The Foreign Legion, another French exception | Reporters • FRANCE 24 English

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  • čas přidán 26. 04. 2018
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    Shrouded in mystery and prestige, the French Foreign Legion is just as feared by its enemies as it is envied by its allies. The legionnaires come from across the world, prepared to fight for a country that is not even their own. In the Legion, they learn to fight in extreme conditions, live together and work as a team. But who are these soldiers and what motivates them? While embedded with the 13th Half-Brigade of the Foreign Legion in Mali, our reporters found out.
    “The Legion is our home” is the motto of the Foreign Legion, the legendary elite branch of the French Army. Africans, Americans, Asians, Europeans, anyone between 17 and 40 years old can sign up to fight for France.
    The Legion was formed in 1831 and, to this day, inspires fascination. From the very start, it earned a reputation for being an army made up of wanted criminals. Today though, the Legion says entry is forbidden to anyone linked to violent crimes, sexual assault or drug-trafficking.
    However, the Legion still gives a chance to those who want to leave their pasts behind, earn a living and serve in an army with one of the best reputations in the world.
    Only one in five hopefuls makes it through the notoriously tough selection tests and once they’re in, the Legionnaires have to agree to a strict set of rules if they are to stay in. They’re punished if they fail to learn French and misunderstand orders.
    Claire Paccalin and Fanny Allard followed the 13th Half-Brigade of the Foreign Legion at their French base and during a counter-terrorism operation in Mali.
    They spent six days camping out in the desert near the border with Niger to find out how the Legion works and what motivates these men to fight for a country that is not their own.
    Maxime, an 18-year-old Belgian, told them why he quit a carpentry apprenticeship to join the Legion. They spoke to Brandon, an American who drives his comrades crazy by playing country music at the barracks. Then there's Sergeant Giacomo, who started out camera-shy but later opened up about being a Legionnaire.
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Komentáře • 1,8K

  • @shpontz
    @shpontz Před 5 lety +2099

    I'm a former FFL officer, I served 8 years with the 1st Foreign Cavalry (1er REC), including the first Gulf War, Africa and Bosnia. Glad to share a few facts about the Legion.
    It is important to understand first that the French Military is a very old institution, set as a professional force during the Middle Age, with core values coming from the code du chevalier (“knight’s code”), the Monarchy, Napoleon’s era, colonial empire and the decolonization period, WW1&2 etc. As a result, traditions, corps, missions and commitments are very diverse.
    For centuries, it has been a tradition in France to hire foreign volunteers in specific regiments within the Army framework. French Kings always had foreign troops to their service, usually coming from loyal or controlled vassal states or principalities (Swiss, German, Italian, Belgium etc). The Republic has simply maintained the tradition.
    Almost all officers (90%) of the Légion Etrangére (LE) are French, mostly from Saint-Cyr, except a small proportion coming from the ranks.
    The Legion is made of foreigners, is under regular Army command, with the same equipment and organization. The Legion is not a special force or a militia. It is an elite corps of the French Army with different people and adapted rule of procedure. Within the Army, there is a strong competition between the Legion and the Marines (Troupe de Marine, or “Coloniale” in French, which also belongs to Army).
    Regiments of the Legion are sprat among three Brigades of the Army: the 6th Light Armored Brigade (2nd REI, 1st REC, 1st REG and recently 13th DBLE back from Abu Dhabi), the 11th Parachute Brigade (2nd REP), the 27th Alpine Brigade (2nd REG) and overseas deployment (3rd REI in Guyana and DLEM in Mayotte island). An initial training Regiment (4th RE) and a small administrative and recruitment unit (1st RE) are directly under the command of the Foreign Legion Command (COMLE), headed by a Brigadier or Major General, simply nicknamed “Père Légion” (Father of the Legion…), who reports directly to the Army Chief of Staff
    Legionnaires are ABSOLUTELY NOT mercenaries; they don't fight for money (monthly wage, the "solde", is the same as in the Army), or for ideology, not even for French citizenship, which is difficult to get, unless you are wounded in combat (Français par le sang versé, “French by spilled blood”). They are volunteers under contract, to serve France, a country they hardly know, but they fight for the Legion: the motto is “the Legion is our fatherland” - Legio Patria Nostra in Latin. The Legion offers them a new start, a new identity, a family, with rules, discipline, limits and even a future. Contracting with the Legion does not imply to abandon your first nationality.
    Around 140 different nationalities are represented in this nearly 9000 strong force. On purpose, around 25% are francophone of even French origin but enlisted under a different nationality. All NCOs are from the ranks. Those highly professional NCOs are the true strength of the Legion. Few become officers. Women are not permitted.
    “Honneur et Fidélité” (honor & loyalty) are fundamental values when regular Army motto is “Honneur et Patrie”. A Legionnaire serves with HONOR, and is LOYAL to the Legion.
    In the Legion, traditions are very important, numerous and highly respected. They evolve slowly but regularly and are listed in the Recueil des traditions de la Légion Etrangère, set by a special committee. They include a specific uniform (with the famous Képi Blanc), the Boudin marching song (“We shall soon all perish according to tradition…”), the Code of Honor, slow pace marching and many, many more.
    Criminals are not accepted anymore, and there is a very serious and long check on each candidate, with Interpol assistance. Selection is very harsh, as there are up to 9 candidates for one “seat”, probably the highest rate worldwide for a conventional military force.
    The main strength of the Legion is its unique cohesion, based on people from different culture and background but under French military rule, all ready to start a new life and to fight for their new family: their comrades in arms from the Legion.
    Selection, training and equipment are important, but they would not make the difference without tradition and this “esprit de corps melting-pot”, which is unique to the Légion Etrangère.
    Vive la Légion !
    (long life to the Legion !)

