mechanic test), medical exam, running test, gestapo interviews (two of them)and interview with commander of selection centre.
They are also watching you all the time. So, if you are bossing around (main problem of French candidates) and don't want to work, they will definitely find out and send you civil.
Mostly people fail on I.Q test (about 30%). I guess they don't belong in military, because the test is really simple.
About medical; if you wear glasses it's not really a problem. I was c-3 class (L:6/10, R:4/10 without glasses) and went rouge without problem.
I was also going to get military type ordinary and sun glasses. But I couldn't be a sniper.
My friend was also accepted with c-4 class (L,R:2/10). He can't be a sniper, para, go to jungle ops and he can't drive a car.
Greatest problem for many candidates was teeth condition. You must have healthy teeth without cavities. Or you go civil. Back, knee injuries are also big minus. Also some stupid tattoos. Running test is easy. You have to run for 12 minutes around two big buildings. It is asphalt track with distance marks. One lap is 400 metres. Minimum is 7 laps, but it's better to be as fast as possible. Mostly candidates are really unprepared for the test, and about 20-30% of them are send civil.
In interviews they want to check your background, reason for joining legion, motivation,...It's really routine for them. So in the begining you have 2-3 hour chat with gestapo.
I suggest you to tell the truth, because most people don't know how to lie. It's plus if you don't have criminal record, have military background (no AWOL! Bring discharge papers), have education, expertise (computer, mechanic,...). Second and third interviews are short. They're just checking your "story".
Third interview is with commander, who also wants to find out how good is your motivation. He has some general idea about your personality, so he is trying scare you with story about hard life in legion and how your career is going to look like ("you will never see the action, you will work like a cook, you will get shitty pay,...").
Stay tough and answer with just:"oui mon liutenant", and everything is going to be fine.
After about two weeks you get rouge, but before this happens think seriously if you really belong here. The Legion is just an army like any other. And like any other army, it has special forces, elite units and also auxiliary and support units.
Nobody knows where you will end. And maybe you will find out paratrooper life to hard and would like to work as a clerk in some office. Also don't expect much from social life outside base for first 5 years. Your pay is too small to have a French girlfriend.
Cheap prostitutes are a more common choice. But if you think that you can deal with it, then you have really good chances to get rouge. Only real obstacles are those in your head.
2) posted By: Krige (cache.arnes.si)
Date: Friday, 29 August 2003, at 1:53 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Want to get rouge? (Jebus)
It was interesting that the huge, muscular types were first to be sent home.
Maybe they had teeth problems, because one of those, was really embarrassed to open his mouth. Not trying to be a racist, but a lot African guys did not pass I.Q. test.
French guys were send civil in big numbers mostly because of their bossy attitude (legion wants soldiers, not commanders), lack of discipline and readiness to work (they are really lazy).
"Kids" (less than 19, 20 years old) also don't have good chances.
So the ideal candidate is: 25-30 years old, healthy, no knee or back injuries, good teeth, maybe small vision problems, about 180-190 cm, fit, runner, swimmer, no criminal record, military background, college degree (good if you want to be NCO), modest, hard working, disciplined (if you want to be a soldier act as a soldier).
Life in legion is also mentally hard, so it's helpful if the legion is your last chance to live the(for you)normal life.
3)
Re: to krige
Posted By: Krige (cache.arnes.si) Date: Sunday, 31 August 2003, at 11:49 p.m.
In Response To: Re: to krige (chris cardan)
They're selecting snipers (tireur d'elite) later on in the regiment and selection differs from regiment to regiment.
It's obvious that selection in 2eme REP is the hardest.
For sniper you should have perfect eye sight (c-1 class; 10/10)and be in perfect health and fit, you have to be a marksman and you have to pass another more detailed set of I.Q., psycho mechanical tests.
Psycho mechanical tests are the most important, they are checking your ability to work alone in stressful environment, motivation, memory, psychical stability required for attending the missions (to get a kill) and to live without (strong) post traumatic disorder.
Snipers are no gung-ho types, They're maybe the most quiet and modest people you have ever known.
So, if you want to be a sniper, act as one because they are monitoring your progress and your activities from the day one in Aubagne. Good luck.
Join Date on forum: Feb 2005 Location: From India..(HImalayas) Posts: 98 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hi to all Today i got a chance to access internet. I have finished instruction.
Next week I'm going to regiment but i don't know yet which regiment they will give me, i have asked 2REG.
Well here r some facts about the Legion. Hope this will help wannabeeeess ;
- except 2REP you can use laptops after basic training that is Castel. I have seen guys even in the training with laptops and mp3 players
- only the first month in Castel is hard. The rest is cool, but francophones are always annoying, hahaha::
- you get time to read, for sports, and all,
- you can call home after farm or around 45 days;;
- first test you pass is beep test, but as soon you arrive at Castel you have to pass Cooper test, push ups 15, climb rope 5 m without using legs, pull ups 8-10, 100 m swimming. So be prepared, it's easy to clear beep test.
- most impt thing is why do u want to join the Legion, keep your story same every time they ask u. They will try to ask trick, but keep the story the same.
- It's not tough to join the Legion, but it's hard to be the best in the Legion.
Best of luck to all of you, and thank you very much for all the support you all have given me to achieve my dream.
__________________ HOPE 4 D BEST PREPARE 4 D WORST KNOCK KNOCK
By: James Celson
By: James Celson
Hello there, I am from Dublin, IRELAND, and I have been a visitor to your site, the info on the legion is great, so I have written a little poem to all would be legionnaires, and ex-legionnaires. I hope you like it
who are these men who slowly walk,
heads held high,who sing not talk,
songs of victory,a fighting elite,
who never surrenders even in defeat
each soldier from a different land,
thrown together,this rugged band,
to fight and die and not complain,
from desert heat to jungle rain.
so if you see this awesome site,
with their blue waist band and hats of white,
for combat in some distant region,
the damned die hard in the foreign legion.
By Kierran.
Posted By: matt
Posted By: Bonne
TOP
- The latest letter about what to bring when joining (June-25-2002)
Posted By: K-Man
Greetings to all. I will remain anonymous because i am just about to finish basic at castel.
I took the advice of mr Joe and Tango Golf and had no problems.
1)- Aubagne sucks, go straight there. You will be there for three weeks before you know you made rouge. I did it right and told the gestapo everything.
I am an american who had a felony conviction, but since i came forward with this and had no hang-ups.
Take good shoes, and INSERTS for the feet, this saved me on the Kepi and RAID marches. Be prepared for long days of intense boredom.
2)- After you make rouge, you will head to Castel. Sleep at every oppurtunity, as you will be harrassed non-stop for the next 3 months. keep your money to yourself, even if the instructors ask for you to turn it in.
3)- at Castel, you wait for 2 weeks in your new section before you head for the farm. let me tell you right now, the Legion is hard. I was in the U.S. special forces for two years, and i still had some trouble with the farm. In the words of one guy i talked to on the net, run every day until you puke;;;;
This is very brief, i know, but it is simple: if you want it bad enough, you will go for it. If not, you will continue to pester these web sites with non-sensical questions, like i did before i bought my plane ticket and WENT;
Many of theguys here ask me why i don`t go civil. Yes there are some things i hate about this place, but i am not a quitter, and if you out there have the same mentality, then sac-up, and march or creve.
good luck, jd
Oh hell.
Normally you are allowed to phone home and go to the (finnish:sotku, place, a shop inside the military area to by some stuff, candy, coffee, cigarettes perhaps) after one month of basic training.
Our platoon is not allowed. I’ve called twice to my girlfriend secretly.
In March, I’ll buy a mobile phone so after that there's will be no more worries about the connections.
23rd of September I arrived in Paris, Fort de Nogent-fortress, where I spent 6 days doing jobs of all sorts.
The first day I got a new name, a new birth date and place of birth was changed to Paris.
A small medical examination and fill in some question forms, then sign the contract and off to Aubagne 1ere Regiment Etrangere, where I spent 3 and a half weeks.
There are three levels or stages, first you're blue, then green and then red. With each level more responsebility and more discipline.
In the few first days there's an IQ-test and a psychological test (surprisingly I passed). I got enough points to become an sous-officer (sergeant etc.)after some five years.
The best points from our platoon. Cooper-test on a 400meter track with a few hills minimum 6 and a half laps.
Then there’s a 3-stage "gestapo" which is an interrogation, backgrounds and medical tests.
Rest of the time was doing chores and at the last stage guard duty. Every morning the volunteers who want to, can leave and about 90% are sent home, for example an other Finn.
Next stop is Castle, from there you don't get to go home so easy.
First week was fitness-test and (Finnish word simputus, a military term for severe hazing).
Caporals are in charge of discipline, and sergeants arrive only after about 1 week.
After 1 week it is the farm which is in the small Pyrenees.
Showers in outside hangars, 1 month of a million push-ups, a little military training which is of poor quality? 5 hours of French-lessons, 6-2 hours of sleep a day and every 3rd night one hour of guard-duty.
10km runs every third day and a night march twice a week in full combat kit.
Before every meal we sing, and if the singing is bad, we eat fast.
Daily there's not much but exercising and school. Evenings/nights are for marching and singing. For example, on three nights I've sang and run holding a large brick over my head.
When the singing is bad, you'll keep practicing each time with one less piece of clothing. Punches are raining, not to the head but chest and hands.
2 guys were taken to the psychiatrist and one guy escaped. He was caught and taken in to the Legion jail.(=putka=slammer?)
Even if you escape or want to leave you still need to be here for 4 months.
After the months, there is the Kepi Blanc-march, about 60km in the mountains up and down with full combat kit in a little over a day.
Just my luck that it was raining, my boots sunk in to the mud, and being a wise man I started the march with a hangover.
Alcohol is not a problem in the Legion, the first day of the Kepi Blanc-march there was a barbeque party waiting in the place was we were supposed to stay the night.
Wine and beer but now water for the march next day.
After the march there's the kepi blanc-party, where I became a Legionnaire, then when we got back to Castle it became easier.
It was Christmas, which is a big party here for 2weeks, every night to the company's club where you can drink as much as you want as long as you run normally the next morning.
During Christmastime there is also 2 weeks of competitions in sports, I played soccer and water polo.
In the 11km cross-country run (44minutes) I came in 24th.from about 1000 participants.
We ate at 0600 we ate for several hours and after that everyone got a present.
At the New Years Eve we got drunk again. Don't get me wrong I don't drink often, but in here for example after the church on Sunday there's beer available.
The 5th of January we went to ski to the Pyrenees for a week, just before that one guy escaped.
4days of downhill skiing. Everyone skied with 15 year old army skis except for me and two other guys who got a pair of new carving-skis, It was great.
One day we drank and ate for several hours, then a 4hour ski march in full gear.
Not with cross-country skis, but with downhill-skis...
The last day we went for a 3hour march to the caves thru an underground river.
At times climbing, crawling and twice rappelling a 20m drop.
Now I still have about 6weeks of basic training left, tests and a 5-day RAID-march and 2weeks of driving school.
Yesterday an 8km running test with almost full gear, I won with 38minutes.
About half of the platoon lost the skin of their backs because the backpack is shitty.
After the training you can order what ever bag, combat vest, tactical gear, boots you want. Nobody even touches the Arme de terre-crap.
Violence in the legion hmmm. It's a different thing when you're here. The farm is hard, because in there they try to break you.
One guy cried every day, still does so a couple times a week.
At the farm, you’re so tired that you will fall asleep standing whilst singing marching songs. Usually the platoon leader hits you hard to the back of your head a couple of times, some have been hit in the face with an open hand (slap) and a hit with a Famas to the back of their head.(In a classroom I mean).
The shooting days are the best because then you get to laugh.
Once we were shooting and everyone who missed their target got a hit in the head with Famas from the Platoon leader.
One guy accidentally fired on full auto and got 5 hits in the head and hard.
Everyone had good bumps (kuhmu=the swelling in the head caused by a hit or blow) on their heads.
One Chinese guy was swinging his gun around with the safety off, and the platoon leader gave him a black eye so that he flew down 5 steps and needed a stitch in the back of his head.
When cleaning the weapon, if some part is not clean you get a hit to the back of the head or you're forehead with that part.
At evenings everyone looks like they were in some bar fight. Or everyone who messes up and that's not me.
Fight's occur every time too when we are permitted to drink alcohol.
Don't get me wrong, I'm having it pretty easy here because I'm not messing up and have learned to understand French, but there's a lot of guys here who are not supposed to be here.
That’s why from 42 guys 2 are at the psychiatrist and 4 tried to escape.
We have guys from all over the world and the team spirit is usually really good.
At the moment I'm in 24h strike force, which means I’m sitting in a sort of a bunker with my Famas and a gasmask. Drinking coke and watching movies with the others.
The food here is good and there's always coke and other sodas. Hard to write about stuff in the first 4 months, but I'll be able to make contact in March and then I'll tell you more.
I have some hard and funny stuff to tell. The main thing is that I'm enjoying it here and I feel at peace.
Oh yeah, also the priest can just say hello to you by slapping you to the back of you're head.
"In
finnish"
No voi helvetti, normaalisti 1kk jälkeen peruskoulutuksen alusta on lupa soittaa ja käydä sotkussa. Meidän joukkueella ei ole ollut lupaa. 2. kertaa olen soittanut (tyttöystävä) salaa. Maaliskuussa ostan kännykän joten sit ei oo enää huolta yhteyksistä.
23,syyskuuta saavuin Pariisiin Fort de Nuget-linnoitukseen, jossa olin 6vrk tehden työpalvelusta. Sain ekana päivänä uuden nimen (poistettu) ,syntymäaika muutettu kuukaudella, syntymäpaikka muutettu Espoosta Pariisiin. Pieni lääkärintarkastus ja kyselylomake sitten nimi sopimukseen ja aubagneen 1ere Regiment Entrangese, siellä olin 3ja puoli viikkoa. Siellä on kolme eri vaihetta tai tasoa aluksi olet sininen, sitten vihreä, sitten punainen. Aina lisää vastuuta ja kuria. Ekoina päivinä on testit ÄO ja psykologinen testi (ihme kyllä läpäsin). Sain tarpeeksi pisteitä tullakseni upseeriksi joskus 5v.n päästä. Parhaat pisteet meidän joukkueessa. Cooper-testi 400m radalla jossa on muutama mäki min 6ja puol kierrosta. SItten oli vielä 3-vaiheinen "gestapo" eli kuulustelu, taustat ym. ja lääkärintarkastukset. loppu aika oli työpalvelusta ja vikassa vaiheessa vartiota. Joka aamu vapaaehtoiset voi lähteä kotiin ja n. 90% lähetetään muutenkin takaisin, esim. yks. toinen suomalainen.
