nel.

The applicant has been informed that:

1.His services are effective as of the  date of  his signing
this present contract.

2. The present contract carries a probationary period of six
months  eventually  renewable  one  time  (une fois)  by the
military authorities. The  probationary period  takes effect
from the date of signature on this present contract.

       THIS CONTRACT DOES NOT BECOME
       DEFINITIVE UNTIL THE END OF THE
                   PROBATIONARY PERIOD.

3.During the  initial probationary  period the  contract can
be terminated:

3.1 Either at the request of  the recruit  as agreed  by the
military  authorities for  reasons of  a personal  or social
nature or as a result of serious difficulties in  adapting to
the Foreign Legion during the first four months  of service.
In this case the final decision must  have been  notified by

                             67

the military authorities before the end of the probationary
period.

Or at any time, by the military authorities because of:
- a pre-existing condition prior to engagement.
- an inability to adjust to work which the the job entails or
to serve in the ranks of the Foreign Legion.
- an inability to adjust to a military way of life.

4.  During  the  renewed  probationary  period  this contract
can  be terminated  by the  military authorities  for reasons
of unsuitability for  work or  any inability  to adjust  to a
military way of life.

5.  At  any  time  during  the  service  the contract  can be
terminated according to the conditions  laid down  in article
32   of  FLM   no.  2500/DEF/PMAT/EG/B   as  modified   on  4
July 1978 - notably:
- on the request of the recruit for reasons of  a justifiable
and urgent nature, the  details of  which have  occured since
the date on which the contract was signed:

- by reason of physical inability,
   by the military authorities regarding insufficient
professionalism or as a disciplinary measure.

-  Considering  these  details  the  candidate has  agreed to
serve  with  honour  and  faithfulness for  a period  of five
years as of this  day and  undertakes in  the course  of this
contract  not  to  take  advantage  of  French   services  or
qualifications previously held.

The recruit has promised  equally to  serve within  the ranks
of  the   Foreign  Legion   wherever  the   government  might

                             68

deem it necessary to send him, and after having read the
present act has enjoined his signature;

        Recruit's signature.                       Signature
of the administration Officer

                                             of the French

Army or the Deputy Admininstrator.

Probationary period renewable on                  for a period
of  six  months  starting  from  the  date of  confirmation as
decided  by  the  the  Commanding   Officer  of   the  Foreign
Legion.

Contract:  annuled -  terminated -  cancelled(3) -  as decided

by(9)                      on 19
Contract became effective on 19                     (3)

                                                  Chief
Administration Officer for the
                                                  French
Army or the Deputy Administrator.

(1) Name and surname of recruit.
(2) Name of the commissioner of army ground forces or
his acting local representative.
(3) Delete as appropriate.
(4) Once the details are known.

                              69

(5) Name, rank and position of the officer signing the
contract.
(6) If the recruit id less than 18 years old.
(7) If the recruit is French and is not yet satisfied of his
legal obligations, the ministry authorise engagement under
a changed name.
(8) If the recruit does not speak French, he will be given a
reading in his language on the clauses in this act.
(9) Indicate the reason.

If you feel that  the French  Foreign Legion  way of  life is
for  you,  further contracts  can be  signed with  the Legion
after  the initial  five years.  These can  be for  either six
months, one year,  eighteen months,  two years,  three years,
four  years  or  five  years.  Whether  or  not   the  Legion
accepts  you  for  further  service  is  dependant   on  your
conduct during the previous years.

La Vie En Tolle - Life in Jail.

As a Legionnaire it is  unlikely that  you will  experience a
stretch  jail  during  your  basic  training.  Once  you have
been  posted  to  your  respective  regiments   however,  you
will  find  that  it does  not take  any great  crime against
humanity to be sentenced to ten days  in jail  (The statutory
period  for  minor  offences  is a  ten day  period). Offences

                             70

which might  earn you  a ten  day spell  in the  slammer might
be arriving late on camp after  a night  on the  town, failing
to  top  up the  electrolyte in  the vehicle  batteries, being
badly   turned   out   for  guard   duty.  For   more  serious
misdeeds,  the  period  of  time  becomes  longer,  up   to  a
maximum   period   of  forty   days.  Desertion   carries  the
maximum  Legion  penalty  of  forty  days  but  if  the  crime
were  really  serious,  then  you  would  do  the  forty  days
followed by a  period in  a French  civilian jail.  This could
be many years - if the crime were serious enough.

