Any one know anything about the French Foreign Legion? Just curious?

I know it figured prominently in "Secondhand Lions." Loved that movie.

Ok, actually, this might help:

http://www.foreignlegionlife.com/

Already know the basics..my father in law was in the FFL
tks

Oh was he? I know their main recruiting base is right across the border. Er Italian-French border I mean.

Well, this one takes you a little deeper. Afraid I can't help much beyond this, though. I hope you find what you're looking for.

http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/legion/index.asp

This topic has been done before

http://www.military-quotes.com/forum...foreign+legion

However, since nothing really came of that thread, I will allow this one to continue.

A very good mate of mine served in the Legion in the early to mid 80's.
Basically if your fit and healthy, have no major criminal convictions and pass a basic fitness and aptitude test you have a good chance of getting in.
5yr contract, tough life, good chance of deploying to some hotspot somewhere and French citizenship after you successfully complete your first contract.
Pretty much everything in a nutshell.
Quite a few good websites and forums out there if you want to look.

I knew a man who, as a young, dumb boy, signed up in the 50's and served in North Africa. He said that everyone picked up a little of each other's language. He said that there were mostly Germans at that time and that you were guaranteed anonymity from the time you signed up. The Officers were French and no part of the Legion could serve in France.

Shortly after he joined, the Korean war ended and because of some turncoats, President Eisenhower had a law passed that if anyone served in a foreign military, their citizenship was revoked. Bill, my friend, said that it just got too tough and he escaped and found himself in Cairo, a man without a Country. Arabs and French were after him and he knew he was dead either way. His Mother was finally able to get a Congressman to make an exception for him because he was too young to serve when he joined.

That is the way it was related to me by the person and I haven't thought of the subject for years so I'm not much of a source.

Originally Posted by Missileer

I knew a man who, as a young, dumb boy, signed up in the 50's and served in North Africa. He said that everyone picked up a little of each other's language. He said that there were mostly Germans at that time and that you were guaranteed anonymity from the time you signed up. The Officers were French and no part of the Legion could serve in France.

Shortly after he joined, the Korean war ended and because of some turncoats, President Eisenhower had a law passed that if anyone served in a foreign military, their citizenship was revoked. Bill, my friend, said that it just got too tough and he escaped and found himself in Cairo, a man without a Country. Arabs and French were after him and he knew he was dead either way. His Mother was finally able to get a Congressman to make an exception for him because he was too young to serve when he joined.

That is the way it was related to me by the person and I haven't thought of the subject for years so I'm not much of a source.

well hopefully he returned okay. on the other hand we have desertions. they actually give you tips on how to do this. apparently they want to get rid of you quickly.

Tips On Deserting

"If you decide you've had enough and choose to desert, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your odds of not being caught. The easiest means of deserting is to wait until your unit is granted leave. You should then have at least two weeks to find a way out of France."

Originally Posted by Missileer

I knew a man who, as a young, dumb boy, signed up in the 50's and served in North Africa. He said that everyone picked up a little of each other's language. He said that there were mostly Germans at that time and that you were guaranteed anonymity from the time you signed up. The Officers were French and no part of the Legion could serve in France.

Shortly after he joined, the Korean war ended and because of some turncoats, President Eisenhower had a law passed that if anyone served in a foreign military, their citizenship was revoked. Bill, my friend, said that it just got too tough and he escaped and found himself in Cairo, a man without a Country. Arabs and French were after him and he knew he was dead either way. His Mother was finally able to get a Congressman to make an exception for him because he was too young to serve when he joined.

That is the way it was related to me by the person and I haven't thought of the subject for years so I'm not much of a source.

Very interesting!