Seuraava pysäkki on Castel, josta ei ihan heti lähdetä siviiliin. Eka viikko oli kuntotestejä ja simputusta. Alikessuja vastaavat on Caporal, jotka on kurinpitäjiä, ja ja kersantit saapuu vasta n. 1vkon kuluttua. !.n viikon jälkeen on farmi joka sijaitsee pienillä pyreneideillä. Suihkut ulkohangaarissa. 1kk miljoonia punnerruksia, vähän sotakoulutusta ja sekin huonotasoista. 5ranskankielen tuntia, unta n. 6-2 tuntia vuorokaudessa plus joka 3. yö 1 tunti vartiota. 10km lenkkejä joka 3.päivä ja 2krt viikossa yömarssi täyspakkauksessa. Ennen ruokaa lauletaan ja jos lauletaan huonosti, syödään nopeasti.Päivisin ei tehdä paljon muuta kuin kuntoilua ja pari oppituntia. illalla/yöllä marssitaan ja lauletaan. Esim. kolmena yönä olen laulanut ja kantanut harkkotiiliä pään päällä. juosten. Tai aina jos laulu menee huonosti jatketaan harjoitusta yksi vaatekappale vähemmän. Ja iskuja satelee, ei tosin päähän vain rintaan ja käsivarsiin. 2pääs psykiatrin puheille ja yks karkas. Saatiin kiinni ja
Kun palataan Castelliin on rauhallisempaa. Ja oli joulun aika mikä on iso juhla täällä 2vko joka ilta komppanian clubille, missä saa juoda vapaasti kunhan aamulla juoksee normaalisti. Jouluna on myös 2vkoa urheilukilpailuja. Olin futiksessa ja vesipoolossa varamiehenä. 11km maastojuoksussa (44min) olin 24. Osanottajia oli n. 1000. Jouluna juotiin 6:een asti sitä ennen kaikki saivat lahjat ja syötiin useampi tunti. Uutena vuotena ryypättiin taas. Älkää käsittäkö väärin mä en juo useasti mutta täällä esim. sunnuntai kirkon jälkeen on tarjolla olutta. 5.tammikuuta mentiin viikoksi pyreneille laskemaan. Sitä ennen yks karkas taas. 4vrk laskettelua. Kaikki laski 15v vanhoilla armeijan suksilla paitsi minä ja 2 muuta joille annettiin uudet tiimalasisukset. Se oli upeeta.Ja yks päivä ryypättiin ja syötiin monta tuntia. Sitten krapulassa 4h marssi suksilla täyspakkauksen kanssa. Ei murtsikoilla vaan norm.suksilla. Vika päivä 3h marssi luolastossa kahlaten maanalaista jokea pitkin välillä k
Väkivalta legioonassa hmmm. Se on eri asia kun on täällä. Farmi on rankka, koska siellä ne yrittää murtaa sut. Yks tyyppi esim. itki joka päivä, tekee sitä edelleen pari kertaa viikossa. Farmilla on niin väsynyt että nukahtaa seisovilleen kesken marssilaulujen ja silloin ramasee. Yleensä joukkueen johtaja läimäyttää lujaa takaraivoon.. Pari kertaa on lyönyt muutamaa avarilla naamaan sekä Famaksella takaraivoon, siis oppitunnilla. Ampumispäivät on hauskimpia koska silloin saa nauraa illalla esim. kerran oltiin ampumassa ja jokainen joka ampu yhden kudin ohi maalitaulun joukkueen johtaja pamautti Famaksella takaraivoon. Yks ampu vahingossa sarjatulella ja sai 5 kolausta päähän siis lujaa. Jokaisella kunnon kuhmut päässä. Yks kiinalainen sohi varmistamattomalla aseella ja JJ läimäytti sille mustan silmän niin että se lens 5 porrasta alas ja sai tikin takaraivoon. Kun puhdistetaan asetta niin tarkastuksessa jos jokin osa ei ole puhdas sua kolautetaan sillä osalla takaraivoon tai otsaan.
Älkää käsittäkö väärin, mulla on täällä ihan leppoisaa koska en koomaa ja olen oppinut ymmärtämään ranskaa, mutta täällä on paljon jengiä joilla ei ole mitään asiaa tänne siksi 42sta henkilöstä 2 on psykiatrilla ja 4 yritti karata. Meillä on porukkaa joka puolelta maailmaa ja joukkuehenki on yleisesti todella hyvä. Oon tällä hetkellä 24h iskujoukoissa eli istun ns. bunkkerissa Famaksen ja kaasumaskin kanssa juon kokista ja katson leffoja muiden kanssa. Ruoka täällä on hyvää ja tarjolla on aina limuja. Vaikea kirjoittaa 4kk tapahtumista lyhyesti mutta kun pystyn pitämään yhteyttä maaliskuussa niin kerron tarkemmin. Mulla on niin rajuja juttuja ja hauskoja. Pääasia on että viihdyn täällä ja mulla on rauhaisa olo. Ai joo pappikin voi tervehtiä sua läimäyttämällä mua takaraivoon.
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Latest
Information from legionnaire who returned after BSLE interview
Forum Admin
For Joe
Posted By: Pat (cache-dk11.proxy.aol.com)
Date: Thursday, 22 January 2004, at 3:30 p.m.
Hi Joe, here is my take on the selection process. Sorry for the length, I got a bit carried away! Please feel free to edit it or delete some of it if you are going to post it on your website, as most of the info is already on there anyway.
I joined at Aubagne on Dec.18, 2004. I arrived around 12:30 in the afternoon and had to wait until 14:00 until the recruiting dude got back.
I told him I wanted to join and he asked me about 5 times if I had joined before.
I said no, which was true. He then asked me about 5 times if I had joined in Paris. I said no. He then changed my identity, catalogued my stuff and took my money, save 20 or 30 euros.
The first night I spent in the Gestapo building with 6 other guys. In the morning we got a BRIEF physical. We stripped down to our underwear and a Corporal Chef looked in our mouth for rotten teeth and measured our height and weighed us.
Then we had our picture taken and signed the contract. I was asked if I spoke French and I said no, so the legion dude (I don’t remember his rank.) did not explain the contract to me, although I think he explained it to the francophones.
In the afternoon we got put in with the rest of the recruits. They took everything except my toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream and glasses. They took my English-French dictionary/phrase book. Talking to other EVs, they weren’t allowed to keep their dictionary/phrase books either.
They give you a tracksuit, parka (it was winter), t-shirt, 2 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of speedo style underwear, a shaving kit bag, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, a horrible toothbrush, shower shoes, soap, 2 bed sheets and a roll of toilet paper.
You get to keep everything when you leave but the tracksuit, parka, t-shirt and sheets. The first test was the intelligence/psychological. The first part of the exam had pictures of gears and pulleys and you had to answer what direction gear X would rotate if gear Y rotated clockwise, etc.
The second part was pattern completion. For example square one had one line through it, square two had two lines through it and you had to figure out what the next square in the sequence looked like.
The third part was counting blocks. A pile of blocks was drawn and you had to figure out how many blocks were in the pile.
All tests were multiple choice. Then a memory test was given. You are given so much time to memorize a map (5 min I think.)
Then they give you a blank map with nothing written on it and ask you where different places were on the map.
The first part of the psyche test was a bunch of yes or no questions like “Have you ever lied?” “Do you like the outdoors?”, etc.
Then we had to draw two trees. The trees had to look different from each other. Then we where given a book of about 15-20 different illustrated trees and we had to pick the two we liked the most. A lot of people failed these tests.
Talking to some of the rouge they thought that the legion used the tests as an excuse for tossing people they didn’t like, which may be true.
There was an EV from Chile who was there the for the second time who failed the intelligence/psyche test his first time but passed it this time (His second time.) I don’t know how he could have gotten smarter.
The tests are not really something you can study for.
After this we got a more in depth medical, which included an eye test. I did not have my glasses for the physical and see about 20/30 without them. They did not seemed at all concerned about this.
They also did a urine test, which tested for drugs I think. They hooked us up to a heart monitor and took some readings.
Then a Corporal Chef asked me some questions like do you play sports, have any allergies, had any surgeries, etc.
Finally a doctor looked me over like they do performing a physical and asked me much the same questions as the Corporal Chef.
WARNING: If you have had LASIK surgery, you must wait 12 months after the procedure before joining. A Finnish guy who did the physical with me had it done 6 months prior and told the doctor that.
The doctor told him in his opinion that was enough time to heal, but regulations stated that it had to be a year. So if you have had LASIK surgery less then 12 months ago either wait or watch what you say.
The next day came the run. We did it around the Kepi Blanc buildings. The distance is marked out every 50 meters and as mentioned before there is a bit of an uphill and downhill. YOU HAVE TO RUN 7 LAPS (2800m) IN 12 MINUTES.
I ran just over 3200m and came in 4th out of 18 guys. 5 or 6 guys ran less than 7 laps and were gone the next day.
I talked to other EVs and rouge and none heard anyone making it with less than 7 laps, so if you can’t run 7 laps it is probably best to stay home.
That afternoon we got a vaccination, which was a flu shot I believe. After this comes the Gestapo. I talked to the Gestapo for about 2 ½ hours and decided to leave after.
Most EVs I talked two went to the Gestapo two or three times before they were done.
Basically they want to know your whole life story and motivations for joining as well as doing a security check of course.
I entered the selection process with 10 other guys. When I left 2 weeks later only two were left.
It is not hard to make it to the Gestapo. Show up with no medical problems and run the 7 laps. Work hard when given work and people will notice.
I was told on several occasions “bonne travail” and was treated well as a result. Even if you are a total loser, if you pass the tests you have a good chance of making it to the Gestapo from what I seen.
I worked with these two Chinese guys a couple of times and they did everything they could to get out of work and goof off.
They also didn’t shave in spite of the fact we were told to on several occasions. They spoke French but denied they did when asked by a Corporal or Corporal Chef.
Both of these clowns made it to the Gestapo to my surprise BUT, from what I gathered 50%-70% of those who go to the Gestapo will get cut.
One tip is, try to be one of the first guys in the shower, otherwise it will be ice cold. Not a big deal, but why not try to make life more enjoyable?
Also don’t get caught in the bathroom when the siren rings or you could miss something important.
After a day or two you will know the routine so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Also if you can afford it join at Aubagne. This will save you as much as a week in time.
I made close to 300 euros for the two weeks I was in Aubagne. I left after talking to the Gestapo. I am an electronics tech and I got the feeling from talking to the Gestapo that there would be pressure on me to apply my trade, which is not something I went there to do.
He asked me if I was willing to serve 5 years in Legion in whatever capacity I was needed in and I truthfully had to answer no.
I wanted to be a grunt in the infantry and he said there was a good chance of that happening but if I were more use in another capacity then I would be put in that capacity.
I think he was probably trying to scare me more than anything, but I suppose you should be ready for that chance. I was having doubts before then anyway.
I wasn’t sure I could handle living with some of these asses for five years. When you’re there and see the other recruits you will know what I mean.
In the Legions defense though most of the losers get tossed although some do get through.
Basically I wasn’t sure I could hack 5 years in the Legion. I had a good life in Canada and didn’t realize how much I valued my personal freedom.
I suppose it is people like me who give westerners a bad name by going there and then giving up, but in my case it was something I had to see first hand to appreciate. Besides I was not the worst recruit there.
You have to shake your head when you see the way some of these guys act. Some will do anything to get out of work, others talk in formation, some refuse to shave, etc.
On a side note, I got to spend Christmas there, which was pretty cool. On Christmas Eve we got a nice meal that included lobster and wine! We were also allowed to have one beer each. Just before we ate each EV was presented with a Christmas present, which were a Legion wallet and a deck of Legion playing Cards.
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apt
reply By former warrant officer to insulting remarks(July-21-2002
Posted
By: Charles Stöeng
(clara.renault.fr) Date: Tuesday, 26 March 2002, at 3:48 a.m. In all my
years in the Legion there was always somebody who was not happy with
our training "standard" and always had their comments on how the Legion
should do things.
Strangely, they where never the top guys in the
platoon. It was mostly some drunken wanker who had been booted out of
their former army and never succeeding in anything else than
complaining.
Somebody with such good knowledge about warfare
should normally always be first in all the courses. and be able to deal
with the Legions "old and stupid tactics", this never happened.
During the "very bad legion training" they would
not know the basic things that the Legion wanted them to know, but
always have very interesting ideas about how the platoon or company
commander should run things seen from their super private point of
view.
As to the battle of CAMERONE. The mission was not
to win the battle. This would be very nice but 2000 against 63 is hard
even for the Legion. The mission was to get the convoy they protected
safely to its destination. and it did, it says long about tactics and
commitment.
I know that some people on this board would have
invented a super tactic and beaten the 2000 Mexicans, but the Legion
did not. They stopped and let the convoy get to safety by forcing the
Mexicans to fight there and then to the bitter end, and by that
completed their mission. Once more it says long about tactics and
commitment.
I see on this board some gentlemen that have their
negative opinion about the Legion backed on their experience and
superior knowledge.
Mr W.P mle: 182 649 Joined on the 03/08/1992
stayed in the Legion one year before deserting the 27/08/1993 and he
was never the first in anything.
Mr Y.R mle: 177 952 Joined the 12/10/1989 stayed
for 6 months before deserting the 04/04/1990. He has done 2 months in
the para regiment of the Legion. BRAVO, I do understand your good
knowledge about Legion tactics.
Mr K mle 162 816 Joined on the 23/06/1980 and
stayed two years with the Legion before deserting on the 23/06/1982,
once again BRAVO.
I my opinion deserting is understandable. Some
people have superior knowledge and made a mistake by joining the Legion
where they were not understood to their right value. However to me (and
this is only my personal opinion) somebody who is deserting is somebody
who is not capable to face the hard reality of their life and choice of
joining the Legion. They could go to their Regimental commander and
tell him that his training and tactics is crap and that they would like
to leave.
The result would be some weeks in prison before being discharged.
But it takes BALLS and THAT our friends do not
have so they prefer to leave one night silently and if they got the
chance, stealing everything they could from their friends.
I am sorry to be so hard in my judgement, but I do
not accept to take crap about tactics and training on this board
intended to inform about the Legion from people who are pieces of shit
in the Legion history and should keep quiet about their past.
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Directions
to the reqruitment station in Paris
In Response To: Re: how to go to paris recruitment center (flint)
Hey, I spent part of Camerone Day this year at the Fort, so here's how I got there. First, take the RER (suburban express train) line A2, which you can catch at many places in central Paris, like Charles de Gaulle/Etoile, Gare de Lyon or Nation. Make sure the train is going to Boissy Saint Léger, NOT Marne la Vallée/Chessy. Journey time from Charles de Gaulle/Etoile = app. 25 minutes or 10 minutes from Gare de Lyon. Get off at Nogent sur Marne. At the station, you can take a bus (#114) part of the way but if you walk, look for Avenue de Joinville. Follow this up to the Place du Marechal Leclerc & then take the Boulevard de Strasbourg for several blocks. Turn left on Route de Stalingrad (or Boulevard Georges V if you miss this)& soon you will see a sign saying you are entering the town of Fontenay-sous-bois. A little further & you'll see some appartment blocks & then a large white sign saying 'LEGION ETRANGERE INFORMATION RECRUITMENT' with an arrow pointing to the right. Follow the narrow road between the blocks for 200 metres & you'll see the Fort. Knock on the gate & a legionnaire will respond. Bon Chance!
