The French Foreign Legion. La Legion Etranger Contents: Introduction 1 History 3 Joining . 10 The Language Problem 13 Aubagne and Selection . 14 Castelnaudary - Basic Training '75 Your Instructors 27 The Numbers 30 The Songs 34 La Present 36 Bel-Air . 39 Presentation of the Kepi Blanc 41 Le Code D'Honneur 43 A Typical Day 46 Time Off 50 Guard Duty 54 La Legion C'est Dur Mais Gammel C'est Sur 57 Le Raid. 60 How Hard? 62 Brutality 63 The Contract 64 Life in Jail 70 Camerone Day 72 Legion Rules 74 Regiment Postings 76 Trades within the Legion 83 Dress & Equipement 84 Christmas Time 89 Format of a Regiment 91 Weapons of the Legion . 93 Pay in the Legion 97 The Ranks 100 Leave / Holidays 102 Desertion 104 Useful Phrases 105 A few helpful words 107 Appendix 109 Recruiting Centres in France 121 Bibliography 126 THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION (La Legion Etrangere) Introduction. There are those in life that dream of doing things and those that turn dreams into reality. The French Foreign Legion today, is alive and kicking and as always, actively recruiting. It is an army surrounded by romance, myth and intrigue, with over a hundred and fifty years of history and a reputation that's a tough one to beat. It is one of those things that most people only hear about or had a friend of a friend who actually went and did it. But for some who have bought this book - it will not be enough to just read through, and put down. You will take it upon yourselves to make the dream become a reality. It may be that you are merely in search of adventure - perhaps you are trying to escape your past, or maybe you feel that you are in some real danger. Many people join the French Foreign Legion because they think they have a problem and they come to the Legion to overcome that problem - it is up to you to decide whether the Legion is the right solution to that particular dilemma. Sometimes, not an easy decision to make. And then there are those from the former eastern block countries, or for that matter absolutely any country in the world, who seek a new life in the western world accompanied by the French passport. (On completion of the first five year contract). For these people it is a golden opportunity. The Legion, if it does decide to take you into its fold, will provide you with a new identity and will protect you from your past if necessary. Your time served with the Foreign Legion will certainly take you on many adventures. From the moment you join, the Legion is your home and from then on it is your family. (The Legion motto - "Legio Patria Nostra" means exactly that - The Legion is our home) There are Legionnaires who have served many years of service and have only revisited their native country once or twice in all their years of service. They find that they are happier and more contented to spend their time in France. One thing that should be said however is that it is an experience in life that cannot be explained or learnt from tales recounted or books read - no matter how many. To understand the Foreign Legion - it has to be done. An ex-Legionnaire with five years service could sit you down and talk to you for five years and a similar Legionnaire with fifteen years service could sit you down and talk to you for fifteen years - but you still would not really know what it is like until you have actually been there and done it yourself. This book is no different in that respect, but what it tries to do, is to give you the information required to get you into the French Foreign Legion, to equip you with the knowledge of what to expect and what not to expect, how best to get along and how to make the most of your time in the Legion. Perhaps how to prepare you for some of the times ahead which may lead you to frustration for lack of understanding. It can be a bewildering experience learning the ways of the Legion during the first year. More often than not though, there is method in their madness. The decision to join is rarely made on the spur of the moment - at very least it has been in the back of the "engage volontaire 's " (recruit's) mind for some time - if 2 not many years. The potential Legionnaire has probably read books about the Legion and talked to people who have been there and done it. If they do decide to join, they will experience adventures which are second to none, meet friends that will last a lifetime. They will travel all over the world and carry with them memories that will stay with them till their last dying breath. Make no mistake however, that serving five years in the French Foreign Legion is not easy. Rest assured that all Legionnaires at sometime during their contract feel at their wits end, they feel like a prisoner in a cell, they sink to their deepest depths of depression and doom. It will not be easy - especially from the mental point of view. Few who join the French Foreign Legion know what to expect - some find it so hard mentally to adjust to their new way of life that they try to desert - and some take it to even greater lengths and try to dispose of their life altogether. The longer you serve in the Foreign Legion - the easier life becomes. With promotion and time served comes it's just rewards as it does in any army. The one great advantage in the French Foreign Legion is that promotion can come relatively quickly for those that are deserving. History of the French Foreign Legion. Formation: 9' March 1831. The French Foreign Legion was formed on the 9 of March 1831. It's authority was signed by Louis-Philippe - the King of France. His position as King was weakening and the Legion was readily formed in order that Louis- Philippe could maintain his position on the throne. The oAicers were gathered in from Napoleon's Grande Armee and the men were recruited from Italy, Spain, Switzerland and other European countries. There were 3 also some Frenchmen recruits who were trying to escape the attention of their local Police. Sebastopol 1853 - 1856. It was the aim of France to assist Turkey in their fight to win over free passage of the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. After a brief victory the 1 ere and 2eme RE's final attempt to win the town of Sebastopol ended in a blockade which lasted a year. After suffering a year of horrendous weather and illness, the Legion could wait no longer and attempted to take the town but failed badly and took heavy casulaties. They tried again, but it was not until their third attempt on the 8 September 1855 that they succeeded. Camerone 1863. On the 30 April 1863 the 3eme company of the RE in Mexico were given a mission - to ensure the safe arrival of vital supplies down the road from Vera Cruz to Puebla in Mexico. This would assist in the blockade of Puebla. Before they had time to arrive at their destination they were attacked by nearly a thousand Mexican troops. They had just stopped for a morning coffee when they were attacked. Capitaine Danjou started to reposition his men in a derelict building they had passed only minutes earlier. He knew this would afford them some cover from enemy fire. Before they could get there, the cavalry were charging. They staved off the attack and continued towards the building. They had barely arrived and a second wave arrived. There were sixty five Legionnaires to fight the ensueing hoards - numbered at nearly two thousand. Quickly they prepared a hasty defence and were greeted by a Mexican messenger who offered them an honourable surrender. On top of the roof lay a Polish legionnaire Sergent who told the Mexicans what they could do with their surrender. The cavalry charged once more, but the Legionnaires beat them back yet again. Not 4 without loss however - the Capitaine Danjou had been badly injured. Before he died though, he made all his men promise that they would never surrender. By mid morning the Legionnaires were almost out of ammunition. They had no food and no water. Again the Legionnaires refused to surrender. By late that afternoon there were just twelve Legionnaires leA and no more ammunition - It then turned to hand to hand fighting and soon there were just five Legionaires who remained to face two thousand. The Legionnaires advanced towards the enemy. Two of the five were shot down as they advanced. At that point - the Mexican Colonel arrived and saw the situation - he again offered a surrender. The Legionnaires agreed - but only if they could keep their weapons. The Mexican Colonel agreed saying "I can refuse nothing to men like you". The Legionnaires had indeed achieved their mission - they had made safe the passage of supplies to Puebla by alerting nearby troops of the hoarding Mexicans and had occupied the enemy for nearly a full day. Every year, on the 30 April, in every quarter of the French Foreign Legion - this day is remembered and is known simply as Camerone Day. It is celebrated with great zealousness and pride. At Aubagne, the wooden hand of Capitaine Danjou is paraded before the Regiment and all its privileged guests. Mexico 1863-1867. The Legion continued fighting in Mexico for a further four years before being ordered back to France to deal with more pressing matters at home. The Mexicans were now being backed by the Americans and there was little chance of victory. Besides, France's security was threatened and that was far more important than any foreign soil. The Legion had however made a name for themselves and so assured their own future existence - 5 All was not lost. Had it not been for the war in Mexico - perhaps the Legion would not be here today. Tonkin 1883. Tonkin was a French Protectorate in Indo-China overrun by pirates. The French Commander, Admiral Courbet attacked the Fort Son Tay and Fort Bac Ninh and then had the task of defending the Fort Tuyen Quang. For nearly two months the Legion held out against constant attacks from the Chinese but eventually help arrived - The Legion had however lost a third of its company strength. To the North a battle was going on but came swiftly to a close and a treaty was signed on 1" April 1885. From thereon the Legion's role was to promote peace and tranquility and rebuild the damage done. Madagscar 1895. Following a disagreement between the Queen of Madagascar and the French Republic, an expeditionary force was sent to Dahomey and then on to Madagascar. The Legionnaires immediately started to build a road from where they docked to the objective - a place called Tananarive. A distance of 250 miles. They built and fought their way to the objective and when they finally arrived, after three and a half months, the enemy gave up without a fight. The 1" World War 1914-1918. In 1914 the II/1" RE saw action at the battle of Artois where heavy losses were taken. (nearly two thousand in all). They were reformed and one month later were again heavily defeated at Givenchy. They were finally defeated so badly that they had to be disbanded in September 1914. As a result of this the RMLE was formed (French Foreign Legion Marching regiment) whose job it was to preceed any troops into battle. 