The Foreign Legion, another French exception | Reporters • FRANCE 24 English 

I'm a former FFL officer, I served 8 years with the 1st Foreign Cavalry (1er REC), including the first Gulf War, Africa and Bosnia. Glad to share a few facts about the Legion. It is important to understand first that the French Military is a very old institution, set as a professional force during the Middle Age, with core values coming from the code du chevalier (“knight’s code”), the Monarchy, Napoleon’s era, colonial empire and the decolonization period, WW1&2 etc. As a result, traditions, corps, missions and commitments are very diverse. For centuries, it has been a tradition in France to hire foreign volunteers in specific regiments within the Army framework. French Kings always had foreign troops to their service, usually coming from loyal or controlled vassal states or principalities (Swiss, German, Italian, Belgium etc). The Republic has simply maintained the tradition. Almost all officers (90%) of the Légion Etrangére (LE) are French, mostly from Saint-Cyr, except a small proportion coming from the ranks. The Legion is made of foreigners, is under regular Army command, with the same equipment and organization. The Legion is not a special force or a militia. It is an elite corps of the French Army with different people and adapted rule of procedure. Within the Army, there is a strong competition between the Legion and the Marines (Troupe de Marine, or “Coloniale” in French, which also belongs to Army). Regiments of the Legion are sprat among three Brigades of the Army: the 6th Light Armored Brigade (2nd REI, 1st REC, 1st REG and recently 13th DBLE back from Abu Dhabi), the 11th Parachute Brigade (2nd REP), the 27th Alpine Brigade (2nd REG) and overseas deployment (3rd REI in Guyana and DLEM in Mayotte island). An initial training Regiment (4th RE) and a small administrative and recruitment unit (1st RE) are directly under the command of the Foreign Legion Command (COMLE), headed by a Brigadier or Major General, simply nicknamed “Père Légion” (Father of the Legion…), who reports directly to the Army Chief of Staff Legionnaires are ABSOLUTELY NOT mercenaries; they don't fight for money (monthly wage, the "solde", is the same as in the Army), or for ideology, not even for French citizenship, which is difficult to get, unless you are wounded in combat (Français par le sang versé, “French by spilled blood”). They are volunteers under contract, to serve France, a country they hardly know, but they fight for the Legion: the motto is “the Legion is our fatherland” - Legio Patria Nostra in Latin. The Legion offers them a new start, a new identity, a family, with rules, discipline, limits and even a future. Contracting with the Legion does not imply to abandon your first nationality. Around 140 different nationalities are represented in this nearly 9000 strong force. On purpose, around 25% are francophone of even French origin but enlisted under a different nationality. All NCOs are from the ranks. Those highly professional NCOs are the true strength of the Legion. Few become officers. Women are not permitted. “Honneur et Fidélité” (honor & loyalty) are fundamental values when regular Army motto is “Honneur et Patrie”. A Legionnaire serves with HONOR, and is LOYAL to the Legion. In the Legion, traditions are very important, numerous and highly respected. They evolve slowly but regularly and are listed in the Recueil des traditions de la Légion Etrangère, set by a special committee. They include a specific uniform (with the famous Képi Blanc), the Boudin marching song (“We shall soon all perish according to tradition…”), the Code of Honor, slow pace marching and many, many more. Criminals are not accepted anymore, and there is a very serious and long check on each candidate, with Interpol assistance. Selection is very harsh, as there are up to 9 candidates for one “seat”, probably the highest rate worldwide for a conventional military force. The main strength of the Legion is its unique cohesion, based on people from different culture and background but under French military rule, all ready to start a new life and to fight for their new family: their comrades in arms from the Legion. Selection, training and equipment are important, but they would not make the difference without tradition and this “esprit de corps melting-pot”, which is unique to the Légion Etrangère. Vive la Légion ! (long life to the Legion !)

Decent Journalism is a rare thing these days, good job.

"The wake-up call is brutal..." *calmly ties laces in complete silence*

If you enter the Legion, survive the training, you have done an incredible feat. The feeling of being with an elite outfit with quite a proud history must be amazing.

''You're Croatian, you don't know country music'' lmao as a non-American country music lover I loved that part

The Legion (with absolute respect from the Alps) has been mentioned as one of the best ever examples of international integration, 100+ nationalities with one idea of family and purpose, all together. Much of the world could learn a lot from them. Vive.

The Tennessean shot his first rifle when he was 15? He must have been a city boy.

