Establish An American Foreign Legion

The County Press (Second ThoughtsP ^ | 10-15 | William W. Lawrence

[Temple Owl]

Columnists Jackie Mason and Raoul Felder, in a recent American Spectator article, supported the creation of an American Foreign Legion.

Mason, a stand-up comedian, and Felder, a stand-up attorney, wrote: "To be honest, we never cared much for the French, nor as they have made it very clear, did they care much for us, although if it wasn't for America they would be singing the "Horst Wesel" song at the Folies Bergère and Wiener Schnitzel would be the specialty of the local McDonald's."

Mason and Felder said they would sooner go to a square dance, or worse yet, a Karaoke bar, than admit that the French have developed a good idea and made the Foreign Legion part of what is left of their culture.

They noted that The Legion offers the flotsam and jetsam of the world the opportunity to start over, with a new name and a new identity.

The idea of an American Foreign Legion is not a new one. It has been kicked around for a number of years.

What I don't like about Mason and Felder's idea is the recruiting of "the flotsam and jetsam."

If we ever do establish an American Foreign Legion it should be a proud, elite, completely integrated force manned by the brightest, best-educated and honorable men and women on earth. It would be led by American officers and English would be the official language.

The legionnaires should have a strong desire to become citizens, abide by the U.S. Constitution and be willing to fight and die for their new country. They would be rewarded with American citizenship. It would be a good way to become an American.

***

Off The Internet:

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[Temple Owl]

The County Press is located in suburban Philadelphia.

I think Mason and Felder have made it very clear. We don't like the French and they don't like us. As for an American Foreign Legion? Done right it would probably work.

[Servant of the 9]

The Brits have reduced the Ghurka to one regiment.
We could easily recruit a Ghurka Light Infantry Division that would be an awesome fighting unit.

So9

[Temple Owl]

I like the idea bright people serving in an elite outfit where they would learn English and the essentials of our Constitution as a requisite for fast-track citizenship.

[Dundee]

You'd probably also end up with an ANZAC division as well.

A Ghurka division AND an ANZAC division? That's two formations you'd go a long way to avoid fighting against.

[archy]

I think Mason and Felder have made it very clear. We don't like the French and they don't like us. As for an American Foreign Legion? Done right it would probably work.

Note though that the French Foreign Legion through most of its long and distinguished life has maintained a strict policy and tradition of not participating in or being stationed within the metropole of France itself. It was only with the loss of French colonies world wide, Algeria and the Legion Entrangere's home base of Sidi-bel Abbes in 1962 in particular, that the policy was reconsidered. They were formed to maintain French order outside France, not within its borders.

We'd better do some thinking about following a similar policy for the first 150 years or so of its existance if those of the group are to be thought of as American citizens in training rather than another globalist federal Gestapo force to be used on American citizens.

-archy-/-

[Temple Owl]

The Legion offers the flotsam and jetsam of the world the opportunity to start over, with a new name and a new identity.

We do not need to hire criminals to fight our battles. I like the idea of moral volunteers.

[Destro]

We already have a foreign legion-it is called NATO.

[Mr. Lucky]

In the pantheon of really bad ideas, this one will be placed on the pedestal of honor.

America is not a colonial power and , unlike France, doesn't pretend to be. American freedom is dear because it was bought, and continues to be paid for, with Ameican blood. When Americans are no longer willing to defend their freedom, they will no longer deserve it.

[Temple Owl]

I think that outfit went AWOL. lol

[archy]

The Brits have reduced the Ghurka to one regiment.

We could easily recruit a Ghurka Light Infantry Division that would be an awesome fighting unit.

They're in very high demand in both Pakistan and India right now, with both nation's forces employing Gurkha formations. And they've been at it both in Afghanistan and Iraq, both with the British military and as contracted security personnel around certain critical American installations, as well as having a particularly fierce Maoist insurgency in their native Nepal with which to contend.

