Does the Foreign Legion still exist?

Today, with a strength of approximately 8,000 men, the Foreign Legion is one of the French army's preferred units for overseas service. It saw action in the Persian Gulf War of 1990–91 and has since been sent often to Africa, as well as to Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and Afghanistan.

Can you still join the Foreign Legion?

You can join the Legion if you have combat experience, have no criminal record and are aged between 18 and 60 years.

How much do French Foreign Legion get paid?

The starting salary for a new legionnaire is €1,380 per month. This equates to £1,175.00. However, unlike the British military, the legion says that "during your first years as a legionnaire, up to the rank of corporal included, you are dressed, fed and housed free of charge".

Where are the French Foreign Legion deployed?

From the spring, the elite French Foreign Legion will be operating in Estonia on Nato's border with Russia, complementing the battlegroup, including with their own tanks, armoured infantry, engineers, artillery, and logistics.

Can anybody join the French Foreign Legion?

Can a French join the Foreign Legion? Yes. A French can join the Foreign Legion. He is just going to change his nationality while he is hired to comply with the statutes of the legion.

Foreign Legion: the Secrets of a Selection

Can an American join the French Legion?

The legion today

Men between the ages of 17 and 40, of any nationality, may join the legion. Recruits enlist under an assumed name—a requirement known as the anonymat—but a legionnaire may request to serve under his true name after a year of service.

Can Americans join Foreign Legion?

It is legal for U.S. citizens to join foreign militaries under certain conditions, according to the U.S. State Department. But there are some caveats. Here's what you need to know.

Is the French Foreign Legion like the Marines?

"The French Foreign Legion has a lot of similarities to the Marine Corps as far as esprit de corps." Marines and sailors with the 26th MEU train alongside the French Legionnaires.

Does the French Foreign Legion see a lot of combat?

Throughout its long history since its inception on March 9, 1831, elements of the French Foreign Legion have engaged in combat on the behalf of France and its interests with distinction. The Foreign Legion has seen battle on five different continents against numerous foes.

Do you have to speak French to join the Foreign Legion?

You're in — or you're out! However, the one thing they don't test you on is French. It doesn't matter that you don't speak the language when joining the Legion. What matters is that you learn to speak it FAST during the next four months.

How many Americans are in the French Foreign Legion?

The Legion operates as a highly disciplined and motivated army of nearly every nationality in the world. Americans have traditionally composed a tiny contingent of fighting men. In a force of roughly 8,000 men (women are still barred from serving), Americans compose no more than a dozen volunteers.

What crimes does the French Foreign Legion not accept?

In the past, the Legion was very relaxed about who could join, so it could be a way for those with a complicated history to restart their lives and seek anonymity. Today, he said, it does not take those with a record of very serious crimes such as “murder, drug trafficking or terrorism”.

Are tattoos allowed in the French Foreign Legion?

Tattoos are a long tradition within the Foreign Legion. In France, around 1900, only legionnaires, French soldiers from BILA African battalions (nicknamed the Bat'd'Af), mariners, and prisoners were well-known for being tattooed. So, there is no problem with you having a tattoo if you want to become a legionnaire.

What is the most elite unit in the French Foreign Legion?

3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment

3e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 3e REI. The most decorated regiment of the French Foreign Legion.

What are the physical requirements for the French Legion?

What is the height required for French Army?

Believe it or not, the Foreign Legion has NO height or weight requirements nor official limits. The only aspect the Legion takes into account is your Body Mass Index (BMI), which can simply be calculated using your height and weight. The BMI easily determines whether you aren't obese or skinny.

How badass is the French Foreign Legion?

"The Legion dies; It does not surrender!" The French Foreign Legion is without a doubt one of the most hardcore military units ever assembled, and is probably one of the most badass organizations this side of the Praetorian Guard or the original N.W.A. lineup.

Is the Foreign Legion elite?

Yes, they are some of the toughest men on the planet, which for some spend their life training and in operation fighting all over the world and are recognized among warriors for it.

Are the Foreign Legion mercenaries?

The members of the French Foreign Legion, likewise, are not mercenaries. It does happen that companies offer military expertise for hire: Executive Outcomes Pty.

Who are the most elite French soldiers?

The Corps of Chasseurs alpins is part of a bigger entity called “Chasseurs à pied”, created by the Duc of Orléans in 1838 and originally famous for the speed and the particular spirit of the troop (later defined by Maréchal Lyautey). The first battalions of Chasseurs alpins were created in 1888.

Can you leave the French Foreign Legion at any time?

6. Q: Do I have evenings, weekends, and holidays off in the Foreign Legion? A: Once you've completed your four-month basic training, you are allowed to relax or leave your military base during your free time, and travel around France during weekends and holidays, if you are not on duty.

How long is French Foreign Legion boot camp?

It is tasked with three main missions. First, the initial training for new recruits. Within the regiment, enlisted volunteers pass the intense training program of physical and mental preparation for service in the Legion; this program lasts 16 weeks.

Can a US citizen join the Russian army?

The Russian Armed Forces accepts foreigners of any country to their ranks.

What are the benefits of joining the French Foreign Legion?

Members of the Légion étrangère are clothed, fed, and housed free of charge for the first few years of their service. They also receive monthly salaries, 45 days of paid vacation, and after three years of service (or a combat wound), Legionnaires can apply for French citizenship.