The French Foreign Legion. La Legion Etranger Contents: Introduction 1 History 3 Joining . 10 The Language Problem 13 Aubagne and Selection . 14 Castelnaudary - Basic Training '75 Your Instructors 27 The Numbers 30 The Songs 34 La Present 36 Bel-Air . 39 Presentation of the Kepi Blanc 41 Le Code D'Honneur 43 A Typical Day 46 Time Off 50 Guard Duty 54 La Legion C'est Dur Mais Gammel C'est Sur 57 Le Raid. 60 How Hard? 62 Brutality 63 The Contract 64 Life in Jail 70 Camerone Day 72 Legion Rules 74 Regiment Postings 76 Trades within the Legion 83 Dress & Equipement 84 Christmas Time 89 Format of a Regiment 91 Weapons of the Legion . 93 Pay in the Legion 97 The Ranks 100 Leave / Holidays 102 Desertion 104 Useful Phrases 105 A few helpful words 107 Appendix 109 Recruiting Centres in France 121 Bibliography 126 THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION (La Legion Etrangere) Introduction. There are those in life that dream of doing things and those that turn dreams into reality. The French Foreign Legion today, is alive and kicking and as always, actively recruiting. It is an army surrounded by romance, myth and intrigue, with over a hundred and fifty years of history and a reputation that's a tough one to beat. It is one of those things that most people only hear about or had a friend of a friend who actually went and did it. But for some who have bought this book - it will not be enough to just read through, and put down. You will take it upon yourselves to make the dream become a reality. It may be that you are merely in search of adventure - perhaps you are trying to escape your past, or maybe you feel that you are in some real danger. Many people join the French Foreign Legion because they think they have a problem and they come to the Legion to overcome that problem - it is up to you to decide whether the Legion is the right solution to that particular dilemma. Sometimes, not an easy decision to make. And then there are those from the former eastern block countries, or for that matter absolutely any country in the world, who seek a new life in the western world accompanied by the French passport. (On completion of the first five year contract). For these people it is a golden opportunity. The Legion, if it does decide to take you into its fold, will provide you with a new identity and will protect you from your past if necessary. Your time served with the Foreign Legion will certainly take you on many adventures. From the moment you join, the Legion is your home and from then on it is your family. (The Legion motto - "Legio Patria Nostra" means exactly that - The Legion is our home) There are Legionnaires who have served many years of service and have only revisited their native country once or twice in all their years of service. They find that they are happier and more contented to spend their time in France. One thing that should be said however is that it is an experience in life that cannot be explained or learnt from tales recounted or books read - no matter how many. To understand the Foreign Legion - it has to be done. An ex-Legionnaire with five years service could sit you down and talk to you for five years and a similar Legionnaire with fifteen years service could sit you down and talk to you for fifteen years - but you still would not really know what it is like until you have actually been there and done it yourself. This book is no different in that respect, but what it tries to do, is to give you the information required to get you into the French Foreign Legion, to equip you with the knowledge of what to expect and what not to expect, how best to get along and how to make the most of your time in the Legion. Perhaps how to prepare you for some of the times ahead which may lead you to frustration for lack of understanding. It can be a bewildering experience learning the ways of the Legion during the first year. More often than not though, there is method in their madness. The decision to join is rarely made on the spur of the moment - at very least it has been in the back of the "engage volontaire 's " (recruit's) mind for some time - if 2 not many years. The potential Legionnaire has probably read books about the Legion and talked to people who have been there and done it. If they do decide to join, they will experience adventures which are second to none, meet friends that will last a lifetime. They will travel all over the world and carry with them memories that will stay with them till their last dying breath. Make no mistake however, that serving five years in the French Foreign Legion is not easy. Rest assured that all Legionnaires at sometime during their contract feel at their wits end, they feel like a prisoner in a cell, they sink to their deepest depths of depression and doom. It will not be easy - especially from the mental point of view. Few who join the French Foreign Legion know what to expect - some find it so hard mentally to adjust to their new way of life that they try to desert - and some take it to even greater lengths and try to dispose of their life altogether. The