Initially  you  would  be  paraded  in  front  of the  Chef Du
Corps, who will be examining  your case.  It is  up to  him to
decide  whether  or  not  your  are  to  go  to  jail.  He may
decide  that  a  period  of  "Consignes"  is  more appropriate
in the case.  (A period  of time,  normally between  three and
ten  days,  when  extra  corvet  duties  are  allocated during
your  spare  time  and you  are restricted  to the  Quartier -
apart from  that you  would work  a normal  day like  the rest
of  the  section.  This might  be awarded  for having  dirt on
your   weapon   during   an  inspection,   generally  speaking
more menial offences).
If  the  Chef  Du  Corps decides  that you  are going  to jail
then all of your kit issued, and and all of your  personal kit
is  listed,  item  by  item  and  put  away  ready   for  your
release. During  the period  in jail,  you will  wear overalls
and  a  dayglow  orange  waistcoat,  and  a  forage  cap. This
identifies you as  a prisoner  to everyone  on and  around the
Quartier.  The  laces  from  your boots  will be  removed. (To
prevent  you  from  injuring  yourself)  Every  morning  there
will be  some form  of physical  training done  - to  the tune
of  a  five  kilometre  run   with  Sac   a  Dos   around  the
quartier.  The  rest  of  the  day will  be doing  corvette or
painting   curb   stones,   gardening  around   the  quartier,
sweeping  leaves  and  waiting  on  the Legionnaires  that are
doing the guard duty.

                              71

It is tradition in the Legion that your medals are  pinned to
the  door  of  your  cell.  Whatever  medals  you  have  been
awarded during your  years of  service in  the Legion  - they
must also have been  awarded to  the inspecting  officer. For
example,  if  the  medal  is of  a some  valour; such  as the
Legion  D'Honneur  -  then the  inspecting officer  must also
hold  that  medal  -  even  if it  means coming  from another
Quartier.

In days gone by the Legion jail was the  last hell  on earth.
Legionnaires  would  break  rocks in  a quarry  all day  - or
march through the  jungle for  one year  solid in  a straight
line cutting and  thrashing their  way through  dense jungle,
always  under  the  direction  of the  Gardes de  Tolle. They
would  sleep  on  concrete  slabs  with  no  roof  over their
heads.  Even  ten  years  ago it  was a  brutal place  to be.
Prisoners would be  beaten on  a regular  basis and  lived in
fear of the Garde de tolle. Today it is still not a fun place
to  be.  The  days start  at 5.00  am and  end at  8.00pm and
they  are  long  and  hard.  Prisoners  are  not  allowed  to
smoke,  work  like  dogs  and are  kept on  tenterhooks until
the day of their release.

Cumerone - Camerone Day.

On   the   30   April  every   year  the   Legion  celebrates
Camerone  Day.  It  was  on  this  day   in  1863   that  the
Legion's  show  of  bravery  was   marked  down   in  history
forever.  Battle  weary  and  with  their  numbers  being cut
down  until  there  were  only  ten  men left,  no ammunition
and  in  a  foreign  country,   a  handful   of  Legionnaires

                             72

refused  surrender  against  odds  of  nearly  two  thousand
marauding   Mexicans.   The   Capitaine   Danjou   had  made
them  promise  not  to   surrender,  shortly   before  dying
himself.  The  men  were  slowly  being  killed  one  by one
until there were  only three  Legionnaires left.  They faced
the  enemy  with  bayonets  and  prepared themselves  to die
with   honour.   The   Mexicans  did   not  kill   them  but
persuaded a surrender under the Legionnaires terms.

It is as a result  of this  bravery that  the 30th  April is
celebrated  with  such  enthusiasm  every year.  Camerone is
as important as Le Noel - if  not more  so. It  matters not,
wherever the Legion is in  the world  - the  30 of  April is
always celebrated.
The  preparation  for  the  festivities  begins   months  in
advance.  Stands  are  built,  games  are  devised, marquees
errected. The day is not just for Legionnaires but  also for
a select number of family and friends of  the Legion.  It is
the one day of the year that the Legion  opens its  doors to
outsiders.  Only  the  very  leanest  and   meanest  looking
Legionnaires  will  have  the  honour of  being on  guard on
this  day.  Their  uniforms  being  prepared with  even more
care and attention than usual.

The day begins with the roles reversed  in every  section of
the  Quartier.  Le  Legionnaire  le  plus  jeune  (The  most
recent  legionnaire  to  join   the  section)   becomes  the
Caporal du  Jour for  the day.  It is  he who  allocates the
corvette  duties,  and  marches  the  section onto  La Place
D 'Arrne. And it is the Sous officiers and the Officiers who
do the corvet. They will clean the toilets, the showers, the
corridors   -   every   job   normally   allocated   to  the
Legionnaires.
The day will initially start with the Sous o/iciers bringing
the  Petit  dejeuner  to  the  Legionnaires in  their rooms.
They will serve the Legionnaires their  cafe and  bring them
their croissants (pastries). After which they will start the
corvette as directed by the Caporal  du jour.  The tradition

                            73

is  warmly  welcomed  by the  Legionnaires and  no-one is
offended.
Each  Regiment  may  run the  day differently  according to
the wishes of the respective  Chef Du  Corps. It  may start
with  a  run,  ending  with whiskey  and black  pudding and
Legion  songs.  On  returning  to the  Quartier there  is a
parade  by  the  Legionnaires  in  full  Tenue  de  Parade,
followed by the  festivities which  have been  so carefully
prepared. Much wine  is drunk  and food  consumed. It  is a
relaxed day  and enjoyed  by all.  At Aubagne  the Legion's
Anciens  (Former  members)  come to  relive their  past and
to  pay hommage  to their  family. On  this day  every year
the  wooden  hand  of  Capitaine  Danjou  is   on  display,
paraded  before  the  Legion  and  its  guests.   This  act
epitomizes the spirit of the French Foreign Legion.

