Why Do Men From All Over the World Want to Join the Foreign Legion?
2023 ж. 20 Ақп.
1 238 747 Рет қаралды
For months, we followed the physical and mental training of these elite soldiers, who fight in the most dangerous theaters of operation on the planet. To join this prestigious corps of the French army, they will have to learn to fight, to live together and above all to become a family.
Director: Frédéric Cristea
Wow, that translation from English TO English was the most helpful part of the video. Not only did I understand what was said, it seems I have memorized it too.
The Scottish to English translation was well done lol
It was like watching an old dubbed Japanese movie!
Not the "Best Documentary"...."Appreciate it" = "Thanks Man"
I was going to ask, why are they dubbing over English with English?
@@aaronandraquel Probably just automaticly dubbed from french subtitles to english subtitles.
"What can they keep?" "Just their money and cigarettes." This is the most French thing I've ever heard.
"Only Euro. This is France."
That’s the first time I’ve ever heard English being translated into English 😂
@@happyculteur5021 LOL!
Yes😁🤣
And very badly too
They did him dirty with that voice over while he was getting emotional in his once in a life time journey.
It was like listening to the U.S. government.
You need to feel pain in a beautiful landscape. That is perfect.
“Just their money and cigarettes.” Look I was born in France and I love my country but this one took me out 😂
Les clopes c'est sacré ici. C'est pas pour rien que jusqu'il y a pas longtemps il y en avait dans les rations de notre armée ( avec une petite bouteille de brandy ☠️)
Men are always attracted to a tough test. Plus, they will give you a new identity that erases your old one, a big advantage if you've been in trouble with the law.
That was exactly my path
….Can’t believe ppl like Sean wouldn’t have been running, working out like crazy before joining up….(Especially when he’s already 15 yrs older than many)….
Agree but still feel for him.
He would have made a great US military guy.
@@carlosanderson4479 he wouldn't even pass the preliminary round in the US. That's why a failed marine was thriving here as this is a child's play in comparison.
@@firelordplayz I see. A shame.
@@firelordplayz Why do you say that? what's so different?
Stan, though. We all need a friend like Stan. What a champ.
man... u wont believe how hard it is to understand english being translated to english , i know both french and english so this was tough , but it was a great documentary
Mi primo es legionario. Orgullo mexicano 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
cuanto tiene ? em la legión bro ?
no se le complico por el idioma????????
@@yolandabasurtoibarra4192 lo complicado te lo pones tu.. él se preparo y estudio.
Wow! Your channel is truly living up to its name with this incredible video on "Why Do Men From All Over the World Want to Join the Foreign Legion?" This immersive documentary takes us deep into the heart of the French Foreign Legion, revealing the intense physical and mental challenges these volunteers face as they strive to become part of this elite unit. From the moment the recruits willingly step into the Legion's world, we are taken on a journey that explores their diverse backgrounds and motivations. The raw emotions and personal sacrifices they make are palpable, making this documentary not just a visual spectacle but a profound exploration of the human spirit. The video provides a glimpse into the rigorous training, the emotional struggles, and the life-changing decisions these men must make. The attention to detail in capturing every moment, from the challenging physical tests to the emotional farewells, paints a vivid picture of the Legion's demanding standards and the personal transformations its members undergo. The cinematography and storytelling are top-notch, allowing viewers to feel the intensity of each training session and the weight of every decision. As we witness the highs of success and the lows of failure, it becomes evident that this documentary is not just about the French Foreign Legion; it's about resilience, determination, and the pursuit of a new identity. Kudos to "Best Documentary" for delivering such an engaging and thought-provoking piece. This video not only educates viewers about the Foreign Legion but also prompts reflection on the universal themes of sacrifice, ambition, and the search for purpose. It's a powerful testament to the storytelling prowess of your channel. Keep up the fantastic work!
Yeah but they should have shown more of the men in their underwear for much longer.
I learned a lot. I always figured they took almost everyone that got through boot camp and asked very little questions.