longer you serve in the Foreign Legion - the easier life becomes. With promotion and time served comes it's just rewards as it does in any army. The one great advantage in the French Foreign Legion is that promotion can come relatively quickly for those that are deserving. History of the French Foreign Legion. Formation: 9' March 1831. The French Foreign Legion was formed on the 9 of March 1831. It's authority was signed by Louis-Philippe - the King of France. His position as King was weakening and the Legion was readily formed in order that Louis- Philippe could maintain his position on the throne. The oAicers were gathered in from Napoleon's Grande Armee and the men were recruited from Italy, Spain, Switzerland and other European countries. There were 3 also some Frenchmen recruits who were trying to escape the attention of their local Police. Sebastopol 1853 - 1856. It was the aim of France to assist Turkey in their fight to win over free passage of the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. After a brief victory the 1 ere and 2eme RE's final attempt to win the town of Sebastopol ended in a blockade which lasted a year. After suffering a year of horrendous weather and illness, the Legion could wait no longer and attempted to take the town but failed badly and took heavy casulaties. They tried again, but it was not until their third attempt on the 8 September 1855 that they succeeded. Camerone 1863. On the 30 April 1863 the 3eme company of the RE in Mexico were given a mission - to ensure the safe arrival of vital supplies down the road from Vera Cruz to Puebla in Mexico. This would assist in the blockade of Puebla. Before they had time to arrive at their destination they were attacked by nearly a thousand Mexican troops. They had just stopped for a morning coffee when they were attacked. Capitaine Danjou started to reposition his men in a derelict building they had passed only minutes earlier. He knew this would afford them some cover from enemy fire. Before they could get there, the cavalry were charging. They staved off the attack and continued towards the building. They had barely arrived and a second wave arrived. There were sixty five Legionnaires to fight the ensueing hoards - numbered at nearly two thousand. Quickly they prepared a hasty defence and were greeted by a Mexican messenger who offered them an honourable surrender. On top of the roof lay a Polish legionnaire Sergent who told the Mexicans what they could do with their surrender. The cavalry charged once more, but the Legionnaires beat them back yet again. Not 4 without loss however - the Capitaine Danjou had been badly injured. Before he died though, he made all his men promise that they would never surrender. By mid morning the Legionnaires were almost out of ammunition. They had no food and no water. Again the Legionnaires refused to surrender. By late that afternoon there were just twelve Legionnaires leA and no more ammunition - It then turned to hand to hand fighting and soon there were just five Legionaires who remained to face two thousand. The Legionnaires advanced towards the enemy. Two of the five were shot down as they advanced. At that point - the Mexican Colonel arrived and saw the situation - he again offered a surrender. The Legionnaires agreed - but only if they could keep their weapons. The Mexican Colonel agreed saying "I can refuse nothing to men like you". The Legionnaires had indeed achieved their mission - they had made safe the passage of supplies to Puebla by alerting nearby troops of the hoarding Mexicans and had occupied the enemy for nearly a full day. Every year, on the 30 April, in every quarter of the French Foreign Legion - this day is remembered and is known simply as Camerone Day. It is celebrated with great zealousness and pride. At Aubagne, the wooden hand of Capitaine Danjou is paraded before the Regiment and all its privileged guests. Mexico 1863-1867. The Legion continued fighting in Mexico for a further four years before being ordered back to France to deal with more pressing matters at home. The Mexicans were now being backed by the Americans and there was little chance of victory. Besides, France's security was threatened and that was far more important than any foreign soil. The Legion had however made a name for themselves and so assured their own future existence - 5 All was not lost. Had it not been for the war in Mexico - perhaps the Legion would not be here today. Tonkin 1883. Tonkin was a French Protectorate in Indo-China overrun by pirates. The French Commander, Admiral Courbet attacked the Fort Son Tay and Fort Bac Ninh and then had the task of defending the Fort Tuyen Quang. For nearly two months the Legion held out against constant attacks from the Chinese but eventually help arrived - The Legion had however lost a third of its company strength. To the North a battle was going on but came swiftly to a close and a treaty was signed on 1" April 1885. From thereon the Legion's role was to promote peace and tranquility and rebuild the damage done. Madagscar 1895. Following a disagreement