"you don't feel like talking to me do you?" "No" haha i love that

I had worked with Legionaries during my time in the military and enjoyed meeting and working with true professional Soldiers.

I'm from Argentina, I always was fascinated by the FFL. I'm training hoping one day be part of them

Fun fact : The legion was founded by one of Napoleon's best Marshal, the Marshall Soult who was the main artisan of the iconic victory of Austerlitz against the Russian and Austrian army. :)

I've served 11.4 years in the British Army and have recently left service in July of this year. I did not not want to leave but I came to the end of my contract, I can still soldier and looking further my military career. I've discussed it with my folks obviously they were a little concerned at first but there fine with it now so I'm enlisting in the Foreign Legion on New year's day 2020. I'm excited!

good french camaraderie from around the world and im proud of them! much love from quebec canada!

"LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA" Great report. I would love to see more videos like this in the future.

Massive respect to France from Montana!

I've realized I've learned more history lessons watching RU-vid and reading comment sections then I actually have learned in school. Edit: Wow I didn't expect this many likes thank you all. But I do learn some interesting stuff that people say on here.

This unit saw some very fierce combat about a month or so after this video was filmed. Sadly there were miltiple wounded, but luckily no legionnaires were lost. They won the day after a hard fought battle and should be commended.

The French Foreign Legion: you did and do a great job. You're tough and get the job done. Greetings and respect from Australia

When I graduated from college in 2000, I had heard of the Legion. But I went ahead and joined the U.S Army. Went to 82nd ABN, did the Afghanistan thing. I've had a great life since then. I admit though, looking back, I think I would have liked being in the Legion. As one woman reporter said years ago, its the last great adventure for men.

I have 17 months left in the British Military and once I'm finished here, I'm going to join the Legion.

I'm a US Marine, I heard an active duty Legionnaire once say, "We fight for the Legion, not France." Of course all warriors say we fight for the man next to you but this wasn't just what he was talking about, he was talking about the Legionnaire's mind set as a whole.

"When the terrorist sees the foreign legion, he does not sing anymore."

Vive la france, vive la legion etrangere.

The legion is what it is, The embodiment of dedication to an ideal no matter what the cost

Way to go Corporal Brandon! Representin' the Volunteer State of Tennessee for the Legion! VIVE LA FRANCE from Tennessee!

Very interesting that someone from my home state of Tennessee traveled half way around the world and ends up with the FFL. Wow!

Much respect for the Legion, very dedicated and well-trained fighting force, to mock is to not know who or what they are. Met many of them years ago, very dedicated and extremely professional.

The tone of there cadence, their marching posture, and then it leads into dropping to the knew, (5:13) and then being commanded to open fire! Wow, such emotion, beautiful videography!

Thank you France for the help 👍🏻🇺🇸

Read up on the Legions service at Bir Hakeim 1942 a fight to be remembered for ever!

A great outfit The Legion are exceptionally well trained professional soldiers their history is facinating and honourable (some would argue that point ) but I have nothing but respect for these men and this branch of the French armed forces .

Much respect and admiration to the Legion from the USA! Vive L'France!

Got total respect for the Legion and its soldiers. Real espirit de corps. Proper martial ideals.

The Italian Sergeant looks so sad leaving the Legion !

Fascinating . Really admire the individuals who choose to join the Legion.

Met some french soldiers in Africa. They are insane. Hope I cant meet some FFL

Lot of respect for the French army and Foreign Legion

Respected job

Je me suis retiré après 20 ans au Corps maritime des États-Unis. Merci pour votre service, Beaucoup de respect.

I am a french expat, and I would give "my kingdom for a can of Navarrin d'agneau" :-)

Vive la France! Thanks guys for served .We were part of NATO task forces 234 mixed up of Foreign Legions all Man were great & respected .We all were in Afghan rohilla parts most terrorist operation here .but Dueto tough French guys all went through well .Miss you all guys .👍

Im scot english and very proud normandy french

Tres bien! Absolutely brilliant and badass. Informative and precise

Awesome vid. Very informative

FFL reminds me of Spartan. They are trained solely to fight enemies with strict disciplines, without fear of death and loyalty to one cause only. They deserved a lot of respect.

While not the only elite French military unit, the Foreign Legion certainly is one of the best in the world & with a long record of experience. They're often the first to fight for France in foreign lands.Not sure when this documentary was made but looks relatively recent. It seems the FFL have new standard assault rifles. Also I'm glad they didn't adopt the digital camo pattern which is seems to be all the range nowadays. In practice, they found the digital camo isn't as effective as the more traditional camo styles.