He forgot to mentions that when you enlist you get another name and the fact that some of these legionaires who did not get their contract renewed with the Legion are enlisting in Wagner. Also a lot, a repeat, a lot of those who enlist in the Legion do it to get french citizenship. Most westerners do it for the challenge, but most of people from other reagion do it become EU citizens. So YES, the reward factor is present in the Legion too. Out of 4 people I personally know who are legionaires 3 of them are there for the passport. One Mexican and two Senegalese.
Id be interested in reading more about those who don't get renewed for the legion go work for wagner, have any sources?
Absolute opposite of *agner!!! You seem full of s and bad intentions mainly. There are indeed a few former legionnaires fighting in Ukraine's land, facing these other bastards! Some are even visible in KZhead. Also fyi, the Legion has powerful intell services who do their job constantly (in connection with Interpol, foreign countries intell agencies, etc) , involved from the selection, all along and afterwards (leaving the Legion, but once legionnaire, always legionnaire, so...). Regarding the "opportunists", there are people trying with these light motivations, but once in they never make it, the selections and trainnings week after week and facing they actually will put their lives on the line is just too hard (all along a minimum of 5 years commitment, no joke). The Legion is for the true Warriors, not for simple opportunists nor for empty heads mercenaries. They really stick to their motto: Honor and Loyalty. Honneur et Fidélité.
@@oscargaliano why don't you just Google it out instead of playing internet Gestapo? Just browse the internet and you'll find a lot of what you call "s..." I give you a hint with 3 words to start with: Legionaires, Wagner, Mali. If you do not find what I Said I will then provide you some links. But I want YOU to find that information yoursself. And in case you didnt even think about it, the future wars will be fought mainly by mercanaries. Some use fancier words like "volunteers" but they are essentially mercenaires. Russia has Wagner, a private company, and France has La Legion, but unlike Wagner they are not private, and respond to their gov.
@@oscargaliano salut frere!
He mentioned the fact that you get a new ID for joining at 12:50 so what are you talking about?
it occurs to me there are simple explanations as far as someone joining the military of any kind. the FFL takes care of their own. injury, retirement everything. when you put yourself in their hands you can trust if anything happens to you, your taken care of thereafter. in my country they keep changing vet benefits, taking benefits from the vets and time limits to use your benefits. you can be injured and come home to live on the streets helpless and homeless. in FFL your well aware of what your doing and what the mission is.
@7577 American veterans have a very high suicide rate. Every single day 27 American Veterans are successful in ending their lives. No one really cares in Washington DC or in The White House or even in Congress.
@7577 He is for sure.
Those vets are rpists so. They dont need any benefits.
How many of these recruits get to retire. I think they die early
@@waihura2039no we have a lot of them working for themselves on our wineyards in France. They do gardening in one region once they retire and I think they sell wine out of it.
Good luck boys, there is a great history behind all of you.
My friend joined for challenge and adventure. He did 2 contracts and loved it!
Stop lying he dead now
How to join that foreign legion?
@robat nanyer Simple go to France, find where its located and join.
Bravo à lui.
"only money AND CIGARETTES" AS A FRENCH I WAS ROLLING SO HARD 🤣🤣🤣
impressive training🤗💪
I saw that someone else saw English being translated into English! Lol! But I think recruits learning French would have been a real bonus to the video.
17:04 thats exactly what we did in High school between 77 students. Rithm increased each time (in french we call it "epreuve VMA" ) I was 2nd ! I was a little bit frustrated because I saw that when we were the only one left, that he could stop at any time because it was reallyyy hard at this point and I knew I could have been 1st...
It's the pacer test in the US
I spent one year in the french army (drafted in the early 90s). As a military physician...not a hero😢. I met our paratroopers (very good, but brutal) , engeneers (Nice and clever) and légionnaires. And this is really great. It is something everyone should do. You would see an "ambiance " you could not see in another part of the world..
Um, as a nurse, I’d say that healthcare for those that need it is as important as any other support for the soldiers. So, you, as a physician, are a hero, just as the entire healthcare team is.
interesting, how do you describe légionnaires.?
@@alistairmcelwee7467 thanx...but à hero is someone doing something great among people around you. (That is why Achilleus was a hero..)
