Unusual, bright, curious military units of the world. French Foreign Legion

Military history has many pages in which various military formations are mentioned that are directly involved in hostilities and are located in the hottest spots of our planet. The most famous among them is the French Foreign Legion. This is a truly legendary military unit, whose military glory is covered various myths and stories. Many books have been written about this elite unit and dozens of films have been made. For entire generations of men, service in this unit was considered the ultimate dream. Many have dreamed and continue to dream about how to become legionnaires and quickly put on a special military uniform. However, in reality, instead of bravado and ostentatious gloss, foreign Legion– this is hard service and work associated with constant risk and danger. Is a person ready to voluntarily give up all the advantages that civilian life promises when he begins his military career life in accordance with the harsh and strict military regulations?

You can refer to weighty arguments in favor of making such a decision: a good salary, full social security, the opportunity to subsequently obtain French citizenship. However, for all this you have to pay a big price: personal freedom, hard physical labor and deprivation, and finally, constant danger and threat to life, despite the fact that romance military service, future benefits and decent pay are serious motivation.

French Foreign Legion - what is it really?

It should be noted right away that the legion is not a club of interests in which everyone does what they want. This is a full-fledged military unit belonging to the armed forces of the French Republic. Not only the military regulations apply here, but also a number of provisions that regulate the procedure for serving. Unlike traditional armed forces, the legion has a different recruitment and recruiting system. The military personnel of this unit undergo a completely different, exorbitant level of training. Subsequent service in the legion takes place in conditions as close as possible to combat, in various parts of the planet.

Only representatives of the stronger sex can become legionnaires. Women are not allowed to serve in the foreign legion!

The history of this legendary military unit goes back less than two hundred years. In 1831, King Louis Philippe I of France undertook an adventurous military operation in North Africa. The military campaign, according to the plan of the French court, was supposed to divert the attention of civil society from internal problems in the state. The purpose of the military expedition to Algeria was the declared expansion of the borders of the colonial empire.

This dubious event required a significant number of troops, which France clearly did not have enough at that time. In addition, the French generals were not delighted with the military adventure of the French king and in every possible way opposed sending units of the regular French army to overseas possessions. Life itself suggested a way out of this situation.

France in the first half of the 19th century experienced better times. The economy was in decline and the country's population was in dire straits. The consequences of fifteen years of continuous wars that France waged under Napoleon Bonaparte were felt. Appeared within the country great amount idle males who were looking for any ways and opportunities to improve their plight, not disdaining robbery. Deal with similar things negative phenomena neither the police, nor the gendarmerie, nor the army could. The only way out of this situation was a royal decree on the creation of a new paramilitary unit under the leadership of French officers, which could be staffed by people who had problems with the law.

In this way, it was possible to immediately solve two problems:

• by legalization, remove criminal and unreliable elements from the streets of French cities and roads;
• collect required amount people for subsequent training and sending to the colonies.

The only condition stipulated in the royal decree was that the newly created paramilitary force could not be used on the territory of the metropolis. As a result of such actions, in just a few months the required number of people was recruited through recruitment centers. The set was no different special requirements. The recruits were neither asked for their name nor their social background. To become a legionnaire, a man from the street only had to be in reasonable health and have an idea of ​​how to hold a gun.

Shortly after the first months of basic military training, recruits were sent to Algeria to suppress the uprising of local natives and to participate in the expansion of colonial possessions. The new army was given the name Foreign Legion.

The first combat experience showed that the chosen tactics were completely justified. Legionnaires, unlike regular army soldiers, knew what they were fighting for. Having shown enviable ingenuity, tenacity and perseverance on the battlefield, the soldiers and officers of the foreign legion were able to quickly suppress not only pockets of rebel Arabs, but also establish a strict and harsh colonial regime in the colony. From that moment on, the foreign legion began to be involved in almost all wars waged by France. In the 19th century, legionnaires had to fight in Spain and Mexico. The French Foreign Legion also took part in Crimean War, fighting Russian troops near Sevastopol.

In the next 20th century, legionnaires became participants in the largest military conflicts that affected not only France, but also shocked the whole world. The conquest of Indochina, participation in military operations in the French colonies in Madagascar, Morocco, then the First World War. Everywhere, in the most dangerous areas, soldiers and officers of the foreign legion were involved. The French Foreign Legion became a kind of special forces that solved the most complex tactical and strategic problems. At some points, the number of units of the Foreign Legion was about 50 thousand people. The soldiers of this unit had to serve in various parts of the world, starting from the hotel islands in Pacific Ocean and ending with the dense jungle South America and tropical Africa.

