Anyone here ever been in the French Foreign Legion?

Question

I am thinking of enlisting so just curious about peoples experiences

Answer 1

The Legion is an elite unit and its training is similar to other elite units in armies everywhere. ie. SAS, Rangers, etc.

The training is complicated by the fact that many recruits don't speak French and must learn a new language while being trained in military skills.

The Legion's tradition of being a refuge for various types of hard cases also means they developed a certain willingness to resort to both extreme discipline and physical violence to keep recruits in line.

Men who might have been discharged by other services are retained by the Legion. Almost anything except genuine psychosis and acts of actual mutiny can be forgiven even if punished very harshly.

Answer 2

My Grandfather was many many years ago...

He loved it and still speaks of it often...

He says they were considered "crazy" and "wild"... "bad seed" if you like...

Answer 3

Its a lot of crazy people that have committed some pretty harsh crimes.  They come from all over the world, and if entering due to a criminal record, they give you a whole new Identity and you basically become a new person.  You under go intense military training.  You can only serve 7 years I believe it was. Then they give you the option of either leaving, returning to a 'normal' life and you can retain your old identity, or you can continue serving for the FFL.  

After serving in the Legion for a certain period of time, a legionnaire may apply for French citizenship. A legionnaire of foreign nationality can ask for French nationality after three years service. He must be serving under his real name and no longer have problems with the authorities, and he must have served with “honour and fidelity” for at least three years. French nationality cannot be granted under declared identity. Furthermore, a soldier who becomes injured during a battle for France, can apply for French citizenship under a provision known as “Français par le sang versé” (”French by spilled blood”).