@@bodazephyr6629 when you do a one-year military service (it was the law until 1996 in France), most professional French soldiers consider you a kind of civilian disguised as a soldier). Except the legionnaires. The doctors are all officers (I was a lieutenant) and respect for rank is very strict. All the legionnaires saluted me at attention. I went up the Maroni River (Amazon) with them. Only the Staff Sergeant (German) had the right to speak to me.. The others spent their time helping me, without saying a word. It was a unique and very special atmosphere.
in France, it is considered that the best regiment in the country is the 2nd REP (2nd Parachute Regiment of the Foreign Legion). I don't know if it's true, but I know they're always the ones we send everywhere to get killed first (with the special forces but it's not the same job)
Much respect for these guys.
There is something about the Foreign Legion that evokes mystery and selectivity. They are special and they know that we know that too.
" to gain entry into this exceptional corpse" Love it.
Next part fast please....,🙏🙏🙏
I felt for Stan. That dude is a beast.
That Warrant Officer needs to learn how to wear a beret. Damn, 60km which is 37.2 miles. That is one of those absolute rucks of destruction. Most Special Forces in the world can't pass that test alone. The current US military could take some lessons from the Legion on how to attract bad ass candidates, but instead they wanna focus on making everyone feel self-important and respect their individuality. The exact opposite formula for a strong military that has the capability to kick the ass of anyone wanting to us or our allies harm. Individuals don't do well in the battle. Teams win battles, and ensure war is fought at the upmost level of effectiveness.
At 36 I walked 28 miles without a pack through S Utah in roughly 17 hours. Walking 36ish miles with a heavy pack and a rifle would take an entire day, night and then some. I am sure the last miles were unpleasant in many ways.
Stan was the most fit and had the best attitude. Since when the Legion got picky on expendable mercenaries?🧐
he spoke too much imagine if he was captured
@@ditsomusic He snitched on a secret procedure unsolicited 25:48
@@africaart Good point. Must have been that or something else he said to the gestapo
No war, equals less need for soldiers, which equals higher selection standards.
I can conjecture many reasons he was released: failed background check, he talks too much, he failed a drug test, he smiled at the Commander’s daughter, etc.
This is ridiculous but interesting! These guys are very courageous!
And for those who want something more... joyfull and stylish there is always the Spanish Foreign Legion. Their motto is the infamous "Leave no man's behind"
Ha ha ha!
"How dare you applaud, do you think you're at a show?" 😂
It took me a while to notice none of them wear glasses.
Gotta have good vision (glasses break, contacts fall out-and you’re a liability to the unit)…
@@Shineon83 I was an officer in the infantry. With safety glasses. They don't break and we had 2 sets in case one might get lost.
Every one enlist in something for a reason, the Legion is mostly for guys who don't have many choices. Your past makes a huge difference. Check the retirement average and you will see there is not much to motivate anyone to do this for a carrier.
Who says everyone wants to join the Foreign Legion? Before, it was the only military formation of its kind. They accepted young people who could not enroll in the military academy, or those who were running away from someone... So it was the only place in the world where they could hide and earn money.
Have fun going to war and watch your best friend get his head blown off. My father was an F6F fighter pilot off the Enterprise at the age of 19 during WWII and he taught me from 1950-53 I would never go into combat. Every boy needs that dad.
Is there a part 2 of this documentary about the recruitment of the French Foreign Legion? It's very interesting
American here lol. Spent 3 weeks there but did not get selected 👍 met Stan lol I believed he tried more than once before his last attempt
I can feel the stress right behind my screen!
Thanks!
You guys also should watch the movie Legion with Jean Claude Van Damme
Yeah good movie
Brotherhood, tradition & honor.
At 29:30 , What determines whether or not you get chosen? The one dude was in good shape?
Think I’d be saying “Aufwiedersehen” the minute I saw that German Sergeant
😂🇧🇷
I am from India ♥️♥️ Love from India ♥️♥️
Join hone ka. Plan hai kya
@@CoderBabu-pi3bd plan bhi hai or man bhi bahut hai, par budget nahi hai France ke visa ke liye..