The essence of the Foreign Legion as a unit and how to get into it

Despite the fact that the Foreign Legion is officially part of the French army, in reality it is a separate military unit reporting directly to the head of state. At first it was the King of France, then the Emperor, and in modern times - the President of the French Republic. Neither army regulations nor orders of the Minister of Defense apply here. Today the legion has its own developed infrastructure. Each regiment that is part of the legion has its own quarters, with barracks, headquarters and even its own guardhouse. At its core, it is a closed organization, reminiscent in its structure of medieval orders of knighthood.

The legion is financed from the state treasury and through sponsorship. A significant part of the Foreign Legion's budget comes from financial and economic groups and lobbyists, who have great weight in the domestic and foreign policy of France. In other words, there are no permanent and fixed allocations for the maintenance of the legion. Unlike the regular French army, legionnaires do not have broad social government guarantees.

The French Foreign Legion is also distinguished by its military doctrine. There is an unspoken limitation on the equipment of the units that are part of the Foreign Legion. There are no full-fledged tank formations or its own aviation. Armed with armored personnel carriers, light artillery systems, and helicopters. The bulk of combat work has to be performed by infantry units. Today the legion includes:

• one armored cavalry regiment;
• two airborne units;
• engineer regiment;
• infantry and training regiments.

Some military units are stationed on the territory of continental France and on the island of Corsica. In the town of Aubagne, department of Bouches-du-Rhone, on the territory of the 1st regiment, the General Headquarters of the Foreign Legion is located. Other units are located in overseas territories controlled by France.

The procedure for recruiting military units belonging to the French Legion is curious. Unlike previously used recruitment methods, when citizens with any reputation and any nationality could become legionnaires, today the conditions for recruitment into this elite unit tightened.

In order to become a legionnaire today, it is enough to know the mechanism of the admission procedure and have a relatively unblemished reputation. Gone are the days when the Legion was a convenient shelter for those who tried to hide from the law, even from another state. The main and main condition for starting the process is a voluntary desire, which must be shown along with your passport at the recruitment point. What follows is strict medical commission and an assessment of your physical abilities. Today, the Legion is not ready to support soldiers who are in poor health and who do not fully understand what they will have to deal with. The first contract is signed for a period of 5 years, and the main article of the contract directly indicates that you will not have to sit out in the rear at a warm resort. The main function of legionnaires is to serve in hot spots, where the likelihood of hostilities and clashes is always high.

Not only a person of French origin, but also a foreigner can become a legionnaire. Over the years of the existence of this unit, representatives of more than 130 states served in the Foreign Legion. Only privates and sergeants are recruited into the Legion. Command at all stages is exercised by French officers, so French is the main command language.

After the end of the first contract, military personnel who have demonstrated valor, bravery and have an impeccable reputation receive either French citizenship or a residence permit in France. Having been wounded during operations, there is a chance to immediately receive not only French citizenship, but also a serious increase in salary. The service life of a legionnaire is limited only by the period of validity of the contract. In other words, if a legionnaire’s contract has expired and he is tired of fighting, he can leave. For those who served under the banners of the Foreign Legion for 19 years or more, a lifetime pension with the right to provide housing is assigned.

Despite the fact that today the number of military conflicts in which the French Foreign Legion participates is limited, the life of a legionnaire is not easy. In parallel with high salaries and relative comfort in peacetime, soldiers of the foreign legion, as before, experience the hardships and hardships of military service to a double or triple extent.

The war in Mali and the introduction of a French contingent into this country gave rise to recall one of the most famous military formations in the world - the French Foreign Legion. This topic will be quite relevant for our compatriots, because many Russian guys are interested in how to get into the foreign legion.

In addition, our readers have access to.

History of the French Foreign Legion

First, a little history. The French Foreign Legion was founded under King Louis Philippe I in 1831. The reason for the creation of the Legion was the desire of France to include the territory of Algeria and, accordingly, the need for new combat-ready units.

The bulk of the rank and file in the new combat unit were natives of the countries of South and Western Europe, the officer corps was formed from veterans of Napoleon's army. In this regard, traditions have been preserved to this day - only a French citizen can receive an officer rank in a foreign legion, while privates and sergeants are recruited all over the world.

The French Legion took part in more than three dozen major conflicts alone, from Mexico to Vietnam. The foreign legion proved itself most successfully in Africa and Indochina, where France’s positions and interests are traditionally strong. However, there was one sensitive defeat in his history. In the spring of 1954, Ho Chi Minh's superior troops managed to encircle and defeat French troops, including units of the foreign legion, in the Dien Bien Phu area.

Legionnaires in hot spots: Mali

Now the French Foreign Legion mainly performs peacekeeping functions. Although. If you want to test your strength, then try joining a foreign legion and get to the base in Djibouti. Apart from the specific climatic conditions that only a real man can withstand, it is really dangerous in this small country. And recent events surrounding the conflict in Mali have given some units of the French Foreign Legion a chance to prove themselves in battle with a serious enemy.