6 The RMLE took part in many battles around France and took many thousands of casulaties. Their most memorable was the skilful soldiering which took place in the trenches of Rheims. They cleared over four miles of enemy trenches, with just their rifles, bayonets and grenades. The next great feat was in the Verdun sector where the Legion succeeded in its mission of recapturing many of its old positions. This they did in double quick time and with few losses. Swiftly, the Legion was shifted to Amiens where they again took heavy casualties and were forced to retreat. It was not long before they were again diverted to hold shut the passageway to Paris. Again they succeeded - but only after much blood letting of it's own men. In July 1918 the French made their offensive and despite still further heavy losses, much progress was made. For nearly two weeks the Legion battered, clawed and fought their way through the Hindeburg Line. For their efforts in the first world war the Legion had become highly decorated. World War 1939-45 In June 1940 the 11 REI was almost entirely wiped out by a German division in Verdun. The remaining men were captured but nearly all of them managed to escape to fight again. The Regiment was however disbanded. In the same year the 13DBLE was sent to Norway to ultimately capture Narvik from the Germans. On the way to Narvik they caused much damage and destruction to German forces and aircraft. Due to German advances towards Paris, the Legion had to quickly re-deploy and assist in the defence of the Parisien quarter. It was not long after the troubles had been qwelled in the Parisian region, that the Legion's services were again required. It was this time the Italians in Eritrea, Africa who required their attention. 7 Indo-China 1940-1954. Thailand attempted a takeover of Cambodia in 1940 but were briefly prevented from doing so by the Legion. The Legion's efforts were wasted however, and as a result of conciliation Cambodia was handed over anyway. There was really only one unit of the Legion that was now based here, that being the 5REI. Again the Legion avoided combat in the South, due to further negotiation - but this was not to be for long and the Legionnaires based at the garrison at Ha Giang were soon massacred. Two battalions remained and started a death march towards China. Before arriving in China the war had ended but was quickly replaced by another, this time with Ho Chi Minh and his communists. This war would last nine years. In 1945 the 5REI left to be replaced by a long line of legion Regiments - The 2 REI, 13DBLE, 1 REC and the 3 REI. In the meantime the 3REI remained to fight in other areas. In 1948 they too suffered heavy losses. In 1950 access to the border with Indo-China was granted to the Chinese People's army. In 1950 the 3 REI were ordered to move location but were caught up in a massive ambush which almost completely wiped out the French forces in the region. The 13DBLE had more luck however and saw many victories during 1951. The 3REI which had also been reformed saw victory also in 1952 at Strongpoint 24. Soon afterwards the 1BEP jumped into Dien Bien Phu and took the area and quickly installed a garrison. They were attacked and despite support provided by the 2 BEP, were all but completely wiped out. For the Legionnaires in Indo China the war was now over. Algeria 1953 - 1961. Before they could so much as go on Permission, they found themselves back in Algieria, ready to fight another war. This time against the Algerian National Liberation 8 Army. Although the Legion had deployed nearly twenty thousand men to the region they were to come across little more than enthusiastic skirmishes in the years that followed. These were to deteriorate to petty guerilla tactics after not too long. Let down by the politicians, the Legion were ordered home in 1961. There losses amounted to little more than a thousand men. Feeling let down - there was a mutiny and the 1 REP was, as a result disbanded. Kolwezi 1978. As a result of an attempted takeover by Angolan Tiger Rebels, Kolwezi in Zaire, was seized. They violated the town, raping and pillaging wherever they pleased. There were many Europeans caught up in the crisis - some taken hostage. A distress signal was sent out requesting help from Europe, to which the 2 REF was activated. After a lightning deployment, the 2 REP dropped in after only fifteen hours. After a solid week of fighting and close quarter battles the Legionnaires had all but wiped out the Tiger rebels and freed the petrified European hostages. This was one of the Legion's most successful missions which earnt them recognition all over the world. Lebanon 1982 - 1983. It was again the 2REP who were chosen in this peacekeeping role, accompanied later by the 2REI, 1RE and the 1 REC. Like many peacekeeping roles it was not an easy job, but one which, as usual, the Legion carried out meticulously and without complaint. Gulf War 1991. In September 1990 the 2REI, the 6REG and the 1 REC were sent to the Gulf in anticipation of Saddam Husseins threats against the world. After six long months waiting and a build up of world forces which had not been seen 9 since World War Two, the war began. The air offensive was won first - this took four weeks, after which the coalition forces penetrated deep into Iraq. It was referred to as a Blitzkrieg (Lightning war) and only three Legionnaires died. Al Salman airport was taken by the Legion forces with little resistance. The Legion's task was then to safeguard any retreat by the Republican Guarde to the West. Very light casualties were taken and after one hundred hours fighting on the ground the war was over. Mogadishu 4k, Bosnia 1992-96. More recently the Legion was again asked to carry out peace keeping roles in war torn areas of the globe. Under the direction of the United Nations, the 2 REP were kept on a tight leash in Mogadishu but the 2 REI accompanied by the 1 REC managed to carry out various clandestine operations in Bosnia in 1992-1995. The Legion were able to make use of the mother tongue of its men in such scenarios to great effect. Casualties were light in both areas of conflict. L'Engagement- Joining. Joining the French Foreign Legion is a relatively simple task. In simple terms all that is required is to present yourself in front of the gates of the French Foreign Legion and inform the guard that you wish to enlist. To enter France from Great Britain there are ferry crossings from Plymouth, Portsmouth and Dover. There are also of course the airports which will connect you directly to France's main cities. Some flights are extremely cheap and it is worth shopping around when at the airport itself or nowadays you can use the teletext service on television. The routes into France and the direction from which you 10 come are many and varied, and none of this is any more a problem than it would be for an everyday tourist. When you arrive at the gates of one of the recruiting centres (All of which are listed towards the end of this book) most people, wherever they come from, manage to mumble a few words to express a wish to join - some of which include Legion Etrangere. The Legionnaire on duty knows exactly what you've come for - particularly if you've got a bag over your shoulder. If you want to be more precise in your initial approach you could say something like this: "Bonjour - Je suis Anglais, Je suis venus pour joindre La Legion Etrangere". Pronounced as follows: "Bonjoor, - Jer sweez Onglay, Jer swee venoo poor joo- wondre La Lejon Ay-tranj-air. " This little parole may initially work against you since they may assume that you speak a reasonable level of French - and then you're all of a sudden, going to go all quiet on them. But they will at least get the message loud and clear that you want to join. Once in France however there are 17 recruiting centres to choose from; situated in most of the major cities. For the most hassle free route into the Legion you should make your way down to Aubagne near Marseille in the south. This approach will cut out 2-3 days administration at one of the other "sub recruiting centres". If you are stuck for cash though, and want to get in quickly, the northern most recruiting centre is Lille. Some centres are more difficult to find than others but the local Gendarme will help you if you have difficulty. It is illegal for France to advertise a 11 career in the Foreign Legion in any other country than its own, but you will see posters all over France saying "Regarde la Vie Autrement" promoting you to "Have a look at the alternative life" - images of hardened Legionnaires stood in their Tenue De Garde gazing across the desert sands. When you first arrive they will take your details and kit you out with a track suit. Apart from an initial medical and the signing of a provisional five year contract there is little to do here. Your time will be spent working on the Quartier (Camp) doing any jobs that are in need of being done until a reasonable number of engages volontaires have turned up. Once you have been at the sub-recruiting centre for a few days and there are enough recruits ready, a Caporal Chef or a Sergent will accompany you down to Aubagne itself to start the three week selection procedure. This journey is nearly always taken by train. The age limits are officially 18-40. Candidates over seventeen and one day are accepted but must have a written consent from either parent, made out in front of an official witness. All expenses to get to France must be paid for by yourself. On arriving in France - Lille is the closest recruiting office. Anybody who is ex-forces would be well advised to take a photocopy of their certificate of discharge with them. (Any members of British forces who are found to be still serving under HM are immediately refused entry). Although the recruiting ages will extend to forty years of age - they will expect you to be in good shape if you are of that vintage. If the Legion does not think that you look like you're going to be up to it - they can turn you away without even giving you a crack at the first test. 12 Once you have walked through the Legion gates you are allowed no further contact with the outside world - neither by phone or by mail, for at least three to four months. Le Langage - The Language Problem. There really is not a problem in this area - it is an area which most people dread and feel will present the biggest problem of all, and it is true to say that there is no requirement to speak any level of French at the time of joining. Having said that - any time spent learning the French language prior to joining will pay dividends very quickly once you have arrived. Even a basic knowledge of verbs, nouns and tenses will set you in good stead with the rest of the Section. It is certainly not something to worry about however - Even if you don't have the time or are in a rush to join, the language comes very quickly for most English speaking people. The ones who find it most difficult are undoubtedly the Japanese, the Chinese and those who come from countries whose language is far removed from the French language. Initially there will be somebody of your own tongue to help explain the contract and to fill in the forms during the first few weeks at Aubagne. Likewise the "Gestapo interview" is also carried out by somebody of your own tongue. As mentioned previously, if you take a small phrase book with a built in dictionary, it will speed up the language learning process no end. Mixing with the French and talking French will also accelerate your learning curve. The sooner you're speaking fluent French and are classed as a "Francophone" (French speaking person) the sooner life becomes easier - You don't have to rely on the French members of your Section or Groupe to translate after every assembly. It will also mean less press-ups and 13 running around because of misunderstood orders. Remember that the top dogs during basic training are given a choice of which Regiment they are sent to on completion of "L 'Instruction" (Basic training). If you are deemed to be a good enough recruit they will probably offer you a place as a Caporal (Corporal) at Castelnaudary. This assessment will depend very much on the standard of your conversational French as well as your soldiering skills. The written side of the French language is not so important at this stage and will not become really important until much later on in your career. Aubugne and the Selection Procedure: (Centre de Selection et Incorporation - CSI) Aubagne is situated about an hour's train journey north of Marseille and it is here that you will begin and end your service with the French Foreign Legion. It is also the home of the ler REI and the Legion Band. The guartier (Camp) is sometimes known as the Mother regiment of the Foreign Legion. The Legion must now decide for sure whether or not to take you into the fold. It is here that they will find out about your past, they will test you mentally, physically and psychologically. You will be assessed and watched very closely. Any misconduct (Particularly fighting and ill-discipline) will leave you standing on the outside of the Qguartier gates. The Legion are not looking for nutters, psychopaths or macho men. They will also attempt to find out any details about any crimes that you have committed in the past. They work very closely with Interpol and if you happen to be on their wanted list you can expect little refuge in the Legion. You will be handed straight over to the Gendarmes. Similarly, anybody found to be still serving with a foreign army will be denied entry to the 14 Foreign Legion. It is therefore advisable to carry your discharge papers if you have recently left the forces and have the appearance of having had a military background. In days gone by the Legion used to accept almost anyone into their fold. Today however, the story is a little different and they are much more choosy as to who they accept. About two thirds of those who arrive at Aubagne will go on to commence basic training at Castelnaudary (The centre for instruction for the French Foreign Legion). Although the Legion is more choosy they are still keen to recruit and if you are in reasonable shape, not wanted by Interpol and pass all the tests which are put before you - (None of which are extremely difficult) then the chances are that they will snap you up. Because there is so much mis-information about the Foreign Legion there are sometimes men who resemble little more than beggars who turn up at the Legion's gates to join - people whose teeth are rotting, are grossly overweight or have vile infections - they are all turned away. On arrival at Aubagne your belongings will be removed and deposited in a plastic bag with a record of all its contents put on file. If during the first three weeks you decide to leave (And you are allowed to do this at any time prior to "La Declaration"- a solemn declaration of fidelity to serve the French Foreign Legion) or are deemed to be unsuitable for service with the French Foreign Legion they will all be returned to you. The only items of kit that may be retained by you are toiletries, a watch, underwear and socks and a French dictionary/phrase book. If however you are accepted into the Legion the clothing is lost forever - do not therefore wear expensive clothing when you come to enlist. Your passport will also be removed until you either opt to leave within the three weeks selection or at the end of your contract. 15 For these first three weeks you will assigned to duties around the Quartier. They may be cleaning, gardening, administration, loading or unloading of vehicles or just helping in the stores. In fact you can be assigned to just about anything. Even here you are being watched and if a bad attitude is shown it will be noted. There will probably be up to about fifty or sixty engages volontaires at Aubagne at any one time, all at various stages of their three weeks selection. A coach load of new recruits arrives every couple of days and likewise, every day, some are rejected. Once every couple of weeks a coach load of the successful E.V's (Engages volontaires) are taken down to the train station to make their way to Castelnaudary to begin their basic training. During your first few days you will be amazed at the diversity of nationalities that have managed to get themselves all the way to France - people from China, Japan, America, Africa, Iceland. In fact - any country in the world. There are approximately ninety to a hundred different nationalities serving in the French Foreign Legion at any one time. Officially however, there are no Frenchmen in the Foreign Legion (Apart from the Officiers). Any French people who join have their identity changed along with their nationality to one of French Canadian or French Swiss for the purpose of their records. They have no choice in this matter. There are some people amongst you though, who have had a very colourful life - some have been terrorists, drug traffickers, mercenaries - you name it they've done it. But for all these people the same rule applies that if they are wanted by Interpol - it's no go. If for any reason you want your identity changed and you are open and honest with the interviewer, it is nowadays a very simple step to take and probably 80% of Legionnaires choose to take this road. For some it is a very serious business and if ever they have inadvertedly had their picture taken by swarming journalists (As in the Gulf war) and are aware of it they will very quickly see their Section Lieutenant to arrange a quick change of 16 identity. (Normally if any journalists are known to be in the area, the Legionnaires present are asked it they have a problem with journalists - if they do - they are taken out of that area and kept well out of the way until the media have left. If, during your stay at Aubagne any relatives come looking for you they will be kept at the main gates. You will be asked if you wish to see them and if you do not they will be told politely you are not in the Legion and asked to leave. After a minimum of three years service in the Legion a legionnaire is allowed to rectify his name - meaning to revert back to his original name or to confirm that the name being used is correct. Once this is done a Legionnaire is allowed to wear any foreign medals earnt in a previous army, he may also leave the country during permission. For the first week you will be in a track suit and thereby identifiable as having just arrived. During the second week you will be issued a set of combats and will wear a green flash on the shoulders. In the third week you will wear the same combats but wearing a red flash on the epaulettes. When you depart for Castelnaudary you will be wearing the uniform that has offically been issued, which includes the Legion beret. There are five main areas that you will be tested/assessed on during the three weeks. They are as follows: Physical health. Psychotechnical Test. Security clearance. Physical fitness. Two interviews. 17 Physical Health. (Infirmier - Medicaux - Visite d'Incorporation - Bilan) (Medical assistant - Doctors - Recruitment examination - Results) You will pass before the doctors at Aubagne and given a full medical. Tests will include good all round general health, bone structure, flexibility of limbs and all bodily movements, heart and lungs, eyesight, hearing, ear, nose throat inspection, drug tests, blood tests, urine tests. Every area that is imaginable will be inspected. If there are any areas that require further investigation, you will be taken to the Hospital in Toulon. You will be asked various questions on your medical history with someone of your own tongue. If your eyesight is only slightly defective then you will probably still be allowed in and glasses will be provided for you at Castelnaudary. The glasses are specifically designed for use with the NBC (Nucleaire, Biologique, et chimique) respirator. Pschotechnical Test. (Groupe D'Evaluation Psychotechnique) This is broken down into two parts. The two parts will examine the aptitude of the candidate, the level of intelligence and the psycholgical stability. Niveau General et Niveau Culturel. These written tests will be taken in a classroom with other engages volontaires. They are done to try and find out what you trade or skill you might be suited to in the Foreign Legion. You might be technically minded or have a mechanical way of thinking. The test will show diagrams of pulleys or levers and you may be asked to work out which one would be the most effective at carrying out the task illustrated in the diagram. Another part of the test takes the standard form of a mathematical questions. This test of intelligence test is not 18 particularly hard and most pass without any real problem. Some of the questions may be using shapes and asking which one fits into the other or working out the next number in a sequence. A final written test done in the classroom are in your own tongue and will pose questions of an opinionated nature - perhaps requiring some form of self assessment. Your answers will be assessed by a specialist afterwards. Questions may seem bizarre to you - they could be something like: Do you like nature? Are you considered to be a hard man in your home town? Do you prefer male company to female? This test will take about twenty minutes. Depending on your score - you will be allowed entry into the French Foreign Legion. The scores achieved will also determine whether or not you will be able to progress higher up the rank structure at a later date. (The tests are repeated throughout you career however) Security Clearance. (Beaureau Des Statistiques de la Legion Etrangere - BSLE) Here, it is up to the Legion to decide whether or not to accept you into their fold from the security point of view. But they will make every effort to find out every detail about you starting from the year dot. The information will be gathered by means of a personal interview between yourself and someone of your own tongue. This is part of the French Foreign Legion Intelligence service and they are very good at their job. They are referred to as "Le Gestapo" by the Legionnaires. Although the Legion will accept people of various backgrounds they will not accept murderers or those they consider to be of a dangerous nature. They have in the past accepted former terrorists and people caught up in the troubles of their country. For these people it is a chance to to escape any danger they might be in and to start life again. The interview will take about two hours and they will delve into every minute detail of your life; your family, your schooling - your previous jobs - why 19 you want to join. They will ask you about your friends, where you have been in the world. And if they feel they are not happy with your story they will invite you back again for further interviews until they are happy. Your fingerprints will also be taken during this stage and held on record. Physical Fitness. (La Forme Physique) These tests are done to ensure that you are in a reasonable condition to take on the tasks that lie ahead at Castelnaudary. As well as various upper body tests in the form of pull-ups and sit ups there is a 2600 metre run to be completed in twelve minutes. If you take longer than the time allowed then you will have failed selection. (this equates to just over a mile and a half in 12 mins or just over eight minute miles). Failures are allowed to re-apply in three months time. Interviews. (Les entrevues) There will be a brief interview, probably with a Caporal Chef and a second interview with the Major. Both interviews will take on a similar line of questioning - Why do you want to join? What have you done in your previous life? Have you done much physical training in your life? Do you know and understand what the contract means? Soon after you have had your second interview you will be informed of whether or not you have been accepted into the French Foreign Legion. 