@@rishabhpal5463 same bhai Mai bhi dekh raha hu lekin wahi problem paise .koi nahi bhai earn karo ek din sapna jarur pura ho jayega .bhai kya vaha vegitarian logo adjust ho jayenge
Poor Sean …his English was too Scottish and had to be translated into a louder English…😅
Also the Texan guy had to be translated from his Texan English 😂
That's amazing that these men are taking on an incredible challenge in order to test and turn their life around. Absolutely respect that !
Because when you are 23 or 24 years old ,you have to challenge yourself , and this challenge is for a life .
Honneur à tous ces hommes étrangers qui méritent la nationalité Française
Da
Surtout qu ils ne sont pas obligés de venir s engager à la légion pour défendre la France et même mourir pour elle...c est tout à leur honneur,ces hommes d exception méritent tout le respect du monde
No thanks, I've been through all that and I don't want it anymore. I'm from 1993, when I was there. I learned a lot but at the end of the instruction we were so stressed that we almost always fought with each other. We took too much beating for small failures, we learned through the beating.
I highly doubt that they are still beating up the soldiers for small or even bigger failures nowdays
it just goes to show you were never there. you don't know anything at all.
@@estevaocunha5302 beatings stopped somewhere around 2009-2010 after a slovakian recruit died of dehydration and another recruit had his balls shot point blank with blank rounds, afterwards the ministry of defense took matters more in hand with the rest of the army and reformed the whole beatings thing
Wait you born in 1993 or you joined??
So they willingly join something where they get beaten up and shot? Fighting for a foreign country? What a bunch of bullshit. They're suckers.
That was indeed the most interesting English-to-English translation I’ve ever heard. I have to admit that when I heard the narrator say Sean was Scottish, I figured I might really need a translator. LOL.
La légion c est la France et la France ils sont légion pour l’aimés la servir Et avec honneur et fidélité Totale respect A l’hombre immense de ces modestes héros 🇫🇷👍👍👍
I joined the Legion in 2014. I found the application procedure quite easy. When I first walked in nobody talked to me, but when they found out I was ex British army, they started to ask questions. The beer they served was cheap and they actually had snooker tables. Yes, the Royal British Legion is great.
Hahaha, good one
There's always the Peace Corp, the toughest job you'll ever love.
a legionnaire is a brother in arms, whether his nationality, religion, race, a legionnaire never abandons one of his comrades! and respect the defeated enemy!
BRAVO!
Keep going
One of my regrets in life is not following through to join the FFL, at about 19 years old I was going to join but I let a "friend" distract me from the path.
well you didnt go kill someone for somebodys agenda for only 1200€/month, there's nothing to regret.
What did this "friend" do that you decided not to join FFL
@@nojusgailiunas3459 Well, the dummy was supposed to get to his home country to get some paperwork and kept changing the date for our departure till finally life happened and I got sidetracked then eventually for got about going, years latter I found out the jerk had met a gal and took off to Cancun, some friend. Shame because it was gonna be that or the Marines. This was over 30 years ago.
@@truthdefenders-Well your Friend is a jerk but who knows maybe if you joined FFL you would be on graves as they are one of firsts to be sent into war zone still sad that because of your "friend" you never became FFL
You should thank your friend for saving your life. You would have probably been dead in MALI fighting terrorist or Iraqi and Afghanistan war.
Why do you have dubbing on English speaking parts? Also why does the dubbing say something different to the speaker?
A friend of mine was there in the 80s, he said it wasn’t 2 bunks high but 4. And you’re given a new name after completing selection process. How can you be given a new identity before completing?
If u don’t get selected they give you your old identity back
Stan looked like the best soldier trainee there was .
I went there on November last year but unfortunately I was instantly rejected because I failed the IQ test
Was it hard?
@@francescoavila6960 yeah something like that😏
@@bennyoropeza5665 a few questions were easy.
Okay study hard dummy
What happen with you Is it too hard to get excepted Couse i wanna join Btw i will go with "tourist" visa is that okay ?