Some units of the legion are already in Mali and several are in a state of combat readiness to be sent to the conflict zone. The legionnaires in the war in Mali will be opposed by well-trained and well-armed Tuareg formations that have proclaimed the independent state of Azawad and Islamic radical Salafist militants from Al-Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb, Ansar Dine and other groups.

It must be said that among the fighters of the foreign legion there are quite a lot of Russian guys. They now face a difficult task - new battle with global terrorism. One cannot underestimate the capabilities of Islamists in Africa and consider that Mali is too far from Russia. This African country has large deposits of uranium, and allowing extreme radicals, who in principle are incapable of dialogue with Christian civilization, to access the sources of such raw materials is suicidal.

Therefore, we should now wish military success to the Russian guys in the foreign legion. While they are waging war in Mali now, they are doing everything possible so that we do not have to fight it on the streets of Moscow and other Russian cities in the foreseeable future.

Legionary. Who is he?

There is a category of men for whom the adrenaline obtained in everyday life, even through extreme sports, is not enough. Young men who want to go through a real school that can mold them into men, but for whom the armed forces of their home country are not exotic and edgy enough.

Former career military personnel who have not reached the age of forty, who want to once again feel the incomparable smell of weapon steel and powder gases. Or just tough guys who are tired of the everyday hustle and bustle. All of these are potential legionnaires. By the way, unlike the early period, persons who have serious problems with the law in your country. Nowadays, information about the background of candidates is checked through Interpol channels.

French Foreign Legion. How to get?

The French Foreign Legion provides the opportunity to join its ranks for almost everyone. To do this you must be:

• - a man (women are not accepted into the Legion under any circumstances);
• - aged 17 to 40 years (seventeen year olds will need parental permission certified by the French Embassy);
• - physically fit for service in a foreign legion;
• - holder of a valid passport and is legally present in France.

Immediately forget about all offers of “help” when entering a foreign legion. The President of France himself will not be able to influence the decision to enroll a candidate. Those who know French can search for information themselves using the query “legion etrangere recruitment”. First of all, you need to contact one of the information and recruitment centers in continental France.

They are in the following cities: Paris, Lille, Strasbourg, Nantes, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Perpignan and Aubagne. Afterwards you will have a preliminary interview and an initial medical examination at the selection center in Paris. Then it begins main stage selection at the base in Aubagne near Marseille.

Candidates for admission to the foreign legion undergo three types of tests: - psychotechnical. You will be asked many questions on attention, memory and logical thinking, as well as your background in additional tests. At this stage it is extremely important to answer truthfully, believe me, experienced psychologists They will quickly be able to recognize deception and then your chances of admission will be close to zero. By the way, think again if you want to appear “too smart” on tests. Still, the Legion is not Oxford. - in-depth medical examination.

Be prepared for the fact that close attention will be paid to the health of your teeth, so we recommend visiting your dentist in advance. It is also necessary to have a medical card with you. Candidates with serious illnesses such as hepatitis, HIV, diabetes and some others have no chance of entering the French Legion. - physical tests.

You will be asked to pass fairly easy standards, for example, to do at least 4 pull-ups on the bar, to climb without the help of your legs to a five-meter height on a rope, to do a standard abdominal exercise 40 times, as well as a running standard: shuttle running or endurance running (at least 2800 meters in 12 minutes). As you can see, the standards are inferior even to the requirements adopted by the RF Armed Forces.

In case of non-receipt, you will be given monetary compensation - about 30 euros per day of being a candidate. If there are no problems at this stage, then you can be congratulated on finding new family- Etrangere Legion! After signing a five-year contract, you receive an “anonymous document” - a document in which your name, date and place of birth will be changed. By the end of the first year of service, those interested can submit an application and, if considered positively, serve in the legion under their own name.

Material side. Salary, benefits of foreign players

Those who want to earn money are interested in the salary in the foreign legion. Don't believe it if they tell you about mountains of gold. Only a private who enlists will be able to earn at least 1,043 euros, and will also receive free accommodation and food. In addition, there are a number of allowances depending on the region of service, participation in hostilities, length of service, and rank.

Today, the highest paid unit is the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, stationed in Djibouti. An ordinary legionnaire of 13 DBLE after a year of service can count on at least 3,500 euros per month in “net” salary. Although, Russian legionnaires who are now fighting Islamists in Mali may have even larger bonuses.

Legion fighters are entitled to annual leave- 45 working days. Those who have served for 3 years have the right to apply for French citizenship. Legionnaires who were wounded in military operation, have an unconditional right to obtain French citizenship. For eight years of impeccable service, a substantial bonus in the amount of two annual salaries is awarded. Those who have served in the French Foreign Legion for more than 19 years guarantee themselves a lifelong pension of at least a thousand euros.

