We followed these elite soldiers who have come from all over the world to serve France. For Droit de Savoir” he filmed these Foreign Legion new recruits during the different stages of training in Djibouti, in Guyana and also during the violent operations in the Ivory Coast. From a series of warning shots at a column of vehicles led by the Ivory Coast president’s rebels in power to the training sessions in the Guianese equatorial forest or in the Djibouti desert, the most dangerous and hazardous missions are the ones given to these “men without pasts.” Eighty percent of these trainees successfully complete the training compared to only 50 percent among soldiers of the regular army. Considered as one of the best professional troops of the French army, the Foreign Legion is conceived to deal with the high risk missions where the probability of losing soldiers is highest. This is also the only army unit where men have the right to a second chance no matter what their past. An exceptional document which testifies to the reality of ground combat, and where the adversity and danger lived through together create a durable cohesion.” -
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Impressive that they are able to teach 400 basic vocabulary of French in that time. I suppose hearing it constantly under strenuous conditions you'd probably learn it in a hurry. Definitely the modern day mercenary, but with a fraternal spirit and time honored tradition of service. Respect.
Fun fact: the French train for jungle warfare in South America while the British train for it in the Country of Belize in Central America. God Bless them both!
@Tom ServoI wholly agree that any person seeking citizenship must join the military first
It’s amazing how quickly you adapt in high stress situations…
As this proves, many troubled or “wayward” people actually want to better themselves and live a productive and meaningful life. It’s not easy when you’re stuck in a toxic living environment with no structure, accountability, or leadership to get you moving in the right direction. Super proud of these guys for having the courage to change.
@Mega Hoschi its important to look at when they kill and whom they kill.
@John Dor Live for nothing or die for something.
I trained with these guys when I was in the Marine Corps. They thought we were badass, we thought they were badass. They are a unique tough group of men, all of whom come from unique and at times, dark pasts. Lots of them need this opportunity and it's a hard road ahead. They train hard and they get little rest and nourishment. Even met an American who joined them. I have nothing but respect for the French Foreign Legion.
Fun fact: the French train for jungle warfare in South America while the British train for it in the Country of Belize in Central America. God Bless them both!
@Joseph Aulisio you might be able to start a business but your not going to be able to work for one
@Jody Dude, US marines and the legion is like night and day.. Completely different scale of difficulty. For a start USMC enroll women, the legion doesn't. RECON and MRR is more like the Legion but most of the USMC are entry level soldiers
As a former Royal Marine, I think most Military Training is similar, apart from small variations that each Country has. The only thing that never changes is loyalty to the men fighting alongside you.
Recruiting officer: "Why do you want to join the legion?"Recruit: "To forget"Recruiting officer: "To forget what?Recruit: "I forgot"
@brandoneiger well I am definetly not the bone.
@Newt USE, ABUSE AND EXPLOIT THEM FROM ALL POINTS OF VIEWS
@TheGermTheoryHoaxSlayer like what?
@George Constantin Like know other: Brotherhood that doesn't exist in other militery units.
This is the army in one sentence..like intoxicating yourself with alcohol to forget about You. We've also had our fair share of unpublished glamour stories to die for!!! Mustache nights and beer/cigarettes stories for lunatics (and 2-3 times getting a little high on the green). Our bodies were on fire again. Women knew and felt it. But we were all bonded together in a separating and congregational way! Strange and Odd. And this is one of the worst parts in 'history' cause every time you revisit old memories you can't help but make a great disservice to yourself. Throw them all away or burn them for good fuel. This is what it is used for these days. They took too much at the gate entrance, not what you've normally expect or bargained for anyways. You can go very far with lies in Life...Can't come back though. You keep chasing your first feeling endlessly. End.
Mad respect to France giving second chance for those guys. A very honourable second chance!
Fun fact: the French train for jungle warfare in South America while the British train for it in the Country of Belize in Central America. God Bless them both!
i dont think the orignal intent was to give them a 2nd chance. but did so in using them as cannon fodder
Agreed!
So same as Wagner PMC.
My Great Grandfather was in the legion and when he came back home after his service and then got recruited into the Hungarian army as well by requirement, he was the most knowledgeable on warfare and weaponry and ended up having to instruct the instructors all the time about the "new technologies" that arrived in the country, technologies that he already used extensively when he was in the legion lol.