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Latest
information from E.V.
Posted By: GeorgiePorgie
(pc-08.internetlounge.co.uk)
Date: Sunday, 15 June 2003, at 9:07 a.m.
Hello everyone!
Ok, here are some pointers that should help. First of all,
you CAN join directly at Aubagne.
Unless you are too poor to afford the bus/train tickets
it is definitely the way to go as it will save you at least a week of
time.
Simply get your self to Marseille via plane or Train or
Bus and then take the bus line 'Bouches de Rhone' ligne #68A leaving
from Marseille along the Avenue Del Prado in Marseille.
It is about 2.50€ and go to Aubagne's 'Pole De Exchanges'.
Alternatively, and in my opinion better, is to take the train, or
metro, to the same destination from the station 'Gare de St Charles' in
Marseille.
Once in Aubagne, you simply ask where the Legion Museum
is. However, rather than go to the museum by turning right, you
continue straight to the gates of Aubagne (1/4 mile).
It is about a 15 minute walk from Pole de Exchanges and
there is a McDonalds more or less on the way in which to get a last
meal (ha ha). As well as about half way there there is a pub called the
Red Lion where you can get a last beer.
I would highly recommend going on a Sunday afternoon
around 4pm (1600 in France). This way you will be processed and then
delivered at 5 when the gatehouse closes.
You will spend one night in Aubagne with the new guys.
Expect half a dozen or so of you to sit around and do nothing but watch
videos and read books except for meals which are served in the
cafeteria with other legionnaires and wanna-be's.
On Monday, you SHOULD be delivered over to the selection
cadre where you will receive either shorts and a t-shirt (summer) or a
track suit (winter) along with a toiletries kit and a little backpack
and assigned to a room of about 16 guys.
Get used to, and I am dead serious here, timed 1 minute
showers enforced by the rouge guys. With practice it is amazing what
you can do! HINT, wet your hair and pits and soap up first. The water
is cold part time so oh well. Absolutely do buzz cut your hair before
you come to Aubagne and cut ALL facial hair. DO NOT shave your head as
my friend the German did to facilitate things several days in and the
adjutant booted him same day (probably due to skinhead fears). Same
holds true if you have racist tattoos.
Some hard facts...if you have glasses, cavities, tooth
aches, prior knee surgery, any deformity, etc. DO NOT GO AS THEY WILL
CATCH YOU. You will work like a pig for several days, maybe as a 'yard
boy' for a Caporal Chef who looks remarkably like Santa Claus. Except
he farts and swears and asks you if you are homosexual, etc. Or you are
'kitchen bitch' at Aubagne for a fat Polish Caporal who WILL smack you
in the head if you are not on the ball. You may go to Malmousqe in
Aubagne to work and if you do, pray you get the Kitchen as the cook
likes Americans he treats all his helpers really well. Caporal Claus as
I called him, is very funny and fair. The key to all the work details
is to work hard and smart. They do pay attention and slackers are
noticed whether you think so or not.
DO scrounge things like Toilet paper, napkins, band aids
(from first aid kits) as they will be helpful to you. You get ONE roll
of TP and it goes fast. You will get a chance at the Foyer to buy candy
bars, sodas and Marlboro Red's and Lights almost every day. You get 28€
on your first day or so plus the up to about 40€ you can bring in from
the outside. Any additional will be kept for you until after Castel.
DO NOT bring photos, diaries, books etc. If you have these
items the Gestapo will use them to dig into your life. No problem if
you have nothing to hide and a simple life, but why make it easy. I
took a license, a passport and that was it. About 6-8 times a day a
siren will go off which is your signal to haul ass to the formation
ground where you are assembled to go eat, go to foyer, go to tests,
work details, or sometimes just because they can. HINT, try and get in
the middle as you will never be last for a meal. If you gamble and try
to be first you MIGHT be first, or you might be last depending on which
column they start with. This leaves no time to eat so be safe and go
column three (of 5).
Breakfast is coffee or cocoa (their choice) and a small
baguette served around 7am. You are normally wakened at 5am except on
holidays or weekends where it MIGHT be 6am. HINT. set your watch and
get up half an hour early so you can leisurely shave, wash hair, shit,
etc avoiding the mad scramble at wake up. It is worth it.
You will do laundry by hand in the sink. You will have
night inspections prior to lights out 9:30-10pm where you can then
strip down your newly made bed and brush teeth, laundry, etc. For
toiletries, bring good razors blades and razor or you will get shit
ones and it makes a nice comfort to have good ones. Also Bring a BIG
towel or you will get stuck with a shit one. HINT DO bring good running
shoes that are broken in well or you will get some really shitty ones.
There are push up bars, pull up bars, sit up stations and 'dip' bars as
well as a small 200 yard track to run on in yard.
v
HINT, DO work out as you will rapidly lose fitness. Do it first thing
in the AM so you have time as otherwise you might end up working and
cannot do it. The temptation is to sit around and smoke and BS, but
unless you are in GREAT shape, you will probably blow your Cooper test
by losing condition. Yard is big, perhaps three acres and has trees
etc. The track you test on will NOT be the nice red track as seen in
videos, but will be a shit dirt 200 meter track. You gotta get 14 laps
or you will go civil. No ands, ifs or buts.
The Gestapo will be three interviews and if you are half
way sane and not a complete criminal or lier, that is no big deal.
HINT, DO try and act like a soldier for the cadre and then joke with
your buds on your own time. You will be amazed at how many
undisciplined a--wipes there are that talk in formation.
The cadre can and WILL belt you if you desrve it. I saw
kicks and punches administered with regularity. They do not beat you to
a pulp, but they will not hesitate smacking you if you are a dumbass.
Don't be one. I never got touched. There are assloads of Eastern
Europeans (Romania, Poland, Bulgarian etc) and so on. The French guys
are very undisciplined as well as them, but the cream is quickly
separated out.
In my group of Anglophone Mafia :) we had a German, me, a
South African, a Brit, an Aussie, a Norwegian and a Dane. You will band
together largely by language but try and get around a bit if you can. I
joked with another dozen nationalities and it helps alot because you
are not always able to be with your little group. If you have
prejudices that you cannot forget, I would suggest thinking of another
job as you never know who you will be with. My bunkmate was an Afghani
and I worked frequently with a Tunisian. One of my joking friends was
an Algerian so you can see there is ample room for tension if you
wanted.
Basically, everyone gets along unless you are one of these
real 'macho' type tough guys. You know the type as you see them post
real dogmatic and challenging posts here. The real legionnaires and
other guys are not like that and if they are, they do not last as they
get along with no one. The cadre will notice and they will go civil.
The average age is somewhere around 23 but my friend the Aussie was 37
and went rouge. Ok, I am going to go for now, but I will add more later.
Joe, please feel free to get this to your site if
possible, but this computer is not allowing me to e-mail you for some
reason due to some missing outlook express deal. Sorry. Ask questions
if you guys like, and I apologize for the unorganized format. Bonn
Chance.
PS - I made it through tests, but failed hearing. They let
me continue other tests and then rechecked hearing at end. The cold
that EVERYONE got went to my ears from continual nose blowing (NOT ON
YOUR TP FOR GODS SAKE!!) and they were plugged up sorta like when you
might get if you go swimming underwater.
Anyway, I failed it and so they said come back...The day
where I could have gone rouge (I passed all tests no problem) instead
saw me going civil with a bunch of guys, most of whom were slackers and
idiots who did not want or deserve to be in legion.
That may be why the Caporals went out of there way to help
me, but I got a lot of Bonn Chances and invites back along with hand
shakes from some, so... they do notice if you try hard and are serious.
Ok, later.
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Posts
from E.V. (volunteer recruit) Mike who just returned from the Legion
Returned from Aubagne on 3 Mar.04
Posted By: Mike (cache-frr-ad04.proxy.aol.com) Date: Friday, 5 March
2004, at 5:30 a.m.
Hi
fellas,
Well, I
just returned home on Thursday. My time in the Legion was very short
but definitely interesting.
So, I’ll
update you guys with all that I saw while I was there. First thing, I
didn't see Hugh, the Australian guy, he left two weeks before I showed
up, so he should have been rouge, but there was no Aussies there in the
rough group, so I don't know what happened.
Well, I
showed up at Aubange on 23 Feb. around 10 am. I had to wait for the
recruiter to return, during that time, 3 Moroccans Chinese and a
Russian also showed up.
We
waited for a while outside, the Russian and the Chinese left before
making it in the door.
When the
recruiter showed up and it was my turn, he asked me over and over if
this was my first time coming to the Legion to which I replied yes over
and over again.
When he
saw my passport he said "not another bloody American".
After
taking my passport, he took us up the welcoming committee building,
where he said we would be taken to eat lunch by someone.
While
waiting we were quickly introduced to the balai,raclette,serpeiller. We
had to sweep and mop the floors before going to eat.
I must
mention, in my view the food was great. Later that afternoon we went
back to the recruiter’s office where I signed the first contract. I had
my name, birthday, place of birth, parents names all changed.
By the
way, my Legion name DID NOT MATCH the initials of my real name. When
all that was over, we were taken back to the building where newcomers
sleep.
Once
again we had to sweep and mop, clean windows and several offices, but
then were able to sit down and watch Legion videos that were in several
different languages.
There we
also many old copies of the Kepi Blanc. On day two we were given a
really basic physical and had to orally state that we were there as
volunteers.
Then we
were taken down to the magazine where we were stripped of EVERYTHING
(even French phrase books).We were then given 2 little skimpy spandex
type underwear, a bar of soap, useless disposable razors, can of
shaving cream, toilet paper(1 roll), a toilet bag, 2 white sheets and a
green sac a dos to put it all in.
We were
assigned a room and a bunk and then we were set free in the EV yard
behind the building.
I went
searching around for other American, English, Aussies or whatever, but
there were none.
There we
just sat around, some of us did pull ups, abdominal, dips or went
running around. I should mention I caught some shit just for being
American from some French EVs,
I also
had trouble with a N.-korean and a Syrian, but nothing past dirty looks
and name calling. It was kinda rough because during the days we
couldn't go inside the building and it was cold as shit.
We
mostly hung around and did details, cleaning offices, pulling weeds,
corvee (which is a bitch).I passed all my tests and did 3550 meters on
the Cooper run, OR 8 LAPS PLUS 350 METERS.
For the
Cooper test, learn to run completely dehydrated with no stretching.
Besides testing, we were dispatched to work all over the place, some
Legionnaires were cool but some we real dicks, but I managed to shut up
and worked hard.
At the
end of the day,I got many "bon travail".I lasted up to the second
interview with the Gestapo before being sent civile.
I
sweated it out with them for 9 long hours. My interview was with a
Asian Adjutant that spoke decent English, but I feel that sometimes he
was asking exactly what he was trying to say and sometimes he didn't
understand exactly what I said.
Somehow
they had it that I was from California, when I said no such thing, and
they thought I was trying to lie about it or whatever. They never
really gave me a chance to explain myself.
The
adjutant kept telling me that he sees no reason why I want to or need
to be in the Legion. I kind of figured I would be sent civile. He also
said that just based on the fact that I'm American, the chance of me
deserting was high.
The
following day March 4 at 2pm I was called out with all the other
civiles. I was paid and given a ride to Marseille train station and
that was it.10 days in the FFL.
My
advice..
. 1)
Don't show up in winter. The weather is used against you as punishment.
If you must go in winter, take lip balm and hide it in your underwear.
If you can hide a small deodorant in there too...do it.
2)
Understand and know, but do not speak French, it will save you a shit
load of worries. I stepped up to the plate once and it came back to
bite me in the ass.
3) Get
used to taking COLD, COLD timed 20 second showers. Also get used to
smelling like an animal all day.
4) Show
up in summer, there were still an enormous amount of EVs, but they we
quickly weeded out. Just show up fit and ready to work.
5) Try
to keep your business to yourself.
6)
Volunteer, but not too much, but on weekends try your best to work in
the kitchen. You get good food and it will save you from getting fucked
with all day by the caporal-chefs who have nothing else to do.
Plus the
caporal chef in the kitchen will let you get a glass of beer and some
wine if you work good. Another plus is he like Americans. So if your
there look for him, he works in the kitchen where you do the dishes.
7) Don't
get caught sleeping, Learn to eat fast and taste it later. I got
slapped in the back of the head for eating too slow.
My lips
were so wind burned and chapped, they were bleeding and they hurt like
a bitch and I could barely open my mouth.
9) The
word "curva" means bitch or whore. It is a Slavic word, but because
there are so many Slavs (Croats, Romanians, Slovakians) The word curva
found its way into the French legion language.
One
night we were in the foyer watching tv and the word was even used in
the show we were playing, but in the Legion it was used more like idiot
or stupid.
10) When
on details, take a shit or use the bathroom wherever you are instead of
waiting to use the bathroom where you slept. They were filthy, some
didn't flush and one roll of toilet paper does not go too far.
11)If
you are Muslim, and you must pray 5 times a day and don't eat
pork...don't bother showing up.
I cannot
remember every detail at this time but I will monitor the board for a
couple more weeks to try and answer questions if there will be any.
By the
way, people showed up at all hours of the night. I don't know how come.
One night in the first building when we went to sleep there were three
guys, but in the middle of the night guys showed up.
By the
morning we had about 9 people. When we asked guys they told us they
showed up at 9pm,1 am 3 am and so on.
Finally,
I wish I was given the opportunity to stay, it seemed like an
interesting life and one sergeant told my I would have made a good
Legionnaire.
Now I
must move on. I was told I can come back in three months but before
leaving I decided I was only trying it once. So, I'll be here to answer
any questions fellas.
Posted
By: Mike (cache-frr-ad04.proxy.aol.com)
Date: Sunday, 7 March 2004, at 1:09 a.m.
In Response To: to mike.... (maurice)
Yes, the tests consisted of about 5 parts, believe it or
not I can't even remember the first part, but it was simple.
I know that there was a part with some wheels and
pulleys and if one turned this way which way would the other turn. Some
got somewhat tricky. I do remember that there was about 28 questions in
each set and the time given was not enough to finish all the problems.
We also had to count 3 dimensional blocks. Got tricky
also and not enough time to complete. Then there were some
questionnaires that asked many questions like ...do you prefer to be
outdoors, have you ever lied, do you make friends easily and so on.
That same questionnaire was given to 3 times but all
the questions were rearranged and asked in a different way to confuse
you.
Finally were had to draw 2 trees, we were given a
minute for each. Then we were given a booklet containing about 10
different trees. We had to look through the booklet and pick two of
them. We only had a minute to do it. The trees were all numbered and we
had to write down the number we chose example, 2&10 those were the
two I chose.
When they say to put your pencils down, DO IT
QUICKLY!!! Believe it or not a lot of people failed these tests. I
don't know how.
I knew there was a guy from Kazakstan He spoke some
weird language and the test was not available in his language. He did
speak a little English, so it was given to him in English. He failed
miserably, not because he was stupid, I think he just didn't
understand.