    • @mehlem.kochan
      @mehlem.kochan Před 5 lety +16

      Courage pour la fin!

    • @MrBryandu44
      @MrBryandu44 Před 5 lety +37

      salut, très intéressant ton texte tu m'as appris quelques truc! merci d'avoir pris le temps de développer ce genre de commentaire!

    • @rebekahmcfatridge6691
      @rebekahmcfatridge6691 Před 5 lety +31

      Ok I know this is going to sound really stupid but what if you join and you don't speak French??? Do they kick you out do you have to speak French as a requirement of joining???

    • @Meownold
      @Meownold Před 5 lety +181

      They make you learn it.....quickly.

    • @benny3637
      @benny3637 Před 5 lety +3

      Rebekah Mcfatridge no

  • @kingravenink
    @kingravenink Před 6 lety +772

    "The wake-up call is brutal..."
    *calmly ties laces in complete silence*

    • @NAJOX47
      @NAJOX47 Před 5 lety +14

      It’s not brutal at al

    • @bcuz8998
      @bcuz8998 Před 5 lety +84

      Coz they're not loud retards for no reason

    • @adavalos1989
      @adavalos1989 Před 5 lety +24

      That’s the news for you. Exaggerate anything and everything.

    • @BBP081
      @BBP081 Před 5 lety +20

      Maybe for the news crew 5am constitutes brutal

    • @_____J______
      @_____J______ Před 5 lety +18

      They are trained and paid for silence. But would you civilian call 10 to 14 hours work day in which you walk all day or run with heavy eqpuiment being shot sometimes and then 6 hours sleep time if you get lucky vacations?

  • @blingbling574
    @blingbling574 Před 4 lety +143

    Decent Journalism is a rare thing these days, good job.

    • @hawkrolla
      @hawkrolla Před 2 lety

      Well she was embedded after all😆

    • @danielrn133
      @danielrn133 Před 4 dny

      Anything you agree with or like is "decent journalism". Anything you don't is crap right?

  • @michaelsix9684
    @michaelsix9684 Před 3 lety +335

    If you enter the Legion, survive the training, you have done an incredible feat. The feeling of being with an elite outfit with quite a proud history must be amazing.