Military basic training is ALWAYS 100% physical... it don't matter if you have a masters degree or never graduated primary school... When I went to basic training in 1996 I thought it was a lot strict than what's shown on this video. Everything is single file line and everything's on a 90 degree angular movement and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS on the 30 second or less time line whether it takes 1 minute or 30 minutes for everyone in the platoon to complete and the while waiting for the slower individuals, the faster ones are always doing push ups, sit-ups or flutter kicks LOL good times!!! I noticed really big difference between different military discipline though... although the US Military training used to be very strict, but it don't mean that the US training is better, it's just different...
It has a psychological component as well.
My 19 year old grandson is at the USAF boot camp right now. My older one, at 22 yo, is now a Senior Airman, a crew chief.
Not really. Death by PowerPoint usually in NATO countries with some minor physical training. Specialized education gets you to Major or Captain within a few years.
thanks for mentioning my name syed in your documentary i am similar to mulan movie myself
Please tell amy one how to apply for it and how to take visa for Parise......
The translation from English to English made me belly laugh
Mate the guys speaking English and your translating him wrong???
Nobody translates, it is automatic translation through the KZhead algorithm.
@@brunol-p_g8800 at last someone else who knows translating is done by automated voice x
Alhamdulillah
33:06. With Stan. An Asian guy. The French guy had no feelings. I feel bad for Stan and others
There is no place for feelings in the army
@thazfff He also told the interviewer secret procedures. That isnt good.
@thaz fff Stan can speak french fluently I don’t think his IQ was the problem probably wasn’t disciplined enough and he snitched on one of the procedures
@@stevenelmas8629 the fact that he speaks french fluently means nothing, specially related to his I.Q, since he is from a french colony/french speaking country.
@@stevenelmas8629 No it's because they found he had an underlying heart condition after completing the physical, they weren't willing to take a chance on that.
Less soul crushing than a 9 to 5.
Dream to be french foreign legion ❤❤❤
I wish you all the best with your dream.may God help you to achieve it
'This exceptional corpse'. 'Kin hilarious.
Salary mentioned without saying whether that's per week, per month or per year.
Per month, that's the French standard
10000 out of 3.97 billion annually - joining the legion is apparently something very odd. For example, a lot more men, play some musical instrument, 250 million, plays fotball.
I feel bad for gabonese guy in last in isn't selected he was a rigid and talented individual, sometimes luck just doesn't do you a favour.
It hurts...I really feel for him
İt happen to me also . İ did 17/20 from psikotechnic overall , 9 lv Luc leger , 17 pull up , age 22 , no criminal record but still they give me infinitive
@@alimseven6578 but we have other pathways in life too , its just that you get good job, shelter to live, food on the table and visit some places . that s all be positive minded .
@@alimseven6578 Knk biraz anlatır mısın neler yaşadın nerde kaldın para verdiler mi mülakatta neler var yazarsan çok sevinirim :)
@@alimseven6578 bende birkaç sene sonra gitmeyi planlıyorum çünkü Videoda göründüğü gibi miydi ?
Stan , Never Give Up
Is speaking french compulsory before one goes for the recruitment process? I'm an Indian and don't know french but i'm willing to join FFL. Is there anyone who can guide me.
before? no but you will learn quickly once youve joined.
Changes identity to escape Dutch gangsters but tells his story on screen.
Yeah he shouldn t have said it ☠️🤦🏻♀️
No money, no wallets, no personal property. Just Euros and cigarettes. XD I love the French.
Oh i hate shuttle runs so much, they are brutal. Deceptively tough.
15:21 now that he is kicked out, will he be able to keep his new identity???
The camera guy ask: "What can they keep?".... Army drill sargent: "Only their money and cigarettes". I was like: Cigarettes???? they are trying to be in the best physical shape just to survive the Legionnaire test and they are allowed cigarettes? WTF?.... Must be a European thing!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Cigarettes are not that bad if you live a healthy life otherwise: good food, workout, good rest. Not ideal yeah, but not something crippling
@@dimablue4450 at least it is not that bad at the timeframe they serve as legionnaires. They will be for how long? Max 20 years. Most of the smokers get lung cancers later in life than that
@@wrobel7 Most get lung cancer? lol. The anti smoking campaigns really worked on you. I been smoking for 20, most of my friends same. None that I know has any issues. Regular doctor visits just confirm we are healthy and strong like horses
@@dimablue4450 actually you are right. At most 20% of smokers get lung cancer, so it's not the majority. Today I learnt...
