Who was the only woman to serve in the French Foreign Legion?

Leading the way was Susan Travers. The only woman ever to serve officially in the French Foreign Legion, there was the indomitable Englishwoman, speeding across the minefields of 'no man's land' directly towards Rommel's deadly Panzer tanks, her foot hard on the accelerator, doing her job: driving the general's car.

Are there any females in the French Foreign Legion?

Susan Mary Gillian Travers (23 September 1909 – 18 December 2003) was a British nurse and ambulance driver who served in the French Red Cross during the Second World War. She later became the only woman to be enlisted in the French Foreign Legion, having also served in French Indochina, during the First Indochina War.

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.

Can you have a wife in the French Foreign Legion?

The legion's own website describes the conditions of life for a new legionnaire as "corresponding to that of a single person." However, married men are permitted to join the French Foreign Legion, but they will be enlisted as single men.

Have Americans served in the French Foreign Legion?

Eugene Jacques Bullard, an American volunteer in the French Foreign Legion, became the first black military pilot in history ever. This was in 1917. But more than this: He also has been the only black pilot in World War I.

The French Foreign Legion

Which Americans have won the French Legion of Honor?

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz (1945, Grand Officer) (US), Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Ocean Areas. General Omar Bradley (1945, Grand Officer) (US), Commander of 12th Army Group. General George S. Patton (1945, Grand Officer) (US), Commander of U.S. Third Army.

Will I lose my US citizenship if I join the French Foreign Legion?

Do you lose US citizenship if you join the French Foreign Legion? No you do not. Service in a foreign military is not grounds for loss of US citizenship unless that military is engaged in active hostilities with the United States.

Can you tell people you're in the French Foreign Legion?

Yes. You just have to indicate your commitment.

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 do the French call the Foreign Legion?

French Foreign Legion, French Légion étrangère, an elite military force originally consisting of foreign volunteers in the pay of France but now comprising volunteer soldiers from any nation, including France, for service in France and abroad.

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.

What is the most decorated French Foreign Legion?

3e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 3e REI. The most decorated regiment of the French Foreign Legion and the second most decorated regiment of the French Army. Since September 1973, the 3e REI has been stationed in the Quartier Commandant Forget in Kourou, French Guiana (South America).

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.

What is the acceptance rate for the French Foreign Legion?

For about 100 candidates applying to serve in the Legion, only 10-15 are accepted. So, you have to be better than the other candidates in all aspects to get a chance — NOT the right — to be selected. There are no “bring this or that, pass this or that, make this or that” tricks to get accepted.

How tough is the French Foreign Legion?

The Legion is known today as a unit whose training focuses on traditional military skills and on its strong esprit de corps, as its men come from different countries with different cultures. Consequently, training is often described as not only physically challenging, but also very stressful psychologically.

Why do the French Foreign Legion have beards?

Beard (French: Barbe): Since the pionniers were the first to mount combat assaults, their life expectancy was very minimal. Accordingly, from that principle, they reserved the right, when deploying to combat, to not shave and would come back bearded when they survived.

Can a felon join a Foreign Legion?

Men with criminal records, shady business dealings, or deserters from their home country's armies were accepted into the ranks, with no questions asked.

What happens when you leave the French Foreign Legion?

Most of the Legionnaires who leave the French Foreign Legion start receiving the unemployment insurance. This is not very avantageous for former soldiers, because it's based on the brut salary of the last 12 months. The most interesting is that the bonuses you got for your qualifications or family status don't count.

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.

Can you join the French Foreign Legion with one eye?

The general eyesight standards required for joining the French Army (and the Legion as well) ranges from 1 (the best result) to 5 (the minimum). The number 6 signifies that you failed the eye examination and cannot join the Legion. In addition, the letter C is reserved for Colorblindness.

Is the French Foreign Legion elite?

The French Foreign Legion is an elite section of the French Army made up almost entirely of foreigners. Men volunteer for many different reasons. Some come for the adventure—and the money. Others desperately want the French passport and the fresh start that comes with being a Légionnaire.

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”.

Where are the French Foreign Legion currently deployed?

Since March 16, 2022, the men of the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM) have been deployed to the Glorioso Islands, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, located north of Madagascar.

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.