If you are unlucky enough to find yourself in  jail towards
the end of April - you could be  in for  a reprieve.  It is
tradition  in the  Legion that  if less  than ten  days are
remaining  on  your  sentence  on  Camerone  Day,  then you
are released as  a form  of amnesty  in remembrance  of all
the Legionnaires who died at Camerone in Mexico.

Legion Rules.

There are many rules that  apply in  the Legion  which have
been carried on from tradition. Below are listed but a few:

1. As a Legionnaire you are not allowed to leave the
    "Quartier" in civilian clothing except when going on
    "Permission".

                           74

2. Marriage is only  permitted when  the rank  of Sergent
     is achieved.

3.  Legionnaires  are  not  permitted  to live  off camp.
     (Although some do). They go home in the  evening and
     return by 6.00am. It is normally the Caporaux who do
     this since Legionnaires generally don't  earn enough
     money, especially in France.

4. You are not allowed to own a car  or a  motorbike. You
   may  own  a  push bike  if you  join the  Legion Cycle
   club.  If  you  do  this  you may  only exit  the camp
   wearing the correct Legion cycle wear. These  rules do
   not apply to Caporaux chefs, Sergents or above.

5. You are not allowed to  own a  bank account  or to
     borrow money off others.

6.  Legionnaires  should be  addressed by  their Surnames
   not their Christian names.

7. If allowed out for the evening - you  must be  back by
   6.00am  the following  morning. If  you are  late; the
   punishment is a statutory 10 days in jail.

8. During the first 3 years you are not allowed  to leave
   the  country   during  permission.   (Legionnaires  do
   however   go   abroad   using   only    their   "Carte
   O'Identite"   (ID   card)   and   their   "Titres   de
   Permission" (Leave papers). An  extra rule  applies to
   the  "Deuxieme  REP"  (2nd REP)  at Corsica:  they are
   not allowed to leave the island for the first  year of
   their  first  tour  at  Calvi where  they are  based -
   tradition.

                         75

The Regiment Postings in the Legion.
There  are  eight  Regiments  in  the French  Foreign Legion
plus  half a  brigade based  in Djbouti,  Africa. On  top of
this there are other detachments situated around  the world.
At  present  the  Legion  strength amounts  to approximately
ten thousand men.

1 er REC. (Regiment Etranger de Cavalerie)
ORANGE - France.

This  is situated  next to  a beautiful  town in  S. Eastern
France. It is a Regt for  those who  like a  slightly easier
life. Their role is to service and maintain the tanks  - the
AMX  10's.  They  were  used  extensively  during  the  Gulf
war and proved  extremely reliable.  Operating in  three man
teams, a less stressful life is to be had in  this Regiment.
There is a more relaxed  atmosphere here  plus there  is the
advantage of actually being able to  see a  bit of  France -
which   for  some   people  never   happens  in   the  whole
contract due to the hectic schedule of their regiment.
The  1  REC  forms  part of  France's Force  d'Action Rapide
along with the 2 REI and the 6 REG.

4 erne Regiment . (Regiment D'Instruction)
CASTELNAUDARY. Nr Toulouse - France.

This  is where  you will  carry out  your basic  training. A
small town situated close  to Toulouse.  Not that  you would
see a lot of it during your first stay here. A railway track
runs through the centre of the town and that is where you
will arrive before being picked up  by a  coach to  take you
to the guartier.  There are  two quartiers  in Castelnaudary
-  the  new  Quartier  was  built  around  1985 and  is very
plush.   The   old    camp   in    Castelnaudary   (Quartier
Lepasset) is where many  of the  Legion courses  take place.

                             76

The  Caporaux  courses  (CT1),  the  Sergents  courses  (CT2)
etc.   At   Quartier   Capitaine   Danjou  there   are  three
companies  of  E.V's  and  one  company  for   trained  ranks
who  are  undertaking  courses   in  the   technical  trades,
mechanical trades and signals.  It should  be noted  that the
medics who do their  training here  will be  practicing their
new  found  skills on  you, should  you become  injured. (Not
advisable). The camp  is one  of the  most modernised  of all
the Legion quartiers and is an impressive set-up. It  is also
situated  near  a  town  called  Carcassonne,  home   of  the
French Paras  where there  is sometimes  a ban  on visitation
due   to   the   trouble   that   has   ensued   between  the
Legionnaires  and  the   Paras  over   years.  The   food  at
Castelnaudary is of a very high standard.

lere Regiment. (Regiment De Selection et
d'administration)
AUBAGNE. Nr Marseilles.