@@dimablue4450 20 years of smoking is nothing when you are young.....be patient.....the cancer will catch up with you later.....
Je me souviens toujours d aller à la légion a 17 ans 1984 le gars me dit..va faire ton service militaire et après tu reviens.. merci a lui ...😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
La seule force humaine française qui fonctionne ! Merci à vous les gars !
Parceque c'est pas Des vraie français qui se batte pour la France
Is there a way to remake the video without the dubbing over the English speakers?
You can't compare SF level bootcamp training with base bootcamp for Infantry. Cmon is not fair. Secap or Guyane jungle training are a different story.
@Luc Anton what are you talking about? Never mentioned about comparing the training. You commented in the wrong comment.
Par contre je comprends pas pourquoi l'écossais et le Guinéen n'a pas été pris surtout pour le Guinéen
I am ex RAF Regiment; an old friend of mine, who had completed 5 years in the Legion and was involved in Gulf War I - in his own words to me, he said: "RAF Reg would beat the Legion in the field." Straight from the horse's mouth... VIVE LA LEGION, & PER ARDUA.!! ☮⚰🦍💪👌🤠😎
Can older people join? 😅 Life in Bangladesh is boring although I do have money. And does the UK have such foreign army Corp there.
Wait a sec which Reg in Desert Storm was him in? Those are my times almost...
@@lucanton2088 I haven't seen Andy (from Cheltenham) in years. I think it was tanks, but I don't know the section...
Fellow rock ape 💪
@@WraptitionUKGB AWESOME
There seems to be a lot of leeway in styling the berets. at 39:21 The beret of the Chief Warrant Officer seems way too small for his head. How does he keep it on? It's not like he can use a bobby pin and attach it to his hair.
Eu quero participar.
To those who are asking why the gabonese guy was rejected here is some reasons : 1-he talks too much he snitched on a procédures 2-i believe that the legion has also an iq test he might ve failed the treshhold 3-it s not about being very fit its about fitting with his unit and you should not stand out wich he did and seemed very cocky about it 4-failed drug test perhaps 5- 21 is quiet young
He speaks (in french) with pretty constructed phrases, good vocabulary and clear thought process. Not probable that it's the iq
Battle report I believe it's because of something hidden in his past.
@@ouinon4138 he comes from a gabon an ex french colonie everyone speaks french there
@@endi5739 why did nt they vet him early like the dutch guy
@@battlereport9746 he said hidden, so only came out with additional research. I also had this feeling, he was sad and not angry afterwards, kinda like was a little expecting it
Poor Stan. Hope he is doing ok
Stan was brave like all the others
Reupload?
le candidat Gabonais parle un Français impeccable, si qui est loin d'être le cas des chances pour la France. Lui s'en est une ...chance pour la France ,un comme on voudrez tous qu'ils soient !!!!
Légion Etrangère (Stranger legio) is forbid for french citizens. If a french man want enter into he must abandon his nationality. He could recover his ID card and his rights of french citizen only to the end of his formation as all soldier of the Stranger Legio who can demand french nationality.
It was the case but they changed the law a few years ago, now french citizens can join the Legion
They didnt show at all the difficult part of physical training, just some basic stuff when in reality its wayyyy more difficult. But its because they didnt show the 4 months of training after which is extremely intensive.
Makes me think if I would have been selected Or not selected
Impressive Men of Men
One of my former work coleagues went to the Foreign Legion, completed basic training and came back to see his family on official leave, met a woman, fell in love, didn't return. Now he can't show up in France anymore 🤣🤣
The dubbing of Shaun the Scotsman, who speaks native English, sounds worse than Shaun's own voice.
it's absolutely hilarious
It’s an automated voice🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
Can i join This if I WANTED TO?
48:22 Why is just one guy's face blurred out?