@Norfling the Conqueror I know, I'm from the country, that why I always lose it, when others think of our country as an ex CCCP member.
@Aurora Borealis "The People's Republic of Hungary (Magyar Népköztársaság) was the official state name of Hungary from 1949 to 1989 during its Communist period under the control of the Soviet Union."
@Guyver Francis Hungary has never been part of the Soviet Union.
Obviously, Hungary would have been ex soviet union
Thanks so much for this glimpse into one of the world's elite fighting forces. The recruits were absolutely brilliant and hopefully they are all still serving soldiers, very well done lads, I am sure the Legion is very proud of you all.
@Tedspace Ok Maidenless keyboard warrior
@Wooly Wich 🤣🤣🤣
@Tedspace yes, they aren't nearly as brave as you and I. Fellow keyboard warrior and two time purple shart veteran
Elite ? Hardly.
@Kamisama Roman
A friend of mine had an uncle who served in the FFL. Said it was the hardest yet most rewarding thing he ever did.
"So why are you here, you have no problems?" That pretty much sums the legion up, amazing stuff.
@Fabs woah big L
@Fabs sorry to hear
@Je-Free Norman my father was legionnaire
@Fabs You have 2 arms and 2 legs, use them to stay OUT of the Army and the Legion
On a mission in Vietnam, I was with the 2/502 Inf 101st Airborne. We had been working the "A Shau Valley" (Hamburger Hill) in the mountain areas. We were heavily "socked in" (Fog) so the birds had no way of finding our little team or not crashing into a mountain top.. We went 4 full days without water and food. On the 3rd day they had us dig in, set up a small tight perimeter as we only had 18 guys. I'm amazed these guys were able to move down river after that long of a time with no food. The amount of protein your body consumes is enormous... One thing I was surprised to see was they had fires....?
Thanks for your interesting story.
I remember my mother over 50 years ago telling me about the French foreign legion and still it goes on strong. It is unique because it takes men whatever their past so is utterly accepting as long as you meed the standards.
@Moth's Mummy That is true today in that you can not be a murderer however if your victim survived they will take an attempted murderer so to speak. You cant be a child molester but beating your wife and abandoning your family is ok. The term serious crime is a little different for them.
The recruiting officer said he does not take men with serious criminal records.
This video makes me remember my time in the army too. Sure it was tough but the bond you gain with your friends in the army is the strongest one you can get. It's truly something every man has to experience
@privileged what unit of what branch was that?
@privileged bro wtf....
same. i remember kissing the men in my unit, and all of us holding each other nude under the covers after we combined all the bunks into one big bunk
@Newt which is perfectly reasonable
i would but im scared of dying
A friend I was in the army with joined. His words were that the Legion was overrun with former Eastern Bloc members who ran the unit like a little Mafia. If you were not one of them, you got shite tasks and poor treatment. Another mate was a legionnaire before enlisting with ADF and copped the 3rd degree from Army recruitment before being allowed to join.
Much like the Wagner group in Russia. They're doing the worst atrocities.
That's exactly why you shouldn't form an army with random drifters with shady backgrounds.
My father once knew a guy who used to be in the foreign legion. He got PTSD so severe that he ended up rebuilding his entire home into a maze and set up cameras all over the house. I don't know what these guys have to go through, but it sure sounds tough.
i dont know exactly but pretty muc h the foreign legion does all the shit that regular militaries cant or wont do. Really close dangerous combat sometimes in even jungles
As a former Marine(93-97) I was enlisted with a guy who was from France, he served in the FFL, later became a US citizen, then joined the Marine Corps. So Of course, I asked him which was a tougher boot camp the FFL or Parris Island(USMC)? He was very quick to relay the FFL was tougher "physically" but clearly stated the "mind games" on PI were much worse. I couldn't argue with that....
KikuyuandLuya Yes I have
Mind and Yank soldiers sooo funny ! every other army or navy in the world stays well clear. Best equipment and worst personal .Their allies try and stay well away
Once a Mairne, always a Marine!