    • @user-qj2to1ql7l
      @user-qj2to1ql7l Před 2 lety +2

      คับสวัดดีคับ

    • @derekkearns3377
      @derekkearns3377 Před rokem

      Bastille a glorified imperlist group.

    • @johnm249
      @johnm249 Před rokem

      US Navy SEALS a lot tougher but everyone is a NATO Ally so we love the FFL too

    • @johnm249
      @johnm249 Před rokem +3

      I would have been a perfect Legionaire because I did not get married until I was 44

    • @edwardpearce9668
      @edwardpearce9668 Před rokem

      History they are famous. I know it is a dream of many young teenage men, and was a place to escape or prove yourself if dissatisfied with previous military service elsewhere. But the true history is more like the US in Afghanistan. From Mexico to Vietnam and other conflicts. Unfortunately these failures are due to French colonial policies.

  • @Overlord99762
    @Overlord99762 Před 5 lety +250

    ''You're Croatian, you don't know country music''
    lmao as a non-American country music lover I loved that part

    • @PrincipeCharro
      @PrincipeCharro Před 3 lety +7

      You don't need to be american to know that Country sucks

    • @Overlord99762
      @Overlord99762 Před 3 lety +2

      @@PrincipeCharro it doesn't

    • @Normalguy1690
      @Normalguy1690 Před 3 lety +6

      Yugo war songs 😂 u don’t know country music.

  • @santamanone
    @santamanone Před 4 lety +509

    The Tennessean shot his first rifle when he was 15? He must have been a city boy.

    • @RamblinGamblinStan
      @RamblinGamblinStan Před 4 lety +30

      santamanone that’s what I was thinking,and the English reporter was still surprised.

    • @nico-zt9od
      @nico-zt9od Před 4 lety +24

      Im not even American and i shot my first rifle when i was 10

    • @tronaboron2064
      @tronaboron2064 Před 4 lety +11

      Tennessee has a city??? What?

    • @pieceofschmidtgames6389
      @pieceofschmidtgames6389 Před 4 lety +22

      said he was from nashville so...

    • @YeeheCS
      @YeeheCS Před 4 lety +2

      Question is why would he not join the us army

  • @ronlewis3964
    @ronlewis3964 Před 5 lety +99

    "you don't feel like talking to me do you?" "No" haha i love that

  • @Swisswoods
    @Swisswoods Před 4 lety +203

    The Legion (with absolute respect from the Alps) has been mentioned as one of the best ever examples of international integration, 100+ nationalities with one idea of family and purpose, all together. Much of the world could learn a lot from them. Vive.

    • @kolerick
      @kolerick Před 4 lety +12

      they probably are the first "world army"...

    • @bhubankumarchhetri3311
      @bhubankumarchhetri3311 Před rokem

      UK , USA & NATO they don’t have enough manpower to recruit in army so they are hiring from Asian & African country .

    • @bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477
      @bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477 Před rokem +1

      I wonder how cities could learn from The Legion.

  • @leecountffl9826
    @leecountffl9826 Před 4 lety +169

    I've served 11.4 years in the British Army and have recently left service in July of this year. I did not not want to leave but I came to the end of my contract, I can still soldier and looking further my military career. I've discussed it with my folks obviously they were a little concerned at first but there fine with it now so I'm enlisting in the Foreign Legion on New year's day 2020. I'm excited!

    • @teller1290
      @teller1290 Před 4 lety +3

      Ouch...starting allllll over.

    • @ChachouLP
      @ChachouLP Před 3 lety +8

      Lee count ffl ,
      Are you a legionnaire now ?
      Greetings from France :)

    • @leecountffl9826
      @leecountffl9826 Před 3 lety +6

      @@ChachouLP unfortunately not yet still in the British Army.

    • @ChachouLP
      @ChachouLP Před 3 lety +1

      @@leecountffl9826 why ?