This is the  Mother Regiment  of the  Legion. You  will start
your time in the Legion here and you will  end it  here. This
regiment   deals   predominantly   with   administration  and
support  as  well  as  personnel  movements  and  maintaining
all aspects of the Legion's contact  with the  outside world.
It  is  also  the  home of  the Legion  Band and  the museum.
The  Quartier  (guartier  Vienot) is  close to  Marseilles so
there is a fair bit to see  and do  if you  have the  time. A
large  proportion  of  the community  in Marseille  are Arabs
who  have  immigrated  from   Tunisia,  N.Africa.   Again  the
same  sort  of pay  as Castelnaudary  but unlikely  that this
would   be  a   first  posting   for  a   "non  Francophone."
(Someone  who  does  not  speak  French).  On   entering  the
Legion  the  Band  is  always  keen  to  recruit   new  blood
especially  anyone  with  a  musical background  - so  if you
have  played a  musical instrument  but don't  want to  be in
the band keep quiet about your past.

                             77

2 eme REP. (Regiment Etranger des Parachutists)
CALVI - Corsica

This is  the most  prestigious and  most professional  of all
the  Regiments.  The  only  Regt  in  the  Legion to  have an
Airborne capability. It is here that you will also  find "Les
Groupe    de    Commandos    Paracutistes    (Formerly    Les
C.R.A.P  's  -  Commandos  de  Recherche  et  D  'Action dans
la  Profondeur)  -  This  is  the  creme de  la creme  of the
Legion - A sort of recce troop specialising  in a  wide range
of special forces ops. They have a  reputation for  being the
best in the  Legion. The  REP is  made up  to a  large extent
of Brits and Germans. With this built in  cultural discipline
there  is  firm  ground  for quality  soldiering to  be built
upon.
For  their professionalism  and their  parachuting capability
they are paid one  of the  highest salaries  in the  Legion -
around  about  E650  per  month  for  a  Legionnaire deuxieme
classe.   (Everything   is   however   very    expensive   on
Corsica).  There  are  frequent  fracas  with the  locals and
plenty  of  good  looking  German and  Italian talent  on the
beaches in the summertime.
This  is  also the  Regiment most  renowned for  bullshit. In
the 2eme REP  there are  three "Apels"  per day.  First thing
in the morning, after lunch and at 9.00pm in the evening.
The  island is  however a  very beautiful  one and  if you're
into physical training then  maybe this  is the  Regiment for
you. Along  with the  relatively high  pay, the  prestige and
the  emphasis  on  sport  -  this  is  a  popular  choice for
Legionnaires  leaving   Castelnaudary.  The   uniform  sports
the  Deurieme  REP   cap  badge   (The  winged   dagger)  and
the  Fourragere  (Lanyard)  is  red.  This  all  adds  to the
attraction  of  the   2eme  REP.   The  contract   will  last
probably  2 yrs  before being  posted, but  many opt  to stay
longer.   This   particular  Regt   is  frequently   away  on
detachments;  normally  for  four  months  at a  time. Places

                             78

such  as  Djibouti,  Central Africa.  French Guyana
S.America. Promotion is slow and courses are harder
since the competition is tougher.
If you are out to be the  best then  the 2eme  REP has  a lot
to  offer.  On  arriving  at  Camp Rafalli  in Corsica  - the
initial four months or so are spent  on further  training and
doing  the  "Jumps course"  - until  you have  completed this
you  cannot  be  effected  to  a  fighting  company  and  are
consequently  not  regarded  as  a  trained rank.  Indeed you
will  probably feel  exactly the  same as  if you  were still
under  instruction.  Further  fieldcraft training  and combat
experience  will  be  gained  during  your  first  year. Only
after  then  can  you  consider yourself  to have  taken your
place  properly  in the  2 REP.  Once in  "The REP"  there is
much  emphasis  on  physical  training  and there  are plenty
of  clubs  on  camp,  Kick   boxing,  Cycling,   Clay  pigeon
shooting etc etc.
It is tradition in this regiment to be confined to the island
for the first year  of the  first posting  there. It  is also
tradition for the whole regiment to  march across  the island
from  one  side  to the  other once  a year  - a  distance of
about 200kms (Very hilly, barren and rugged country).

