So you’ve decided to run away and join the French Foreign Legion? Here’s how.

IO9 ^ | Dec 7, 2012 | Keith Veronese

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

My brother has a French Foreign Legion cap almost the same as in the ones in the picture. In the late 70s there was a conflict in Zaire and the US military was sent in. I think it was part of a UN mission. He traded his Dallas Cowboys ball cap for the FFL cap. He said that reporters took pictures of the trade but we never saw them later anywhere.

My brother was in a large restaurant in Zaire and said that the Americans were treated well by the staff. Not so for the Legionaries. The staff ignored them. Tired of being snubbed one of them fired his machine gun in the air. The staff came quickly to take their orders.

[ansel12]

Here is perhaps the greatest Legion battle in history, and it was right next door to us.

I celebrate it every April 30, having been introduced to it by some fine fellows in France.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camar%C3%B3n
“The Battle of Camarón (French : Bataille de Camerone) which occurred 30 April 1863 between the French Foreign Legion and the Mexican army, is regarded by the Legion as a defining moment in its history. A small infantry patrol led by Captain Jean Danjou, Lt Maudet and Lt Vilain, numbering 62 soldiers and three officers was attacked and besieged by a force that may have eventually reached 3,000 Mexican infantry and cavalry, and was forced to make a defensive stand at the nearby Hacienda Camarón, in Camarón de Tejeda, Veracruz, Mexico. The conduct of the defence ascribed to the Legion a certain mystique—and Camarón became within Legion ranks synonymous with bravery and a fight-to-the-death.”

[Leaning Right]

The Battle of Camarón, an incredible story.

Unfortunately, Camarón is yet another example of how fine soldiers are put into ridiculous and unwinnable situations by stupid politicians (in this case, Napoleon III).

[Liaison]

The trade with the French was 3 MREs for one french daily ration. They had only 6 types of daily meal boxes and they liked the 12 different 1st gen MREs. They got more variety, more calories and a more consistent meals. I only remember the mutton meal and the mutton was extremely gristly. I blame the supplier for the quality for I was told that it was hit or miss if it was good. The rest of the ration was good. I liked the daily soldier ration in this order: German, British, then French.

[DCBryan1]

Here’s a question for you; what if an 18-year-old American citizen, property owner, voter, and registrant with the selective service left the United States and joined the French foreign Legion? Would he, at the end of his enlistment, be only a French citizen an American citizen or both a French and American citizen (dual citizen)?

[Chode]

did it come with wine??? i've read they did at least into the 90's

[ansel12]

I liked the Cognac, the full pack of smokes (20), and the cheeses and the Pate in the French rations.

My first one was the absolute best, until I was told that the box was for all three meals.

The soldiers were also allowed to fill their quart canteens with wine at that time, and carry them on their side, I don’t know if they can still do that.

[gaijin]

There is a high desertion rate; violence is used very much in training.

If you are caught trying to desert, the punishment involves barbed wire (I think marching in a circle for a very long time wearing a heavy backpack load secured with barbed wire).

[ansel12]

In the 1980s, the French ration came with a little bottle of Cognac, although it may have been brandy.

[Chode]

there's nothing wrong with a little after dinner nip to help the digestion... 8^)

[ansel12]

I would like to see the American military patterned more on the Legion in regards to pay, and the warrior climate and ethic.

Our young enlisted should be single men who only get paid enough to live a soldier’s life for the first couple of years, the wife, families, and good pay can come after reenlistment, or attaining Corporal rank, or since this is America, something close to that goal.

We do not need the first 2 years of enlistment ranks filled with overpaid privates, husbands, single moms, wives and mothers, needing family housing, daycare, pay add-ons, separate rations etc., gynecologists, pediatricians and all the other stuff.

[Nik Naym]

It really says something about a country when its toughest military unit is made up of a bunch of foreigners.

[redfreedom]

ansel12:

You described exactly what it was like when I first enlisted. I believe my first pay, by the month, was about $65.00 and out of that had to come hair cuts, shaving stuff, shoe polish etc. The barracks were open bay with rows of bunk beds, each man had a narrow wall locker and a foot locker. Latrines had a row of toilets with no privacy dividers. You needed a pass to get off post. If you wanted a car you pooled your money with one or two others to buy an old used car. If you wanted to get married, you needed permission from the CO. You were treated like a second class worm.

Todays American would not tolerate such “abuse”.

In Vietnam there was more freedom and respect for all, which is why I think so many volunteered for extensions. Of note we kept loaded M-14’s with us at all times, at night either beside us or in a wall locker. This contrasts today’s army in that I’ve read Afghan soldiers are not always permitted ammunition, which is stupid beyond belief.

[Sherman Logan]

Probably dual citizenship, unless France gets into a rumble with USA while you are serving in the FFL, particularly as an NCO. Which, despite our disdain for each other, isn’t particularly likely.

Possibly France has a requirement that foreign citizenship be renounced in order to become a French citizen. Don’t know about that.