20 At Aubagne the days will start early, probably at about 5.00am, firstly with Le petit dejeuner (breakfast) - a bowl of hot coffee or chocolate with some bread, butter and jam. The coffee will be served in a bowl which you drink from. This is France now and you will learn to do everything the French way. As you become known to more and more Legionnaires you will quickly learn that it is also customary to shake hands first thing in the morning or for the first time you meet them during the day. This happens every day. There is much to do during the three weeks at Aubagne, so you will quickly be marched back to the block to start cleaning. After this the days' activities will begin. It could be any one of the tests previously mentioned or it could be something more mundane like cleaning or helping out in the kitchens. Throughout each day you will be working in one place or another, getting called away to carry out another test or interview and then returning to your present job. If you're not doing either of these things then you will be getting to know the other engages volontaires in a sort of a recreational area at the back of the building. Here there is a pull up bar and trees to sit under and relax. The days are long and they can be tiring but it is also an interesting time for you. You are on the edge of an unknown quantity - about to embark on a great adventure - with some fairly bizarre and adventurous members of your planet. You will probably come across those that like to pull up a sandbag and tell tall stories - take the things you hear with a pinch of salt. Especially when it comes to what lies ahead. You are essentially now in the French Foreign Legion and it is a tough army with a tough lifestyle. You must stand up for yourself and don't get walked over. But be warned that if you are caught fighting and causing trouble - then you will be turned away. At Castelnaudary they will be more lenient - and it is sometimes required in life, to earn 21 some respect, not least of all in the French Foreign Legion. Here, however - if they see you as a trouble maker then you will soon find yourself packing your bags. There will probably be two days out of the three weeks that will be spent at one of two Legion camps helping out: Malmousce and Puyoublier. Malmousce is a small Legion complex situated on the seafront close to Marseille. It is an idyllic setting and it's purpose is to provide for Legionnaires who have no family or friends, a place for them to spend their Permission (Holiday). They will go here or alternatively to "Fort De Nogent" in Paris. As an engage volontaire you will more than likely be taken here to Malmousce to carry out any jobs that are necessary - such as odd jobbing or helping out in the kitchens. There will probably be about ten to fifteen Legionnaires there at any one time, all at various stages of their contract. For them, during the weeks they spend there, life is easy and they will probably be more than happy to tell you about life in the Legion and what's in store for you. The food is normally of a high standard as it is on most Legion camps. The other place that you, as an engage volontaire will be likely to visit is Puyoublier. This is the home for the former Legionnaires who have completed more than three contracts in the Legion. In the Legion such men are known as "Les Anciens ". Most of them have seen action on more than one occasion during their careers. Some have seen a lot of action in some of the Legion's most memorable battles. They are friendly people and only too happy to talk to "Les Jeunes "(The in-experienced or latest to arrive). At Puyoublier the men make their own wine and work the land. There are livestock to look after and even a crafts centre where they make souvenirs to sell to tourists. It is their home - they eat well - have company 22 they can relate to - and they of course drink well. Puyoublier continues to give them a purpose in life. Your job whilst there will again be to help out wherever needed. By this stage you will be beginning to learn what hard work is all about. During your time at Aubagne you will be getting paid a small amount of money. This will amount to about F100 per week. With this money you will be allowed, probably once a week, to go to the Foyer (A bar with small shop attached - There is one on every guartier) - you will be allowed an hour or so to have a beer or two and buy anything you need such as razors, cigarettes etc. It will be very noticeable how all the nationalities gather together in groups of their own tongue - non more so than the British. With the "Brits", will be Canadians, Australians, Scandinavians (who often speak English) and Americans. Whenever the English speakers gather together they are known as "La Mafia Anglaise " or sometimes if they are British "Les Hooligans ". (Individually, you may find yourself being called "Johhny" from time to time, particularly by Les Anciens). But you will notice the Spanish and Brazilians stick together, the Eastern block countries will stick together. The French will be in their little group and so on. It is important to make an effort to mix - if not with the other nationalities - at least with the French. It is after all, the French that you will be relying on to learn the language and, during the initial stages, to translate what has been said by the Caporal or Sergent. As well as various lectures and videos covering life in the French Foreign Legion and the postings that exist, there will also be a visit to the Legion Museum. Probably one of the most impressive to be seen. You will be given about 23 an hour to wander around during an afternoon and examine some of the Legion's past. At some time during the three weeks you will also be interviewed (albeit it in a very casual manner) on the subject of music. That is whether or not you play an instrument or have any inclination to become a musiciain and any desire to play in the Legion band. The Legion band is always keen to recruit - any hint of interest and you will be encouraged all the way in this direction. No- one is ever forced to join the band however - but if you are an experienced musician and definitely do not want to work in the Legion band then it is probably better if you tell them you are destined to be in the 2 REP and wouldn't know one end of a trumpet from the other. (There are some perks to the job of being a bandsman and the Legion band does travel worldwide every year). All bandsmen go through French Foreign Legion basic training just the same as any other Legionnaire. After a long three weeks of cleaning, tests and interviews you will finally be told whether you have passed the selection procedure or not. The successful ones will be issued with the Legion haircut and be taken down to the stores to be kitted out with Le Paquetage. This is the equipment that you will take with you to Castelnaudary and last you through your contract. It will be contained within a large green sausage bag called a Sac Moraine. When you have been issued your paquetage you will know that very soon you will commencing basic training with the French Foreign Legion. At this stage there is only one more thing left to do - that is the solemn declaration of honour and fidelity to serve the French Foreign Legion. For this you will be assembled in a large room which oozes tradition. Thirty to forty of you will be assembled to form three sides of a square. There will be a short speech by the Major declaring that 24 you have been officially accepted into the ranks of the Foreign Legion, with whom you will serve for five years with honour and faithfulness. The Major will then go up to each engage volontaire, call his name out and hand him his contract. The Legionnaire will acknowledge receipt of the contract by coming to the gardez-vous position (attention position) and calling out "Present Major". At approx 5.00 am the next morning you will be assembled ready for pick up by coach to be taken to the Aubagne train station. There you will board a train to take you to Castelnaudary. The Sergent and the Caporal who escort you in the morning will be part of your training team during the four months that lie ahead. Castelnaudary - L 'Instruction - Basic Training. "Quite singly the best way to get on during instruction is not to get noticed, keep your head down, work hard, don't moan, mix with the French and start learning the language. It will come amazingly quickly and if you can speak French, you'll get less hassle". This is the real beginning of your time in the French Foreign Legion. Everything so far has been merely selection. It is now that the real work begins. You are brand spanking new to the system and are about to embark on a very steep learning curve.... 