Service in the Foreign Legion

So, after being accepted into the ranks of the French Foreign Legion, you will have to go through the training phase on the basis of the 4th regiment. During this time you will learn the traditions of the French Legion, go through mountain and technical training, complete a series of difficult forced marches. Be prepared for the fact that the loads may exceed those familiar to those who have gone through our “trainings”. Not everyone is able to withstand them and become a full-fledged fighter of the foreign legion. The final test will be the “March of the White Caps,” during which recruits will have to overcome more than 100 km of rough terrain in full gear.

After this, return to Aubagne until distribution to the unit and place of permanent deployment. On this moment The French foreign legion includes 11 regiments. 7 of them have permanent locations in mainland France, and there is also a parachute regiment in Corsica, an infantry regiment guarding the French spaceport in Guiana, a unit in the Comoros Islands and a semi-brigade in Djibouti.

In addition, parts of the legion can be quickly transferred to anywhere in the world, as they are now in Mali, for example. A career in a foreign legion is made solely on the basis of success in service. According to statistics, every fourth legionnaire eventually becomes a non-commissioned officer, and every tenth reaches the officer rank.

Absolutely every legionnaire is a superbly trained fighter. At the same time, the positions of a cook, musician, computer scientist or paramedic are also replenished from the legion, without the involvement of outsiders. Soldiers are given the opportunity to leave the unit's location after 17:00, but must be present at the morning formation at six o'clock. However, we should not forget that the Foreign Legion is not an institution for noble maidens, but a place where real military professionals are forged, and accordingly, not everyone will have the strength to be fired.

People from 136 countries of the world serve in the legion, which means that manifestations of racism are a direct path to expulsion. About the same as in Soviet army The traditions of “compatriotism” were strong, and they are also strong in the foreign legion. A significant percentage of the total number come from Slavic countries: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia and others. Naturally, they try to stick together and help each other.

Many Russian guys are naturally interested in issues related to hazing. Of course, as in any army in the world, this phenomenon is present to some extent in the French Foreign Legion, but on a much smaller scale than in our army. In addition, the command, to put it mildly, does not welcome manifestations of hazing. During working hours it is customary to speak in French. Please note that the relationship between sergeants and privates differs from those in the post-Soviet space. Especially if you want to serve in the legion longer.

Foreign Legion units

In total, about 7,500 people serve in the French Foreign Legion. This is not very much, but the highest professionalism of everyone, from private to brigadier general, makes the French Legion a formidable fighting force in conflicts of any level.

One of the most exotic places of service is the Kourou base in French Guiana, where the 3 REI (3rd Legion Infantry Regiment) is stationed. This military unit is responsible for protecting the cosmodrome. Those who get there should prepare in advance for the difficult tropical climate, swamps and hordes of insects. This will be felt especially acutely by those who will undergo an internship at the C.E.P.E camp. in the middle of the equatorial forest. Think carefully about whether you are up to such a test?

More comfortable living conditions, but no less simple service, are promised by assignment to the 2nd Parachute Regiment in Corsica. Despite the fact that there will be many bars and cafes at your service right on the territory of the unit, you will not be allowed to forget for a minute that you are a Legionnaire and what stands behind this proud name. 2 R.E.P. - this is a regiment in which they try to gather the best of the best. Each battalion of the regiment has its own narrow specialization, from night operations and urban assault to mountain and sabotage operations.

The oldest unit that carefully preserves the traditions of the Legion is the 1st Regiment, located in Aubagne and working with recruits. The main administrative services are concentrated here.

There is also a kind of “academy” for officers and sergeants. This is the 4th Regiment, stationed at Castelnaudary in France. Young legionnaires are also trained here.

The 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment is located in Orange and is considered a powerful offensive unit within the Legion. The regiment regularly goes on combat missions to different parts of the planet.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment is also ready to promptly leave the French city of Nimes and arrive at the new place of duty.

The only unit of the Legion that does not leave continental France in peacetime is located in Avignon. This is the 1st Engineer Regiment, which is considered one of the best of its kind in the world. It also includes a unit of elite swimmers-saboteurs.

The 13th semi-brigade in Djibouti is another place where not every physically and psychologically strong man can endure service.

There is also a small special unit in the Comoros - D.L.E.M.

In some of these regiments and units of the French Foreign Legion, the service is a little easier, in others it is more difficult, but in each of them they train first-class specialists, and the path to this lies through hard daily training, sweat and possibly blood.

Russian traditions in the French legion

After the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and defeat white movement V civil war, the ranks of the legion were replenished by a significant number of former officers of the tsarist army, distinguished by excellent training and discipline. Largely thanks to the Russians, France was able to achieve great success in the conflicts of the 20s against the Tuaregs, Druze, Kabyles and other rebel tribes of Africa.