    • @leecountffl9826
      @leecountffl9826 Před 3 lety +7

      @@ChachouLP I tried to enlist new years day 2020, I lasted 24hrs, however they gave me a second attempt. In the meantime coronavirus happened so I'm back in the British Army, and I waiting to try again, your a Miss I presume?

  • @ricardomartin6961
    @ricardomartin6961 Před 4 lety +42

    I'm from Argentina, I always was fascinated by the FFL. I'm training hoping one day be part of them

  • @tonyhawk94
    @tonyhawk94 Před 3 lety +46

    Fun fact : The legion was founded by one of Napoleon's best Marshal, the Marshall Soult who was the main artisan of the iconic victory of Austerlitz against the Russian and Austrian army. :)

    • @lirazel2001
      @lirazel2001 Před rokem

      Thank you for the heads-up!

    • @paulmcdonough1093
      @paulmcdonough1093 Před rokem

      and surrendered to the british and wellington

    • @tonyhawk94
      @tonyhawk94 Před rokem +1

      @@paulmcdonough1093 No he didn't he was never decisevely beaten by Wellington nor captured.

    • @Cerratoman
      @Cerratoman Před rokem

      ​@@tonyhawk94 he loses in Toulousse against British,Portugal,Spain combinate army.
      I didn't have idea he founded Legion.

  • @shusterandy
    @shusterandy Před 5 lety +689

    I've realized I've learned more history lessons watching CZcams and reading comment sections then I actually have learned in school.
    Edit: Wow I didn't expect this many likes thank you all. But I do learn some interesting stuff that people say on here.

    • @AhWhyIsTherePoopInYourMouth
      @AhWhyIsTherePoopInYourMouth Před 4 lety +4

      Same.

    • @jerrymail
      @jerrymail Před 4 lety +16

      My learning of history owes more to my readings of specialized books and videos than to school. I did not learn anything at school, the lessons were poorly thought, boring and without interest.

    • @Jemi8288
      @Jemi8288 Před 4 lety +8

      You dont just learn historical facts in school. You should receive a critical thinking regarding the creation of our concept of history. Additionally you should learn how to research historical facts and their handling in the historical discourse.

    • @jerrymail
      @jerrymail Před 4 lety

      @Chewbacca I talk about Middle School and High School in France. The History Lessons are really, really bad and uninteresting.

    • @jerrymail
      @jerrymail Před 4 lety +2

      @Chewbacca I must admit, my teachers were very boring, they were only reciting endless lists of dates without ever explaining anything, without "telling" History. My passion comes from movies, and that's why I became an author, especially about the American Civil War (that may seem a strange choice for a French :-D )

  • @walex5462
    @walex5462 Před 5 lety +343

    This unit saw some very fierce combat about a month or so after this video was filmed. Sadly there were miltiple wounded, but luckily no legionnaires were lost. They won the day after a hard fought battle and should be commended.

  • @bobjohnson9820
    @bobjohnson9820 Před 5 lety +52

    I had worked with Legionaries during my time in the military and enjoyed meeting and working with true professional Soldiers.

  • @davidlefranc6240
    @davidlefranc6240 Před 3 lety +20

    good french camaraderie from around the world and im proud of them! much love from quebec canada!

  • @kronhertz4956
    @kronhertz4956 Před 6 lety +115

    "LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA"
    Great report. I would love to see more videos like this in the future.

  • @isaiahgrey2458
    @isaiahgrey2458 Před 4 lety +34

    Massive respect to France from Montana!

    • @georgedelanoy9548
      @georgedelanoy9548 Před 3 lety +4

      Thanks you , for my myself I am going to join French army tomorrow in infantry of marines. 🇫🇷🇺🇸

    • @isaiahgrey2458
      @isaiahgrey2458 Před 3 lety +2

      @@georgedelanoy9548 Thank you for that tremendous commitment!