25 Basic training is not aimed at producing elite soldiers out of you. It is aimed at bringing you all into a military way of thinking and to start instilling some form of military discipline. Coupled with this, they must start getting you to grips with learning the French language and conditioning you physically to the rigours that lie ahead. There is therefore a lot of work to be done by both the training team and the recruits during the four months basic training. It is after basic training that soldiering skills are taught in depth at the Regiment that you are posted to. That is not to say that you are not taught military skills during basic training - only that the skills may not be so in depth and so well honed at this stage. Remember that there are people from all over the world, Japanese, Chinese, Rumanians, Czechs, Polish all with a totally different outlook on life. The Western world is naturally a very disciplined culture and one which adapts well to a military environment - many other cultures around the world are not so orderly in their thinking. This four months basic training will also be teaching you one more thing - and certainly the hardest element of all to an engage volontaire - and that is the "Legion way of doing things". It may not be the most logical way or the simplest way, it may seem like the most stupid, ridiculous method in the world - but it is done that way and you are going to do it that way - even if it takes all night and all the next day. They may send one man to do the job of ten or ten men to do the job of one. It will drive you to insanity at the time but what it is doing is re-affirming military discipline into your very new way of life. If you can prepare yourself for this and accept their way of getting the job done, then you're well on your way to becoming a "Bon Legionnaire". This is the part of Foreign Legion life that is most difficult to adapt to. 26 Physically the Foreign Legion is not that hard - mentally it can crack you down the middle - especially those from the Western world. It may take you the whole of your five year contract to become fully at home home with this mentality and the Legion way of doing things. A "Section" consists of 40 men each broken down into 4 "Groupes". The Section is commanded by a "Sergent-Chef" and is known as the "Chef de section" but is addressed us "Sergent-chef". Likewise the Groupe is commanded by a "Sergent" and is known as the "Chef de Groupe" but addressed as "Sergent" by the Legionnaires. Vos Instructeurs - Your Instructors. The training team is made up of four Caporaux (One man is referred to as Le Caporal - more than one Caporal is referred to as Les Caporaux), four Sergents, a Sergent Chef and a Lieutenant. The Caporaux at Castelnaudary will be made up of a combination of Caporaux from other Regiments and what is known as "Fonctionnaire-Caporal" (Shortened to Caporal Fut-Fut). This is a term applied to a select few Legionnaires who have been offered accelerated promotion due to a good performance during their own in 27 basic training - they therefore, have only served a few months more than yourselves in the Legion. You may find that there is a Caporal or Sergent of the same nationality as your own. Often they will be more friendly to their own nationality and keep you slightly more informed as to what is on the agenda during the coming days. Tread carefully in this area however and assume nothing. On arrival at Castelnaudary railway station you will be picked up by a Legion coach and taken to the Quartier (guartier Capitaine Danjou). You will at all times be accompanied by the Caporaux or Sergents. Having unloaded all the Sacs Moraines (Long sausage shaped green bags) into the corridor, there will be a briefing by one of the Caporaux telling you what is next on the agenda. The first day will be spent unpacking bags and getting you into the routines that will very quickly become a way of life. Depending on the training team - and they all have their own way of doing things - your first day will probably be even more stressful than usual. In most armies around the world there is a routine of traumatising the recruits during their first days - creating as big a shock for them as possible. One regiment in the British forces would make the recruits run for four miles with the whole of their equipment immediately on getting off the coach at the Depot, shouting and screaming at them all the way. Likewise in the French Foreign Legion they must instill discipline into the Section as soon as possible and this will be done by whatever means is deemed necessary. There will be silence in the corridoors when lined up. Feet will be exactly in line with the second row of floor tiles. 28 Anybody talking, whispering or behaving like a civilian will be reprimanded in the most extreme manner probably in the form of a good dig to the body. Head and eyes to the front and best you keep it that way. For those that come from Eastern block countries this is not at all easy. They have come from backgrounds far removed from the culture of the West. They are inherently less disciplined and prone to being the target of the enthusiasm of the Caporaux. You may well find yourself doing press- ups on account of them. Throughout the day they will run you through what is known as the "Apel". This is a routine of lining up in the corridoor and calling out from left to right a number. The number starts at one and continues up to however many there are of you. You may all be lined up in a different order every time you come out into the corridor, so it is important that you learn very quickly how to count in French. Whatever you are doing in the room - it is dropped immediately and you must get out into the corridor and line up against the wall before the Caporal has reached the count of four. The Apel is always done first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but initially you will do it perhaps twenty or thirty times in a day. This is purely to teach you how to count and as a method of asserting discipline and authority upon you. In the 2 eme REP based in Corsica, there are three apels per day - one after lunch as well. At some time during basic training there is sure to be a low count in the morning when a Legionnaire or two have decided that they've had enough and tried to desert. They are nearly always caught. 29 Les Numeraux - The Numbers. Listed below are the numbers that you must learn: French number - (Pronounced as) - English number Un - (Urn) - One Deux - (Durgh) - Two Trois - (Twar) - Three Quatre - (Cart) - Four Cinq - (Sank) - Five Six - (See) - Six Sept - (Set) - Seven Huit - (H'eet) - Eight Neuf - (Nerf) - Nine Dix - (Dees) - Ten Onze - (Onz) - Eleven Douze - (Dooz) - Twelve Treize - (Trays) - Thirteen Quatorze - (Catorz) - Fourteen Quinze - (Canz) - FiAeen Seize - (Says) - Sixteen Dix-Sept - (Dees set) - Seventeen Dix-Huit - (Dees weet) - Eighteen Dix-neuf - (Dees nerf) - Nineteen Vingt - (Van) - Twenty Vingt et une - (Vant ay oon) - Twenty one Vingt deux - (Van der) - Twenty two Vingt trois - (Van twar) - Twenty three Vingt quartre - (Van cart) - Twenty four Vingt Cinq - (Van sank) - Twenty five Vingt six - (Van see) - Twenty six Vingt sept - (van set) - Twenty seven Vingt huit - (Van weet) - Twenty eight Vingt neuf - (van nerf) - Twenty nine Trente - (Tron) - thirty Trente et une - (Tront ay oon) - thirty one 30 Trent deux - (Tron der) - Thirty two Trente trois - (Tron twar) - Thirty three Trente Quatre - (Tron cart) - Thirty four Trente cinq - (Tron sank) - Thirty five Trente six - p'ron sees) - Thirty six Trente sept - (Tron set) - Thirty seven Trent huit - (Tron weet) - Thirty eight Trente neuf - (Tron nerf) - Thirty nine Quarante - (Carront) - Forty Quarante et une - (Carront ay oon) - Forty one Quarante deux - (Carront der) - Forty two Quarante trois - (Carront twa) - Forty three Quarante quatre - (Carront cart) - Forty four Quarante Cinq - (Carront sank) - Forty five Quarante six - (Carront sees) - Forty six Quarante sept - (Carront set) - Forty seven Quarante huit - (Carront weet) - Forty eight Quarante neuf - (Carront nerf) - Forty nine Cinquante- (Sankont) - Fifty It will not obviously stop everybody else making mistakes and you will still be going in and out of the room like a yo-yo. But at least you will get it right and it's one less thing for you to have to learn. When you later have to line up for a Company parade you will have to learn the rest of the numbers in French, but this is not worth worrying about at the moment. There are two other reasons for needing to learn the numbers as soon as possible. Firstly; you will have been issued a service number and there will also be a number for your FAMAS. Your service number is known as your "Matricule" and is a six figure number. You must learn how to say it in French and learn it by heart. The number is not however read out as single numerals but as follows: Cent soixante trois, trois cent onze (One hundred and sixty three - three hundred and eleven). This is more 31 difficult to commit to memory than simply learning: Une- six-trois, trois-une-une. (One-six-three - three-one-one). The Caporaux will teach it to you and you will be expmted to know it by heart after a week or two. It will not be very long before you are introduced to your FAMAS assault rifle - This number must also be committed to memory. If you can learn these numbers quickly then you will not be the one that feels the might of a size ten boot when the Sergent has been calling out the weapon number six times at the armoury doors (Le Magasine). Apart from learning your numbers there will be the allocation of beds and lockers and a demonstration by one of the Caporaux on how to arrange your Paquetage into the armoire (locker) in the correct way. There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything in the Legion - if the kit is not placed in the correct place it will soon end up on the floor. There is no food to be kept in the locker at any time and there is a very small shelf which is allocated for personal belongings. (Of which you will have very few). As an engage volontaire you will be assigned to another - he will be referred to as your "Binome". It is up to you to help each other. If he's French - he can help you a lot, and he will be expected to. "It goes without saying that as a recruit you must always carry a pen and notepad. Carry three pens - One for yourself, one for when it stops working and one for the binhome next to you who has forgotten his" For the first two weeks there are only a few items of kit that you have to worry about. The first is the boots. These 32 must be well polished and there is plenty of opportunity to do that. If nothing is happening - i.e. between lectures, then the Legionnaires will gather downstairs and polish their boots. You may well find yourself polishing the boots five, six or even seven times a day. The green combat uniform that is worn on a daily basis is not ironed in the Legion. Neither is the Tenue de Sport (PT kit). But it must be clean at all times. There are no washing machines in basic training so all the kit is cleaned by hand with a block of Savon Marseille (Soap) in the wash basins. Then hung out to dry on the clothes lines of the balconies attached to each room. (The clothes lines are below balcony level and therefore not visible from the outside of the building). The beret that has been issued to you will last only two weeks before being replaced with a smaller neater one which sits much more neatly on the head. The tassle at the back of the beret should lie directly down the centre of the back of the head. The Legion badge will then sit slightly to the right of the right eye. Unlike some armies where a blue beret is issued until training has been completed - in the Legion it is the Kepi that you earn. The beret issued in the Legion is green in colour from day one. The flap being folded down to the left. If you wish to shape the beret to your head, you can make it wet and then squeeze it until damp, then put it on your head for shaping to the exact shape and position required. You will be paid approximately F1500 per month during L 'Instruction (basic training) (About X200). This will be paid into your CNE account which is held by the L 'Adjudant de Section. When you are allowed to go to the Foyer (Like a Naafi or canteen with a small shop attached) - you will be given some money. This is not likely to happen very often during the four months of Instruction. Everything will be provided for you during 33 basic training, even down to your toothbrush, toothpaste, razors etc. At some time during your Instruction you will be allowed to go into the town for a few hours. Here again you will be paid about F200-F300 to have a beer and buy anything you need. Once you have been posted to your regiment, the foyer will become a regular watering hole - chosen in preference to going through all the hassle of preparing your tenue to exit the Quartier. No formal dess need be worn in the Foyer - even Tenue de sport is permitted. Les Chants - The Songs. It will not take long for the instructors to introduce you to the singing which forms an integral part of the French Foreign Legion's tradition. The Legion sings on the march, at the Gardez-vous (attention position), sometimes on the run as a section, and around camp fires when on non-tactical excercises at the end of a long day. You will probably first be taught Le Boudin along with Le Chant (de la) Companie plus Le Chant Du Regiment. There may be as many as fifteen or twenty songs learnt during the four months basic training. How many you learn depends very much on you all as a Section. The more French speaking people there are in the Section, the easier it is to learn, and so the more songs you will learn. If there are only a few Francophones (French speaking people) in the section the songs may well be taught to you phonetically. What this means is that a German will read out the words as they should sound in German and you will write them down as they sound to you in your tongue. Le Boudin is probably the most famous of all the Legion SOllgS. 