between the Queen of Madagascar and the French Republic, an expeditionary force was sent to Dahomey and then on to Madagascar. The Legionnaires immediately started to build a road from where they docked to the objective - a place called Tananarive. A distance of 250 miles. They built and fought their way to the objective and when they finally arrived, after three and a half months, the enemy gave up without a fight. The 1" World War 1914-1918. In 1914 the II/1" RE saw action at the battle of Artois where heavy losses were taken. (nearly two thousand in all). They were reformed and one month later were again heavily defeated at Givenchy. They were finally defeated so badly that they had to be disbanded in September 1914. As a result of this the RMLE was formed (French Foreign Legion Marching regiment) whose job it was to preceed any troops into battle. 6 The RMLE took part in many battles around France and took many thousands of casulaties. Their most memorable was the skilful soldiering which took place in the trenches of Rheims. They cleared over four miles of enemy trenches, with just their rifles, bayonets and grenades. The next great feat was in the Verdun sector where the Legion succeeded in its mission of recapturing many of its old positions. This they did in double quick time and with few losses. Swiftly, the Legion was shifted to Amiens where they again took heavy casualties and were forced to retreat. It was not long before they were again diverted to hold shut the passageway to Paris. Again they succeeded - but only after much blood letting of it's own men. In July 1918 the French made their offensive and despite still further heavy losses, much progress was made. For nearly two weeks the Legion battered, clawed and fought their way through the Hindeburg Line. For their efforts in the first world war the Legion had become highly decorated. World War 1939-45 In June 1940 the 11 REI was almost entirely wiped out by a German division in Verdun. The remaining men were captured but nearly all of them managed to escape to fight again. The Regiment was however disbanded. In the same year the 13DBLE was sent to Norway to ultimately capture Narvik from the Germans. On the way to Narvik they caused much damage and destruction to German forces and aircraft. Due to German advances towards Paris, the Legion had to quickly re-deploy and assist in the defence of the Parisien quarter. It was not long after the troubles had been qwelled in the Parisian region, that the Legion's services were again required. It was this time the Italians in Eritrea, Africa who required their attention. 7 Indo-China 1940-1954. Thailand attempted a takeover of Cambodia in 1940 but were briefly prevented from doing so by the Legion. The Legion's efforts were wasted however, and as a result of conciliation Cambodia was handed over anyway. There was really only one unit of the Legion that was now based here, that being the 5REI. Again the Legion avoided combat in the South, due to further negotiation - but this was not to be for long and the Legionnaires based at the garrison at Ha Giang were soon massacred. Two battalions remained and started a death march towards China. Before arriving in China the war had ended but was quickly replaced by another, this time with Ho Chi Minh and his communists. This war would last nine years. In 1945 the 5REI left to be replaced by a long line of legion Regiments - The 2 REI, 13DBLE, 1 REC and the 3 REI. In the meantime the 3REI remained to fight in other areas. In 1948 they too suffered heavy losses. In 1950 access to the border with Indo-China was granted to the Chinese People's army. In 1950 the 3 REI were ordered to move location but were caught up in a massive ambush which almost completely wiped out the French forces in the region. The 13DBLE had more luck however and saw many victories during 1951. The 3REI which had also been reformed saw victory also in 1952 at Strongpoint 24. Soon afterwards the 1BEP jumped into Dien Bien Phu and took the area and quickly installed a garrison. They were attacked and despite support provided by the 2 BEP, were all but completely wiped out. For the Legionnaires in Indo China the war was now over. Algeria 1953 - 1961. Before they could so much as go on Permission, they found themselves back in Algieria, ready to fight another war. This time against the Algerian National Liberation 8 Army. Although the Legion had deployed nearly twenty thousand men to the region they were to come across little more than enthusiastic skirmishes in the years that followed. These were to deteriorate to petty guerilla tactics after not too long. Let down by the politicians, the Legion were ordered home in 1961. There losses amounted to little more than a thousand men. Feeling let down - there was a mutiny and the 1 REP was, as a result disbanded. Kolwezi 1978. As a result of an attempted takeover by Angolan Tiger Rebels, Kolwezi in Zaire, was seized. They violated the town, raping and pillaging wherever they pleased. There were many Europeans caught up in the crisis - some taken hostage. A