I'm a native English speaker and the test messed me up
a little. I almost forgot, we were given a map to look at for 5 minutes
to memorize the places like the bakery, church, gas station and
whatever.
Then you given a blank map to fill in everything you
can remember. I almost screwed up, I memorized the street names and
used it as reference, but on the new map they gave us, all the street
names were already filled in. I thought I would have messed it up but I
made it somehow.
Also there was a page with dot on both sides, we had to
look at each dot and draw a straight line form one to the other with
your eyes closed. I missed every single one, but overall the test is
nothing you can prepare for, just do your best.
Posted By: Mike
(cache-frr-ad04.proxy.aol.com) Date: Friday, 5 March 2004, at 9:58 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Mike (lit)
The medical tests were simple,
the doctor just checked your ears, looked in your mouth and under your
tongue.
You had to make a fist and
pump it a couple times. Then bend over and touch your toes, then he ran
his hands along the spine. He tested the legs by having us rotate our
knees and your feet by the ankles.
They did not check anything
under our feet. He also asked some basic questions, like do you smoke,
drink, use drugs..
.They also had us lay on the
table and they connected some things to us in the chest area and it
gave them some reading, but I don't have a clue what it was. (I think
it was an electric cardio gram) All in all it was pretty simple.
Returned from Aubagne on 3
Mar.04
Posted By: Mike (cache-frr-ad04.proxy.aol.com) Date: Friday, 5 March
2004, at 10:08 a.m.
In
Response To: Re: Question for Mike! (Another norwegian guy!)
Hi,
No I
did not see any Scandinavians whatsoever. There was a Norwegian guy who
was leaving the day I got there. It turned out that he simply was not
impressed with what he saw and chose to go civile.
There were many people that didn't speak French. It didn't hurt your
chances whatsoever. The only time it mattered was when there was a
caporal screaming at you and you didn't have a clue to what he was
saying.
I
forgot to tell you guys, when we were taking the pyhso-tests, the
caporal chef instructed us that time was up and to put down our
pencils. A French guy ignored him and kept on writing. The CCH just
walked over and kicked the desk.
Both
the guy and the desk flew a couple feet in the air. That guy was outta
there the same day.
We
also had a problem with the French who were beating up on Russians
claiming they were lazy and only came to the legion for a free meal.
The next day, they threw out every single native French person just to
make a point.
It
turned out to be about 16-18 French guys. It didn't matter if they had
anything to do with the fights or not.
Posted By: Mike
(cache-frr-ad04.proxy.aol.com) Date: Friday, 5 March 2004, at 10:14
a.m.
In Response To: Re: Question for Mike! (Another
norwegian guy!)
Yes, your name is changed automatically. When I was
there, in one role call they called out for Americans, I was the only
one.
They then asked for anyone who spoke really good
English, two Romanian guys stepped up. Turns out there was some
journalist from a Swedish military magazine doing interviews with
wannabe legionnaires and asking why we came to the legion.
I don't know the name of the magazine.
The Adjutant chef told us we were not required to do
the interview or could decline having out pictures taken.
So if any guys in Sweden see this magazine and you see
three Evs, the black guys is me.
Posted By: mike
(cache-frr-ad04.proxy.aol.com) Date: Friday, 5 March 2004, at 1:15 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Question
for Mike! (Another norwegian guy!)
What I meant by that is that
when you get there you have no opportunity to drink water. The first
two days when I was in the newcomers building I drank water from the
bathroom in order to stay hydrated, but I would advise not doing that.
I got a very serious stomach
cramp. After we went to the EV yard, we were not allowed to go in the
building during the day, and even if we were there was only water from
the bathroom available.
During breakfast, lunch and
dinner, you could drink soda but there was no water available.
When I was on details, if a
legionnaire seemed cool ,I would ask him for some water. There was a
legionnaire that worked in the woodshop, that gave me a bottle of water
and I drank the entire bottle on the spot.
By the time I got to the
cooper test I had not had no water in days. When we went to do the run,
were taken to the Kepi Blanc building, shown the route and just told to
run until we heard the whistle again.
Even though I'm a good runner
and did 8 3/4 laps, I was dizzy, disorientated and had a serious
headache after the run, all from being so dehydrated.
TOP
Post from Tony reply to
commando question
Re: Commando Stage
Posted By: Tony halle (cache-loh-ab05.proxy.aol.com)
Date: Sunday, 7 March 2004, at 10:09 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Commando Stage (Ayato)
Sorry, I should have been clearer. It depends on whether
your unit is marked down for a Commando course, so if you've just
joined a unit from Castel and they're going on one then you go with
them.
Also all personnel completing the Sgts course at
Sidi-bel-Castel have to do the Stage Commando No.1 at Mont Louis. The
numbers are the host unit, ie-1ere Regiment D'Infanterie.
I did the Stage 32(32emeRI) at the Citadel Bonifacio,
Corsica. Luckily it was in june, 3rd Cie, Tex Yates' outfit did it in
January and froze their balls off.
EX did his at the 33eme RIMA at Fort De France
Martinique, a stunningly beautiful island.
I was there at St Pierre for a month, live firing with
the 81mm mortars into the crater of Montagne Le Pelee at the northern
tip of the Island.
What a lovely place, black volcanic sand beach and water
so clear it could've come out of a tap. I wonder if the Rastas living
in the caves up there have learned to play 'No Woman No Cry' properly
yet.
Commando Guyane is a different kettle of fish, it can
take up to the full 2yrs to obtain and you have to complete many tasks
to get it.
It really used to piss us 3's right off that other units
were given them after a 4mnth tour out there. You had to earn that
bugger in the 'trois'. I never got it. Those who were in the 3eme and
earned it have my respect.
Anyway, back on subject. The Commando course is just
that. They teach you how to be a Commando.
This includes paddling Zodiacs using hooded lamps at
night to guide you in, also turning them upside down and swimming
underneath them, without losing your Pagai (paddle).
Escalade using grapnels, rappelle, silent killing,
explosives, urban warfare including house clearance, unarmed combat,
survival, assault courses, the flea jump and the Asperge to name but
two choice obstacles.
Another doozie was the different 'bridges', a cable
suspended over a gorge with metal poles attached at intervals by a
single cable, each one was different, I think it was called the 'Thai
Bridge'.
You have to negotiate it by swinging hand over hand from
one pole to another, putting your feet as close to the down cable as
possible, otherwise you'll slip off and be dangling from your safety
line, which doesn't do your balls any good.
An underground assault course, without lights, that was a
ball-buster, escape and evasion and of course the bread and butter
stuff of all French courses, weapons handling, trans(voice procedure),
NBC, Orientation, optics, including range finding with Binos using the
cyclops method. And plenty of 8k TAPS.
Then to top it all off, you have a raid march. A seaborne
approach, climb the cliffs, find the objective, silence the sentries,
lay charges and bugger off.
That was our Stage at Bonifacio. It's not unusual to find
guys in the Legion who've done two or even three Commando stages in
their five years, It depends where your sent, which unit etc.
I was in SML1, 2REI at the time and we trained hard for
it at Larzac for a month,the whole Cie. The Captain was selecting those
who went forward to form a two section Cie for the stage based on our
performance in the field at Larzac, our pltn and one of the MILAN pltns
were chosen. We were up for it as well.
Just as a matter of interest we did our course alongside
a combined French regular/German Army half Cie based in Alsace, The
Germans were from the border region too, they were both bi-lingual and
most of the Germans knew English as well.
They paraded as a single unit and were commanded, (on
French soil), by a Commandant (Major) in the French Regulars. All the
other descending ranks were split fifty/fifty.
This was in June 87, so the European army was being
formed even then.
I also did the rehearsal for 'Keckerspatz'. I was driving
the Chef de Sion in an unheated Jeep north of Dijon, his name was the
then Lt Pinot, or Pinard or Pif. He was a 6'4" ex Ranker and by Christ
he knew his job.
He was a professional from the tip of his broken nose to
the soles of his well worn boots. And he didn't suffer fools gladly.
There was me, a French Sergeant and Lt Pinot trying to
live out of a Jeep made by Ford in 1952. At Div HQ.
This is the difference with the French Army. The general
had an 'O' group with all the drivers each night. He had the map with
all our dispositions marked.
He then explained to us what he was trying to do with the
forces under his command. It was the Russkies that were invading and
the FAR were leapfrogging backwards using ambush but not getting into a
serious firefight until they hit the mountains where the lads with the
big berets would take over and cream the f*****s coming through the
cols whilst we were rearming ready to deliver the sucker punch.
This made sure that all the drivers passed the message on
to the guys on the ground, grunts in other words. It's always nice to
know what you might be up against.
FYI, Charles. Our instructor from the 32eme Inf. was
trained by Booties, but I don't hold it against him.
Tony
TOP
Post Info about Fort
Nogent (Paris) recruitment center
Fort du Nogent - Your guide.
Posted By: L'Anonymat (195.167.202.138)
Date: Monday, 15 March 2004, at 10:05 a.m.
I am making this message to give a guide to the many people that will enlist at the Fort in Paris when it comes time for them to join the Legion. I'm not going to answer any questions about anything, nor am I going to make any additions to this post. A lot has been written already about Aubagne, so I'm not bothering with it.
It is a long week you will spend at the Fort and I am going to try to give you the information on the program that you will likely experience day to day.
From Paris Gare du Nord, you take the train to either Fontenay-sous-Bois or Nogent-sur-Marne, either is good. Find your own way there ie walk there, there are plenty of town maps to guide you posted around this area.
When you get to the gate, have your passport ready for when you get buzzed through the gate. You get buzzed in, they tell you to take a seat in the breezeway just beyond where you entered. Don't attempt to even bother talking to the legionnaire that takes your passport, just give it to him and wait for him to tell you to sit.
They will call someone for the PILE - Nord, who are located just a short distance away who will come and tell you to stand up, if it's cold, to remove your jacket to see if you are too fat etc. If you are okay you will be told "Baggage", with that you take your luggage and follow the legionnaire up to the waiting room, which is on the top floor of one of the barracks.
It would be nice if someone can find a map of the Fort to put on one of these sites to give you some idea of what I am talking about.
They will shortly call you to come into the room next door where you will be asked some questions about why you are here, your parents names, your job, sports, reason for joining, prev military experience and so on. Once this is done, you are told your Nom de Guerre, your new bday and your new place of birth. Memorise all this information and use it accordingly when asked of you.
You will then empty your whole baggage onto the floor where the legionnaire whom you followed uptop to the PILE (PILE is Poste de information de la Legion Etrangere de Paris) will sort it out according to category and they will make a very quick inventory of your clothing. You will be given your clothing and other non valuable items to keep in a locker in your room. Other items ie cameras, phones etc will be kept in the safe of the Chef's office and will be onforwarded to Aubagne once you get there. Your liceneses, passport etc etc is forwarded to the DSPLE at Aubagne also.
Once this is complete, your height and weight will be taken, and you will be issued a tracksuit. The "popotier", who is a CEV and also francophone and/or anglophone or whatever will then take you to your room, show you your bed, parka and locker and will introduce you to the other CEVs in the TV room, also they will show you where not to go.
This shitty room is where you will spend quite some time. It has a tv, a drink machine and some chairs and some tattered copies of Kepi Blanc. It is also filled with cigarette smoke almost constantly because all these fucking little pricks smoke like chimneys. Forget about doing the cooper test, we'll just smoke smoke smoke. There are 2 windows in this room, but they are nearly always closed. Note - whenever the CCH or whomever enters this room you stand the fuck up, en vite and go to the "repos" position. This is the stand at ease position for those of you who know military speak.
Okay so once your name has been "carded" it means you can be dirked at will to go and do some shittly little meaningless task around the fort. Be it setting tables in the O's mess, to doing dishes in the refectoire. Most of the time you will be sweeping and mopping. Get used to hearing these 2 words:
"Balai" - this means "Broom", it also means to sweep. "Sappiere" (sp?) - this means to get a towel, put it on the end of a large squeegee and mop the floor. Other times you will be washing dishes, get used to hearing "lavage", this means "to wash."
You will also hear words like "Ici" meaning "here" and "La Bas", meaning "over there." Make an effort to learn some french, I cannot overstate this enough, but most of the time this falls on deaf ears like most of the CEVs in Paris... there ears are fucking painted on it seems. Even when told "doucement" which in this case means "talk quietly" or "Silence" which means... yes "Silence" they still pay not one iota of notice and the convo's continue at the same level. When the CCH comes in and reads your horoscope to you, maybe then you will have silence.
Okay, onto moving around the compound. Column par une, is to move in Indian File ie 1 line. Column par 2 is obviously 2 columns and par 3 is yes in three columns. Not very hard it seems, but the CEVs always manage to find a way to fuck it up completely. Really, military discipline should begin on the moment you walk thru the gate, not when you get to Aubagne. To enter a building if you are par 2 or par 3, you will reform on the march to make column par 1.
There is a strong emphasis on doing things quietly here, because in the corridor you will live in for a week, there also lives a major and some others of rank, mess with them and you will wind up with "le clef pour le fort." ie, out the gate and civile.
Showering, en francaise "douche", you will be allowed to take one on the evening you arrive. All of your hygene actions are performed the night before, save for shitting and pissing in the almost condemned WC which has no toilet paper ever. In this same room you can find the cleaning supplies if you are told to balai or sappiere etc.
Eating in the refectoire - 1 fromage and 1 dessert, 2 baguettes, 1 cup, a knife, a fork, and whatever condiments you choose. You will also get la salat, and la plat prinicpal.
Take your plate to your table, get a drink should you want one and show some courtesy and common sense the French army and the legionnaires also eat here at the same time, but if one of the less disciplined cultures start to push ahead of you, just barge in front of them, because they will do it to you and so on.
When you finish dinner, take your scraps to the bin and put your dishes and crap where they should go and go sit back down. The CCH will then scream at you when he wants you to get moving again.
Remember 1 fromage and 1 dessert, not 2 of each, if you want to wear the cooks wrath, take 2, these guys have a set of lungs on them and will make you feel about an inch tall.
A digression about some of the culturally ignorant of western cuisine, I'm thinking of alot of asian races here especially the c Chinese. Learn to eat your meal properly. Your baguette doesn’t go in your dessert, you don’t eat it with a fork, you don’t put ketchup on your baguette after you load it full with jam/jelly etc. I know how to eat yum cha and all that Asian shit and i don’t live there, these people wanna live here and they cannot even manage a meal... what a joke. Don't blow your nose at the table, do it outside. Don’t slurp your shitty coffee, lait ou chocolat so loud that it will wake the dead. Show some manners.
When do you wake up? It depends on the program for the day. A normal day starts at 0500, get up, make your bed, shit, piss, then assemble in the corridor with your parka if instructed and you'll be 'marched' across for breakfast.
It really raises my ire to see CEVs without any military experience doddling around like its a excursion to the zoo and unable to even stay in formation for a 200 meter journey...
Seriously if you cant get used to something as simple as marching in step, go work at the Monoprix or something where you can sit on your ass all day.
