Question:
How hard is French Foreign Legion training?
Kory
2011-05-12 13:23:14 UTC
I'm in High School and American but I want to join the French Foreign Legion. I'm a sophomore, so I have time to make up my mind but I know this is what I want to do, I heard training is rigorous, so I'm going to prepare myself not only physically, but mentally for what is to come. Why I want to join is irrelevant to this question and a story for another day. The only question I have is how hard is it? Brutal honesty too, detail if possible. Another question I have is, when I join, do I become a dual citizen, or do I forfeit my American citizenship?
Nineteen answers:
Tabby_Leg
2011-05-12 13:55:50 UTC
The training is very brutal both physically and mentally. You will train in the heat and desert of North Africa. The food and water is minimal. They will do everything in their power to break you. By French law only foreigners can join the Legion. The training is so intense that few actually make it though the training. Being severely injured is very common (broken bones, concussions, exhaustion, stroke, etc.) They are not friendly and have no intention of being your friend. Unless you speak French you will not understand the language and orders that are given. That is no excuse, but you will learn. If you make it through the training you will be part of the Legion for, i think seven years. But, you don't become a French citizen unless you complete a second tour of duty. If you do complete the second tour of duty, you will be given citizenship and you can retire in Chateau in Provence. The Legion takes care of their own.



I cannot stress how hard this is going to be. Every night there is bed checks to see who has deserted at night. If you make it their training continues in Central American jungles of Gianna. The jungles are so bad that most countries don't send in their military to train their very long. But, the Legion has a permanent location there. There are many jungle diseases that have not even been classified yet you will encounter.



You will be sent to the worst part of any fighting that the French government has to do. Remember to them you are an EXPENDABLE foreign citizen and of no concern to them. That is why they don't allow their own citizens. Just think about it... They send you in when they don't want to endanger their own troops.



But, being the same. If you survive you will become something that many have tried and few have completed. You will be a Legionnaire. They were described as Devils, not Men.



If you have an honest desire for pain and suffering more than you have ever experienced in your life for the next twenty year, reconsider it again. Seriously, it is more harder than you can ever imagine both physically and mentally. You have to be willing to give up your life and let someone take over all your thoughts and actions, without question. If you have to think about it you are not ready. I would strongly suggest you reconsider this idea.



If you want military training try the Marines. They are easier and they won't try to kill you, they let the enemy do that for them.



I think that Man vs.Wild did a segment on the Legion. Try to find it and watch it for more information.



But, really reconsider it. Think of it this way. What is the most disgusting thing you can imagine eating. Let's say fresh dead rabbit eyeballs that are still warm that you cut out. Running twenty miles in the hot summer sun. Well, not even close.
anonymous
2016-09-29 05:29:09 UTC
French Foreign Legion Training
anonymous
2015-08-06 02:12:02 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How hard is French Foreign Legion training?

I'm in High School and American but I want to join the French Foreign Legion. I'm a sophomore, so I have time to make up my mind but I know this is what I want to do, I heard training is rigorous, so I'm going to prepare myself not only physically, but mentally for what is to come. Why...
vlloydjames
2015-01-12 21:38:47 UTC
I was there four years ago, I flew into Paris and took the train to Marseille; previous to this I was a foreign national who served in the US Marine Corps. Being an "old guy" with infantry experience. I found myself comparing it to my previous service. At least just from what I experienced in Aubagne; Aubagne by the way is not the real legion.

From the guys there in selection, they selected the youngest ones there; all us "old guys" including one Turkish commando, one Royal Marine, and a few former French soldiers were not selected.

The selection tests were not that difficult, compared to MEPS in the states, I thought the medical exam was sort of negligent. Any way none of the guys selected were large, most were on the skinny side. So being a kid, I think that you're the type that they want.

If you're still training given the date of your post, I suggest that you work on pullups and running/sprinting, plus lay off the weights. One Bulgarian paratrooper (bodybuilder type) never made it past pre-selection;the reason being that he was too heavy according to their standards. And maybe learn to count in French. Plus learn some basic vocabulary and maybe pick up the French pronunciation. The legionnaire French is confusing, whereas the French spoken outside the gates is more understandable. French is not that hard of a language to learn by the way.
anonymous
2016-12-12 20:28:55 UTC
Hard French
?
2016-01-27 04:40:18 UTC
hard french foreign legion training
Freddy Castellanos
2013-09-27 22:59:40 UTC
ok first of all the legion is NOT for ever second the training is hard harder than the marines and u dont have to become a french citizen yes there will be many dangers but is not impossible if u can fininsh the 5 years in the legion u can do anything i say go for it what doesnt kill u makes u stronger
Steve
2011-05-12 14:02:53 UTC
It is pretty much the same standard as the Regular French Army.

Physically it is easier than ours, their fitness requirements are a lot lower but it is probably mentally harder , i worked with some of their guys a while back and a couple of the English guys that had joined said they had failed our British Infantry selection so joined the Legion as it was easier and that the hardest part of it all was learning French as every command from day 1 is in French.

And Americans are not top of the FFL wanted list either and a young guy with no previous Military experience has little to no chance at all of being recruited these days anyway so i wouldn't worry as they only have around 8,000 total numbers and have plenty of experienced applicants including French who are allowed and do join.
anonymous
2014-01-12 20:11:41 UTC
You have to join for at least 5 years. After that you can reenlist in which case they offer you French citizenship. But in those 5 years you will experience hell and camaraderie like you've never known.
anonymous
2011-05-12 13:28:32 UTC
Legionnaires are heavy duty soldiers. You retain your citizenship because you swear alegiance to the legion, not France. After serving out your enlistment honorably you are offered French citizenship but you don't have to take it.
anonymous
2016-07-17 07:50:55 UTC
Speaking French & Loving German Culture!
anonymous
2014-10-29 19:30:38 UTC
I understand this is a old post but for people who are considering of joining, understand 1 thing: all you have is your team, the french army will not come for you if you are hurt in combat, you are considered a PMC
?
2015-02-23 21:44:52 UTC
I have carry this graving in my heart for so many years to join the ffl the training or what ever that comes up ill face it is. My wish my dream my heart to join the ffl even if they break or build me its all in the mind to say i can make it and i know i will make it doesnt matter what it takes from me ill prove it to myself to say after 5years i did it and stil want to be at the ffl thats is my heart and soul laying there
?
2015-09-09 08:51:42 UTC
the 5 years is it of training only and perfection or is plus being taken for missions and i mean real ones?
anonymous
2011-05-12 13:30:52 UTC
Good GOD, lad! That is NOT what you want to do. It isn't just "training" and then you have like time off or a normal life and wife and family somewhere part of the time... it is absolutely TOTAL mind kontrolle and for the rest of your life. Beyond that it is TOUGHER than anything else on the planet, you can NEVER get out except by dying and yes! you DO lose the citizenship of whatever country you originally came from and become a "citizen" of nowhere but the French Foreign Legion itself... FOREVER! And I do mean there is NO getting out... no how, no way. They DO protect you from being executed for murder by whatever country you fled from, however, which is why it is generally the resort of murderers who are facing the death penalty. It is ONLY better than being executed. If you want "tough" join the Marines! They are PLENTY tough, not a nightmare.
anonymous
2014-08-28 08:34:47 UTC
Apparently very hard i belive that to be the right answer as the documentarys are very detailed
anonymous
2016-05-28 12:45:54 UTC
think about anal with a horse.... BOOM
anonymous
2014-08-11 17:51:09 UTC
Disloyal *****. Join the ****** marines or somethin
anonymous
2011-05-12 13:24:12 UTC
"VERY"


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