It was not without reason that recruiters began the hunt for tsarist officers immediately after Wrangel’s squadron entered the port of Constantinople. Five representatives of that generation received general ranks in the French Foreign Legion.

Since the beginning of the 90s, the number of Russians in the Legion began to grow again. Basically, these were not novices in military affairs, but retired officers of the Soviet Army or retired sergeants, who often had experience in combat operations, including in Africa - Angola and other countries.

Joining the French Foreign Legion for Russian guys in those years was a chance to start life with clean slate. Much was falling apart in our army and society, however, when the Motherland again needed real defenders, many legionnaires returned to defend Russia during the wars in Chechnya, without demanding any payment for this.

Whatever unit of the Legion the Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians served in, everywhere they were one of the best fighters, the most persistent and well-trained. And now we wish good luck to the brave Russian guys in the French foreign legion in their fight against Al-Qaeda and their allies in Mali, a country otherwise nicknamed “African Afghanistan.”

Although, is it worth looking for a distant shore if we have formations and branches of troops that are at least no less legendary, for example, the special forces of the Internal Troops, military intelligence. Try to go through first, before talking about the fact that in Russia, Belarus or Ukraine there is no worthy army elite.

Acquisition occurs only in the form of a set personnel the French Foreign Legion from among both French citizens themselves and willing foreign volunteers. Despite the fact that French is the official command language in the legion, various countries legionnaires can be recruited around the world. If the recruits do not speak French, then initial stage They devote some time to studying it. Following the principle of recruitment, a French citizen cannot be a legionnaire, the only exception being officers. At the moment, the ranks of the foreign legion consist of people from more than a hundred countries. No more than a third of the total number of legionnaires are French.

Difficulties in the French Legion

Today, two regiments are part of the foreign legion. The main tasks of these regiments are considered to be the selection of new volunteers and their subsequent preparation and training for service in the legion. Eighteen recruitment centers located throughout France accept applications from candidates. You cannot apply in another country; to submit your application you must personally visit any recruitment office. This is explained by the fact that in most countries, including the CIS countries, mercenarism falls under an article of the Criminal Code, and violation of the code is punishable by deprivation of citizenship. We should not forget that neither the foreign legion nor the embassies will provide any assistance to the candidate. All difficulties and obstacles fall on the shoulders of the candidate himself: obtaining a visa, traveling to the recruitment point, etc. You should also not believe in the very widespread legend that they take everyone into the foreign legion. In fact, for a long time people with a criminal past have not been able to get into the foreign legion. Next, we’ll tell you how to get there. The French Foreign Legion is not waiting for everyone. Not everyone passes the selection.

What is the French Legion, how to get there

The most visited recruiting centers are located in Strasbourg and Paris; it is in these cities that future volunteers of the French Foreign Legion prefer recruiting centers. Strasbourg is located very close to Eastern Europe, and Paris is the capital of France. Another circumstance that makes these recruitment points preferable to others is the frequent sending of candidates to the selection camp from these points. From Strasbourg, dispatch is carried out on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from Paris on Mondays and Wednesdays. The easiest way to get to a recruitment center is by invitation to any country in the Schengen area or on a tourist package. You should not try to get into the French Legion illegally. We have already told you how to get there.

What does a recruiting office look like?

All recruitment centers are similar. In fact, these points are the fenced territory of a military unit. The legionnaire meets all arrivals near the gate of the recruitment point. Then he asks questions in French; if you don’t know the language, then you need to remain silent. After he asks the question: what nationality are you? – you need to answer: russe and provide your passport. After checking the documents, the candidate is taken to a room in which the arriving citizen waits for someone to come for him. Don't worry or be nervous when you find that your door doesn't have a handle. inside. This is a feature of all recruitment centers. In addition, in the room you can go to the toilet, sit down and have a drink. Just wait. When they come for you, you need to stand in front of the legionnaire. Then the candidate is taken to another room, where the “study” of the volunteer begins.

About motivation

- the first ones are those who came to earn money, to get a French passport if possible, without planning to connect their lives with LE for a long time, those who do not have any special illusions about the service, who came for their 5-year contract and moreover;

- the second type includes those who love the army lifestyle, who are attracted to adventures, travel and various kinds of adventures (in in a good way this word), who would like to see himself in the French Legion as a “Soldier of Fortune”, to be a “Peacemaker”, helping people all over the world, and for this type of recruits the money issue does not come first;

- and others who have problems with the law in their home country and for them the French Foreign Legion truly becomes a refuge, since first of all, if you are allowed into the recruiting station, your first and last name will be changed, which you have the right to keep for yourself even after the end of the contract . It is clear that it will be much more difficult for law enforcement agencies to find such a person to bring to justice.