distress signal was sent out requesting help from Europe, to which the 2 REF was activated. After a lightning deployment, the 2 REP dropped in after only fifteen hours. After a solid week of fighting and close quarter battles the Legionnaires had all but wiped out the Tiger rebels and freed the petrified European hostages. This was one of the Legion's most successful missions which earnt them recognition all over the world. Lebanon 1982 - 1983. It was again the 2REP who were chosen in this peacekeeping role, accompanied later by the 2REI, 1RE and the 1 REC. Like many peacekeeping roles it was not an easy job, but one which, as usual, the Legion carried out meticulously and without complaint. Gulf War 1991. In September 1990 the 2REI, the 6REG and the 1 REC were sent to the Gulf in anticipation of Saddam Husseins threats against the world. After six long months waiting and a build up of world forces which had not been seen 9 since World War Two, the war began. The air offensive was won first - this took four weeks, after which the coalition forces penetrated deep into Iraq. It was referred to as a Blitzkrieg (Lightning war) and only three Legionnaires died. Al Salman airport was taken by the Legion forces with little resistance. The Legion's task was then to safeguard any retreat by the Republican Guarde to the West. Very light casualties were taken and after one hundred hours fighting on the ground the war was over. Mogadishu 4k, Bosnia 1992-96. More recently the Legion was again asked to carry out peace keeping roles in war torn areas of the globe. Under the direction of the United Nations, the 2 REP were kept on a tight leash in Mogadishu but the 2 REI accompanied by the 1 REC managed to carry out various clandestine operations in Bosnia in 1992-1995. The Legion were able to make use of the mother tongue of its men in such scenarios to great effect. Casualties were light in both areas of conflict. L'Engagement- Joining. Joining the French Foreign Legion is a relatively simple task. In simple terms all that is required is to present yourself in front of the gates of the French Foreign Legion and inform the guard that you wish to enlist. To enter France from Great Britain there are ferry crossings from Plymouth, Portsmouth and Dover. There are also of course the airports which will connect you directly to France's main cities. Some flights are extremely cheap and it is worth shopping around when at the airport itself or nowadays you can use the teletext service on television. The routes into France and the direction from which you 10 come are many and varied, and none of this is any more a problem than it would be for an everyday tourist. When you arrive at the gates of one of the recruiting centres (All of which are listed towards the end of this book) most people, wherever they come from, manage to mumble a few words to express a wish to join - some of which include Legion Etrangere. The Legionnaire on duty knows exactly what you've come for - particularly if you've got a bag over your shoulder. If you want to be more precise in your initial approach you could say something like this: "Bonjour - Je suis Anglais, Je suis venus pour joindre La Legion Etrangere". Pronounced as follows: "Bonjoor, - Jer sweez Onglay, Jer swee venoo poor joo- wondre La Lejon Ay-tranj-air. " This little parole may initially work against you since they may assume that you speak a reasonable level of French - and then you're all of a sudden, going to go all quiet on them. But they will at least get the message loud and clear that you want to join. Once in France however there are 17 recruiting centres to choose from; situated in most of the major cities. For the most hassle free route into the Legion you should make your way down to Aubagne near Marseille in the south. This approach will cut out 2-3 days administration at one of the other "sub recruiting centres". If you are stuck for cash though, and want to get in quickly, the northern most recruiting centre is Lille. Some centres are more difficult to find than others but the local Gendarme will help you if you have difficulty. It is illegal for France to advertise a 11 career in the Foreign Legion in any other country than its own, but you will see posters all over France saying "Regarde la Vie Autrement" promoting you to "Have a look at the alternative life" - images of hardened Legionnaires stood in their Tenue De Garde gazing across the desert sands. When you first arrive they will take your details and kit you out with a track suit. Apart from an initial medical and the signing of a provisional five year contract there is little to do here. Your time will be spent working on the Quartier (Camp) doing any jobs that are in need of being done until a reasonable number of engages volontaires have turned up. Once you have been at the sub-recruiting centre for a few days and there are enough recruits ready, a Caporal Chef or a Sergent will accompany you down to Aubagne itself to start the three week selection procedure. This journey is nearly always taken by train. The age limits are