    • @angelicupstart1977
      @angelicupstart1977 Před 3 lety

      None of them are French 😉

    • @motmot8879
      @motmot8879 Před 3 lety +2

      @@angelicupstart1977 actually most are, you get the nationality when you serve for the legion

    • @sukaira9334
      @sukaira9334 Před 2 lety +1

      @@angelicupstart1977 when joining the FFL you become french. they treat your background like you were born the day before you joined up. for all intents and purposes, they are French.

  • @leecount8421
    @leecount8421 Před 5 lety +470

    I have 17 months left in the British Military and once I'm finished here, I'm going to join the Legion.

    • @loresh1000
      @loresh1000 Před 5 lety +48

      i hope you will suceed, i want to join french air force

    • @leecount8421
      @leecount8421 Před 5 lety +13

      Loris thanks, you too.

    • @connorwoodward6930
      @connorwoodward6930 Před 5 lety +18

      I wanted to go into the Paras, the army picked up something on my medical records and they said no to my appeal. I start training for the RAF Regiment in December/January, but the role of the RAF Regiment is not one I want to do, so I'll do my three years then join the FFL

    • @EIREriddick13
      @EIREriddick13 Před 5 lety +1

      Lee Count
      Where do you serve in the British Military?

    • @bigman25plus25
      @bigman25plus25 Před 5 lety +12

      Why? (genuinely curious)

  • @nancyhobson9710
    @nancyhobson9710 Před 4 lety +44

    The French Foreign Legion: you did and do a great job. You're tough and get the job done. Greetings and respect from Australia

    • @natewatl9423
      @natewatl9423 Před 4 lety

      Find the lowest form of human being, then look "down under" and you'll find weaponised prostitutes of the FFL sleeping alongside Kellog-Brown& Root (KBR) prostitutes .The world's biggest "JOHN" (USA) calls them "contractors."

  • @American-Nobody
    @American-Nobody Před 4 lety +159

    I'm a US Marine, I heard an active duty Legionnaire once say, "We fight for the Legion, not France." Of course all warriors say we fight for the man next to you but this wasn't just what he was talking about, he was talking about the Legionnaire's mind set as a whole.

    • @Raisonnance.
      @Raisonnance. Před 4 lety +25

      They fight for France even if they don't want.

    • @francinesicard464
      @francinesicard464 Před 3 lety +35

      The Legion is the only part of the French military that does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself.[

    • @nikolatomic5287
      @nikolatomic5287 Před 3 lety +5

      @@francinesicard464 it' pointless to ask them to swear allegiance to france. they do not have patriotism for france.

    • @vonb2792
      @vonb2792 Před 3 lety +7

      In the 1960's they tried a Coup D'État... by trying to assasinate the French President over not ''bringing back the bodies of the fallen legionaire of the Algerian wars''... So DeGaule forced the incorporation of the Legion into the French Army and the people trying to stage the assasination were removed for ever

    • @jmb2140
      @jmb2140 Před 3 lety +23

      @@francinesicard464 1 - Legionary, you are a volunteer, serving France with honor and fidelity. Art. 2 - Each legionnaire is your brother in arms, whatever their nationality, race or religion. You always show him the close solidarity which must unite the members of the same family.

  • @normandy1140
    @normandy1140 Před 3 lety +46

    When I graduated from college in 2000, I had heard of the Legion. But I went ahead and joined the U.S Army. Went to 82nd ABN, did the Afghanistan thing. I've had a great life since then. I admit though, looking back, I think I would have liked being in the Legion. As one woman reporter said years ago, its the last great adventure for men.

    • @psotos
      @psotos Před 3 lety +2

      It is much better to have served in the 82nd bro. We are a bigger family!

    • @jameshepler62
      @jameshepler62 Před 2 lety +12

      @@psotos Compared to the Legion, the 82nd isn’t a family at all.
      They aren’t kidding when they say … “The Legion is our Homeland.” Or they swear in their Oath that their comrades are their brothers.
      Ask Gen Swartzkopf when they made him an Honorary Legionnaire. They literally gave him a card with a phone number… “If you ever get in any trouble anywhere in the world any time, call the number. We’ll come & get you.” Let’s see the 82nd do that.