@Joe Koole I served with lots of Parris Island guys and they all told me they used washing machines. That was in the 80's, maybe you served in a different time. I can assure you that San Diego was not Summer camp. We had a very sadistic group of DI's that saw to that. But you're absolutely right about San Diego having awesome weather. It's still my favorite city.
@Joe Koole You are correct on the snakes, gators, humidity.
As an American Soldier and a former Philippine Army Soldier, my great advices for any military applicants around the world are: 1.) Avoid creating unwanted attention. 2.) Observe everything around. 3.) Be a team player. 4.) Don't quit / Never give up. May the Lord God bless you and your family always.
@Валентин Valentin I've heard of Panamanians and Mexicans who joined U.S. military.
@Валентин Valentin Yeah that's why there are so many mexicans or latin america people within the Military. Because it's pretty much the only way for some people to acquire a permit and citizenship within the country.
Great advice, AE
@M G 1 word BOLLOCKS 1 STORY written from another neither of them provable and in many instances provably UNTRUE. Exodus not true, Nazareth didnt exist at the right time. the list of inaccuracies is to big but its hundreds if not thousands
Sandor Tarjanyi god doesnt like, if any human go to hell, but he is just and NEEDS to punish sin, god cannot tollaret evil and let it be unpunished. thats why he sent his son, that he dies for the sins of the whole world. 2 cor 5 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
My big respect and salute to all these future legionnaires they endured the very tough training both mentally/physically.i am so happy that theres a program like this in France giving a second chances to those single individuals in other countries to become a LEGIONNAIRES.
special advantages if you have a wooden hand.....
Mad respect for all those men, sincerly.
I can't think of a more honorable way to become a citizen of a country than to be willing to serve in its military. These men gain respect, stature, and life skills in the process.
An A-raabs will always be anA -raab...
@Jacob I think you mean French 'army'. The Legion is a military by definition
This isn't the French military. This is completely seperate .
@Freely Aced Yeah maybe, but army service I would imagine is preferred to becoming a street thug reliant on welfare.
This is exactly what I wanted to do. I ended up going down the wrong road in and out of prison. My life was going down hill fast . I was a very fit lad and I thought this would be right for me. It never happened . Great watching what it would have been like
of course bazza.
I never thought the French language was able to be intimidating, but they manage that no problem. This is some intense training. My hat's off to the Legion.
One reason is also that the officer wasn't a French native speaker...
@JWillis710I think it’s hard for asian languages to be intimating due to them being tonal usually you must say the word with a particular tone thus you can’t emphasize the same as in other languages
@JWillis710spanish is so intimidating when I was little I use to come out of my room and be like “stop fighting” and they would laugh and be like “we aren’t fighting we’re just talking” 😂
@Impl0ze93 it’s the accent, it just not as intimidating as say Japanese and most Asian dialects or Spanish. I just haven’t been exposed to French as much as other languages.
So much respect for those with so much will power... mad respect.
Good on them. Its fantastic that people of all races, nationalities and walks of life get a second chance or want a life less ordinary.
you diddn't exist, you don't exist, and you might not exist.
Makes my 20 years in the USAF seem so insignificant. So many people talking shit about these dudes. Everyone has a reason for what they do. They should be commend for being self starters and finding a purpose.
Joining an army is different fr joining isis and mercenary orgs.
So what is the reason for joining the Army? To be a Comic Book Hero?
Harwood is not an Australian. He is a Kiwi. And that “tribal war dance” is the Haka, which basically everybody in the English or French world would be familiar with (except perhaps the narrator).
Yeah bro I'm pretty sure that less people are familiar with the haka than you realize lol
@Yautah Love a fight with the French…… Is it sado.. to love it your lads show us how it’s done….😂👍 Apart from that time ya bombed us…, it’s been a century of pleasure..
France: You Crossed the border illegally?! The Legion: THIS MAN IS DEDICATED!
Wow.. very educational... didn't know too much how this regime operates..I'm an American who served 4 years in the US Army...but I can understand why these young men wanted to be a part of something for their diverse reasons.
My Father was a Legionnaire in WWII. This gave me some insight into his life. He escaped Hungary and volunteered to fight Hitler. His life was tough. I grew up in boot camp. Respect.
Ohh
Damn good job men. A year later these young men are starting their second year I wish them all the very best life has to offer.