After breakfast, you may be posted to Corvee Cuisine or whatever other chore needs to be done. You will work until lunchtime, if you are lucky you can work for the CCH in stores, who is a very friendly, likeable legionnaire - they all are good at Fort de Nogent, I have nothing but respect for all of them.
After lunch, you will work until dinner time, and after dinner, you may get to watch tv or you may wind up working in the O's mess. That's ok, because the staff are all very good there and you can muck around with the Armee de Terre soldiers who are generally a decent bunch. Work hard and they will reward you... kinda
Don't think you will get much sleep at night either, these assholes will talk until midnight and those who dont talk will snore. I guarantee you, I'm not kidding at all.
When you have had maybe 3 or 4 hours sleep that night, be prepared to wake up and do exactly the same all over again. At some point you will take a quick trip to Fort Neuf out at Vincennes where you will get a very quick check of your heart, mouth, eyes, ears.
I strongly advise you to go directly to Aubagne. If you can't and end up at Paris, then tough shit - hopefully my guide can help you get prepared for what lies ahead.
A note on Nationalities. Most are pretty good to get along with, except the French boys. I call them boys because they always act like a bunch of little children, even kids are more behaved than these cretans.
A bunch of francophone CEVs in a group is like I don't know, shit with legs is the best I can call it. They will try at every turn to fuck you up, they won’t individually hassle you, but in a group they are just a bunch of fags.
Never before have I seen such a pompous bunch of nobody's on such a power trip. When they told me to do something I just glared at them and told them to do it, and walked off.
They think because they are Francophones that they are only there to supervise you working. To a point the legionnaires encnourage this, but to another point, they make them work just like you.
The French boys will try and take advantage of this arrangement. Have some balls, tell them all to get fucked and just go about your business. If they were worth anything, they would be in the French army, and not in an army for the foreigners.
This leads to another point of their assumed superiority for being Francophones, they despise the non Francophones, yet they themselves are in the Foreign Legion... anyone???
Most other nationalities can get along famously with one another, even with some language barriers. The Chinese are hold outs though, they will just stick to their own clique like the French.
These are my experiences. I hope you go and find your own too. For those of you who are contemplating a career dans la legion, think very carefully about what you are doing. Again this falls on deaf ears but anyway...
As for all the recruitment questions ie do they, should I, how much blah blah blah, who cares, just go and do it, stop with the crap, if you have to ask these stupid questions just stay the friggin hell away, please.
Nobody cares. Honestly, the CCH, the CPLs the Sergent, the Major, nobody cares about you or your problems you are just another filthy CEV who has been wearing the same tracksuit for the last week or so, just please go and do it and stop with the stupidity.
Join your own country's army, and get some experience first, then you will know if the legion and/or the military is for you. I am ex military, I will return to my own military once I return.
To all of you that go, I wish you the best of luck, you need to be determined to do this thing 100 percent. You think I'm kidding - suck it and see, you'll get the picture.
One final point. Paris is a holiday camp compared to Aubagne, don't expect Aubagne to be anything like the recruiting depots, it just isn't.
Good luck and good health to all of you.
No voi helvetti, normaalisti 1kk jälkeen peruskoulutuksen alusta on lupa soittaa ja käydä sotkussa. Meidän joukkueella ei ole ollut lupaa. 2. kertaa olen soittanut (tyttöystävä) salaa. Maaliskuussa ostan kännykän joten sit ei oo enää huolta yhteyksistä.
23,syyskuuta saavuin Pariisiin Fort de Nuget-linnoitukseen, jossa olin 6vrk tehden työpalvelusta. Sain ekana päivänä uuden nimen (poistettu) ,syntymäaika muutettu kuukaudella, syntymäpaikka muutettu Espoosta Pariisiin. Pieni lääkärintarkastus ja kyselylomake sitten nimi sopimukseen ja aubagneen 1ere Regiment Entrangese, siellä olin 3ja puoli viikkoa. Siellä on kolme eri vaihetta tai tasoa aluksi olet sininen, sitten vihreä, sitten punainen. Aina lisää vastuuta ja kuria. Ekoina päivinä on testit ÄO ja psykologinen testi (ihme kyllä läpäsin). Sain tarpeeksi pisteitä tullakseni upseeriksi joskus 5v.n päästä. Parhaat pisteet meidän joukkueessa. Cooper-testi 400m radalla jossa on muutama mäki min 6ja puol kierrosta. SItten oli vielä 3-vaiheinen "gestapo" eli kuulustelu, taustat ym. ja lääkärintarkastukset. loppu aika oli työpalvelusta ja vikassa vaiheessa vartiota. Joka aamu vapaaehtoiset voi lähteä kotiin ja n. 90% lähetetään muutenkin takaisin, esim. yks. toinen suomalainen.
Seuraava pysäkki on Castel, josta ei ihan heti lähdetä siviiliin. Eka viikko oli kuntotestejä ja simputusta. Alikessuja vastaavat on Caporal, jotka on kurinpitäjiä, ja ja kersantit saapuu vasta n. 1vkon kuluttua. !.n viikon jälkeen on farmi joka sijaitsee pienillä pyreneideillä. Suihkut ulkohangaarissa. 1kk miljoonia punnerruksia, vähän sotakoulutusta ja sekin huonotasoista. 5ranskankielen tuntia, unta n. 6-2 tuntia vuorokaudessa plus joka 3. yö 1 tunti vartiota. 10km lenkkejä joka 3.päivä ja 2krt viikossa yömarssi täyspakkauksessa. Ennen ruokaa lauletaan ja jos lauletaan huonosti, syödään nopeasti.Päivisin ei tehdä paljon muuta kuin kuntoilua ja pari oppituntia. illalla/yöllä marssitaan ja lauletaan. Esim. kolmena yönä olen laulanut ja kantanut harkkotiiliä pään päällä. juosten. Tai aina jos laulu menee huonosti jatketaan harjoitusta yksi vaatekappale vähemmän. Ja iskuja satelee, ei tosin päähän vain rintaan ja käsivarsiin. 2pääs psykiatrin puheille ja yks karkas. Saatiin kiinni ja
Kun palataan Castelliin on rauhallisempaa. Ja oli joulun aika mikä on iso juhla täällä 2vko joka ilta komppanian clubille, missä saa juoda vapaasti kunhan aamulla juoksee normaalisti. Jouluna on myös 2vkoa urheilukilpailuja. Olin futiksessa ja vesipoolossa varamiehenä. 11km maastojuoksussa (44min) olin 24. Osanottajia oli n. 1000. Jouluna juotiin 6:een asti sitä ennen kaikki saivat lahjat ja syötiin useampi tunti. Uutena vuotena ryypättiin taas. Älkää käsittäkö väärin mä en juo useasti mutta täällä esim. sunnuntai kirkon jälkeen on tarjolla olutta. 5.tammikuuta mentiin viikoksi pyreneille laskemaan. Sitä ennen yks karkas taas. 4vrk laskettelua. Kaikki laski 15v vanhoilla armeijan suksilla paitsi minä ja 2 muuta joille annettiin uudet tiimalasisukset. Se oli upeeta.Ja yks päivä ryypättiin ja syötiin monta tuntia. Sitten krapulassa 4h marssi suksilla täyspakkauksen kanssa. Ei murtsikoilla vaan norm.suksilla. Vika päivä 3h marssi luolastossa kahlaten maanalaista jokea pitkin välillä k
Väkivalta legioonassa hmmm. Se on eri asia kun on täällä. Farmi on rankka, koska siellä ne yrittää murtaa sut. Yks tyyppi esim. itki joka päivä, tekee sitä edelleen pari kertaa viikossa. Farmilla on niin väsynyt että nukahtaa seisovilleen kesken marssilaulujen ja silloin ramasee. Yleensä joukkueen johtaja läimäyttää lujaa takaraivoon.. Pari kertaa on lyönyt muutamaa avarilla naamaan sekä Famaksella takaraivoon, siis oppitunnilla. Ampumispäivät on hauskimpia koska silloin saa nauraa illalla esim. kerran oltiin ampumassa ja jokainen joka ampu yhden kudin ohi maalitaulun joukkueen johtaja pamautti Famaksella takaraivoon. Yks ampu vahingossa sarjatulella ja sai 5 kolausta päähän siis lujaa. Jokaisella kunnon kuhmut päässä. Yks kiinalainen sohi varmistamattomalla aseella ja JJ läimäytti sille mustan silmän niin että se lens 5 porrasta alas ja sai tikin takaraivoon. Kun puhdistetaan asetta niin tarkastuksessa jos jokin osa ei ole puhdas sua kolautetaan sillä osalla takaraivoon tai otsaan.
Älkää käsittäkö väärin, mulla on täällä ihan leppoisaa koska en koomaa ja olen oppinut ymmärtämään ranskaa, mutta täällä on paljon jengiä joilla ei ole mitään asiaa tänne siksi 42sta henkilöstä 2 on psykiatrilla ja 4 yritti karata. Meillä on porukkaa joka puolelta maailmaa ja joukkuehenki on yleisesti todella hyvä. Oon tällä hetkellä 24h iskujoukoissa eli istun ns. bunkkerissa Famaksen ja kaasumaskin kanssa juon kokista ja katson leffoja muiden kanssa. Ruoka täällä on hyvää ja tarjolla on aina limuja. Vaikea kirjoittaa 4kk tapahtumista lyhyesti mutta kun pystyn pitämään yhteyttä maaliskuussa niin kerron tarkemmin. Mulla on niin rajuja juttuja ja hauskoja. Pääasia on että viihdyn täällä ja mulla on rauhaisa olo. Ai joo pappikin voi tervehtiä sua läimäyttämällä mua takaraivoon.
Forum Admin
For Joe
Posted By: Pat (cache-dk11.proxy.aol.com)
Date: Thursday, 22 January 2004, at 3:30 p.m.
Hi Joe, here is my take on the selection process. Sorry for the length, I got a bit carried away! Please feel free to edit it or delete some of it if you are going to post it on your website, as most of the info is already on there anyway.
I joined at Aubagne on Dec.18, 2004. I arrived around 12:30 in the afternoon and had to wait until 14:00 until the recruiting dude got back.
I told him I wanted to join and he asked me about 5 times if I had joined before.
I said no, which was true. He then asked me about 5 times if I had joined in Paris. I said no. He then changed my identity, catalogued my stuff and took my money, save 20 or 30 euros.
The first night I spent in the Gestapo building with 6 other guys. In the morning we got a BRIEF physical. We stripped down to our underwear and a Corporal Chef looked in our mouth for rotten teeth and measured our height and weighed us.
Then we had our picture taken and signed the contract. I was asked if I spoke French and I said no, so the legion dude (I don’t remember his rank.) did not explain the contract to me, although I think he explained it to the francophones.
In the afternoon we got put in with the rest of the recruits. They took everything except my toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream and glasses. They took my English-French dictionary/phrase book. Talking to other EVs, they weren’t allowed to keep their dictionary/phrase books either.
They give you a tracksuit, parka (it was winter), t-shirt, 2 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of speedo style underwear, a shaving kit bag, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, a horrible toothbrush, shower shoes, soap, 2 bed sheets and a roll of toilet paper.
You get to keep everything when you leave but the tracksuit, parka, t-shirt and sheets. The first test was the intelligence/psychological. The first part of the exam had pictures of gears and pulleys and you had to answer what direction gear X would rotate if gear Y rotated clockwise, etc.
The second part was pattern completion. For example square one had one line through it, square two had two lines through it and you had to figure out what the next square in the sequence looked like.
The third part was counting blocks. A pile of blocks was drawn and you had to figure out how many blocks were in the pile.
All tests were multiple choice. Then a memory test was given. You are given so much time to memorize a map (5 min I think.)
Then they give you a blank map with nothing written on it and ask you where different places were on the map.
The first part of the psyche test was a bunch of yes or no questions like “Have you ever lied?” “Do you like the outdoors?”, etc.
Then we had to draw two trees. The trees had to look different from each other. Then we where given a book of about 15-20 different illustrated trees and we had to pick the two we liked the most. A lot of people failed these tests.
Talking to some of the rouge they thought that the legion used the tests as an excuse for tossing people they didn’t like, which may be true.
There was an EV from Chile who was there the for the second time who failed the intelligence/psyche test his first time but passed it this time (His second time.) I don’t know how he could have gotten smarter.
The tests are not really something you can study for.
After this we got a more in depth medical, which included an eye test. I did not have my glasses for the physical and see about 20/30 without them. They did not seemed at all concerned about this.
They also did a urine test, which tested for drugs I think. They hooked us up to a heart monitor and took some readings.
Then a Corporal Chef asked me some questions like do you play sports, have any allergies, had any surgeries, etc.
Finally a doctor looked me over like they do performing a physical and asked me much the same questions as the Corporal Chef.
WARNING: If you have had LASIK surgery, you must wait 12 months after the procedure before joining. A Finnish guy who did the physical with me had it done 6 months prior and told the doctor that.
The doctor told him in his opinion that was enough time to heal, but regulations stated that it had to be a year. So if you have had LASIK surgery less then 12 months ago either wait or watch what you say.
The next day came the run. We did it around the Kepi Blanc buildings. The distance is marked out every 50 meters and as mentioned before there is a bit of an uphill and downhill. YOU HAVE TO RUN 7 LAPS (2800m) IN 12 MINUTES.
I ran just over 3200m and came in 4th out of 18 guys. 5 or 6 guys ran less than 7 laps and were gone the next day.
I talked to other EVs and rouge and none heard anyone making it with less than 7 laps, so if you can’t run 7 laps it is probably best to stay home.
That afternoon we got a vaccination, which was a flu shot I believe. After this comes the Gestapo. I talked to the Gestapo for about 2 ½ hours and decided to leave after.
Most EVs I talked two went to the Gestapo two or three times before they were done.
Basically they want to know your whole life story and motivations for joining as well as doing a security check of course.
I entered the selection process with 10 other guys. When I left 2 weeks later only two were left.
It is not hard to make it to the Gestapo. Show up with no medical problems and run the 7 laps. Work hard when given work and people will notice.
I was told on several occasions “bonne travail” and was treated well as a result. Even if you are a total loser, if you pass the tests you have a good chance of making it to the Gestapo from what I seen.
I worked with these two Chinese guys a couple of times and they did everything they could to get out of work and goof off.
They also didn’t shave in spite of the fact we were told to on several occasions. They spoke French but denied they did when asked by a Corporal or Corporal Chef.
Both of these clowns made it to the Gestapo to my surprise BUT, from what I gathered 50%-70% of those who go to the Gestapo will get cut.
One tip is, try to be one of the first guys in the shower, otherwise it will be ice cold. Not a big deal, but why not try to make life more enjoyable?
Also don’t get caught in the bathroom when the siren rings or you could miss something important.
After a day or two you will know the routine so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Also if you can afford it join at Aubagne. This will save you as much as a week in time.
I made close to 300 euros for the two weeks I was in Aubagne. I left after talking to the Gestapo. I am an electronics tech and I got the feeling from talking to the Gestapo that there would be pressure on me to apply my trade, which is not something I went there to do.