In my observation, it often happens that a recruit cannot be classified into any one category. So, many come to the Legion, including the author of the article, on the one hand, to get a job and a decent salary, and on the other, to satisfy the thirst for adventure and change, which is far from the least important in the recruit’s motivation.

Many come to the Legion for money, but subsequently stay there for the sake of length of service or, as they say, career, as well as French citizenship, and for them the Legion becomes a second home. Some flee to LE from persecution of the law, but subsequently realize that the Legion suits them in spirit, that this is their element.

It happens differently. Oddly enough, many recruits cannot clearly answer why they came to the Legion and what they expect from the service. As a rule, such weakly motivated young people who do not have clear goals make up a large percentage of conscientious objectors - those who refused to serve in the Legion due to at will and left with the consent of the leadership of the Legion, while still in the city of Aubagne - the second place (after the recruitment point) for the selection of future recruits, or made a refusal, having already signed a preliminary 5-year contract, while in the Castelnaudary training camp.

Often it is from such young people, who left the service for various reasons in the first months, but want to justify their departure, that you can hear heartbreaking stories about the difficulties and even horrors of serving in LE.

What will be noteworthy here is the fact that the bulk of the “deserters” are those who “broke down” in their studies or left before the end of the first year of service. They are less likely to leave in the second and third years of service - due to family problems at home, due to health problems, or simply being disappointed in the service, when what is expected from service in LE, supported by strong motivation, does not correspond or goes against reality.

Therefore, to summarize the above, I would like to point out some facts from the life of a legionnaire that you need to know and remember when preparing to enter the French Foreign Legion.

So, about the salary.

On average, a legionnaire in France receives from 1,100 to 1,700 euros, depending on rank, location, length of service, etc. However, as practice shows, it is very difficult to save something in the first years of service - a lot of money is spent on entertainment, items household items, rental housing (allowed to live outside the barracks after three years of excellent service), some uniform items, cigarettes, booze, etc., etc.

A few manage to accumulate more than 20 thousand euros during the first contract. And then, this is if you limit yourself in many ways. I quote the words of a current legionnaire on this matter:

«… We won’t take the castel (meaning that in the first months all your salary goes towards your own support – author’s note). From the 5th month of service, your salary is about 1100 euros.
So you:
— you spend the weekend in a unit (during your vacation, you also don’t go anywhere);
— you don’t drink beer (why, if there is water in the tap);
— you don’t buy anything for food (you eat exclusively in the canteen);
- don’t smoke (that’s right, smoking is harmful);
- the telephone, computer, iron and other appliances are not of interest to you;
— based on the above, you don’t use the Internet either.
But even with all this, you will spend about a hundred euros on soap, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items. You can, of course, “shoot” or steal all this (then you’ll be screwed)…»

or here's another one:

«… The main mistake of guys planning to join the legion is that they don’t take the legionnaire’s salary and multiply it by the number of months spent in the legion - from this you get a mythical amount that supposedly can be saved during service... The first couple of years in the legion are typical for EVERYONE , I emphasize - FOR EVERYONE - that money is spent very powerfully... You still don’t know France, and Europe in general, on your first vacation you still don’t know which hotels are best to stay in, which modes of transport are best to travel, and many other important things, in short - a complete mess...

Someone, of course, will say - “well, I’m not like that, I’m the smartest, I won’t get caught like that...” but this is all empty talk. I had a friend here in the parachute. He was - in the sense that he is now in another regiment, in Aubagne, he fell under the annual distribution from Corsica to other regiments and left for 1 RE. I remember sitting with him in a room in Djibouti, drinking tea, and I told him how I got rid of it after my first tournant in Kosovo... (And this trip in 13 DBLE was his first tournant, so he had yet to go through his “first "Vacation.) The only negative, I say - I arrived after vacation, went into the room, threw my bag on the floor, turned out all the pockets and poured out the change on my bunk - everything that was left after the vacation.

Naturally, he made such a clever joke, it was written right on his forehead - “well, I’m not like that, I won’t waste my hard-earned money like that - I need to save something for life, so to speak...”. We arrived from Djibouti, spent a week of guard duty in Calvi and left on vacation. I meet him after this vacation, and he returned from it exactly like I did from my first - with coins in his pockets. They went to Spain with a boy who was of the same draft as him. There are a lot of memories, but not a lot of money. But how you swore…»

Thus, if you spend practically nothing, you are left with about 10,000 euros per year or about 1,000 euros per month. Let everyone decide for themselves whether this is a lot of money or not. But it is difficult to imagine a contract soldier who does not allow himself to “let off steam”, who regularly deposits all the money he earns into a bank account or sends it to his relatives.