3 REI. (Regiment Etranger D'Infanterie).
F. GUYANE - S.America

This  Regiment  is either  loved or  hated. Based  in Kourou,
French  Guyana,  it  is   a  unique   world  of   action  and
adventure.  The  pay  is not  the greatest  in the  world but
there are plenty of stories to be told after  a two  year tour
here.  A lot  of  the  Legion's  work here  is run  from boats
hollowed out of  trees known  as "pirogues",  as are  used by
the natives of the country. The  role of  the Legion  in this
area  is to  protect the  rocket sight  "Ariane", to  man the
surveillance  posts  between  Brazil   and  Surinam   and  to
ensure   the   safety   of   the  regional   headquarters  at
Martinique.  There  has  been  a  war  going  on   in  nearby

                             79

Suriname  for  some  years  and  every now  and again  a body
is  seen floating  down the  river as  a result  of mercenary
operations   that   go   on.   French   Guyana   consists  of
hundreds  of  square   miles  of   tropical  jungle   and  is
extremely  hot  and  humid.  You  are  permanently   wet  and
fungal infections  are rife.  The jungle  is full  of natural
dangers and whether it is animal or vegetable it  will either
bite you or  sting you.  The constant  noise of  birdsong can
also  drive  you  to  insanity.  The  hardest part  of jungle
training is often considered  to be  the assault  course which
has to be one of the toughest in the world.
Pay  for this  Regiment is  about F4500  per month.  The beer
is cheap and there was, until recently a  brothel run  by the
Legion on camp (this  was the  last Regiment  to run  its own
brothel).  Their  were  four  local  girls  who  were changed
once every couple of months.

13 DBLE (13eme Demi-Brigade de la Legion
Etrangere)
DJBOUTI - NE Africa.

This unit is re-inforced by  a rotating  company of  the 2eme
REP  or  the  2eme  REI.  It's  duties  are to  guarantee the
defence,  territorial  integrity  and  independence   of  the
Republic   of   Djbouti.  Geographically   the  13   DBLE  is
situated in a very strategic position - It has instant access
to  the  Indian  ocean  and  is  close  enough  to facilitate
control  of  the   Red  Sea   and  the   Suez  canal.   As  a
Legionnaire  posted  in  Djbouti  you  can  expect  to  be on
bush   tours   and   nomadisation   exercises   as   well  as
amphibious  training.  Soldiering  in  Djbouti  can  be tense
and  tribal  friction  is  commonplace.  There  are  constant
patrols  along  the  northern frontier  of the  Ethiopean and
Eritrean borders.
Normally   Legionnaires   are   posted  to   Quartier  Gabode
after several  years of  service. This  is the  only regiment

                             80

where there is a lot of  money to  be made.  Not only  do you
earn a lot more money here but you have  little to  spend it
on, everything is cheap in this  part of  the world  and you
have  no  Permission during  your time  in Djbouti.  (You do
have a big  back-log of  permission after  the tour  though -
so  you  can  end up  with several  thousand pounds  in cash
plus three months leave after a two year stint in  Djbouti -
even as  a Legionnaire.)  On top  of that  every legionnaire
recieves a bounty of twenty  thousand Francs  at the  end of
his  tour.  A  Sergent  can be  putting away  many thousands
of   Francs   away   each   week   whilst  in   Djbouti.  On
completion of his two years posting he  will have  accrued a
lot of money.  There are  normally about  one or  two places
allowed per Section after basic training -  if you  are good
enough in basic training,  you could  be sent  here directly
aAer Castelnaudary. Prostitution  is rife  in the  towns and
the beer is cheap. In fact everything is cheap  and anything
can  be bought.  Life is  a little  more relaxed  in Djbouti
since there are very few that are fresh out of training.
Since  the  area  is of  Muslim faith  the Legion  also pays
heed to the local traditions  and work  is done  on Saturday
and  Sunday  whilst Thursday  and Friday  takes the  form of
a  weekend.   Every  legionnaire   who  serves   in  Djbouti
recieves   a   bounty   of   twenty   thousand   Francs   on
completion of the tour of duty.

5 RE (5eme Regiment Etranger)
Mururoa - Tahiti, S.Pacific.

This  is  where  the Legion  are responsible  for overseeing
the nuclear testing grounds and  for representing  France in
the furthest corner of French Polynesia. It is a very small
detachment   made   up   of   the   Legionnaires   of   some
experience. The money  is not  particularly great  and there
are long journeys at sea as well as isolation and  little to
occupy  yourselves.  They  concern  themselves  mainly  with
building and road construction, security  of the  test site,

                             81

maintaining a clean water supply and good
communications link.

DLEM (Detachement De La Legion Etrangere De
Mayotte)
Mayotte - Indian Ocean.