I did mandatory military service, not professional in my time, but I volunteered for the Green Berets. And it was a brutal experience. I earned my Green Beret by determination, courage and energy. But the Foreign Legion is a big word. And professional. 👍💯
I used to go to the YMCA as a teenager in the late 70's because they had lots of activities to keep me out of trouble. They also had a brochure station which included the usual US military recruiting brochure , but also had one for the FFL. Unfortunately my knowledge of the legion was from movies such as March Or Die so I stuck to the conventional route & joined the US military.
@H B thanks if u can see my profile pic I’m working with a boxers fracture. It’s not easy to type let along correct. Thankfully I have people like u to remind us that grammar is important to people who are going at memorizing
@H B * and
@Area609Joe *rebelled
@12345fowler after 5 years of service the Legionary becomes a naturalized citizen. That might be the only way I could think of. Great question.
Having served 2 years compulsory service at age 18 in the SA Marines this brought back good memories
Met up with some Legionnaires in Beirut back in the early 80’s when I was a US Marine. Much respect to these guys!
238 marines died in their sleep when a suicide bomber in a truck crashed into their barracks at nite in '83
You must respect ANYONE thats actually well trained
at least they let their sentries carry loaded magazines....
Booo hisss
SFMF
if youve been through basic training, regardless of country youll have a beaming smile knowing that these guys learned brotherhood, the backbone of any military
"Mental aptitude of a mollusk" absolutely had me in stitches.
lmao got me too. Awesome coverage of their process.
thanks for uploading this. It was a controversial unit, but their intention of service should be respected and this should be archived.
I done 41 years and a half in the Légion and had Lopez in my squad in Calvi when he was a young légionnaire in the early eighties, i toughed him up and tought him the ropes. Met up with him during stints in Guyane (3°REI) a few times and believe me he was the best they had. I believe he was an ex schoolteacher in Spain before giving up his life to the Légion, great guy and one of the Légions best.
You did 41 years? Yet your youtube channel has a 15 years old video of you being a girl on a bunch of schooltrips eh?…
@the rocket salad Well, now that you mention it (or hint at it), could be he HAD to change careers. And locations. And identity.
@Michael H gee, I wonder what sorts of shenanigans a schoolteacher could possibly get up to that would necessitate abandoning their identity and running away to join the FLL 🤔
Spain wasnt such a good place, back in the days or so i heard
This is such an amazing opportunity for anyone who can get in I’m so glad this has always been an option
It'd be nice if there wasn't a version of this with the english guy talking over everyone. Just subtitle it so that you can hear what they're actually saying. Even if you don't understand French, it's nice to hear the original to hear the inflections and the emotion in their voices. There's also points where he's clearly taking significant liberties with the translation. Around 9:20 I heard the instructor say "proteger la France" but the narrator just said "We want them to become real soldiers." I don't know French but I can figure out "proteger la France" and it doesn't mean the same thing as "become real soldiers"
@Mr Roger I'm very glad it was narrated because when you must read an entire movie, you miss so many visual details.
Exactly!!! Narrators are for people who are not good at reading or children
I agree with you (I am French)
you are absolutely right.
I've been thinking about Joining the foreign legion for a while now & this upload is a helpful insight, huge credit to anyone that joins wanting to turn their lives around & if there was a second chance saloon here in England I'd already be there without a doubt!
I’m from the UK too and also been thinking of joining.
I knew one guy coming from the streets in Belarusia, did the legion, moved to french, got a good job moved to switzerland and lives now a much better life with his family than on the country or cities of Belarusia.
@Willy Jordan bullshit. Je ex gr worked in parmacutical company and was many times in Switzerland on international trades. She said that people on streets are half brown..
He must have a good.lifr Switzerland is great. I'm half swiss, I wanna get a swiss work permit. USA makes us work like dogs for chump Change
Very nicely narrated, and good bunch of soldiers
After watching this I have a profound respect for the French Foreign Legion.
What a great idea and organisation! Give people from all over the world who have want, but no advantages in life, some real career and life! Bravo!!
Much respect to the Legion from a career Soldier and career LEO.