34 It is also the only song that must be sung at the Gardez vous position. All the rest may be sung on the march. Le Chant (de la) Compagnie wi11 vary from company to company and could be one of many songs. The first verse of Le Boudin is often all that is sung, for example prior to eating a meal. It goes like this: Le Boudin: Tiens. Voila du Boudin, voila du boudin, voila du boudin, Pour les Alsaciens, les Suisses et les Lorrains, Pour les Belges y en a plus, pour les Belges y en a plus, Ce sont des tireurs au coup, Tireurs au coup. There are many different understandings of the meaning behind the words but here is a literal translation: Well there's sausage, there's sausage, there's sausage, For the Alsatians, the Swiss and the Lorrainers; There's none left for the Belgians, there's none left for the Belgians, They are malingerers; There's none left for the Belgians, there's none left for the Belgians; They are malingerers You will undoubtedly hear of other versions whilst in the Legion. The songs are not just sung in French but in many other languages such as Yugoslavian, German and English. The 35 first few weeks singing will undoubtedly result in some very sore arms. This will be through all the press-ups that you will be doing in a bid to get you to sing in tune, deeper (Plus has) and louder (Plus fort). It may seem a pain singing hour after hour, sometimes late into the night, but when a level of skill has been achieved - it will look and sound very good. There is nothing like the sound of 40 plus Legionnaires (better still a company of 150) singing in tune, on the march, with Kepis on their heads and red epaulettes on their shoulders. Songs will be sung initially in the classroom, and then later, when the words have been learnt, on the march. The songs that you will learn are not what you are used to. They are sung slowly, in unison and in a deep voice. They have to be sung slowly in order to be in keeping with the pace of the march. (In the French Foreign Legion the marching is done at 80 paces per minute as opposed to 120 in the British army). There are a collection of Legion songs, most of which you will be expected to learn during basic training, situated towards the back of the book in the Appendix section. La Presentation - Presenting Yourself. It is tradition in the Legion that when addressing someone of a senior rank Le Presente is carried out. It is a form of recital and until you have attained some rank yourself, this will initially mean saying it to everybody, except the other "Engages" (recruits). It is also said when you recieve your pay or when entering a room occupied by anyone of any senior rank. 36 Actions: Knock - wait - enter - salut - beret off.... "Engage Volontaire Antoine, Deux mois de service, Deuxieme Compagnie, Section de Lieutenant Souzla, A vos ordres Caporal/Sergent/Sergent chef/etc. " Meaning: "Recruit Antoine, Two months service, 2nd Company, Lieutenant Souzla's section, At your orders Corporal/Sergeant. " The words in italics will have to be changed for whatever details are applicable to you. Once inside the room the Sergent or whoever that you are talking to, will then say, "Mets-toi au repos. " Meaning - Put yourself into the position of "Repose". (A bit like the "Stand at ease" position in the British army). You must then reply, "Je me-mets au repos a vos ordres Sergent". Meaning: I go to the position of Repose as you order Sergent" When the senior rank has finished with you he will say, "Tu peu dispose" Meaning: "You may now leave" 37 You must then reply, "Je peu dispose, a vos ordres Sergent". Meaning: I am now leaving as you have ordered Sergent. (Actions: Beret on - Salut - About turn - exit room). This is carried on throughout your careeer in the Foreign Legion and holds true even in war. It is said particularly when talking to ranks that are more than one rank above you or if they are unfamiliar. After some time in the Legion or in times of war the Le presente may be shortened to, "Legionnaire Antoine, a vos ordres Sergent" To which the sergent or whoever would probably reply, "Oui, qu'es-ce que tu veux? (Yes, what do you want?) Each room is responsible for its cleanliness. There is not an excessive emphasis on the rooms but they are inspected on a daily basis. They are also walked around at the end of the day by the Caporal Chef/Sergent who is taking the evening Apel. There is no smoking allowed in the building but engages will often try to sneek one on the balcony. Smoking is however allowed, but downstairs and outside. Everyday, first thing in the morning and after lunch before being fell in there is the daily Corvet Quartier. This comprises of the Company forming a line and walking very slowly around the building. At each corner of the building the line is stopped and reformed to face a new direction. Since the buildings at Castelnaudary are in an "L-shape" there are six straight lines to form before progressing in each 38 new direction. All the time you are looking for cigarette ends, litter or rose petals that have fallen in the wind. There are constant yells of ïSilence by the Caporal du Jour which often fall on deaf ears and inevitably ends up in everybody doing press-ups. This ritual of Corvette Quartier will continue until you have reached Caporal status or above. (About two years normally). In each building there are two Sections of Legionnaires undergoing basic training. The older Section will be able to socialise with you almost everyday when downstairs polishing boots or smoking cigarettes. As you might expect they will try to fill you full of horror stories about what lies ahead. They will more than likely exaggerate to the extreme. So take anything you hear with a pinch of salt. Most of it will be rubbish. Bel Air, La ferme - Bel Air, the fame The big horror story you will undoubtedly hear about from day one is Bel Air. This is a large farm building situated in the countryside about ten miles from Castelnaudary. All the Sections go to Bel Air aAer about four weeks for a period of three weeks. Whilst there you will undergo training in weapons handling, (Particularly stripping and assembly of the FAMAS), weapon cleaning, physical fitness, navigation (By compass and by the stars), French language, an introduction to fieldcraft (setting up bivouacs, camouflage and concealment, target indication, first aid, fire control orders, patrolling, ambushes), drill and arms drill, marching and of course lots of singing. 39 As mentioned previously - they are not out to make you into elite soldiers at this stage - more to get you into a military way of thinking, improve your physical fitness and to try to get you talking in French. The soldiering skills are honed later on in your career. There will be pressures placed upon you and these will take the form of sleep deprivation, keeping you as stressed and traumatised as possible by shouting and requiring everything to be done in double quick time. Coupled with that there will be very little to eat. The days will be long and you will become very, very tired. Still the pressure will be on you. Here there will be many inspections of your equipment, your boots (Polish the whole of the boot whilst at Bel Air - the underside as well). Also mark them well, as they may be thrown out of the window with everyone else's (even if your's are clean). Ideally, you will want the same pair back when you go to recuperate them at the end of the night. Each day at Bel Air will start early, at around 5.00 am and by six o'clock you will be doing the morning Sport or Le Petit-footing. This will take about an hour and because there are varying degrees of fitness amongst you, the Section will normally be divided up into three groups of varying ability. You will all do the same training - just that you will all be pushed to the maximum. There will be four to five mile runs, un-armed combat, sit-ups, press ups, pull ups, rope climbing (No legs allowed), firemans carry and any other games the training team can devise to get the blood flowing faster. Although the running will tend to get faster over the three weeks the upper body strengthening excercises may not 40 achieve as much since the food intake is limited and the pull ups, press ups and rope climbing excercises are carried out as much as two or three times a day. Before each meal the Caporaux will gather you round and there will be what is referred to as the L 'Aperitif - a series of three or four of the above excercises which are carried out. When so much work is placed on a particular muscle group the muscles have little time to recover and benefit from the work done. Each day the kit worn will be washed by hand in the basins, then hung out to dry for the next day. Make sure the kit is well marked. The three weeks at Bel Air culminates in a fifty kilometre non tactical march with Sac a Dos (Rucksac) and FAMAS. You have three days to complete the march but it is normally done in two. This is the only test before you receive your Kepi Blanc. It is often argued by Legionnaires that the Kepi Blanc should only be received after the Le Raid at the end of basic training when a much longer march is carried out. This thirty miler is not hard and by this stage you will already have marched many times from Bel Air back to the Quartier. If you have been a soldier in any army prior to joining the Legion, you will have heard of many methods of how to harden your feet. Examples may be rubbing white spirit into your feet, urinating on them, switching them from the hottest water you can bear to the coldest water you can bear. Most people find that the best way to wear in your feet is to march a lot - and that you will. And preferably in boots that are well worn in. Legion boots generally are not a bad fit anyway, even when new. There may be some truth in the notion that submersing bad fitting boots in water when new and going for a couple of miles on a run 41 will help wear them in quicker, but you are unlikely to be in a position to put this method into practise in the Legion. Feet do heal very quickly and there