This small  detachement's main  duties are  in construction,
supply  and  security.  It  is  run  and  maintained  by Les
Anciens   (Legionnaires  with   many  years   service  under
their belt). It is for those who have done plenty of service
and can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

6 REG (6 eme Regiment Etranger Genie)
Avignon - France.

This regiment is based in another  beautiful area  of France
and their job is that of engineering, bridge  building, mine
clearance  and  demolition.   They  were   used  extensively
during  the Gulf  war to  deal with  mines and  booby traps.
They  have  been  involved  in   almost  every   theatre  of
conflict  that  the Legion  has been  assigned to  in recent
years.  The  6  REG  forms part  of France's  Force d'Action
Rapide along with the 2 REI and the 1 REC.

2 REI (2 eme Regiment Etranger D'Infanterie)
Nimes - France.

A large proportion  of this  regiment is  made up  of French
men. Life in the  2 REI  is hectic  as detachments  away for
four months  at a  time are  commonplace. (Either  in French

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Guyana, Djbouti or as has more recently  been the  case on
longer  operations  around  the  world. This  regiment was
used extensively in the  Gulf war,  Bosnia and  in Africa.
The  troops  are  supported  by the  vehicle known  as the
VAB (Vehicule avant  Blindee -  meaning vehicle  that goes
in  front  of  the  armoured  vehicles)  A  superb wheeled
vehicle which carries ten men. With  the 6  REG and  the 1
REC   this   regiment  forms   part  of   France's  "Force
d'Action Rapide".

Les Metiers de la Legion - Trades of the
Legion.

Once basic training has been completed a period of time is
normally spent as a combat soldier before specialising in
any trade or even taking up further soldiering skills.
Listed below are some of the trades that can be taken up,
normally after some years in the Legion.

Administration: Secretary, typist, accountant,
storekeeper,

- Signals: Radio operator, radio mechanic, Exchange
 operator, teletypist,

- Transport: Drivers of light vehicles, lorries, buses and
 tracked vehicles,

- Engineers: Heavy equipment operator, designer,

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- Building: Bricklayer, plumber, electrician, carpenter,
  painter etc.

- Maintenance: Engine mechanic, vehicle electrician,
  welder, small arms repair,

- Miscellaneous: Musician, medic, cook, photographer,
cartoon designer, sports instructor, computer operator,
Military Police, any trade in connection with the printing
business.

Other specialist skills can be learnt whilst  still operating
as a combat soldier which will not alter the normal
soldiering life.  As a  Legionnaire you  may specialise  as a
Tireur  D'elite,  Milan,  Mortiers,   Conducteur,  Infirmier,
Commando. These short courses are known as "Stages ".

La Tenue et L 'Equipement - Dress and
equipment.

Normal  working  uniform  is  not ironed  in the  Legion, not
even in basic training. The  only uniform  that is  ironed is
the  "Tenue  de   Garde"  (Uniform   worn  on   guard  duty),
"Tenue  de  sortie".  (Uniform  worn  when  allowed  into the
town)  and  the   "Tenue  De   Parade"  (Uniform   worn  when
on parade). The ironing  of these  items of  clothing appears
daunting at first but once it has been done a few times it is
really  not  too  bad.  The  reason being  is that  there are
fifteen creases to be ironed into the shirt; three  above each
top pocket,  two down  each arm,  two across  the top  of the
back  and  three  more  which run  vertically down  the back.

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Trousers  are  ironed  in  the  more conventional  manner. The
first time you iron your shirt - it will  probably take  you a
good hour, but once the creases are in, it is a  fairly simple
process  to run  over them  again. (Even  after the  shirt has
been  washed  the creases  lines are  evident). This  makes it
all the more important  to make  sure the  creases are  in the
correct place to start with.
Shoes are polished but not bulled - footwear is never
bulled in the Legion (unless you want to of course).
If  it  is  winter  then  Tenue  D'Hiver  (brown   jacket  and
trousers)  are  worn.  These are  pressed in  the conventional
way.  There  will  probably  only  be one  iron for  every ten
men during basic training though, so  bear that  in mind  - If
the iron is  free don't  go and  have a  shower. It  should be
noted  that  once  you   have  been   issued  your   kit,  any
damaged  or  worn   sports  clothing   must  be   replaced  by
you.   Likewise   the   Kepi   and   your   beret    is   your
responsibilty.  These  can  all  be  bought  from  the  Foyer.
There are two variations of  colour that  the beret  comes in.
Both  are  green  but  one  is  slightly  lighter.   Both  are
acceptable unless your Chef De Section says otherwise.

Le Kepi Blanc - The White Eel
The Kepi Blanc is the identifying symbol unique to the
Legion.  Many  other   Regiments  wear   Kepis  too   but  not
white.  Similarly  not  all  Legionnaires  wear  white  Kepis;
Sergents  and  above  wear  black  with  a  red  top.   As  do
Caporal  Chefs  with  more  than  10  years  service.  All the
ranks can  be distinguished  by subtle  changes in  their Kepi
(apart  from  legionnaires  and  Caporaux).  But  only  in the
Legion   is   there  a   "Grenade  a   Sept  Flammes"   -  An
exploding  grenade  with  SEVEN  flames.   The  rest   of  the
French  Army  have  only  six. The  Kepi is  worn most  of the
time   except   during    excercises   and    active   working
engagements.