Served in the Reserves with a guy who was 3 years into his foreign legion paras ,when they wanted to send him to Chad and he said he didn't want to go so he did a runner and stowed away on a boat to Holland and then managed to get back to the UK he said he enjoyed it but just didn't fancy going to Chad.
“just didn't fancy going” I don’t believe anyone in the Legion for three years would see that as optional, nor throw away their chance of citizenship and a place among Legion veterans. Whoever he is, he’s a wannabe. I would be thinking he’s something more like discharged from some service with papers that don’t look very good.
desertation is not subject to a statute of limitations in the Legion. I wouldn't go to France anymore
Is the French foreign legion. Duh. Didn’t feel like going??? Wtf
He was as they say a "Bouquet Garni"
I'm happy this got recommended to me. I didn't know much about the French Foreign Legion and now I'm a big fan of theirs.
Good to see the start hasn't changed, they don't realise how tough it will get. Good luck to those that work hard to get there.
in fact all the people who are clueless get cut at aubagne. everyone at the farm knows exactly what we are in for...
Some of the nicest guys I've worked with total respect not easy to become a legionnaire
Right imagine keeping a straight face while someone is talking at you with a French accent
Good training, I was a Marine in the 70’s and our training was similar but not as intense. these guys are hardcore, admire their sprit de’ corps.
*esprit de corps
Bb a bB moove On.
@markojack15 Yeah sure buddy, you were in the SAS...
@trav How do you arrive at that conclusion toiletbreath?
I was a bit surprised at how many times these fellows smiled. They want to be there, and their accomplishments give them a sense of satisfaction that shows on their faces. I hope Gamba learned to swim and passed the course!
Każdy kliknął żeby znaleźć tutaj legendarną postać jeszcze za czasów szkolenia.
I always wanted to join the legion there is sometimes special in people from all over the world from all sorts of background working together , i even trained for 5 years for it but life is bitch sometimes and i broke my collar bone on nasty spot when i was 26 that prevented me from doing hard work and giving a shot to be part of the legion
@Jussi M. Konttinen how old are you know? to old to still join
I went to work in an engineering firm when I thought it was a wiser career, but it wasn’t
I'd love to see a documentary about the guys who got rejected, can you imagine the absolutely insane shit they must be headed for after giving up their entire old life for the legion and then flunking out?
yeah, i cant imagine how horrible that must be....
French Legionaire is the best in candidate qualification process... They actually giving 2nd chances for Everyone who determine to be a soldier ... Awesome ...
For an absolute minimum wage
still one of the best ways to shield yourself from your past...famous for that....
I worked with former Legionnaires when I was a security contractor, as a former Marine I didn't trust anyone other than other Marines, those that had been through everything that I had been through, but those Legionnaires were tough capable & didn't know how to run away when shit got real, they have been to war in some really bad places & they have lost very few men in those places, that says a lot about who you are & what you are, they do have very poor taste in weapons though.
@SpiDey That is a very recent change. They have used the famas for a very long time. Very accurate weapon, but terrible ergonomics and very few accessories
They are using HK416. That's hardly a bad taste.
American or UK marine ?
I felt so bad for the guy that got sick. You could tell how much he wanted to finish the course.
@404 Not Found no second place was an other guy. Both were asians but come on man
But he did finish the course. In second place, with a recommendation for further training to become a jungle warfare instructor. Great mental attitude. Challenge and perseverance can help an individual to find their own inner strength. That's why the training and selection are hard, It is meant to be.
It's amazing to see that while giving the soldiers hard times during training, you can see that it's done with respect. When looking footages from Russian army, you can immediately see that the whole training is done through humiliation, disrespect and torture.
in 1960 -1962 was stationed in Germany talked to an older German guy that was in the German army in WW2,for some reason he joined the Foreign Legion at the wars end and fought in Viet Nam very interesting man to talk with,he lost fingers in battle and had a terrible scar on his face from a Viet Min bayonet he said
My father joked that the Battle of Dien Bien Phu was the last stand of the Afrika Corp... probably true.
@ostrea edulis Some, not most. The Legion of the 50s was not filled with SS men.
@Online Commentator Quite wrong, some SS prisoners were proposed to join the legion and recovering their freedom.
