What sort of a man joins the legion? Leaves everything behind him and signs up for at least five years. I know a lot of people (from south america and eastern europe) sign up for French citizenship or the money. But what about the people with good back grounds and had a good standard of life. I've heard of people joing up after university
I've been mulling it over and the only reasons I think they would join would be as follows. 1. They are dropped into a foreign countries army and learns a new language, it's like a totaly new world and helps them realise them selves. 2. The adventure (though acompanied by boredom and sh!t living conditions). 3. The sense of vocation. 4. It will change you, probably for the better.
Is there anything that would attract someone to the legion? To be honest I only ever heard about it in recent years.
Disclaimer: I have never been in the service myself. But I have family in the French military. I can answer what I can, but anything else you need to go here:
http://www.legion-recrute.com/en/
With all due respect, all the reasons you cited would be the wrong reasons. Join the Peace Corp if you want adventure, Move to Paris if you want to speak French, and nobody joins the legion for either girls or the pay. The pay is literally peanuts, and the legion discourages female relationships. You must be single to join, (even if you are married you will be marked as single, meaning no spousal support), marriage is banned for first 5 years and must be approved by a senior NCO.
There are many reasons people join the legion. The two most common are those who want a completely new start and those looking for an extreme challenge in terms of military training. I should caution you about both:
The FFL doesn't just take anybody anymore. If you are wanted on a serious crime not only will they not take you, they will hand your butt to interpol for extradition.
YES, THEY DO CHECK. Less serious offenses can be forgiven (check with your FFL recruiter) as long you're in good legal standing. To see if you qualify or not speak to a recruiter (above link). I would also suggest you best be as completely candid about skeletons in your closet as the FFL does check and will kick your a** if they find out you have been lying to them. People with drug or violent histories shouldn't even bother showing up, the FFL doesn't want you.
Furthermore the FFL does attract some rather nasty people, who will bully those they perceive to be weaker then they. Americans especially will want to take notice, as Americans are not very well regarded. Although there are Americans in the legion, Americans will often be discouraged from joining by recruiters. Demographics is constantly changing but right now you see a lot of German, Eastern Europeans, and South Americans joining up.
For people wanting a challenge, go climb Mt. Rainer. Seriously this isn't Xtreme Sports. You serve France, but you are NOT a French soldier, French soldiers are a valuable commodity, legionnaires are considered completely expendable by the Government (even more so than regular soldiers). You will be required to kill other people and of course this means you can be killed or wounded yourself. Expect to be sent to some of the worst places on earth (Ivory Coast/Sudan and Afghanistan are common destinations). The French Government doesn't give a damn about you, so if you are captured don't expect help from the government, the legion takes care of its own.
Even when not in combat, Life in the legion isn't summer camp by the lake, its absolutely brutal. Life is very Spartan, personal honor/conduct code is strictly enforced, and punishment (including corporal) punishment is quick and severe. The Legion is really meant for those who want a extreme disciplinary lifestyle.
Seriously you'd really be better off joining the regular military first (lots of people here can help you with that). While it isn't required, prior military will help you adapt to the Legion if thats the life you really want. Most legionnaires have prior military service.
