Marine Reacts (Part 1/4) to French Foreign Legion Training 

Check out part 2 here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6DS9_dApq9Q.html. Part 3 coming soon. Subscribed and click the bell to get notified. Thanks.

The best time of my life, I became a new person. Fought for the French. Now living in Singapore. Longue vie à la France

My big brother put in 15 years in the legion.. retired honorably.. very proud of him.

French version : "je vais établir les bases. C'est pas la fête du slip ici." Translation : "it's not a holiday camp" XD

One good thing about the french foreign legion is that their veterans can show up when they are older and they will recieve food and shelter in a farm, cultivating grapes and a lot of homeless and wounded vets, or lonely old ex foreighn legion can have a second life with the legion

When I lived in south of France I met a ex legionnaire ,who was from Romania ,we worked together for few month as carpenter .I am a pretty fit and strong man nothing crazy ,this guy was a monster physically, he was never tired ,always do what asked to do and the nicest man around .just a badass with a smile on his face that could kill you under 2 min. Awesome guy ,big respect for the legion.

"- Why did you came to the Legion? - To forget. - Forget? Forget what? - I already forgot..." Stan Laurel

I was an officer in the French Army. Foreign Legion is proud of several centuries of battelscarred history. It's the Real thing, from selection, through training and during a military carrier as a professional elite fighter. I would Nevers make any comparison with other countries top notch troops. But these guys comparé to Seals, Rangers, Marines and airborne assault regiments. I would - and have entrusted such guys with my life, and Never have come to regret it. And if you dont mind : They dont always come for citizenship. Mostly they look for commitment, adventure and put utter meaning in their lives. They also find Pride, and a family : Legio Patria Nostra. LEGION IS OUR MORHERLAND. Keep up the good job, i really enjoy your vidéos, thanks

Went to a Jungle seminar in 2021 in French Guiana and boy this was a wake up call. Saw their facilities, training sites, and especially the school house. It's no joke, they still train like animals. From a US Army Jungle Instructor at JOTC in Hawaii much respect to the legionnaires. French Foreign Legionnaires are Legit and Solid!

I am French. After 5 years in the Legion they really deserve to get the French citizenship.

15 years till retirement in the Legion , you are taught french while in training. The Pension is paid anywhere in the world, you dont have to stay in france.

I fell out of USAF Pararescue after 10 months... I held their push up and pull up record and was at least average in the swim... but the run is what got me... I later got to work with the legion in Saudi Arabia. They were truly hard humans. We had a competition lifting, swimming, running and Tug of war. They weren’t great swimmers but could. They were terrible at lifting weights... but they smoked all the nations and units in running... they could run 5:15 miles forever! They slept on their rifles I. The open air under the French Miarages they protected. We never saw them talk or even smile, even to each other. I’m not used to being intimidated by other men. But there was a feeling amongst the other 20 units of 8 countries... that the 6 French foreign legion members there could probably hold their own against all of us. The Scotts were the craziest and funniest... the French scared them too!

My great grandfather was a Legionaire in the early 1900s. He lied about his age and joined at 16. He was a lifer and retired as a Captain. At the time, it was one of the only ways to elevate yourself as a Corsican.

In a much older documentary about the Legion, they filmed the legionnaires negotiating the jungle obstacle course in French Guyana. The Legion did the course in 45 minutes. US Marines did it in eleven hours!! There's your comparison.

im a 44 year of service merchant seaman from britain and whilst we were in djibouti in the gulf of aden,red sea ,we met these lads.exchanged yarns etc. top men.

C'est grâce à Napoléon. "Tout étranger qui versera son sang pour la France, deviendra Français." Vive la France et vive Napoléon.

I served 8.6 years as an Infantry grunt in the U.S. Army. While in Desert Storm I met some FFL guys ( traded headgear!). They were ALL in top physical condition!!! Couldn't say that about the U. S. Army.

I am an Ex-Aussie Para/Infantryman who hasn’t got much to say except I have respect for those who understand true suffering, comradeship, loss, pride, honour and Patriotism.....

The Legion has something called Citizenship By Spilled Blood, which if a French Foreign Legion fighter is injured in combat, they would be granted French citizenship.