                              85

Many   Legionnaires   carry   pictures   of   girlfriends  or
offspring in the inside base of the Kepi  - this  is accepted
as part of the Legion tradition and is not frowned upon.

Most  of the  Legionnaires also  carry packets  of cigarettes
or a wallet inside the Kepi - resting on the  head. Basically
you can keep whatever you like in  there so  long as  it does
not affect your external appearance.
When a  Legionnaire is  paid it  is always  in a  set manner.
This  is  in  the  form of  La Presente.  The money  - always
cash, is paid onto a table where it is swept off the table by
the palm of your hand and into  your Kepi,  the Kepi  is then
swung  up  onto  the head  in one  fluid movement  - followed
by a salute. Although it does  get dirty  easily; it  is also
easy  to  clean,  using  "Savon Marseille"  (A lump  of soap)
and  a  scrubbing  brush.  There is  also a  monthly magazine
issued &ee  to all  serving Legionnaires  known as  the "Kepi
Blanc" which has details of what  is going  on in  the Legion
around  the  world.  The  magazine  can also  be sent  to you
after you have left the Legion for an annual fee.

Le Foulard - Company shoulder signature cloth.
This  is  a  shaped  piece of  cloth which  sits on  the left
shoulder.  It's  colour  identifies  each  Legionnaire  as to
which  company  he  belongs  to.   The  colours   remain  the
same   throughout   the   various   Regiments   and   are  as
follows:

1er Companie - Blue.
2eme Companie - Red.
3eme Companie - Yellow.
4  eme Companie  - Green.
Le Companie de Commandement et des Services (CCS) -
Grey.
Le Companie d'Eclarage et d'Appui (CEA) - Black.

                           86

La Fourragere - The Regimental Lanyard.
This is a lanyard  which is  worn on  the left  shoulder with
the  Tenue  de  Guarde,  Tenue  de   Sortie  and   Tenue  de
Parade.  A  different   colour  represents   each  different
regiment and with each regimental  lanyard is  indicates the
number of citations won by that particular regiment.

Le Beret - Beret.
The beret you are  issued with  at Aubagne  will be  green -
you do not earn the beret as you do in  some of  the British
forces; it is the Kepi that you earn. The first beret issued
to you will be quite large but after three or four  weeks you
will be issued with a smaller one which has a much

smarter  appearance.  They  can  also  be  bought  from  the
"Foyer"  (Like  a  Naafi  Or American  PX store).  There are
two very subtle colour alternatives available -  people wear
both.

La Tenue De Combat Vert - Uniform (Green)
Before  you  leave  Aubagne  your  measurements  are  taken
and  kit  is  issued  to  your exact  size by  the storemen.
Watch  your  kit like  a hawk,  name it  and rename  it when
the ink is wearing out. If you  can mark  it in  some subtle
way so that you can recognise it from the outside -  then do
it. That way, if anyone robs it, you  can wander  around the
Section  quietly  and  find the  culprit. Strange  though it
seems, the Legion pays little attention to  personal turnout
of normal daily uniform  in basic  training. The  uniform is
not ironed during basic training and any inspection  is very
cursory. You will be picked  up for  dirty clothing  and the
boots must  be highly  polished at  all times.  The training
team will not tolerate any slackness in these areas.

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Les Rangers - The Boots.
The Boots issued in the  Legion are  very good,  fitting well
in   most   cases.   The   only   drawback   is   the  buckle
arrangement  which  makes  loud  "Chinking"  sounds   as  you
walk.  (These  are  normally  quietened  by  either threading
the buckle  back through  itself or  securing it  with tape).
The boots  are an  item of  clothing which  receive a  lot of
attention  in  basic  training.  They  are   always  polished
downstairs and probably three or more times a day.

Le Sac a Dos - The Rucksac.
There  is  little  carrying  capacity  and  no  waist support
straps  to  take  the  load on  the hips  rather than  on the
shoulders. There are two straps which hang down the

front  and  are  very handy  when on  non-tactical operations
to slip  the nose  and arse  end of  the weapon  through. The
weapon  then  hangs  down  in  front  of  your  chest.  Apart
from that the Sac a Dos is  really pretty  much as  it's name
suggests  -  a  sack  hanging  from  your  back.  It  is  not
waterproof so  anything inside  should first  be placed  in a
large plastic bag.
(As  you  might  have guessed  wet weather  is not  such a
problem in the French Foreign Legion).

S3P - Nuclear Biological and Chemical warefare
clothing. (Disposable).
Standard  carbon  filled  clothing  for   protection  against
Biological  and  Chemical  agents. Like  all NBC  suits there
are  patches  for  placement   of  biological   and  chemical
detector paper.