But with their 5 decades of experience along the East German 5-KM zone *Iron Curtain* in the British Army of the Rhine's tactical area of responsibility, their presence maintaining a secure border between the former British Guina and Guatemala, and their long presence in formerly British Hong Kong, they'd be naturals for a force to patrol america's southern border. And Mexican narcotrafficantes and bandidos who attempted to insult their particular sense of honor with bribes or tried to hand them violent disagreements would get their heads handed back to them. Literally.

tesro bisra yudha nepalbata suru hunchaa....

-archy-/-

[buwaya]

There would certainly be no recruiting problem - A vague rumor in the streets of Manila would get you 500,000 volunteers in a week, including most of the Philippine armed forces.

Long-term, this is probably a bad idea. It is too easy to become dependent on mercenaries (which, honorable as the recruits and recruiters would be, is what the relationship is). It would further remove the US citizenry from the armed forces, as after a certain point it will be impossible to use the regular armed forces at all. This happened to France, which became over-dependent not only on the Legion, but on native forces of all sorts, from Senegal, North Africa, etc. for its "dirty wars" and foreign expeditions.

The British had a better experience, but they were very careful to limit the use of native troops and their professional army was always deployed side-by-side with Indian regiments for instance. But this takes an institutional devotion that may not work well in the US.

[archy]

The Legion offers the flotsam and jetsam of the world the opportunity to start over, with a new name and a new identity.

We do not need to hire criminals to fight our battles. I like the idea of moral volunteers.

The French Foreign Legion is much,MUCH fussier about those who it accepts into its ranks nowadays than it was in times when blind obedience was the most required trait of the cannon fodder sent to die in the world's disputed backwaters. But as the equipment and tools of warfare heve become more specialized, the Legion realizes that the inefficent slaughter of highly trained specialists is not only inefficient but counterproductive as well. A better idea of the present-day composition might be understood with the thought of taking the United States' Marine Corps and discharging all but around 10,000 of the very best, most highly trained and experienced fighters and technical specialists.

There are still a few Legionaires with criminal or romantic backgrounds they'd prefer to have remain a problem *of that other world,* but the traditional practice of giving ALL Legion recruits a new Nom de Guerre not identical to that found on any passport he may have surrendered upon enlistment continues. But they are all fingerprinted and those wanted by Interpol or nations with which France maintains extradition treaties are not around for long. Of those few kept by the Legion, it's mostly those with multiple alimony payment proceedings or child support demands who remain, though a few members of the growing number of European and Scandanavian outlaw motorcycle gangs have recently found new careers as well.

Legio Patria Nostra

-archy-/-

[Junior]

The "flotsam and jetsom" of the FFL are still some of the toughest fighters going. One need only recall Camerone to see the type of men the "dregs of the world" become under the Legion.

[Prodigal Son]

America is not a colonial power

Hmmm. What are Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, formerly Cuba, the Phillipines and all the Western States before they were added to the Union?

[sean327]

We already have that, It's known as the United States Marine Corps. Kickin' Ass and Takin' names for 228 years and counting!!!! OORAAHH!! Semper Fi!!!!!!!!!!!

[91B]

...men and women...

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain that Le Legion Etranger only accepts males.

[Temple Owl]

If we ever do establish an American Foreign Legion it should be a proud, elite, completely integrated force manned by the brightest, best-educated and honorable men and women on earth. It would be led by American officers and English would be the official language.

The legionnaires should have a strong desire to become citizens, abide by the U.S. Constitution and be willing to fight and die for their new country. They would be rewarded with American citizenship. It would be a good way to become an American.

I think like that better than "flotsam and jetsom." Don't forget they are going to become cititzens and live in your community.

[Ciexyz]

Best Foreign Legion Movie ever made, IMO: "March of Die" starring Gene Hackman and Catherine Deneuve, from approx. 1980. Rented it over and over back then, can't find it anywhere now. I would've bought it but video prices were outrageous (@ $89. per tape was the average).

[buwaya]

Yes, that horse was out of the barn in 1898.

[buwaya]

A good foreign legion movie, though I still prefer the original Beau Geste with Gary Cooper.

I think you can get it for less - I saw it on a search through amazon for $ 65 - look for "march or die" on "all products"