is always a foot and body inspection after every march. Do not, if you have the chance however rip the skin off a blister to expose open flesh. Any insertion into a fluid filled blister should be made with a sterilised needle merely to drain the fluid inside the blister out. The foot should of course be cleaned before such action. Do not bother with ointment or dressings unless it's really bad; just put a clean pair of socks on. Before you know it you will have different set of blisters to worry about. La Remise Du Kepi Blanc - The Presentation of the white Kepi. Throughout the weeks leading up to Bel Air and during your time there, you will all be learning Le Code D 'Honneur. This is - as it sounds - a code of honour which is learnt be heart by all Legionnaires. Together you must recite it in unison at the end of your three weeks at Bel Air. You will spend many hours, learning it, reciting it and then getting the vocal synchronisation together. It will be said by you at the Remise Du Eepi Blanc (Presentation parade) prior to donning the famous white Kepi. If you can learn it by heart before you get there, you will be one very large stride ahead. It goes as follows: 42 Le Code D'Honneur. "Legionnaire, Tu ex un volontaire servant la Erance avec bonheur et fidelite. " (Legionnaire, you are a volunteer serving France with honour and faithfulness) "Chaque Legionnaire est ton frere d'arme, quelle que soit su nationalite, sa race, sa religion. Tu lui manifestes toujours la solidarite etroite qui doit unir les membres d'une meme famille. " (Every Legionnaire is your brother in arms, regardless of nationality, race or religion. You show him always the close solidarity which must unite the members of the same family) "Respectueux des traditions, attache a tes chefs, la discipline et la camaraderie sont ta force, le courage et la loyaute tes vertus. " (Respectful of the traditions held by your seniors, discipline and camaraderie are your strength, courage and loyalty your virtues) "Fier de ton etat de legionnaire, tu le montres dans ta tenue toujours elegante, ton comportement toujours digne mais modeste, ton casernement toujours net. " (Proud to be a Legionnaire, you show this in your dress; it is always elegant, you are always dignified but modest in the way that you behave and your quarters are always in order) 43 Soldat d'elite, tu t'entruines avee rigeur, tu entretiens ton arme comme ton bien le plus precieux, tu as le souci constant de ta horme physique. " (As an elite soldier, you train with rigour, you look after your weapon as your most precious possession, and you always take care of your physical fitness.) "La ndssion est sacree, tu l'executes jusqu'au but, a tout prix. " (The mission is sacred, you execute it to the very end, at all costs). "Au combat, tu agis sans passion et sans haine, tu respects les ennemis vaincus, tu n'abandonnes jamais, ni tes morts, ni tes blesses, ni ter armes. " (In combat, you fight without passion and without hatred, you respect the defeated enemy always, you never abandon your dead, nor your wounded nor your weapons). You are not actually at any time during instruction asked to translate the Code D'Honneur into your own language, but it is included here for your interest. At the Remise Du ICepi Blanc there will be another Section from Castelnaudary to act in a supporting role as part of the Remise. The Chef de Corps (Camp Commandant) will present the Legionnaires with a small badge which signifies that they are now officially accepted as part of the 4eme RE. He will pin that to each Legionnaire's chest. The formalities will be followed by big eats, some singing, and a photo session by a photographer hired by the Legion for some formal group shots. Depending on how good or bad the singing is - will 44 depend on whether you march back to the Quartier or are taken back by camion (lorry). When handling the Kepi make sure that you touch only the black peak and not the white parts. The white cloth stains very easily, and if you don't handle it by the peak, you'll end up scrubbing it. After Bel Air, Castelnaudary will seem like a hotel. The camp was modernised in 1985 and is extremely plush considering the sort of images that most people conjure up in their mind when they hear talk of the French Foreign Legion. La Place D'Arme (The Parade square) is of an oacre type tarmac finish with roses all around the inside of its perimeter. These are carefully maintained by the prisoners and any spare recruits. Any petals that fall in the wind are swiftly picked up by the Corvet Quartier who sweep around the building twice a day. Once back at "Castel" (Abbreviated term for Castelnaudary) you will soon be back into lectures, running and once every couple of weeks a trip onto the terrain for some patrolling (Normally about 20 kms or so) and practise of fieldcraft skills. Temperatures can get up to a hundred degrees in the summer and there are often reports in the local press of locals dying whilst out in the heat of the day or over doing it. The Legion has great experience of working in hot conditions and takes this sort of weather very seriously. If the weather is too hot then certain excercises may be cancelled or postponed until it is cooler. Many of the recruits will not be used to such weather - some may not have even acclimatised from their native country yet. You will quickly be taught that water should be treated like gold in these conditions. When out on excercise the training team will be watching very closely who has the discipline in them to conserve water 45 from their Bidon (water bottle). If you take small sips of water throughout the day, as opposed to great gulps - it will last you longer. On top of that, the more you drink - the more you sweat. But if you want to earn smartie points - be the one with half a bottle of water left at the next water stop. "Do not drink water from the rivers in France. If you do - it will make you very ilL For a week you will not know whether you're coming or going. Even sterilising tablets added to water are not safe in certain rivers. " A Typical Day. 6.00 am: the Section assembles in line in the corridoor for the morning Appel. After a quick shave and a wash you will get into Tenue de Sport (PT Kit). The room must be tidied and the beds made. The beds are not made in the normal way however. In the Legion the bed is stripped every day and the blankets folded to an exact size and placed one on top of another. These will sit at the end of the bed with the Couverture (Top cover) underneath. The sheets are folded and rolled in an exact manner to form a sort of tube. These are then laid diagonally across each other on top of the blankets to form a cross. This routine does not stop at the end of basic training but continues for as long as you reside on a Legion Quartier - regardless of rank. 6.20am: The Section will be either marched or doubled across to the refectoir for Le Petit Dejeuner (Breakfast). 46 This consists of a glass bowl of black coffee or drinking chocolate. With this you receive half a baguette each and some jam or marmalade. You will always carry your issued Opinel (Pen-knife) which you use for breakfast. You may only have ten minutes to eat this before being assembled outside to to return to the block. You may again either march or run back - dependant upon what is on the agenda for the day and the schedule of timings. 6.30am: Corvet Quartier is next on the agenda. (Straight line sweep around the building done by the complete Company to pick up cigarette ends etc.) At the same time as this, anybody wishing to go sick, reports to the Caporal Chef down in the Company office. If the rooms are not yet finished then one or two Legionnaires per room will remain behind to finish them off. There will also be a couple of Legionnaires left behind to carry out the Corvet Chiot (Toilet cleaning duties). 7.00am: Rassemblement (Assembly) by Section, or, if it is a Monday, it will be as a complete Regiment (Reglementaire). The Caporal Du Jour will hand you over to the Sergent and then if there is a senior rank present you will be handed over to the most senior rank present. From here you will normally go for a run. Distance varying from four to eight kilometres. (Incidently, you will always talk in Kilometres in the Legion. There are approximately 1.6kms to one mile. Or 0.6 miles to one kilometre. Therefore, as an example; eight kilometres equals approx. five miles). Runs in the Legion never start very fast - a great emphasis is put on warming up for at least the first kilometre or two, and then it gradually gets faster. At the end of the run there are usually exercises, rope climbing (always without the use of your legs), pull ups and sit ups, followed by stretching. 47 Periodically the Sergent will have you all straightening each others spines. The method used, does, for the first time sound like a very painful process. It can be a little disconcerting when you hear your spinal column cracking into line and the man doing it has only learnt the technique thirty seconds previously. It is however a genuine technique which was once used by osteopaths. 8.30am: Section arrives back at the block. The Senior rank will dismiss you into the building where you can get showered and changed ready for the Casse-scroute (Snack). This will be probably a quarter of a baguette and some pate. The Section will now be in Tenue verte (green combats) for the rest of the day. 9.30am: There will now be a lecture on postings in the French Foreign Legion. This may be taken by the Sergent, Sergent Chef or the Lieutenant. The period will last about one hour. After which you will be allowed outside for a cigarette break for fifteen minutes. 10.45am: A second lecture will follow on French language taken by the Lieutenant. 12.00am: The boots will be taken downstairs for a quick polish before lunch. There will also be time for a quick Aperitif before lunch. 1230: The Section will assemble ready to be marched across to the refectoir for lunch. The Section will almost always march and sing their way across the Place D'arme (Parade square). There may well be other Sections doing the same thing. 1250: Feeding time in the Legion is a very well executed procedure. The Legionnaires form a long line from the doorway up to the servery with a Caporal at the head of the queue controlling the passage of troops. When the head Chef calls out the word "Quatre" - the next four 48 Legionnaires walk past the servery, picking up a dish of food each. Since all the tables are laid before the meal with plates and all the cutlery, there remains only the food to be collected. This makes for a very rapid feeding system. In the space of only a few minutes literally hundreds of Legionnaires can be seated and eating their food without the hassle of a fifteen minute queue. At the end of the meal the plates are left on the tables to be cleared away by the Legionnaires on Corvet. (Which will at sometime be you). 1330: March back to Le Batiment (Building) to carry out the Corvette Quartier once more. The rooms will also have to be cleaned once more if they require it and the boots polished. 1400: The Section will be assembled and the Sergent will brief you on what is happening in the afternoon. Today it consists of being taken over to the Infirmerie for some tests. These may be urine, blood, a chat with the Medecin (Doctor), chest X-rays or whatever. 