@MashupDad Not quite true actually. Mostly men from Wehrmacht, most SS were put in jail or stayed home in Germany.
lots of ww2 germans joined the legion but damned few as in none by my time
Heard good stuff about these guys from people who fought by them.
Good job guys, you've done it!
RESPECT DOES NOT GET OLD.
I remember a meeting a British ' advisor ' who went to Vietnam at the very start of America getting involved and he met the FFL leaving. He said there was a lot of ex German WW2 veterans who obviously knew how to fight and looked totally defeated from the Vietcon.
Looking tough and talking about being tough are the most common things about this legend.
respect for those kids!,even those who can't make it!
I remember my road March in boot camp. I'm very surprised that they don't have fire guards at night in the Barracks like we did. It's a 2 hour security detail that every recruit has to do every night.
lol
...."Private Pyle... WHY do you have that weapon?"
Annapurna base camp carrying over 20kg with water, food etc is hard. I can relate to 25 km and 25kg. I always hated the heat like in Hindu Kush in August trekking around Rich Mir in Chitral. Best days of my life as I love the mountains and the people who struggle so much just to survive daily. I have huge respect for Gurkhas.
Huge respect to the servicemen and women. They are a special breed but im very much a pacifist. Its all politics or religion often used as an excuse to fight wars and sadly so many are victims on both sides and they all have family and loved ones. I believe in looking for the truth. Governments brain wash through education and media telling us what to do, they are right the other side is wrong or called terrorists but the other side believe they are freedom fighters for example. Look at 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan and before that Vietnam etc. Awful. And now Ukraine. This new world order continues to build nuclear bombs threatening our very existence yet so many ordinary people are suffering mental illness, poverty, homelessness etc and too many ex soldiers suffer awfully with PTSD, many falling into depression, addiction, and even attempt suicide. My thoughts and prayers are with all those in this world whether Ukrainian, Russian, Chinese, Afghan, Israeli, iraqi or where ever. Those in power need to be made fully accountable for their actions but thats often ignored and they get away with awful crimes against humanity.
I know a lot of Gurkas and asked them about you Ian, they said you were a bit snide.
Had no idea they're basically lost boys. Very good to see them want a better life and fight for it.
The guy who got a visa to Poland and then illegally entered France and the legion can see the courage, resourcefulness and motivation in that. A million miles away from Brexit Britain. Much respect to France.
Great Video very informative 💯 Looking forward to finding out more about the beginnings of the FFL. Vive la France
Wow, this was interesting as hell to watch. I had sorta belived that the French Foreign Legion was no longer around, just a misty historical tale of men leaving their past behind not caring about the future but to forge a new identity through combat as a mercenary for the French empire as it was between the late 1800s until around the time the French lost Indo-China, say the 1950s. So friggin cool it still exists.
Respekt und Liebe für die Fremdenlegion!
Inspiring, very inspiring!
Am I nuts or is it crazy how relaxed training is there? I went to great lakes and this seems so mild. I wish we fixed recruit training to focus more on actually building them up like this instead of just going psycho from 4 to 10 every day. Probably wouldnt have so many issues will mental health in our military today here in the states. At least it kinda seems like the army's working on it.
Great video! The officer(CO?) interviewed at 11:05 has been in awhile, as he is wearing the Liberation of Kuwait (Saudi Arabia) and Liberation of Kuwait (Kuwait) ribbons at the bottom of his ribbon bar. In other words, he participated in Desert Storm/Shield. Fascinating-John in Texas
Lieutenant Colonel
Much respect from old US Veteran to these these men.
I served in the US Marine Corps. Looks like the training of the legionnaires is very similar to ours.
One of the most decorated soldier of the free french was an American ( Legion of Honor and order of " compagnon de la libération " ). His name was Jack Hasey , a captain in the french foreign legion ...here his wiki : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._%22Jack%22_Hasey
It's good to give these men a second chance as they are most likely to turn out better than before. that's if they survive.
Great documentary, They are so dedicated, well done
I worked in a kitchen with a guy who tried to get into the legion but failed his first attempt. He was keeping himself in top physical condition and trying to improve himself in other ways listening to podcasts and such. He was a very hard working guy to be around. Unfortunately one night of drinking he got into a fight. He went home and died that night from a concussion. He had planned to try again to join the legion. I met with his parents briefly after he died and they seemed like the nicest people. I don't think everyone who joins is necessarily running away. I think some people are just built different and need something like the legion to become who they need to be. I wonder the fate of those who didn't make it. Hopefully they find a path to make it.