I like the wagon fort style encampment

Thing I found funny was the Legion make sure everyone speaks French. I was standing next to a fellow soldier who complained out platoon Sargent would not talk to you unless you spoke Spanish.

Paix! Nous vous remercions pour ce video Ce corps d'elite est vraiment une legende. Bucuresti, RO

Great reporting Claire👍

Brandon fighting for democracy. Very rare situation he's in. Thanks bro

He will never feel like civilian again.

Admirable Work

As an American I’d never join a foreign Military but these people got balls that most people don’t have.

My father always admire this fighting force.

Love France from America longest Ally

I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.

" La Legion Etrangere " Best army in the world. period.

I Attended the #7 French Commando School at Breisach in 1977 as a member of a Platoon made up of Scouts and Infantry from E-TRP 1ST AND 10TH CAV , We were at Wiesbaden out of Fort Carson as a Strike Force and I was there for 30 months ,The Cadre were all Ex -Legionnaires ....I must admit it was a hell of a lot of Fun !

Respect from ROK. True soldiers, sound mind in a sound body

Great segment!

LPN Legionnaire une jour Legionnaire toujours..

*Thanks for posting this video!!!*

I didn't know that they're unique & diverse. Thanks for the educational & informational upload.

My sons friend Lorenzo died last year with them. Extremely sad

Quelle fierté pour la France !

“It’s alarming their equipment is so old” lmao 40 year old trucks in military service are still basically brand new, guy would have a stroke to find out how old the M2 browning is

As a U.S. Marine, my most cherished memories of the FFL are getting into bar fights with FFL guys. We usually started by asking, "How many French divisions does it take to defend Paris?" The answer is, of course, is that no one knows because it's never been done before. But there was always a non-verbal agreement, never ever spoken through the years, that the fights wouldn't break bones or incapacitate each other. We all wanted to wake up the next morning prepared to fight the real common enemy.

Mr. Johnny English doing his best 2:33

3:16 Can't believe I've been that close to the FFL base, been over that bridge

I wanted to join the Legionnaires as a kid but when I did JROTC in the US I realized I was not cut out for any kind of military service!

my uncle was 18 years in the legion, one cousin 18 months and another one 3 years

Legendary.

Mad Respect!

Respect !

Great, Great Video and you have to thank these folks in this elite Force, I've heard about them that there one hell of fighting force! 👍⭐️🏹⚔️

Exceptional Soldiers.Long long basic, tough and so motivated.Would not like to be a bad guy and engage them in a fire fight.

Met some of the guys on R&R in Cyprus and having done time where they had just been serving I was impressed with their behaviour in front of civilians on holiday. Reminded me of how well diciplined the Gurkhas are. .... Except the Legion like the vodka :) - cost me :)

Kudos to the French Foreign Legion..,so reminiscent of "SPQR," of very long ago.

Respected by many the legion.

These are very good men doing a very important job.

Claire Pacalin was "embedded" with the legionaries. It's a miracle that she can still walk.

This documentary video is good and very informative.

I served in the U.S Marine Corps and now im getting ready to join the FFL can any others with similar experience tell a bit about how it compares?

I want join FFL but get France visa verry hard for Nepalese... Higher costs for visa iam a middle class family.... So for me hard but i do hard work and collect money..... I join FFL .... That's my dream..

I regret not trying out for the french foreign legion when I was younger

3:37 My dad told me the same thing too come back if you want to or if you can't make it in the military

Ah my gramps was apparently in the legion.Proud granddaughter. I still never found out that much about him.still luv you.

RESPECT TO FFL!

My grandfather served in the French foreign legion.

Respect à la Légion!

Good troops but surprised therefore about the blockage during contact.

Most Interesting!! and very well presented.

I have so much respect for them, but it's kinda sad because when there's no one else to go upfront against the enemies the legions the first to go and get shot.

My mom had me shooting paper targets at 6 years old with a Ruger 22 rifle from the sitting position. Mom was a Marine! So was dad! I served 27years. I'm 72.

So many kiddies dropping surrender jokes in this comment section.

the legion looks very cool to join

a lot of great guys there

Anybody know what boots they're wearing at 1:49? I know I've seen them before.

The Legion is firstand last a brotherhood of the most professional Soldiers on Earth. they owe loyalty to their fellow Legionaires.