I'm French, from Marseille, the city where the légionnaires are recruited. One of my friends used to be part of the legion étrangère. He is from Hungary. He had never done anything wrong in his country, like most of the légionnaires. Times have changed. There's not anymore that much guys who come because they would go to jail in their country for felony. The main reason why foreign people join the légion is unemployment in their countries, lack of money. No guy who committed a crime is accepted of course, it's a legend. I also know a guy from Romania who belonged to the Romanian army. He escaped to become a légionnaire because his pay was peanuts. My Hungarian friend just wanted to leave Hungary because it's a poor country, like most European eastern countries. he had no future there even though he went to college. His elder brother used to be a légionnaire too. My fiend almost speaks perfectly French like every légionnaire. It's of course necessary to speak the same language if you belong to a group, otherwise... My friend spent 5 years then stopped. He told me the gear they were given was of really poor quality. They generally buy their own boots, rucksack and so on as soon as they can. He told me that the legion first breaks them, then rebuilds them. One of the basis is to teach them that they are not several different guys but ONE entity. They would never leave someone behind. They would give their life to save somebody else's life. Selfish guys are kicked out immediately. Now my friend has French citizenship and still lives here. What is a VERY good point in my opinion is that our government, after 5 years, don't leave the légionnaires on their own. We pay for them 2 years in any school so they can stay in France and get a job, I think they're so grateful towards France for these reasons that they are more likely to die for our country than the average French soldier, who joins the army because he just needs a job. A big part of the légionnaires nowadays comes from Eastern Europe, which is poor and where guys don't even hope they can get a job in their country. They don't belong to USSR anymore so it's easy for them to COME. Moreover, here in France, we have many advantages: health care, financial help for renting a flat... Etc... . Their motto is "legio patria nostra": The légion is our country. French people generally like and admire them. That's all I know...

Gotta give them props it’s a hell of a fresh start. Some people just need that for a proper new start.

Légionnaire can become french by being wounded during his service that is citizenship by blood

Every Legionnaire must speak French. So, they must learn to speak French during selection and training.

A buddy of mine was Recon and had an opportunity to cross-train with the Legion back in the 90's. He ran into a prior service Marine that joined the Legion and his advice was "Don't do it. The Legion is insane." -I have mad respect for the Legion and they don't f* around with 'rules of engagement.'

English translation in the documentary seems pretty "tame". When they are running and the officer yells "shut the f** up" in French, it just says "go" in english.....

Agreed. My nephew recently got through boot camp. I did it myself almost 2 decades ago. They were allowed to bring phones, there was a facebook group so the moms and family could track what they were doing in boot, etc, etc. When I went through, I just disappeared off the map for 6 mos, and came home pretty different from when I left.

The translation in the subtitles is funny: -In french "shut the fu*k off !!" -Translation: "go!"

A lot of Irish blokes who have served stayed in France after their service ended.

I wish I have heard of this French Foreign Legion 30 years ago while I was young and tough. I believe anybody who wish to have a new life leaving their dark pasts should try the French Foreign Legion. This is a wonderful effort comparing what the legionnaires goes through than the normal military training.

My father used to "hang" with Legionnaires while stationed in France. This was back in the Fifties, and a surprising number of those guys were Wehrmacht veterans. One or two of them wouldn't say exactly what they'd done but after enough drinks (and, he said, they all drank A LOT), they'd get this look in their eyes that would cause everybody else to give 'em a table to themselves. I actually mentioned to my dad that I wanted to join the Legion someday and the look on his face was priceless when he said "Don't do it, kid. You ain't up to that, trust me." Don't know about today, but once upon a time, it was said that it was possible to track the Legion in the field by the trail of empty booze bottles they'd leave in their wake...but God help you if you caught up to them, you were in for a knock-down, drag out fight with a well-trained, ruthless opponent.

I feel a deep sadness when I watch things about the FFL. I want to join so very badly, because honestly, I feel like American life does not a man make, any longer. However, I'd be medically disqualified in an instant. Thank you Jameson, for sharing your thoughts on the training.