He asked me if I was willing to serve 5 years in Legion in whatever capacity I was needed in and I truthfully had to answer no.
I wanted to be a grunt in the infantry and he said there was a good chance of that happening but if I were more use in another capacity then I would be put in that capacity.
I think he was probably trying to scare me more than anything, but I suppose you should be ready for that chance. I was having doubts before then anyway.
I wasn’t sure I could handle living with some of these asses for five years. When you’re there and see the other recruits you will know what I mean.
In the Legions defense though most of the losers get tossed although some do get through.
Basically I wasn’t sure I could hack 5 years in the Legion. I had a good life in Canada and didn’t realize how much I valued my personal freedom.
I suppose it is people like me who give westerners a bad name by going there and then giving up, but in my case it was something I had to see first hand to appreciate. Besides I was not the worst recruit there.
You have to shake your head when you see the way some of these guys act. Some will do anything to get out of work, others talk in formation, some refuse to shave, etc.
On a side note, I got to spend Christmas there, which was pretty cool. On Christmas Eve we got a nice meal that included lobster and wine! We were also allowed to have one beer each. Just before we ate each EV was presented with a Christmas present, which were a Legion wallet and a deck of Legion playing Cards.
In Response To: Re: how to go to paris recruitment center (flint)
Hey, I spent part of Camerone Day this year at the Fort, so here's how I got there. First, take the RER (suburban express train) line A2, which you can catch at many places in central Paris, like Charles de Gaulle/Etoile, Gare de Lyon or Nation. Make sure the train is going to Boissy Saint Léger, NOT Marne la Vallée/Chessy. Journey time from Charles de Gaulle/Etoile = app. 25 minutes or 10 minutes from Gare de Lyon. Get off at Nogent sur Marne. At the station, you can take a bus (#114) part of the way but if you walk, look for Avenue de Joinville. Follow this up to the Place du Marechal Leclerc & then take the Boulevard de Strasbourg for several blocks. Turn left on Route de Stalingrad (or Boulevard Georges V if you miss this)& soon you will see a sign saying you are entering the town of Fontenay-sous-bois. A little further & you'll see some appartment blocks & then a large white sign saying 'LEGION ETRANGERE INFORMATION RECRUITMENT' with an arrow pointing to the right. Follow the narrow road between the blocks for 200 metres & you'll see the Fort. Knock on the gate & a legionnaire will respond. Bon Chance!
Posted By: GeorgiePorgie
Returned from Aubagne on 3 Mar.04
Posted By: Mike
Re: Commando Stage
Posted By: Tony halle
Fort du Nogent - Your guide.
Posted By: L'Anonymat (195.167.202.138)
Date: Monday, 15 March 2004, at 10:05 a.m.
I am making this message to give a guide to the many people that will enlist at the Fort in Paris when it comes time for them to join the Legion. I'm not going to answer any questions about anything, nor am I going to make any additions to this post. A lot has been written already about Aubagne, so I'm not bothering with it.
It is a long week you will spend at the Fort and I am going to try to give you the information on the program that you will likely experience day to day.
From Paris Gare du Nord, you take the train to either Fontenay-sous-Bois or Nogent-sur-Marne, either is good. Find your own way there ie walk there, there are plenty of town maps to guide you posted around this area.
When you get to the gate, have your passport ready for when you get buzzed through the gate. You get buzzed in, they tell you to take a seat in the breezeway just beyond where you entered. Don't attempt to even bother talking to the legionnaire that takes your passport, just give it to him and wait for him to tell you to sit.
They will call someone for the PILE - Nord, who are located just a short distance away who will come and tell you to stand up, if it's cold, to remove your jacket to see if you are too fat etc. If you are okay you will be told "Baggage", with that you take your luggage and follow the legionnaire up to the waiting room, which is on the top floor of one of the barracks.
It would be nice if someone can find a map of the Fort to put on one of these sites to give you some idea of what I am talking about.
They will shortly call you to come into the room next door where you will be asked some questions about why you are here, your parents names, your job, sports, reason for joining, prev military experience and so on. Once this is done, you are told your Nom de Guerre, your new bday and your new place of birth. Memorise all this information and use it accordingly when asked of you.
You will then empty your whole baggage onto the floor where the legionnaire whom you followed uptop to the PILE (PILE is Poste de information de la Legion Etrangere de Paris) will sort it out according to category and they will make a very quick inventory of your clothing. You will be given your clothing and other non valuable items to keep in a locker in your room. Other items ie cameras, phones etc will be kept in the safe of the Chef's office and will be onforwarded to Aubagne once you get there. Your liceneses, passport etc etc is forwarded to the DSPLE at Aubagne also.
Once this is complete, your height and weight will be taken, and you will be issued a tracksuit. The "popotier", who is a CEV and also francophone and/or anglophone or whatever will then take you to your room, show you your bed, parka and locker and will introduce you to the other CEVs in the TV room, also they will show you where not to go.
This shitty room is where you will spend quite some time. It has a tv, a drink machine and some chairs and some tattered copies of Kepi Blanc. It is also filled with cigarette smoke almost constantly because all these fucking little pricks smoke like chimneys. Forget about doing the cooper test, we'll just smoke smoke smoke. There are 2 windows in this room, but they are nearly always closed. Note - whenever the CCH or whomever enters this room you stand the fuck up, en vite and go to the "repos" position. This is the stand at ease position for those of you who know military speak.
Okay so once your name has been "carded" it means you can be dirked at will to go and do some shittly little meaningless task around the fort. Be it setting tables in the O's mess, to doing dishes in the refectoire. Most of the time you will be sweeping and mopping. Get used to hearing these 2 words:
"Balai" - this means "Broom", it also means to sweep. "Sappiere" (sp?) - this means to get a towel, put it on the end of a large squeegee and mop the floor. Other times you will be washing dishes, get used to hearing "lavage", this means "to wash."
You will also hear words like "Ici" meaning "here" and "La Bas", meaning "over there." Make an effort to learn some french, I cannot overstate this enough, but most of the time this falls on deaf ears like most of the CEVs in Paris... there ears are fucking painted on it seems. Even when told "doucement" which in this case means "talk quietly" or "Silence" which means... yes "Silence" they still pay not one iota of notice and the convo's continue at the same level. When the CCH comes in and reads your horoscope to you, maybe then you will have silence.
Okay, onto moving around the compound. Column par une, is to move in Indian File ie 1 line. Column par 2 is obviously 2 columns and par 3 is yes in three columns. Not very hard it seems, but the CEVs always manage to find a way to fuck it up completely. Really, military discipline should begin on the moment you walk thru the gate, not when you get to Aubagne. To enter a building if you are par 2 or par 3, you will reform on the march to make column par 1.
There is a strong emphasis on doing things quietly here, because in the corridor you will live in for a week, there also lives a major and some others of rank, mess with them and you will wind up with "le clef pour le fort." ie, out the gate and civile.
Showering, en francaise "douche", you will be allowed to take one on the evening you arrive. All of your hygene actions are performed the night before, save for shitting and pissing in the almost condemned WC which has no toilet paper ever. In this same room you can find the cleaning supplies if you are told to balai or sappiere etc.
Eating in the refectoire - 1 fromage and 1 dessert, 2 baguettes, 1 cup, a knife, a fork, and whatever condiments you choose. You will also get la salat, and la plat prinicpal.
Take your plate to your table, get a drink should you want one and show some courtesy and common sense the French army and the legionnaires also eat here at the same time, but if one of the less disciplined cultures start to push ahead of you, just barge in front of them, because they will do it to you and so on.
When you finish dinner, take your scraps to the bin and put your dishes and crap where they should go and go sit back down. The CCH will then scream at you when he wants you to get moving again.
Remember 1 fromage and 1 dessert, not 2 of each, if you want to wear the cooks wrath, take 2, these guys have a set of lungs on them and will make you feel about an inch tall.
A digression about some of the culturally ignorant of western cuisine, I'm thinking of alot of asian races here especially the c Chinese. Learn to eat your meal properly. Your baguette doesn’t go in your dessert, you don’t eat it with a fork, you don’t put ketchup on your baguette after you load it full with jam/jelly etc. I know how to eat yum cha and all that Asian shit and i don’t live there, these people wanna live here and they cannot even manage a meal... what a joke. Don't blow your nose at the table, do it outside. Don’t slurp your shitty coffee, lait ou chocolat so loud that it will wake the dead. Show some manners.
When do you wake up? It depends on the program for the day. A normal day starts at 0500, get up, make your bed, shit, piss, then assemble in the corridor with your parka if instructed and you'll be 'marched' across for breakfast.
It really raises my ire to see CEVs without any military experience doddling around like its a excursion to the zoo and unable to even stay in formation for a 200 meter journey...
Seriously if you cant get used to something as simple as marching in step, go work at the Monoprix or something where you can sit on your ass all day.
After breakfast, you may be posted to Corvee Cuisine or whatever other chore needs to be done. You will work until lunchtime, if you are lucky you can work for the CCH in stores, who is a very friendly, likeable legionnaire - they all are good at Fort de Nogent, I have nothing but respect for all of them.
After lunch, you will work until dinner time, and after dinner, you may get to watch tv or you may wind up working in the O's mess. That's ok, because the staff are all very good there and you can muck around with the Armee de Terre soldiers who are generally a decent bunch. Work hard and they will reward you... kinda
Don't think you will get much sleep at night either, these assholes will talk until midnight and those who dont talk will snore. I guarantee you, I'm not kidding at all.
When you have had maybe 3 or 4 hours sleep that night, be prepared to wake up and do exactly the same all over again. At some point you will take a quick trip to Fort Neuf out at Vincennes where you will get a very quick check of your heart, mouth, eyes, ears.
I strongly advise you to go directly to Aubagne. If you can't and end up at Paris, then tough shit - hopefully my guide can help you get prepared for what lies ahead.
A note on Nationalities. Most are pretty good to get along with, except the French boys. I call them boys because they always act like a bunch of little children, even kids are more behaved than these cretans.
A bunch of francophone CEVs in a group is like I don't know, shit with legs is the best I can call it. They will try at every turn to fuck you up, they won’t individually hassle you, but in a group they are just a bunch of fags.
Never before have I seen such a pompous bunch of nobody's on such a power trip. When they told me to do something I just glared at them and told them to do it, and walked off.
They think because they are Francophones that they are only there to supervise you working. To a point the legionnaires encnourage this, but to another point, they make them work just like you.
The French boys will try and take advantage of this arrangement. Have some balls, tell them all to get fucked and just go about your business. If they were worth anything, they would be in the French army, and not in an army for the foreigners.
This leads to another point of their assumed superiority for being Francophones, they despise the non Francophones, yet they themselves are in the Foreign Legion... anyone???
Most other nationalities can get along famously with one another, even with some language barriers. The Chinese are hold outs though, they will just stick to their own clique like the French.
These are my experiences. I hope you go and find your own too. For those of you who are contemplating a career dans la legion, think very carefully about what you are doing. Again this falls on deaf ears but anyway...
As for all the recruitment questions ie do they, should I, how much blah blah blah, who cares, just go and do it, stop with the crap, if you have to ask these stupid questions just stay the friggin hell away, please.
Nobody cares. Honestly, the CCH, the CPLs the Sergent, the Major, nobody cares about you or your problems you are just another filthy CEV who has been wearing the same tracksuit for the last week or so, just please go and do it and stop with the stupidity.
Join your own country's army, and get some experience first, then you will know if the legion and/or the military is for you. I am ex military, I will return to my own military once I return.
To all of you that go, I wish you the best of luck, you need to be determined to do this thing 100 percent. You think I'm kidding - suck it and see, you'll get the picture.
One final point. Paris is a holiday camp compared to Aubagne, don't expect Aubagne to be anything like the recruiting depots, it just isn't.
Good luck and good health to all of you.
followup
post
Re: Fort du Nogent - L'Anonymat
Posted By: L'Anonymat (tps59-9.imaginet.fr)
Date: Tuesday, 16 March 2004, at 4:34 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Fort du Nogent - L'Anonymat (Joe van Raamt)
I know I said I wouldn't make anymore posts, but yesterday I was angry at something. I think the legion's official website has a very good map of the Fontenay s/s Bois area.
I forgot to mention one of the most important things about being at the P.I.L.E. - Nord. When the CCH calls your name you answer thusly:
"Present, Caporal Chef." In a loud, clear and concise voice. Some of the variations made by the CEVs are "Pren Capol Chefu" to "Prl Chhh." These variations are unacceptable and earn you a "stick", which is a smack in the head.
Others that will earn you the same reward are talking on the march. The little Nepalese CCH is very fond on making loudmouth CEVs lower their heads to his height and punching them square on top. This keeps them quiet for all of 30 seconds before they started laughing and making farting and/or duck noises again.
I'll reiterate the bit about courtesy. It goes a long way with the legionnaires, if you wish your CCH bon appetite in the refectoire and just silly little things like that, he will notice that you are making an effort, and though he wont overtly be slapping your back and buying you a kronenbourg or anything, he will notice it.
A lot of the times you wont be acknowledged when you say merci or whatever, but they do notice those who make the effort. These small investments, have big payouts at a later stage...
I'm glad you all liked my previous post, and I hope it helps those who enlist in Paris. I saw some people with glasses, and I surmise that if you are not wearing coke bottle lenses, and can still do things "if" you should lose them, you will be fine. If however, without glasses you couldn't tell the barrel from "La Crosse" of your FAMAS, then you are not going to make it. Simple as that.
You are given an eye test on your first day at Aubagne when you do the medical. Pass it and your in, fail it and your out. All tests have equal weighting at Aubagne, all walls have ears at Aubagne. Fail something or shoot your mouth off at the wrong time and yep, civile.
Here is the golden rule for Aubagne.
Discipline: when you stand in the 'repos' position for 2 hours wearing only a t shirt in the freezing cold or whatever before you go to breakfast in the morning, don't move a muscle. They are assessing your ability to be able to perform guard duties at a later stage.
Everything you do there will have a hidden meaning or some correlation to what you will be doing when you are a fully fledged EV at Castel, and eventually a Legionnaire in 3REI, REP, wherever.
As stated, all tests have equal weight. Fail one, and you failed selection. The tests are easy for any normal, fit, young guy who has his head screwed on straight. When you are being ogled by a legionnaire at some stage, don't stare him out, but don't avert your gaze, just keep your eyes fixed straight ahead.
Again, courtesy, mental and physical fortitude and a strong motivation to work hard are your allies at Aubagne.
Though DISCIPLINE is the foundation on which all these things rest. Do everything with the discipline that is expected of a young legionnaire at this stage in his career and your reward will be a spot in the next Section going to Castel
If you want to use my posts for your site Joe, I'll paraphrase the Mexican Colonel at Camerone, "I can refuse nothing to men like you."
Au revoir.
TOP
Post
from "former Legion NCO" a reality check for wanabees
May 13 2006 http://cervens.net/legionbbs/
Wanabees, Rambo and the Universe
Despite the numerous good pieces of advice and interesting postings on this board, (http://cervens.net/legionbbs/) there seems to be one or two important matters that receive little attention, from most wanabees.