    • @psotos
      @psotos Před 2 lety +2

      @@jameshepler62 you’ve clearly not been in the 82nd. My brothers in arms support me even now and I’ve been out 35 years. We meet up at paratrooper gatherings, we meet up on Facebook and then link up in person. I am part of a special brotherhood that is respected worldwide. I’ve parachuted into Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D Day and smoked cigars and drank beers with my fellow paratroopers some of whom parachuted into Normandy in 1944. Stay silent you know nothing.

    • @jameshepler62
      @jameshepler62 Před 2 lety +12

      @@psotos I was in Special Ops & was in & out of Bragg all the time. I know more than you think.
      You are an exception, not the rule. In the Legion, Brotherhood is literally the rule, not the exception.
      The key is probably, you’ve been out 35 years. Not saying it wasn’t like that then. But it’s different now, and changing downward by the day sadly.
      The military is becoming a political toy. And the newer succeeding generations are more about themselves than “Duty, Honor, Country.”
      The Legion doesn’t have that problem it swears primary loyalty to itself & its members.
      It’s not just one unit is like that. It’s the entire organization, every Regiment & Battalion. They are next level to most of the world’s militaries.

    • @psotos
      @psotos Před 2 lety +2

      @@jameshepler62 What units were you in?

  • @WestTNConfed
    @WestTNConfed Před 6 lety +282

    Very interesting that someone from my home state of Tennessee traveled half way around the world and ends up with the FFL. Wow!

    • @blitzkrieg459
      @blitzkrieg459 Před 6 lety +15

      [90thIN] Seth Prather lol I’m from Nashville too, and I was what?! That’s amazing the diversity of the unit.

    • @gulfrelay2249
      @gulfrelay2249 Před 5 lety +3

      blitzkrieg459 turned down for D.U.I? ridiculous. I had a coworker who failed a background check to scoop up sand!B.P. oil spill.

    • @patrickmcshane7658
      @patrickmcshane7658 Před 5 lety +2

      Astro Mars
      is he Alan Seeger?

    • @Dunning.Kruger
      @Dunning.Kruger Před 5 lety +5

      2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment from Fayetteville Ga 30214

    • @fredericr7867
      @fredericr7867 Před 5 lety +1

      Some americans don't respect us... They are A best Army

  • @jed-henrywitkowski6470
    @jed-henrywitkowski6470 Před 5 lety +8

    The tone of there cadence, their marching posture, and then it leads into dropping to the knew, (5:13) and then being commanded to open fire! Wow, such emotion, beautiful videography!

  • @rosshaslett362
    @rosshaslett362 Před 5 lety +59

    The legion is what it is, The embodiment of dedication to an ideal no matter what the cost

    • @natewatl9423
      @natewatl9423 Před 4 lety +3

      Weaponized prostitution, dedication to demonic ideals'. That's what it is.

    • @tigertank3024
      @tigertank3024 Před 4 lety +12

      Natewatl omg stfu snowflakes

  • @utpalwailong4913
    @utpalwailong4913 Před 3 lety +16

    Fascinating . Really admire the individuals who choose to join the Legion.

  • @danielpatrick3761
    @danielpatrick3761 Před 5 lety +17

    Got total respect for the Legion and its soldiers. Real espirit de corps. Proper martial ideals.

  • @colingoldthorpe5918
    @colingoldthorpe5918 Před 5 lety +38

    Much respect for the Legion, very dedicated and well-trained fighting force, to mock is to not know who or what they are. Met many of them years ago, very dedicated and extremely professional.

  • @jardindelafontaine7785
    @jardindelafontaine7785 Před 6 lety +428

    "When the terrorist sees the foreign legion, he does not sing anymore."

    • @lion1368
      @lion1368 Před 6 lety +15

      nimes 00030 no he dances instead

    • @jslfcs7087
      @jslfcs7087 Před 6 lety +39

      Liam Hare He dances with death.