Legionnaires are the most weel trained soldiers in the world. Shit gear, tough officers, unforgiving selection... Any member of french army is supposed to salute a legionnaire if he sees one, whatever the ranks. Les légionnaires sont les soldats les mieux entraînés au monde. Equipement de merde, officiers et sous-officiers les plus durs qui soient, sélection impitoyable... Tout militaire, officier ou pas, est censé saluer un légionnaire lorsqu'il le croise. Also, one thing that can help you americans understand how different this is from regular army : most people who spend more than five years in Légion Etrangère are gone forever. It takes everything from you, there is no more "you". Nobody talks about his past (because sometimes it's very, very bad... many guys from Serbia, etc., but way back in times lot of ex-nazis), no one cares. It's all about being a one man army. Individuality is erased, there's no room for it anymore. For a reason : we french always send the Légion first. The Légion accomplished the most stupidly brave missions during its history. Légionnaires were singing while going to fire in Dien Bien Phu.

Back in the days, i was in regular french army. i remember a cross army training with them and the cavalerie during almost a month at Caylus. Those guys are not on the same level. after work we used to have a drink and some hours for us, while the legionnaries were running around the camp with stones in their bag and full equipement on them. i was suffering just watching them. good videos jamesons Travel

As I understand it, if a Legionnaire is wounded before his five years, he is granted French citizenship. Pour le sang

As a french, i love that lost officiers are foreigners, it shows how serious the legion is about giving you a chance to make something out of your life, even if your skills are dodgy, they'll teach you to put them to use.

A great book to read is “A Mouth Full of Rocks”. It is one Legionnaire’s story about his time in the FFL.

The Legion doesn't seem to do political correctness. God Bless them!!!

FYI. It's considered almost an insult to tell a Legionnaire that he's a mercenary. They consider themselves Volunteers.

straight and to the point thank you for your service

I was stationed at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti for a year with a CJTF. It was a former FFL post but they moved away from the coast. They ran a desert school and we met about once every 60 days for different events. Very professional.

I'm French-Canadian. My grand dad joigned the Queen's Army back in early 1900s and went over to South Africa to fight the Boers. The dude was a 16 years old paperless street kid, signed his name with an X and knew how to say Yes, Sir. He came back and re-joigned the army during WW1 (pretty much in his 30s) in a regiment called the 22nd, all French-Canadian volunteers, and fought in La Somme at Courcelette (used to say: baïonnette, shovel and fists). I'm sure he wouldnt qualify today as one of the modern armies Special Forces but from what I gathered when word was out in the field that the 22s were coming there was some serious pants soiling happening. I know I'm off subject but in a sense that fits here.

They're not just mercenaries, search "oath of the Camerone" (serment de Camerone) and you'll understand the spirit. La bataille de Camerone 30 avril 1863.

here from fFrance, I just discovered your channel, gotta say i really enjoy the way you analyse and talk about all the details you see. you've got a kind a respectful way to see things, thanks for all that sir !

Helps a deal to hear comments from a real pro on each of the Foreign Legion's selection & training steps. Thanks for sharing.

RIP to the two legionnaires from Ukraine fallen in action recently: Volodymyr Rybontchouk, March 13th in Lebanon Dmytro Martynyouk, April 23rd in Mali

I wish the U.S. would grant Citizenship to personnel who completed 4 years in the U.S. Armed Forces. Some of the men that I was deployed with earned that right IMO.

From what I remember -- from the mid-1980s when I and two of my buddies were going to get out at expiration of our enlistments and then join the Legion -- the recruiter we talked to in Italy (we were on a Med pump and found the Legion recruiter at an office in town) said it was a five year commitment, no questions asked, and they'd teach you French and everything else you'd need. He didn't soft pedal how difficult it could be but he said the ones who already had military experience tended to do just fine. He was also going on about 3 R.E.I. or the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment and talking up its location (French Guyana) and all the cool training they did. We all decided to stay in the U.S. military, though, and we each made it to our retirement eligibility. P.S. We in the U.S. military tend to poke fun at the French and their armed forces ("Cheese-eating surrender monkeys," etc.), but those Legion guys are HARD CORE, and they always have been.

So glad you made this series! Thank you for making this for the community!