Of course, being in combat or other extreme conditions, a legionnaire receives much more. But, firstly, during the first 5 years of the contract you may never go on a long business trip, much less to hot spots (few people ever get there). Secondly, extreme conditions can mean loss of health and even life; is it worth talking about money in this case?

Secondly, regarding travel and the desire to see the world.

The French Foreign Legion sends its combat units (meaning outside France) to the following areas:

- firstly, these are places known to everyone with unsuitable conditions for life (climate plus flora and fauna hazardous to health), if not unsuitable, where your main activities will be daily grueling training, passing standards, exercises, tournants (long trips abroad) - so to speak, the routine of legionary life, and not at all sightseeing. Some, after such “travels,” end up straight in hospital beds;

- the second place where a legionnaire can get is, naturally, any place where fighting. And in this sense, the Legion is perhaps not the most The best way to travel and see the world.

Third, it is reliably known that the Legion does not want to accept citizens who have committed serious crimes in their homeland(high probability of relapse) and especially those wanted by Interpol. I haven’t personally encountered this, but there are rumors that a person who is in the Interpol database, after being recruited and having his passport checked, goes straight to the local police commissariat. Long gone are the days when murderers and robbers were accepted into the Legion. Therefore, the only way to escape justice in LE is to hide your criminal history upon admission, which is not so easy, given the cross-examination system during selection in the city of Aubagne.

In conclusion, I would like to note the following. It may seem that I am exaggerating and portraying the LE service in a light that is favorable to me. Believe me, this is not true. My personal legionary history became a good school of life for me, given my young age at the time of recruitment.

Firstly, I learned from my own experience to accept the inevitable (meaning the ban on serving). In addition, about two years of physical training (more on this in the next article) were not in vain, physical education and running became partly a way of life for me, which prompted me to first quit smoking and then give up alcohol.

Secondly, today I can easily express myself in conversational French (before the story with the Legion, I only knew phrases like “bounjour monsieur, not manche pas si jour” and other similar phrases. Therefore, I do not hold any grudges against the Legion. And I have nothing to take revenge on him for, if this expression is appropriate in relation to the Legion.

Thus, the information that I offer in this article is not the final authority, it is just my personal view of events. And if future recruits read this article - if, of course, there are any - I want to wish them clarity in their motives and expectations from visiting LE, so as not to waste either their own or others’ time and money.

/Andrey Verenitsky, specially for Army Herald/

Story

The French Foreign Legion was created on March 9 by King Louis Philippe I based on several predecessor regiments. One of these regiments was Regiment de Hohenlohe under the command of the German prince and French marshal Ludwig Aloys von Hohenlohe-Bartenstein. This regiment fought for the Royalists in the Revolutionary Wars and later served the French King Charles X. As France planned the colonization of Algeria, it needed significant troops. At this time, many foreigners settled in France, and especially in Paris. With the creation of the Legion, King Louis Philippe could receive the necessary troops and at the same time reduce the number of “undesirable” segments of the population in the country. So he passed a law the next day ( la Loi du 9 mars 1831) that the foreign legion could only be used outside mainland France. The officers for the new unit were recruited from Napoleon's army, and the soldiers were recruited from Italy, Spain, Switzerland, other European countries, as well as Frenchmen who had problems with the law. At the same time, a tradition was established - not to ask the name of the recruit.

The day of glory of the Foreign Legion was April 30, 1863, when the Battle of Cameron took place during the Mexican Expedition. A company of legionnaires under the command of Captain Danjou was tasked with scouting the outskirts of Palo Verde in anticipation of a convoy with guns, equipment for the siege, as well as three million francs in cash intended for the French troops besieging Puebla. Setting out after midnight on April 30th, the legionnaires encountered the Mexicans on the morning of the same day. Realizing the undeniable advantage of the Mexicans (1,200 infantry and 800 cavalry), Captain Danjou and his men occupied a building in a village called Cameron. To ensure the safety of the convoy, the Mexicans had to be held at all costs. Knowing that they were doomed and only a miracle could save them, the legionnaires vowed to stand until the end. For more than ten hours they confronted the Mexican army. Despite offers to surrender, the legionnaires preferred death to inglorious captivity. Their sacrifice allowed the convoy to reach Puebla unhindered.

Today the Legion is used where the French state defends its interests within NATO or European Union, has historical responsibilities (for example Côte d'Ivoire) or where French citizens are at risk. It obeys, as in 1831, only one person: the French head of state, today the president.

The Foreign Legion took part in wars and operations in the following places:

French legionnaires in Kolwezi (Zaire) 1978

More than 600,000 people from all over the world served under the green and red flag of the Foreign Legion from its founding until the end of the 1980s. According to the speech of Colonel Morellon, at this time over 36,000 legionnaires fell in battle.