officially 18-40. Candidates over seventeen and one day are accepted but must have a written consent from either parent, made out in front of an official witness. All expenses to get to France must be paid for by yourself. On arriving in France - Lille is the closest recruiting office. Anybody who is ex-forces would be well advised to take a photocopy of their certificate of discharge with them. (Any members of British forces who are found to be still serving under HM are immediately refused entry). Although the recruiting ages will extend to forty years of age - they will expect you to be in good shape if you are of that vintage. If the Legion does not think that you look like you're going to be up to it - they can turn you away without even giving you a crack at the first test. 12 Once you have walked through the Legion gates you are allowed no further contact with the outside world - neither by phone or by mail, for at least three to four months. Le Langage - The Language Problem. There really is not a problem in this area - it is an area which most people dread and feel will present the biggest problem of all, and it is true to say that there is no requirement to speak any level of French at the time of joining. Having said that - any time spent learning the French language prior to joining will pay dividends very quickly once you have arrived. Even a basic knowledge of verbs, nouns and tenses will set you in good stead with the rest of the Section. It is certainly not something to worry about however - Even if you don't have the time or are in a rush to join, the language comes very quickly for most English speaking people. The ones who find it most difficult are undoubtedly the Japanese, the Chinese and those who come from countries whose language is far removed from the French language. Initially there will be somebody of your own tongue to help explain the contract and to fill in the forms during the first few weeks at Aubagne. Likewise the "Gestapo interview" is also carried out by somebody of your own tongue. As mentioned previously, if you take a small phrase book with a built in dictionary, it will speed up the language learning process no end. Mixing with the French and talking French will also accelerate your learning curve. The sooner you're speaking fluent French and are classed as a "Francophone" (French speaking person) the sooner life becomes easier - You don't have to rely on the French members of your Section or Groupe to translate after every assembly. It will also mean less press-ups and 13 running around because of misunderstood orders. Remember that the top dogs during basic training are given a choice of which Regiment they are sent to on completion of "L 'Instruction" (Basic training). If you are deemed to be a good enough recruit they will probably offer you a place as a Caporal (Corporal) at Castelnaudary. This assessment will depend very much on the standard of your conversational French as well as your soldiering skills. The written side of the French language is not so important at this stage and will not become really important until much later on in your career. Aubugne and the Selection Procedure: (Centre de Selection et Incorporation - CSI) Aubagne is situated about an hour's train journey north of Marseille and it is here that you will begin and end your service with the French Foreign Legion. It is also the home of the ler REI and the Legion Band. The guartier (Camp) is sometimes known as the Mother regiment of the Foreign Legion. The Legion must now decide for sure whether or not to take you into the fold. It is here that they will find out about your past, they will test you mentally, physically and psychologically. You will be assessed and watched very closely. Any misconduct (Particularly fighting and ill-discipline) will leave you standing on the outside of the Qguartier gates. The Legion are not looking for nutters, psychopaths or macho men. They will also attempt to find out any details about any crimes that you have committed in the past. They work very closely with Interpol and if you happen to be on their wanted list you can expect little refuge in the Legion. You will be handed straight over to the Gendarmes. Similarly, anybody found to be still serving with a foreign army will be denied entry to the 14 Foreign Legion. It is therefore advisable to carry your discharge papers if you have recently left the forces and have the appearance of having had a military background. In days gone by the Legion used to accept almost anyone into their fold. Today however, the story is a little different and they are much more choosy as to who they accept. About two thirds of those who arrive at Aubagne will go on to commence basic training at Castelnaudary (The centre for instruction for the French Foreign Legion). Although the Legion is more choosy they are still keen to recruit and if you are in reasonable shape, not wanted by Interpol and pass all the tests which are put before you - (None of which are extremely difficult) then the chances are that they will snap you up. Because there