I joined the foreign legion so I could learn to speak French in a really short amount of time. After my training I was deployed to the front line where I lost both legs and both arms, I am now permanently crippled with mental health that will last a life time... But I can now speak French, so it was worth it after all.
Bon!👍
I think they should be celebrated with a day of honor in France and many other parts of the world.
Formidable... Vive La Legion
very moving. very good production. I don't know why it came thru my feed but very glad it did!. vive la légion étrangère française
What an informative and well-documented story. My sincere appreciation to the narrator whose intonation was first class. Viva Legionaire!
I hope there all had an awesome future, career and I am sure they have many story's to tell there family and friends and I hope they are still doing very well..!
my future was unbelieveble! DO IT!
I admire their dedication and language skils.
I can understand why someone would like to give it a try. It gives you a place to belong, new people to hang out with, all in the same boat, and a sense of purpose.
I met a few French Foreign Legion members and let me tell you those guys are fearless and badass.
@When is a snake a tail? oh yeah no I’ll go to Canada right now and say it to a mounty to his face
@When is a snake a tail? hold on before I read what I said I want you to know I absolutely would I’m a giant who’s been fighting competitively my entire life I once fought 9 people with knives and walked away unharmed with a new knife but most of all I like a good laugh
Fearless to wave the white flag 🏳
“My mother threw me out because I did nothing and she had enough of it”! LMFAO
@the harbinger of the sea Yeah I was in the US Army infantry for a long time and when I arrived I was basically the same person but I made it and I hope this guy did too
At least he was honest. I don't know how you go from playing Russian Xbox and slamming horilka to doing 15km runs in 40c weather immediately, but we didn't know. Maybe he made it.
@Visassess Yeah that’s a tough school they make you want to earn that title but at least he showed up right lol
I guarantee he dropped out
One of my uncles was a medic in the Waffen SS during the war and was captured by the French at the end of the war. He and his group were threatened with war crimes etc. if they didn't join the "Foreign Legion". Some joined willingly, mostly those who had lost their homes and families in the provinces east of the Oder Neisse line, but most declined and were returned to what was left of Germany. My uncle said most of them were sent to fight and die in Viet Nam.
10 years or so ago, I was Captain of an LNG tanker due to load in Yemen, a new terminal. Because of many terrorist attacks on the gas plant and pipelines the terminal operator employed "retired" French foreign legionnaires for security. At the time there was a major problem in the Gulf of Aden with Somali pirates and we had a security team of "retired" Royal Marines. After we berthed in the terminal I was called, there was a huge standoff between my marines and the FFL. It was very tense. 30 of the toughest soldiers in the world facing off. Who flinched first? Well, I did. The idea of this mass brawl with who knows how many casualties happening on my ship was too hard to contemplate. I stepped in between the 2 groups and calmed them down and lived to tell the tale. The 2 sides relaxed and burst out laughing. Claps on backs all round. Who'd have won? beats me, but I wouldn't want to be in the middle if they did decide to go for it. The legionnaires, living (or roughing it) in yemen would probably be toughened, my RM team had a soft passage and may not have been in their prime. Interesting thought though
I did counter piracy around that time and drank with some ffl in Djibouti. Really good guys but I can't even describe the aura of intimidation that surrounds them.
add a little security...and "Captain Phillips" could have had a little different ending...these guys know how to do more than use firehoses...
Everyone deserves a second chance....for being one with dignity
What even people who abuse children
55:25 That is an incredibly humble man
Excellent soldiers.
I think the hardest part for any foreigner joining the Legion is not it's brutal training, but the crash course in learning to speak French WHILE being in training and having down time with your barrack mates.
Basic French isn't hard. They're not expected to write poetry.
This does not look like highly skilled/technical training, which is not to take away from the recruits' efforts, but it looks like endurance to ultimately become cannon-fodder (albeit proud cannon-fodder)...
It's shameful that the Legion didn't teach Gamba how to swim before the jungle training, and then he fails because of that!
Honneur et Fidélité !!