                             88

ANP - Respirator.
For those that don't know a respirator  is an  airtight face
mask fitted with a canister which facilitates safe breathing
in  a hazardous  air environment.  The "ANP"  is for  use in
Nuclear,   Biological   and  Chemical   warfare  conditions.
This item of kit  was issued  during the  Gulf war  and sits
normally in a haversack on the left thigh secured by  a long
strap which goes around the leg and  hooks back  onto itself
by means of two quick release  clips. The  respirator itself
is   of   brown   rubber   and   looks   pretty  antiquated.
Thankfully it was not put to the test  during the  Gulf war,
except   during    training   excercises.    Canisters   and
accessories are also  supplied with  the respirator  and are
replaced  by  the  Chef  de   Groupe  when   required.  Make
sure yours is not damaged or dented.

Le Noel - Christmas Time.

All  Legionnaires  regardless  of  rank   must  be   on  the
guartier  on  Christmas  day  -  even   if  you   have  just
returned  from  war.  The Legion  is your  home and  that is
where you should  be on  Christmas day  - with  your family.
This  applies  to  all  ranks  including Sergents  and above
who  may be  married. The  wifes of  the Sous  officiers and
above understand the traditions of the  Legion. As  is often
the  case  in  the  Legion,  there   is  much   emphasis  on
preparation. This will include things like  "La Creche"  - A
model type scenario  of a  scene made  out of  papier mache,
wooden  and  plastic  -  whatever.  There  may  be backdrops
and  lighting  used to  enhance the  effects. The  scene may
depict  a  combination  of   biblical  and   Legion  history
intertwined,  accompanied  by a  voice over  made by  one of

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the  Legionnaires  in  the  Section.  There  then  follows a
competition to see which  Section has  made and  created the
best Creche.
The day is relaxed and there  is plenty  of food  and drink.
All  Legionnaires receive  a present,  presented to  them by
the  Capitaine  de  Compagnie.  The  presentation   is  made
after  a  feast  of  food  and  wine  on Christmas  Eve. The
present  may  be  something  like  a  watch,  a  walkman,  a
radio or a tracksuit. (A Legion tracksuit that  is -  no one
may  wear civilian  tracksuits). Sometimes  there is  a gift
given to a Legionnaire which  is worth  more than  any other
- that is the right to wear civilian clothes when out on the
town.  (This would  only be  a gift  to a  Legionnaire since
Caporaux  with  over  five  years  service  and  ranks above
Caporal already have the right). It is  rarely given  and if
ever it is, it will only be to one Legionnaire per Regiment.
There will then follow a round  of jokes  told by  all ranks
followed   up   closely  by   Legion  songs   and  Christmas
carols.  Well  known  carols  such  as  Silent Night  may be
sung in up to ten different languages that evening.
There  is  always  some  form  of sporting  competition held
during  the  Christmas  period.  This  is  known as  Le Jour
Du  Sport.  It  comprises  of  inter-company  sports  events
such  as  the  one  and  the  four  hundred   metre  sprint,
volleyball,  football, swimming,  netball and  boxing. There
is   also   always   the   Regimental   run    which   every
Legionnaire  takes  part  in  on  Christmas  day  - normally
about 10 kilometres, with Sac a Dos.
The Chef du Corps makes it his  job to  see in  person every
Legionnaire  in  his  Regiment  at  Christmas time.  As each
Legionnaire  passes  before the  Chef Du  Corps, he  will be
asked how his  career is  going, if  he is  happy and  a bit
about  his aspirations  within the  Legion, e.g.  courses he
would like to do etc.

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Format of a Regiment:

Here  follows  a  typical  format  of a  Legion regiment  - in
this  case  the  2eme  REP.  The  Legion regiments  consist of
six compagnies;

- One Compagnie de Commandement et des services.
(CCS)

- One Compagnie d'eclairage et d'appuis. (CEA)

- Four Compagnies de combat.

Each    compagnie   consists    of   four    "Sections"   of
approximately  forty  men  divided  into  four  "Groupes" of
ten men.

La Companie De Commandement et des services.
(Known as the "CCS")
This  company  supplies  the  Chef du  Corps with  the means
of regimental  command, administration,  the running  of the
regiments  services  such  as  the  Foyer  and the  mess and
acts as rear party to the  camp when  the regiment  is away.

La Compagnie d'Eclairage et d'Appui.
(Kown as the "CEA ")
This  company  comprises  of  two  sections  of  Milan anti-
tank, one section of 20 mm  anti-aircraft guns,  one section
of  81mm  and  120mm  mortar  and  a  recce  section working
from jeeps. These  Legionnaires receive  specialist training
in all types of combat up to the highest level.

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Les Compagnies de Combat.
(Known   as   the   "Premiere,   Deuxieme,   Troisiem