is so much mis-information about the Foreign Legion there are sometimes men who resemble little more than beggars who turn up at the Legion's gates to join - people whose teeth are rotting, are grossly overweight or have vile infections - they are all turned away. On arrival at Aubagne your belongings will be removed and deposited in a plastic bag with a record of all its contents put on file. If during the first three weeks you decide to leave (And you are allowed to do this at any time prior to "La Declaration"- a solemn declaration of fidelity to serve the French Foreign Legion) or are deemed to be unsuitable for service with the French Foreign Legion they will all be returned to you. The only items of kit that may be retained by you are toiletries, a watch, underwear and socks and a French dictionary/phrase book. If however you are accepted into the Legion the clothing is lost forever - do not therefore wear expensive clothing when you come to enlist. Your passport will also be removed until you either opt to leave within the three weeks selection or at the end of your contract. 15 For these first three weeks you will assigned to duties around the Quartier. They may be cleaning, gardening, administration, loading or unloading of vehicles or just helping in the stores. In fact you can be assigned to just about anything. Even here you are being watched and if a bad attitude is shown it will be noted. There will probably be up to about fifty or sixty engages volontaires at Aubagne at any one time, all at various stages of their three weeks selection. A coach load of new recruits arrives every couple of days and likewise, every day, some are rejected. Once every couple of weeks a coach load of the successful E.V's (Engages volontaires) are taken down to the train station to make their way to Castelnaudary to begin their basic training. During your first few days you will be amazed at the diversity of nationalities that have managed to get themselves all the way to France - people from China, Japan, America, Africa, Iceland. In fact - any country in the world. There are approximately ninety to a hundred different nationalities serving in the French Foreign Legion at any one time. Officially however, there are no Frenchmen in the Foreign Legion (Apart from the Officiers). Any French people who join have their identity changed along with their nationality to one of French Canadian or French Swiss for the purpose of their records. They have no choice in this matter. There are some people amongst you though, who have had a very colourful life - some have been terrorists, drug traffickers, mercenaries - you name it they've done it. But for all these people the same rule applies that if they are wanted by Interpol - it's no go. If for any reason you want your identity changed and you are open and honest with the interviewer, it is nowadays a very simple step to take and probably 80% of Legionnaires choose to take this road. For some it is a very serious business and if ever they have inadvertedly had their picture taken by swarming journalists (As in the Gulf war) and are aware of it they will very quickly see their Section Lieutenant to arrange a quick change of 16 identity. (Normally if any journalists are known to be in the area, the Legionnaires present are asked it they have a problem with journalists - if they do - they are taken out of that area and kept well out of the way until the media have left. If, during your stay at Aubagne any relatives come looking for you they will be kept at the main gates. You will be asked if you wish to see them and if you do not they will be told politely you are not in the Legion and asked to leave. After a minimum of three years service in the Legion a legionnaire is allowed to rectify his name - meaning to revert back to his original name or to confirm that the name being used is correct. Once this is done a Legionnaire is allowed to wear any foreign medals earnt in a previous army, he may also leave the country during permission. For the first week you will be in a track suit and thereby identifiable as having just arrived. During the second week you will be issued a set of combats and will wear a green flash on the shoulders. In the third week you will wear the same combats but wearing a red flash on the epaulettes. When you depart for Castelnaudary you will be wearing the uniform that has offically been issued, which includes the Legion beret. There are five main areas that you will be tested/assessed on during the three weeks. They are as follows: Physical health. Psychotechnical Test. Security clearance. Physical fitness. Two interviews. 