I think there is a soft spot for the Foreign Legion in Americans' hearts. Maybe it's because Americans believe in second chances. America gave a lot of our ancestors a second chance. I remember an American business leader saying he thought the reason the US succeeds in business is they give a motivated person a second chance.

Respect aux légionnaires, ils sont toujours les premiers sur le terrain.

Really interesting to watch your reactions, ideas, from a US Marine point of view ! Very insightful, relevant and at the same time very respectful. You just won a new french follower, Sir !

This is GREAT! Please keep the parts two and three coming. Thank you!

Got out of the marine corps in 03. I was a 81mm mortar men. I remember we did some cross training with these guys. They were on the gun line next to us. One night a couple of us were hanging out and one tried an mre and said these are disgusting and I wouldn't feed these to pigs. We all started laughing our asses off. They were a good group of men. Just a funny memory I thought I'd share. Cool vid and take care everyone.

I am an Englishman from London. I served 5 years in the French Foriegn Legion Airborne ( 2eme REP ) based in Calvi, Corsica, 1982-1987. I spent a total of 8 months in Africa (Djibouti, Central African Republic ) I was at one point, reduced to a gibbering wreck, after being beaten up on several occasions for not being up to scratch. I persevered and got throught it in the end, and left honourably after serving my 5 years. I am very proud to say that I was a Legionnaire. Republic )

As always. Balanced and fair. Thank you. My youngest son is currently going through the application process for the Royal Marines.

You get yelled at in training because in war you don’t get the option of silence. You have to perform in the most hectic environment known to man.

I'm a DoD civilian and Army Reservist with 18 years of military service and 9 years of active duty service. I have one deployment to Afghanistan for 8 months and really enjoyed my time in the Middle East. My plan is to do 30 years in the Army and I'm going back on active duty now for 1-2 years to get me closer to my minimum retirement points. The biggest influencer and mentor in my life was a US Marine who taught me martial arts, he was a Marine stationed on Okinawa and earned his black belt in the late 70s early 80s on the island. He passed away in 89 but not a day goes by I don't think of how that one Marine changed my life and woke me up. I named my son after him. Keep up the great work on your channel!

A LOUD voice always keeps your attention !! Much needed , 40 yrs ago and still today !! It stays in the back of your head forever !! No Bill Murray " STRIPES "

I was there, after getting kick out of U.S military, (25th ID Schofield) 1989, Still seem to do things exactly the same. Not much has changed. Good vids, keep going.

Part 3 PLEASE!!! You are appreciated!!!

During my time in the Legion there were guys from every corner of the world and of life - ex IRA terrorists, ex Khmer Rouge, Drug dealers, Spetznaz and an ex-Spanish Foreign Legionnaire to name but a few. They were a mixed bag for sure. Life in the Legion is like a combination of being in jail and being a monk. The days are very long and frequently frustrating but there is nothing like walking out the gates of your Quartier (camp) for Quartier libre with a brilliant white Kepi on your head. If you are 5 mins late on camp in the morning (6am) then it's automatic 10 days in jail. Same if you are seen drinking from a bottle in the street or eating a burger. Maybe it's more relaxed now - but that's how it was when I was in, thirty years ago. Oh - and your comment about the scarred heads - it's rare to find one without scars ! It's five years not 3. You can get out after the first 6 months if you want.

Someone was sent back home from entrance exams because of his ekg having something abnormal right at the end of the recording. He had to get checked by a doctor and come back later on. Some had to fix teeth issues and come back later. Enjoying your videos from France.

great stuff - thanks

Great video, thanks

When I joined in 1965 I knew a lot about the military and my Dad was a ChifeMAsterSargent (E-:9). Somehow my DI found out that my Dad was a lifer. Basic was not easy. After basic I spent a 60 day in-place assignment,waiting for a school to open. It wasn’t hard. It was USAF before you start ragging on me just remember how many time you took a plane to get where you were going to be the bad ass. I retired in 1996. You do the math. To all the Hero’s I served with. Thank you.

I recommend the RU-vid channel of 'Thomas Gast', this guy served in the legion for 17 years! Very interesting.

I want more, love watching them, thank you for your service sir👍🏻

Love the video. Would like to know more about this and other militaries. Thank you sir.