Nowadays, the Legion is not used to wage war, as before, but mainly to prevent military operations within the framework of missions under the auspices of the UN or NATO (for example, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan), to maintain peace, to evacuate people from war regions, to provide humanitarian assistance to restore infrastructure (for example in Lebanon and after the Tsunami in South-East Asia). Along with this, the Legion is ready to conduct special operations, such as fighting in the jungle, at night, against terrorists and to free hostages.

Locations

Organization and tasks

Foreign legionnaires can be recognized by their white headdress (“Képi blanc”), which, however, is worn only by the rank and file. The color of the beret in the Legion is green ( Béret vert) and icon ( Insigne beret) are worn, as in the entire French army, on the right. The Legion's coat of arms is a grenade with seven flames.

The legion's colors are green and red. (Green symbolizes country, red symbolizes blood. If a legion unit is in battle, then the triangular pennant of the Legion is hung with the red side up: “Blood on the country”).

The legion's motto: “The Legion is our Fatherland” (lat. Legio Patria Nostra). To more fully implement this slogan in the consciousness of each legionnaire, his contacts with the outside world in the first five years of service are limited and controlled - the Legion truly becomes a family and home for the legionnaire.

A special feature of the Legion is the song "Le Boudin", which, with the exception of the march, is always sung at attention! Another feature is the typical marching pace of legionnaires. While other army units march at 120 steps per minute, the Legion only takes 88. This is because African deployment areas often had sandy soils, making it difficult for them to march at a faster pace.

Organizations of former legionnaires

Although the number of Germans in the Foreign Legion is now small, due to significant number former foreign legionnaires, in Germany there are dozens of clubs and organizations of former foreign legionnaires ( Amicale des Anciens de la Legion étrangère), which mostly consist of legionnaires who served in Indochina and Algeria.

They meet regularly, take care of tradition and go to France for various holidays. Most of these organizations also accept people who have never served in the Legion. Deserters and those expelled from the Legion are not accepted. For this reason, each new member (if it is a former legionnaire) is checked by the union Fédération des Sociétés d'Anciens de la Légion Étrangère.

Films about the Foreign Legion

Artistic

• - “Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion” (eng. Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion ), director: Charles Lamont, USA;
• - "March or Die" March or Die), director: Dick Richards, USA / UK;
• - “The Legion lands in Kolwezi” (fr. La Legion saute sur Kolwezi), director: Raoul Coutard, France;
• - “Adventurers” (fr. Les Morfalous), director: Henri Verneuil, France;
• - “AWOL” (eng. Lionheart), director: Sheldon Lettich, USA;
• - “Legionnaire” (English) Legionnaire), director: Peter MacDonald, USA;
• - “Good job” (fr. Beau Travail), director: Claire Denis, France;
• - “Djinns” (fr. Djinns), directors: Hugh Martin, Sandra Martin, France / Morocco;
• - “Foreign Legion”, director: Kim Nguyen, Canada;

Documentary

• - "Escape to the Legion" (eng. Escape to the Legion), presenter: Bear Grylls, USA;
• - “Warriors of the world. French Foreign Legion", director: Roman Kaygorodov, Russia; == http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pfc1z90vF0 ==

see also

Notes

1. A new chance for a new life (Russian). Archived
2. Debatte unerwünscht (German). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
3. Fremdenlegionäre in Indochina (German). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
4. Bei den Deutschen in der Fremdenlegion (German). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
5. La Guerre d "Indochine (Russian). Archived
6. Simon Jameson French Foreign Legion (Russian). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
7. Foreign Legion (Russian). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
8. Shadursky, V. G. Foreign policy of France (1945-2002): textbook. allowance. Minsk: BSU. 2004.
9. Conditions for concluding a contract (Russian). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
10. Admission. In Aubagne. (Russian) . Archived
11. Richard Lucas Honey, I joined the legion (Russian). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
12. Federation des Societes d "Anciens de la Legion Entrangere (French). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
13. Zinovy ​​Peshkov: how the elder brother of Yakov Sverdlov became a French brigadier general (Russian). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
14. Khreschatitsky Boris Rostislavovich (Russian). Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
15. “The Great Defender of the Jews” Petliura (Russian). (inaccessible link - story) Retrieved February 6, 2010.
16. French Foreign Legion on the website "Heroes of the Country"

Literature

• Balmasov Sergey Foreign Legion. M.: Yauza, 2004. ISBN 5-699-06982-8
• Jean Brunon Georges Manyu: History of elite troops Foreign Legion 1831-1955. - M.: Isographus, 2003.
• Zhuravlev V.V. Daily life of the French Foreign Legion: “Come to me, Legion!” - M.: Young Guard, 2010. - 347 p. -