It is really time to clarify the fact that there is absolutely no resemblance between a professional soldier’s life and all the “Rambo” or similar movies that you could have had the doubtful honor to see in your home country.
The Legion has been a professional army for the last 175 years and has never ever used within its ranks conscripts. It has only spent around 40 of its 175 years of existence based in France.
Why would this be important, would a standard wanabee ask? It is important simply because this has always obliged the Legion to organize on its own, the complete logistical setup around its campaigns and everyday life.
The Legion is not like the SAS or the Navy SEALS, (nothing wrong with them) they are specialists in a narrow spectrum and incapable to operate outside their predefined sector.
The Legionnaires are soldiers, but also mechanics, cooks, cleaners, gardeners, painters, masons, you name it……
The Legion is a whole little universe on its own, and everybody inside this world is a legionnaire (except a very few civilian employees) and all of them have one day been standing outside the recruiting office with their heart knocking and knees shaking.
However after many years in different combat companies some of them get transferred to less “strategic” duties and ends up as a “fat” painting or cooking Caporal-Chef. But..! He is still rendering a very active and important service to the Legion community.
When the young wanabee who has seen all the films and read all the books about the Legion, is after three days in the Legion confronted with a 45 year old Caporal-chef. Who works in the kitchen, he is first horrified that the CCH does not look like Rambo and secondly he feels deeply offended when the “old” CCH does not give him the respect that he thinks that he deserves.
Dear wanabee, the Legion is maybe stupid, but in 175 years they have slowly managed to find out what is the best way of doing things.
If you still think that you know better, maybe you should stay home. Forget Rambo and all his look-alikes; forget your distorted ignorant vision of professional military life.
Try to understand that before you can start jumping out of helicopters and killing people, you must learn the basics.
Big surprise !!!! The basics are mostly cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. When you are perfectly capable in the cleaning business, we will take it to the next strategic step.
loading and offloading trucks and pushing pallets (the magic secrets of logistics) and so on until the magic day when we can maybe trust you with looking on a FAMAS and let you carry it (unloaded) thru mountains and long nights until you understand how much it is worth for your miserable life.
Welcome to the Legion (it even beats reality TV) __________________
LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA
TOP
Post
from "Legionet" about the new test that will replace the Cooper test.
translated by Patrick Hervier
Post by Legionet :
Bonjour, :
Actuellement le Luc-Leger n'est pas en service. Ci-dessous des copier/coller de réponse publier dans mon forum au sujet du test Luc-Leger : :
:
"Le Luc Leger est un test que je connais bien. :
Il faut effectuer des aller-retour de 20 métres avec une marge d'avance ou de retard de 1 metre. On demarre la course sur un rythme lent pour fixer l'allure. :
Ensuite chaque minute on augmente la vitesse on appelle ça un palier. Il y en a dix pour être apte dans la régulière (armée de Terre). :
Le test est relativement dur car on casse le rythme à chaque demi-tour ou un seul pied doit franchir la ligne." :
:
"Oui c'est plus dur que le cooper et ca va trié sec, car si on ne s'est pas entraîné un minimum c'est pas gagner car c'est après le 7ème palier que les choses sérieuses commence, avant on appelle ça l'échauffement." :
:
D'autre part, je profite de ce message pour informer ce forum si cela n'a pas encore était fait que pendant l'instruction (du moins après le passage à la ferme) au foyer il est possible de communiquer vers l'extérieur par le biais d'Internet. :
Cordialement:
Legionet:
__________________ NE PAS SUBIR :
Re: Fort du Nogent - L'Anonymat
Posted By: L'Anonymat (tps59-9.imaginet.fr)
Date: Tuesday, 16 March 2004, at 4:34 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Fort du Nogent - L'Anonymat (Joe van Raamt)
I know I said I wouldn't make anymore posts, but yesterday I was angry at something. I think the legion's official website has a very good map of the Fontenay s/s Bois area.
I forgot to mention one of the most important things about being at the P.I.L.E. - Nord. When the CCH calls your name you answer thusly:
"Present, Caporal Chef." In a loud, clear and concise voice. Some of the variations made by the CEVs are "Pren Capol Chefu" to "Prl Chhh." These variations are unacceptable and earn you a "stick", which is a smack in the head.
Others that will earn you the same reward are talking on the march. The little Nepalese CCH is very fond on making loudmouth CEVs lower their heads to his height and punching them square on top. This keeps them quiet for all of 30 seconds before they started laughing and making farting and/or duck noises again.
I'll reiterate the bit about courtesy. It goes a long way with the legionnaires, if you wish your CCH bon appetite in the refectoire and just silly little things like that, he will notice that you are making an effort, and though he wont overtly be slapping your back and buying you a kronenbourg or anything, he will notice it.
A lot of the times you wont be acknowledged when you say merci or whatever, but they do notice those who make the effort. These small investments, have big payouts at a later stage...
I'm glad you all liked my previous post, and I hope it helps those who enlist in Paris. I saw some people with glasses, and I surmise that if you are not wearing coke bottle lenses, and can still do things "if" you should lose them, you will be fine. If however, without glasses you couldn't tell the barrel from "La Crosse" of your FAMAS, then you are not going to make it. Simple as that.
You are given an eye test on your first day at Aubagne when you do the medical. Pass it and your in, fail it and your out. All tests have equal weighting at Aubagne, all walls have ears at Aubagne. Fail something or shoot your mouth off at the wrong time and yep, civile.
Here is the golden rule for Aubagne.
Discipline: when you stand in the 'repos' position for 2 hours wearing only a t shirt in the freezing cold or whatever before you go to breakfast in the morning, don't move a muscle. They are assessing your ability to be able to perform guard duties at a later stage.
Everything you do there will have a hidden meaning or some correlation to what you will be doing when you are a fully fledged EV at Castel, and eventually a Legionnaire in 3REI, REP, wherever.
As stated, all tests have equal weight. Fail one, and you failed selection. The tests are easy for any normal, fit, young guy who has his head screwed on straight. When you are being ogled by a legionnaire at some stage, don't stare him out, but don't avert your gaze, just keep your eyes fixed straight ahead.
Again, courtesy, mental and physical fortitude and a strong motivation to work hard are your allies at Aubagne.
Though DISCIPLINE is the foundation on which all these things rest. Do everything with the discipline that is expected of a young legionnaire at this stage in his career and your reward will be a spot in the next Section going to Castel
If you want to use my posts for your site Joe, I'll paraphrase the Mexican Colonel at Camerone, "I can refuse nothing to men like you."
Au revoir.
May 13 2006 http://cervens.net/legionbbs/
Wanabees, Rambo and the Universe
Despite the numerous good pieces of advice and interesting postings on this board, (http://cervens.net/legionbbs/) there seems to be one or two important matters that receive little attention, from most wanabees.
It is really time to clarify the fact that there is absolutely no resemblance between a professional soldier’s life and all the “Rambo” or similar movies that you could have had the doubtful honor to see in your home country.
The Legion has been a professional army for the last 175 years and has never ever used within its ranks conscripts. It has only spent around 40 of its 175 years of existence based in France.
Why would this be important, would a standard wanabee ask? It is important simply because this has always obliged the Legion to organize on its own, the complete logistical setup around its campaigns and everyday life.
The Legion is not like the SAS or the Navy SEALS, (nothing wrong with them) they are specialists in a narrow spectrum and incapable to operate outside their predefined sector.
The Legionnaires are soldiers, but also mechanics, cooks, cleaners, gardeners, painters, masons, you name it……
The Legion is a whole little universe on its own, and everybody inside this world is a legionnaire (except a very few civilian employees) and all of them have one day been standing outside the recruiting office with their heart knocking and knees shaking.
However after many years in different combat companies some of them get transferred to less “strategic” duties and ends up as a “fat” painting or cooking Caporal-Chef. But..! He is still rendering a very active and important service to the Legion community.
When the young wanabee who has seen all the films and read all the books about the Legion, is after three days in the Legion confronted with a 45 year old Caporal-chef. Who works in the kitchen, he is first horrified that the CCH does not look like Rambo and secondly he feels deeply offended when the “old” CCH does not give him the respect that he thinks that he deserves.
Dear wanabee, the Legion is maybe stupid, but in 175 years they have slowly managed to find out what is the best way of doing things.
If you still think that you know better, maybe you should stay home. Forget Rambo and all his look-alikes; forget your distorted ignorant vision of professional military life.
Try to understand that before you can start jumping out of helicopters and killing people, you must learn the basics.
Big surprise !!!! The basics are mostly cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. When you are perfectly capable in the cleaning business, we will take it to the next strategic step.
loading and offloading trucks and pushing pallets (the magic secrets of logistics) and so on until the magic day when we can maybe trust you with looking on a FAMAS and let you carry it (unloaded) thru mountains and long nights until you understand how much it is worth for your miserable life.
Welcome to the Legion (it even beats reality TV) __________________
LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA
translated by Patrick Hervier
Post by Legionet :
Bonjour, :
Actuellement le Luc-Leger n'est pas en service. Ci-dessous des copier/coller de réponse publier dans mon forum au sujet du test Luc-Leger : :
:
"Le Luc Leger est un test que je connais bien. :
Il faut effectuer des aller-retour de 20 métres avec une marge d'avance ou de retard de 1 metre. On demarre la course sur un rythme lent pour fixer l'allure. :
Ensuite chaque minute on augmente la vitesse on appelle ça un palier. Il y en a dix pour être apte dans la régulière (armée de Terre). :
Le test est relativement dur car on casse le rythme à chaque demi-tour ou un seul pied doit franchir la ligne." :
:
"Oui c'est plus dur que le cooper et ca va trié sec, car si on ne s'est pas entraîné un minimum c'est pas gagner car c'est après le 7ème palier que les choses sérieuses commence, avant on appelle ça l'échauffement." :
:
D'autre part, je profite de ce message pour informer ce forum si cela n'a pas encore était fait que pendant l'instruction (du moins après le passage à la ferme) au foyer il est possible de communiquer vers l'extérieur par le biais d'Internet. :
Cordialement:
Legionet:
__________________ NE PAS SUBIR :
:
Translation by Patrick Hervier :
Below a translation of Legionet post. Arnaude : beware of the automatic translation softwares. Post is an English word that doesn't translate into 'poteau' in French when you're talking about a message left on an internet
The Luc Léger test has not yet been put into service. Below some copy/paste of answers on my forum regarding this :
The Luc Léger test is something I know well. You have to make back and forth runs of 20 meters (+/- 1 meter). We start slowly to set the pace
. Then, each minute, the speed increases. This is called a threshold. You have to reach level 10 to be accepted in the 'regular' Army.
This test is pretty tough since, there's a change in pace (a break in rythm) at every U-turn where only one foot must cross the line.
Yes, it's harder than Cooper and selection is going to be tough. If you haven't trained, it's not in the bag. After level 7, things get really hard, before it's called a warm-up.
Besides, I take advantage of this message to let you know that during basic, after your stay in the farm, it's possible to communicate with the outside world via internet.
__________________ Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
Originally Posted by Legionet
Ci-dessous plus d'info. Les propos sont d'un des membres de mon forum qui actuellement est à l'instruction à Castelnaudary.
"Donc pour finir après les 2 mois et 1/2 d'instruction militaire et après la marche Képi Blanc (ou on passe du statut d'Engagé Volontaire à celui, enfin, de légionnaire), a ce moment là donc on commence à avoir le droit, quand on nous l'autorise bien évidemment, d'aller au foyer.
Pour ceux qui connaissent pas, le foyer, c'est l'endroit dans le régiment où il y a ce qui s'apparente à un grand bar avec un petit magasin qui vend de tout (bouffe "note de Legionet bouffe = nourriture", un peu de vetement, des revues, des produits d'hygiène.....) et il y a aussi des cabines téléphoniques ...et des bornes internet.
C'est un peu la guerre des fois, car 10 téléphones et 4 ordinateurs pour 3 ou 4 sections de 30 à 40 gonzes "note de Legionet gonzes = hommes" chacunes qui attendent, c'est pas toujours facile!!!
Réponse à Jean, Voilà donc pourquoi et comment on a quelquefois l'occasion de pouvoir correspondre ...
Réponse à Keio, oui le Cooper se déroule sur une vraie et belle piste d'athlétisme (400m). Par contre à Aubagne, il se déroule autour de 2 grand hangars sur du goudron avec une petite montée et une petite descente.
Dès qu'on arrive à Castelnaudary, on refait un Cooper, normalement le max de pompes - abdos - tractions, une épreuve de natation, 1 montée de corde bras seuls. Et on refait le tout à la fin de l'instruction pour voir le niveau final.
Nous, au lieu du max, on nous a demandé 10 tractions, 40 pompes et 100 abdos. Ah oui, les tests finaux comprennent en plus le 8 km TAP (8km en treillis-rangers- sac 11kg et FAMAS) à faire entre 40 et 50 min, plus évidemment le célébrissime Parcours d'Obstacles ou Parcours du Combattant.
Pour finir, je vise le REP. A fond les gamelles et la poignée plein gaze....."
Translation by Patrick Hervier :
Below a translation of Legionet post. Arnaude : beware of the automatic translation softwares. Post is an English word that doesn't translate into 'poteau' in French when you're talking about a message left on an internet
The Luc Léger test has not yet been put into service. Below some copy/paste of answers on my forum regarding this :
The Luc Léger test is something I know well. You have to make back and forth runs of 20 meters (+/- 1 meter). We start slowly to set the pace
. Then, each minute, the speed increases. This is called a threshold. You have to reach level 10 to be accepted in the 'regular' Army.
This test is pretty tough since, there's a change in pace (a break in rythm) at every U-turn where only one foot must cross the line.
Yes, it's harder than Cooper and selection is going to be tough. If you haven't trained, it's not in the bag. After level 7, things get really hard, before it's called a warm-up.
Besides, I take advantage of this message to let you know that during basic, after your stay in the farm, it's possible to communicate with the outside world via internet.
__________________ Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
Originally Posted by Legionet
Ci-dessous plus d'info. Les propos sont d'un des membres de mon forum qui actuellement est à l'instruction à Castelnaudary.
"Donc pour finir après les 2 mois et 1/2 d'instruction militaire et après la marche Képi Blanc (ou on passe du statut d'Engagé Volontaire à celui, enfin, de légionnaire), a ce moment là donc on commence à avoir le droit, quand on nous l'autorise bien évidemment, d'aller au foyer.
Pour ceux qui connaissent pas, le foyer, c'est l'endroit dans le régiment où il y a ce qui s'apparente à un grand bar avec un petit magasin qui vend de tout (bouffe "note de Legionet bouffe = nourriture", un peu de vetement, des revues, des produits d'hygiène.....) et il y a aussi des cabines téléphoniques ...et des bornes internet.
C'est un peu la guerre des fois, car 10 téléphones et 4 ordinateurs pour 3 ou 4 sections de 30 à 40 gonzes "note de Legionet gonzes = hommes" chacunes qui attendent, c'est pas toujours facile!!!