17 Physical Health. (Infirmier - Medicaux - Visite d'Incorporation - Bilan) (Medical assistant - Doctors - Recruitment examination - Results) You will pass before the doctors at Aubagne and given a full medical. Tests will include good all round general health, bone structure, flexibility of limbs and all bodily movements, heart and lungs, eyesight, hearing, ear, nose throat inspection, drug tests, blood tests, urine tests. Every area that is imaginable will be inspected. If there are any areas that require further investigation, you will be taken to the Hospital in Toulon. You will be asked various questions on your medical history with someone of your own tongue. If your eyesight is only slightly defective then you will probably still be allowed in and glasses will be provided for you at Castelnaudary. The glasses are specifically designed for use with the NBC (Nucleaire, Biologique, et chimique) respirator. Pschotechnical Test. (Groupe D'Evaluation Psychotechnique) This is broken down into two parts. The two parts will examine the aptitude of the candidate, the level of intelligence and the psycholgical stability. Niveau General et Niveau Culturel. These written tests will be taken in a classroom with other engages volontaires. They are done to try and find out what you trade or skill you might be suited to in the Foreign Legion. You might be technically minded or have a mechanical way of thinking. The test will show diagrams of pulleys or levers and you may be asked to work out which one would be the most effective at carrying out the task illustrated in the diagram. Another part of the test takes the standard form of a mathematical questions. This test of intelligence test is not 18 particularly hard and most pass without any real problem. Some of the questions may be using shapes and asking which one fits into the other or working out the next number in a sequence. A final written test done in the classroom are in your own tongue and will pose questions of an opinionated nature - perhaps requiring some form of self assessment. Your answers will be assessed by a specialist afterwards. Questions may seem bizarre to you - they could be something like: Do you like nature? Are you considered to be a hard man in your home town? Do you prefer male company to female? This test will take about twenty minutes. Depending on your score - you will be allowed entry into the French Foreign Legion. The scores achieved will also determine whether or not you will be able to progress higher up the rank structure at a later date. (The tests are repeated throughout you career however) Security Clearance. (Beaureau Des Statistiques de la Legion Etrangere - BSLE) Here, it is up to the Legion to decide whether or not to accept you into their fold from the security point of view. But they will make every effort to find out every detail about you starting from the year dot. The information will be gathered by means of a personal interview between yourself and someone of your own tongue. This is part of the French Foreign Legion Intelligence service and they are very good at their job. They are referred to as "Le Gestapo" by the Legionnaires. Although the Legion will accept people of various backgrounds they will not accept murderers or those they consider to be of a dangerous nature. They have in the past accepted former terrorists and people caught up in the troubles of their country. For these people it is a chance to to escape any danger they might be in and to start life again. The interview will take about two hours and they will delve into every minute detail of your life; your family, your schooling - your previous jobs - why 19 you want to join. They will ask you about your friends, where you have been in the world. And if they feel they are not happy with your story they will invite you back again for further interviews until they are happy. Your fingerprints will also be taken during this stage and held on record. Physical Fitness. (La Forme Physique) These tests are done to ensure that you are in a reasonable condition to take on the tasks that lie ahead at Castelnaudary. As well as various upper body tests in the form of pull-ups and sit ups there is a 2600 metre run to be completed in twelve minutes. If you take longer than the time allowed then you will have failed selection. (this equates to just over a mile and a half in 12 mins or just over eight minute miles). Failures are allowed to re-apply in three months time. Interviews. (Les entrevues) There will be a brief interview, probably with a Caporal Chef and a second interview with the Major. Both interviews will take on a similar line of questioning - Why do you want to join? What have you done in your previous life? Have you done much physical training in your life? Do you know and understand what the contract means? Soon after you have had your second interview you will be informed of whether or not you have been accepted into the French Foreign Legion. 20 At Aubagne the days will start early, probably at about 5.00am, firstly with Le petit dejeuner (breakfast) - a bowl of hot coffee or chocolate with some bread, butter and jam. The coffee will be served in a bowl which you drink from. This is France now and you will learn to do everything the French way. As you become known to more and more Legionnaires you will quickly learn that it is also customary to shake hands first thing in the morning or for the first time you meet them during the day. This happens every day. There is much to do during the three