1530: Lessons in drill. Droit droit (Right turn), Gauche gauche (Left turn) and the demi-tour droit (About turn). There may also be further lessons on La Presente. 1650: The Compagnie will assemble together for the march across for the Repas du soir (Evening meal) sometimes known as La Soupe. Again you will sing. This may again be preceeded by an Aperitif in the form of pull- ups, press-ups and sit ups. 1700: La Soupe. (Evening meal) 1800: Les Chants de La Legion (Songs of the Legion). For several hours you will be in a classroom singing and reciting Le Code D'Honneur. There will be breaks every hour or so. For this you will go out into the corridoor/veranda outside and can smoke. 49 2100: Apel du soir. This will be carried out by the Sergent. If he is happy with the rooms and the turnout he will say Bonne Nuit (Good night) which everyone shouts back in unison - Bonne nuit Sergent! You can then get to bed. Qaurtier Libre - Time off down the town. At some time before the Section departs for a weeks training in the Pyrenees there will be guartier Libre (Time off down the town) - Assuming that is if the Section has performed reasonably well up till then. For this you will be allowed four hours out down in the town of Castelnaudary and you will be given about F200 francs to spend. The Section is transported in Tenue De Sortie (uniform for going out in) by camion (Lorry) to the old Quartier - Quartier Lepasset, again in Castelnaudary where basic training used to take place. You are on your own whilst out in the town, but there are Police Militaire (PM's) everywhere and the rules are strict. Nobody is to eat in public, drink or be loud. Most Legionnaires go to a bar and get drunk and then try their best to act sober. Most of them do a pretty good job and the training team does not really mind so long as the Legionnaires behave themselves. This is prime time to get ahead. Spend the first two hours sorting out your admin - i.e. getting anything you need and making phone calls. (A paintbrush is worth buying. It can be used for weapon cleaning and is invaluable as a cleaning tool for the likes of the magazines and the bayonet. (There is a brush in the weapon cleaning kit but the bristles are too thick). A bottle of iodine is also worth getting, for sterilizing infections or blisters). Most of the things that you need on a day to day basis are available in the Foyer back at the Quartier, but there is always 50 something you might need and it may be some time before you're allowed out again. This will also be your first opportunity to make a phone call. The number to get out of France is 0044 followed by your area code minus the first zero. For example, if the tel. no in England were 0171 123456 the whole number from France would be dialled as follows: 0044 171 123456. Trying to get help or advice from the French directory enquiries can give you a major Mal a la tete (headache) so try and get a francophone to help you if you have problems. If you want them to ring you back they must dial 0033 to get out of England, followed by the digit "4" for Castelnaudary and then the eight figure digit marked on the telephone in the kiosk. You may also find that because there are forty Legionnaires all trying to get a telephone, there are queues outside every phone kiosk. Try going to a hotel - if the people you are ringing want to ring back, it will be easier for them to get the number from international enquiries if they have any problems. Lager is served in half pints in France and is referred to as "Demi " or "Pression ". It is also quite expensive in France and especially so in the nightclubs where the equivalent of a full pint would cost you F100. Nightclubs however, will come later on in your career. The Camion will meet you at a pre-arranged RV (Normally the old Legion quartier in the town of Castelnaudary) to take you back to the Quartier. You are left to your own devices for the next few hours and it is not unknown for the Legion to allow you to sleep it off on arrival back at the guartier afterwards. Anybody fighting, getting rowdy or mouthing off goes straight into the slammer for ten days. If there has not been too much trouble on the first trip then a second trip may be allowed about a month or two later. There is also a town called Carcassonne not very far away from Castelnaudary which is the home town of the 51 French Paras. The Legion is reluctant to allow engages there due to the trouble that normally ensues. When you arrive at your regiment you are allowed to leave the Quartier in the evening aAer work and stay out until six o'clock the next morning assuming that everything is in order and ready for the next day. You will pass before the Bureau Compagnie who will inspect you. Then you must present yourself before the Chef de Post at the main gate - who will decide whether or not to let you out or not. Quartier Libre on a Regiment refers to a thirty six hour period over the week end. Not every weekend is Quartier libre allocated. The same routine applies when it is granted however. Shortly after having been on guartier Libre, there will be a trip into the Pyrenees - a small village called Camurac. An idyllic farmhouse setting in beautiful countryside where you will be continuing your training but in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. There will be the usual Petit footing (Running) at some time of the day but most of your time will be spent marching in the Pyrenees. It may be tactical or non-tactical, depending on the training team. There will be an introduction to climbing and abseiling at some stage during the week's stay. At least a few evenings will be spent in the mountains drinking wine around the camp fire singing Legion songs. (The fires that the Legion make are not small bonfires - but more like mini Guy Fawkes nights). It is a slightly more relaxing time than usual - but as always assume nothing. 52 On arrival back at Castelnaudary it will be back to business as usual and this, if it hasn't happened already, could well take the form of the La Piste De Cornbat (The assault course). This pleasure is experienced about once a month and is located about five kilometres up the road from Castel. It must be said that this is one of the hardest assault courses in the world and in total, makes up a length of about five hundred metres; an internal circuit followed by an external circuit. All the obstacles have a certain amount of technique required and they will all be shown to you by the training team. Although no equipment is worn it is very, very knackering, but it is good. Now that the greater half of your training is completed there is now a large proportion of training which comprises of Guarde and Corvet around the Quartier. This is, in a way - a sort of training for what to expect at your Regiment. Every day, or for at least a few days of each week, some or all of the Section will be involved in such tasks as corvet mess officiers (Working in the Officers mess), corvet mess sous-officiers Working in the Sergents and above mess), Le Garde (Guard duty on the main gate) Corvet refectoire (Working in the Legionnaires mess) or Corvet Foyer ( working in the Foyer). None of these jobs are particularly hard, but it will certainly teach anybody who doesn't already know what a good days work is all about. You will work long hard days - and that is life in the French Foreign Legion. If you are working in the refectoire, mess ogiciers or mess sous-officiers you will have the bonus of extra food during the day. All this will be done when you arrive at your regiment as there is always a Compagnie de Corvet responsible for the chores and the guard to be done around the Quartier. Each company takes it in turn to carry out these tasks. 53 Le Garde - The Guard Duty. The one task that does require intensive preparation is Le Garde - this is a privileged position of responsibility. Although under the direction of the Sergent and the Caporal du Jour, you are the front line in the Quartier's defence. You will be armed with FAMAS and have live rounds in the magazine. For the Guarde there will be six Legionnaires, a Caporal and a Sergent. There will also be a "Clairon" (a buglar) allocated to your Groupe. The guard takes place from six in the morning until six o'clock the following morning. The preparation is just as important as doing the Guard duty itself. The weather can vary enormously throughout the year but in the summertime temperatures can reach up to a hundred degrees Fahrenheit. The Tenue de Garde is worn, which in summertime means fifteen creases in the shirt. If it is wintertime then the brown jacket and trousers are worn. This is easier to iron and there is not the heat to contend with. Whatever uniform is worn, the Epaulettes de Tradition are also worn on the shoulders. The FAMAS (Personal weapons) are drawn early in the morning and wiped thoroughly to remove any excess oil. Even the slightest mark will stain the summer shirt badly. Make sure you have a hanky with you. There is normally an assistant attached to each group of six to assist in tucking up the trousers under the elastics to make a neat finish and to fetch and carry. They are basically there to perform any other tasks necessary to ensure a smooth operation of the Garde. Although the Legion does not normally bother too much about bullshit and ironing of the normal working uniform - in this area of turnout they really do excell themselves. The boots are still not bulled 54 however, but the ironing must be spot on. It is also here that you will wear the "Centurion Bleu" - the wide blue band that is worn underneath the combat belt. Because the blue band is so long (about six feet) it requires two people to put it on, one holds it out straight and the other holds the start of the band to his side and turns his body until it is wrapped tightly around his waist. The blue sash must end with the tail at the front of the body in the centre, folding itself over to form a neat finish. The normal working day belt (Le centurion) is the positioned over the top. This item is again worn whether it is winter or summer. All the idiocyncrocies of getting it right are also the responsibilty of the Caporal and the Sergent in charge. (The Sergent is referred to as the "Chef De Poste" on this day). If there is one man whose turnout is a mess, then it is not only he who will go to jail but also the Caporal and the Sergent, since the culprit is their overall responsibility. The duty starts at 6am when you replace the previous night's guard from another Section. This is in itself is a ceremonial procedure. It will only take about ten minutes to do, but in this time the Chef Du Corps will have had brief words with everyone taking up the new shift. He nearly always has a friendly disposition and is a likeable character. He will ask you questions like, What did you do before the Legion? Are you enjoying the Legion? What did you do in training this week? and Are you in good spirits? These questions obviously are all asked in French but he is not un-used to encountering communication problems. By the time you are doing a stint of guard in the Legion you will probably have no problems in understanding and answering any of these questions in French. Once the Chef Du