Réponse à Jean, Voilà donc pourquoi et comment on a quelquefois l'occasion de pouvoir correspondre ...
Réponse à Keio, oui le Cooper se déroule sur une vraie et belle piste d'athlétisme (400m). Par contre à Aubagne, il se déroule autour de 2 grand hangars sur du goudron avec une petite montée et une petite descente.
Dès qu'on arrive à Castelnaudary, on refait un Cooper, normalement le max de pompes - abdos - tractions, une épreuve de natation, 1 montée de corde bras seuls. Et on refait le tout à la fin de l'instruction pour voir le niveau final.
Nous, au lieu du max, on nous a demandé 10 tractions, 40 pompes et 100 abdos. Ah oui, les tests finaux comprennent en plus le 8 km TAP (8km en treillis-rangers- sac 11kg et FAMAS) à faire entre 40 et 50 min, plus évidemment le célébrissime Parcours d'Obstacles ou Parcours du Combattant.
Pour finir, je vise le REP. A fond les gamelles et la poignée plein gaze....."
Translation of above :
Below more info from one of the members of my forum who's currently doing basic training in Castelnaudary.
After 2 1/2 months of military instruction and after the Képi Blanc raid march (where we change status from "engagé volontaire" to "légionnaire"), we have the right to go to the "foyer" (upon authorisation, obviously).
For those who don't know, this is the place in the regiment where there's what looks like a big bar, with a small store selling all sorts of things (food, clothes, magazines, articles of hygiene, etc.) and there are also phone booths and internet stations.
It's a bit of a 'war' sometimes since, 10 phones and 4 PCs for 3 or 4 platoons of 30 to 40 guys... is not always an easy situation to manage.
Answer to Jean : this is why and how we manage to keep in touch from time to time.
Answer to Keio : Cooper test is done on a nice athletics track (400 m). On the other hand at Aubagne, it's performed between 2 big warehouses, on asphalt, with a small way up and way down.
As soon as we arrive at Castelnaudary we take another Cooper test, push-ups, abs, pull-ups, a swimming test, and rope climbing (with harms only).
The whole stuff is done again at the end to evaluate the final level.
For us we were asked to do 10 pull-ups, 40 push-ups and 100 abs.
Final test also comprises 8 km running test, in fatigue, boots, 11 kg rucksack and FAMAS, to be done in 40 to 50 mn, on top of course of the famous obstacle course. I'm aiming at REP.
Full throttle !
__________________ Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
Prelude to following post, posted on June 25 2008
Thank You All - It's My Turn On Friday...
Just a quick message to let you know I'll be arriving at Aubagne on Friday afternoon. I have my train ticket in front of me right now - I arrive in Aubagne at 12H33, so I will be saying hello to Phantom shortly after that.
I've learnt lots from this board and the regulars that come here and I too would like to thank you for all the effort and time you put into being here and helping people exactly like me.
I'm apprehensive about what I've got coming to me, but I am also looking forward to it as well, which is a very strange feeling.
Once again a big thank you, and here goes nothing...
Wayne
Below more info from one of the members of my forum who's currently doing basic training in Castelnaudary.
After 2 1/2 months of military instruction and after the Képi Blanc raid march (where we change status from "engagé volontaire" to "légionnaire"), we have the right to go to the "foyer" (upon authorisation, obviously).
For those who don't know, this is the place in the regiment where there's what looks like a big bar, with a small store selling all sorts of things (food, clothes, magazines, articles of hygiene, etc.) and there are also phone booths and internet stations.
It's a bit of a 'war' sometimes since, 10 phones and 4 PCs for 3 or 4 platoons of 30 to 40 guys... is not always an easy situation to manage.
Answer to Jean : this is why and how we manage to keep in touch from time to time.
Answer to Keio : Cooper test is done on a nice athletics track (400 m). On the other hand at Aubagne, it's performed between 2 big warehouses, on asphalt, with a small way up and way down.
As soon as we arrive at Castelnaudary we take another Cooper test, push-ups, abs, pull-ups, a swimming test, and rope climbing (with harms only).
The whole stuff is done again at the end to evaluate the final level.
For us we were asked to do 10 pull-ups, 40 push-ups and 100 abs.
Final test also comprises 8 km running test, in fatigue, boots, 11 kg rucksack and FAMAS, to be done in 40 to 50 mn, on top of course of the famous obstacle course. I'm aiming at REP.
Full throttle !
__________________ Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
Prelude to following post, posted on June 25 2008
Thank You All - It's My Turn On Friday...
Just a quick message to let you know I'll be arriving at Aubagne on Friday afternoon. I have my train ticket in front of me right now - I arrive in Aubagne at 12H33, so I will be saying hello to Phantom shortly after that.
I've learnt lots from this board and the regulars that come here and I too would like to thank you for all the effort and time you put into being here and helping people exactly like me.
I'm apprehensive about what I've got coming to me, but I am also looking forward to it as well, which is a very strange feeling.
Once again a big thank you, and here goes nothing...
Wayne
Re: Thank You All - It's My Turn On Friday... by Wayne,
a Forum member of http://www.cervens.net/legionbbs.
Well that was short and sweet. I arrived at Aubagne on Friday afternoon and was directed to a little room round the corner from the main gate. When you walk in there is a little wood paneled room, four chairs and a square table with a red top.
The Caporal-Chef called me through to his office in the next room and asked me for my passport. He asked me for my other papers/certificates, etc and after entering the details on the computer he asked for my mothers and fathers names.
After a couple of minutes he wrote down my new, altered name. The first name was totally different to my real name, but the surname had the same initial. So, if my real name was Wayne Smith, my new name might have been John Samuels.
The English and French money I had was also taken, but I was allowed to keep the coins and a 5 Euro note. I was also asked if I had any scars, tattoos or moles. I was also asked when I entered France, how I entered (as in by plane or by car, etc) and where had I been staying since.
The Caporal-Chef then gave me a piece of paper written in English and French, where I had to write down my next-of-kin, and another piece of paper in English explaining that the contract was for 5 years and that I could revert back to my original name after one year. All of this had been explained to me in my own language. I had to print my new surname at the bottom of the page.
The Caporal-Chef told me to empty my bag on the desk, and made a note of what I had brought. All of my documents and paperwork went in one large brown envelope, and my money went into a smaller envelope. My new name was written on both envelopes.
After this I was escorted through the main gate, up the hill, past the dining room and into the ground floor of a four story white building. The ground floor is for candidates, the other floors are offices.
One you enter the ground floor of the building you are in a stairwell. You walk through the door opposite and you are in the candidate pre-selection block. There is a corridor running the entire length of the block, and there are a number of rooms on the left and the right of the corridor.
There are only three rooms that candidates are allowed in. The first room you are allowed to use is room on the left of the corridor as you enter which is a room with four tables, some chairs, a TV, some videos and some issues of Kepi-Blanc. The TV does not have an antenna, so you won't be watching your favorite TV program!
The next room that is open to you is the bedroom. The room has 10 bunk beds in it, and 2 single beds. The Caporal does not sleep in this room - he has a room next door.
The last room you get to use is the bathroom, which has two showers, two urinals, two toilets and two sinks. One of the toilets is locked and reserved for use by the staff only. Just to add, there was plenty of toilet paper!
Now what happens is that the next working day (Monday-Friday) you get your medical. Until then you simply wait, and don't do much. You can read the magazines, or watch lots of legion videos, or talk, but that’s about it. Each evening about 9pm you take a shower, and you get up at either 5.30am or 6.00am depending on what the Caporal decides. When you get up you have 30 minutes to have a wash and a shave and to make your bed.
A horn is sounded three times a day for food. The Caporal tells you to line up outside, and you follow him to the dining room. Breakfast is a roll, butter and a little pot of jam or honey. You also get a bowl of coffee, hot milk or hot chocolate, depending on what is being served when you get the front of the queue. There are two large drinks machines dispensing the drinks non stop, but it still takes a couple of minutes to get to get served.
When the Caporal finishes his food and stands up, so do you. Don't bother taking another mouthful, or he will get annoyed at you. Lunch is something like 4 different pieces of sliced meat, and some vegetables/salad. It is a cold meal. Dinner is a hot meal; during the weekend I had pizza one day and lasagna the next.
The group of us in the pre-selection block had very little else to do. We had to clean the inside and the outside of the block, which took about 45 minutes, and we had to water the plants - another 30 minutes. That was it as far as exercise goes.
This morning was the medical. You are weighed, and your height is measured. You then go and see the Commandant (the medical officer), who on this occasion took about 15 seconds to see each person. After this you have a blood test which amongst other things they check to see if you have taken drugs.
At this point one of the medics walked out and said I was medically unfit - I weigh too much for my height. Now here is a word of warning - I am guessing that they simply use the BMI scale to work out if you are obese or not. The BMI scale does not take into account muscle mass, so if you are extra muscular you really do need to trim it off. The Caporal disappeared into the medical room and when he came back he told me I was 5 pounds overweight. Fortunately, though, I get to go back in 3 months for another try. From what I saw, the people who passed the medical were either lean or skinny. Nobody was either muscled or fat.
After this we all returned to the pre-selection center. I was given my documents and money back and the Caporal-Chef walked me to the front gate. And here I am in the only internet cafe that I could find in Aubagne, writing this while it is all still fresh in my mind.
So that's what I did for the weekend. In the next post I will write what I saw happening to the other candidates who had passed a bit further in the process.
Well that was short and sweet. I arrived at Aubagne on Friday afternoon and was directed to a little room round the corner from the main gate. When you walk in there is a little wood paneled room, four chairs and a square table with a red top.
The Caporal-Chef called me through to his office in the next room and asked me for my passport. He asked me for my other papers/certificates, etc and after entering the details on the computer he asked for my mothers and fathers names.
After a couple of minutes he wrote down my new, altered name. The first name was totally different to my real name, but the surname had the same initial. So, if my real name was Wayne Smith, my new name might have been John Samuels.
The English and French money I had was also taken, but I was allowed to keep the coins and a 5 Euro note. I was also asked if I had any scars, tattoos or moles. I was also asked when I entered France, how I entered (as in by plane or by car, etc) and where had I been staying since.
The Caporal-Chef then gave me a piece of paper written in English and French, where I had to write down my next-of-kin, and another piece of paper in English explaining that the contract was for 5 years and that I could revert back to my original name after one year. All of this had been explained to me in my own language. I had to print my new surname at the bottom of the page.
The Caporal-Chef told me to empty my bag on the desk, and made a note of what I had brought. All of my documents and paperwork went in one large brown envelope, and my money went into a smaller envelope. My new name was written on both envelopes.
After this I was escorted through the main gate, up the hill, past the dining room and into the ground floor of a four story white building. The ground floor is for candidates, the other floors are offices.
One you enter the ground floor of the building you are in a stairwell. You walk through the door opposite and you are in the candidate pre-selection block. There is a corridor running the entire length of the block, and there are a number of rooms on the left and the right of the corridor.
There are only three rooms that candidates are allowed in. The first room you are allowed to use is room on the left of the corridor as you enter which is a room with four tables, some chairs, a TV, some videos and some issues of Kepi-Blanc. The TV does not have an antenna, so you won't be watching your favorite TV program!
The next room that is open to you is the bedroom. The room has 10 bunk beds in it, and 2 single beds. The Caporal does not sleep in this room - he has a room next door.
The last room you get to use is the bathroom, which has two showers, two urinals, two toilets and two sinks. One of the toilets is locked and reserved for use by the staff only. Just to add, there was plenty of toilet paper!
Now what happens is that the next working day (Monday-Friday) you get your medical. Until then you simply wait, and don't do much. You can read the magazines, or watch lots of legion videos, or talk, but that’s about it. Each evening about 9pm you take a shower, and you get up at either 5.30am or 6.00am depending on what the Caporal decides. When you get up you have 30 minutes to have a wash and a shave and to make your bed.
A horn is sounded three times a day for food. The Caporal tells you to line up outside, and you follow him to the dining room. Breakfast is a roll, butter and a little pot of jam or honey. You also get a bowl of coffee, hot milk or hot chocolate, depending on what is being served when you get the front of the queue. There are two large drinks machines dispensing the drinks non stop, but it still takes a couple of minutes to get to get served.
When the Caporal finishes his food and stands up, so do you. Don't bother taking another mouthful, or he will get annoyed at you. Lunch is something like 4 different pieces of sliced meat, and some vegetables/salad. It is a cold meal. Dinner is a hot meal; during the weekend I had pizza one day and lasagna the next.
The group of us in the pre-selection block had very little else to do. We had to clean the inside and the outside of the block, which took about 45 minutes, and we had to water the plants - another 30 minutes. That was it as far as exercise goes.
This morning was the medical. You are weighed, and your height is measured. You then go and see the Commandant (the medical officer), who on this occasion took about 15 seconds to see each person. After this you have a blood test which amongst other things they check to see if you have taken drugs.
At this point one of the medics walked out and said I was medically unfit - I weigh too much for my height. Now here is a word of warning - I am guessing that they simply use the BMI scale to work out if you are obese or not. The BMI scale does not take into account muscle mass, so if you are extra muscular you really do need to trim it off. The Caporal disappeared into the medical room and when he came back he told me I was 5 pounds overweight. Fortunately, though, I get to go back in 3 months for another try. From what I saw, the people who passed the medical were either lean or skinny. Nobody was either muscled or fat.
After this we all returned to the pre-selection center. I was given my documents and money back and the Caporal-Chef walked me to the front gate. And here I am in the only internet cafe that I could find in Aubagne, writing this while it is all still fresh in my mind.
So that's what I did for the weekend. In the next post I will write what I saw happening to the other candidates who had passed a bit further in the process.
Part Two...
This is going to be a little bit disjoined, as I will type in the order I remember it.
After you have passed your medical test you will be given a pair of black shorts and a black T-shirt to wear. You will also be taken to the block next door, which is where all the other candidates are. Until you get to this block you have very little chance to communicate with the other candidates.
Once you arrive at this block you will get your physical test. In front of the building there are yellow lines painted on the tarmac - this is for the 20m Multi-Stage Fitness test (the Beep Test). You also have a set of bars for pull-ups.
The minimum requirements are:
Level 7 of the Multi Stage fitness Test, 5 good pull ups, 40 sit ups and climb up and down a rope once.
You will see other recruits in a green T-shirts. They have progressed a bit further in the process. Finally you will see candidates wearing either combat uniforms and rangers boots or white shorts and a white T-shirt and identical socks and trainers. Those are the Rouge, and they have made it through selection and are waiting to go to training.
In the dining room people line up according to whether they are rouge, vert or noir. Rouge first, then vert then noir.
The caporals during selection tend to be a little harder on people from the US, England, Australia, etc. I have no idea why.
An example happened last night. Two of the rouges, an American and an Australian were given a lot of push-ups to do. In the end they said they wanted to go civil, which is what happened to them. The amazing thing is that they knew that they were going to training first thing morning, but they still quit.
That's about it folks. Questions and comments are welcome!