I believe there is a misunderstanding about starting with a clean slate. Blood crime prevents you entering Foreign Legion

the testing is so intense and accurate as possible because this is a two way commitment. if you been in action as a legionaire and cannot cope with civil live afterwards the legion takes care of you!

I remember watching this series on TV a long time back. It's great to see you talk about it here.

French legion recruitement is mostly word of mouth, but for "Regular" military, they play stupid ads on tv just like in the US to recruit call of duty gamers. The foreign legion is way different than a regular soldier in france. We consider the foreign legion soldiers as the most crasy, dedicated, hard working people in the army, big respect to them.

I really like this video and would like to see the next two parts. Back in the mid 80's I had a friend who was getting out of the Marines and always talked about and actually corresponded with them, he was planning to go to France and join the FFL, back then I remember he said it was 5yr minimum enlistment, I never heard from him again after his discharge, so maybe he did, I like to think so because he had no family and was a Damn Good Marine & Friend.

Yes, give us part 2 and three please. I like the fact you're a straight shooter.

Enjoy these breakdowns very much, thank you.

Oh I want more! Part 2 and 3 sir. I see the link there. I'll check it out

I think the US equivalent of this would be some kid from Slovakia going to the US to become an Army Ranger and not speaking a word of English. Imagine trying to learn a new language while training at the same time. They give non French speakers basic French lessons but it's still a challenge. Hats off to them.

I like this guys point about gamers thinking military is some thing like call of duty. Ppl really need to take training serious.

Keep em coming

this guy who was a us marine who joined the French foreign legion on RU-vid his names soldier of fortune, you should check it out. Great video by the way

I guess the EKG or ECG will thoroughly determine any heart abnormality that would deem a recruit physically unable to be a serviceman. Some of them might not even know what underlying conditions they might have.

Friend of mine did 5yrs in the Legion back in the 80's. He said the training was brutal, they pt the shit out of you if you didn't learn french fast enough, he was paid crappy. But you will be able to handle yourself- speak french & have some good times. Now I hear it's mostly eastern euros & asians joining

As a french military I love to see this vidéo from a foreign point of view ! And it is the same for all military formation in France : “legion ; terre ; air ; gendarmerie (military police)” if you don’t like it or don’t make it, you leave ! you’re refreshing dude !

Thank you for making these, brother! Your stuff is awesome!

Great reaction. This initial training is brutal. Imagine going to boot camp in a foreign language. You have to learn French fast. They are not yelling at you in English.

I had a staff Sargent during Basic Training who had served in the Legion. Boy was he a great fellow but a complete nut. Ah the memories.

FYI: French passport is overall WAY better than US one: -More place you can go without visa (186 visa-free countries versus 185 for USA) -More importantly, you can work anywhere in Europe without a work permit/visa The second one is a huge deal, I worked in Belgium, Spain, and Ireland without needing to do any paperwork.

Having everyone work their way up from the bottom and not starting people off as officers makes so much sense.

People: “You don’t need to yell to get your point across” JT: “I think you’re full of sh!t” Best argument ever.

My uncle was in the legion and fought in indochina. He died in 1989.

I watched this video with much interest and must say that you are a typical Marine; Sarcastic, Funny, well informed, straight to the point and smart. Thank you from a Red Leg (Army) that had the privilege to conduct operations with Marines in the Middle East and South America.

This was pretty cool, getting a glimpse into the foreign legion

I was going to go this route when the army medboarded me for hearing also thought about going to israel

Good content , great to have humble feedback from across the Atlantic

Really interesting information

Cheers for the vids JT.

Today biggest day for the Legion, 30 april, anniversary of the Battle of Camerone

[10:50] Second guy on the right, the size of his shoes is hilarious.

Its not even just about yelling to teach or get a point across, its an immediate rush of stress that people need to be ready for. If you cant take yelling, cussing, quick and precise commands, and general stress in saftey, then you will not be able handle it when you're needed in the field. Its a level of discipline and level-headedness I will always respect.

I went there last year but could not finish the training because of ear damage, now that my ear is fixed (i had to wait one year to come back) i will join The Legion again.