    • @Kingleazard
      @Kingleazard Před 5 lety +22

      Who cares about the color of your sockets? Same with the skin. And if you hate our Soccer because it is too black for you; check your NBA first.

    • @aesirknight9202
      @aesirknight9202 Před 5 lety +19

      but there are also too much terrists in France, we shall call back the Legion, they'll have more work here than in Mali . Terrorists strike almost every week now in France, and governement just says "they are not from ISIS so don't worry" .... what a joke , execute these traitors !

    • @robertwagner6183
      @robertwagner6183 Před 5 lety

      @@aesirknight9202 france is the terrorist!

  • @tennesseeridgerunner5992
    @tennesseeridgerunner5992 Před 4 lety +22

    Way to go Corporal Brandon! Representin' the Volunteer State of Tennessee for the Legion! VIVE LA FRANCE from Tennessee!

  • @shadow-Sun
    @shadow-Sun Před 5 lety +27

    A great outfit The Legion are exceptionally well trained professional soldiers their history is facinating and honourable (some would argue that point ) but I have nothing but respect for these men and this branch of the French armed forces .

  • @mfarl2001
    @mfarl2001 Před 5 lety +44

    Read up on the Legions service at Bir Hakeim 1942 a fight to be remembered for ever!

    • @ceciletokarev3689
      @ceciletokarev3689 Před 4 lety +3

      It was the 13eDBLE, the same legion unit of this broadcast

  • @amramjose
    @amramjose Před 4 lety +34

    Much respect and admiration to the Legion from the USA! Vive L'France!

  • @randallpetroelje3913
    @randallpetroelje3913 Před 5 lety +3

    Tres bien! Absolutely brilliant and badass. Informative and precise

  • @kcass72
    @kcass72 Před 5 lety +38

    Thank you France for the help 👍🏻🇺🇸

  • @CrazyMonkeyKid7
    @CrazyMonkeyKid7 Před 5 lety +180

    Met some french soldiers in Africa. They are insane. Hope I cant meet some FFL

    • @JohnDouille
      @JohnDouille Před 4 lety +17

      Yes, I think in term of training the french army may be the best in the world.

    • @Chungus581
      @Chungus581 Před 4 lety

      Obi-Wan Kenobi definitely not lol

    • @gregmcfaul3657
      @gregmcfaul3657 Před 4 lety

      Why not?

    • @johan4310
      @johan4310 Před 3 lety +5

      @@Chungus581 Well, he's right bro, don't understimate france

    • @ohpatriote5622
      @ohpatriote5622 Před 3 lety +2

      France and his army still in Africa...since 2 centuries

  • @CMASKV
    @CMASKV Před 6 lety +63

    Respected job

    • @natewatl9423
      @natewatl9423 Před 4 lety

      Weaponized prostitution is not to be respected.

  • @jonatan100402
    @jonatan100402 Před 6 lety +27

    I am a french expat, and I would give "my kingdom for a can of Navarrin d'agneau" :-)

  • @Ggwp15mins
    @Ggwp15mins Před 6 lety +282

    Vive la france, vive la legion etrangere.

    • @black_eagle_7559
      @black_eagle_7559 Před 4 lety

      @@andrewleonard475 take a look at the history of the foreign legion moron

    • @charlesdecharleville6287
      @charlesdecharleville6287 Před 4 lety +1

      @@andrewleonard475 a lot of army around the world say it.

    • @andrewleonard475
      @andrewleonard475 Před 4 lety +2

      @@black_eagle_7559 Oh yes, the foreign legion is proof that the french army is so bad at fighting that they need foreigners to do it for them.

    • @black_eagle_7559
      @black_eagle_7559 Před 4 lety

      @@andrewleonard475 XDDDD not just because of history, you know ? Colony etc ? Just because take locals fighting for us is better than taking metropolitans troups and send them in asia, africa or old time, america, learn history no ? The metro troops are capable too, ur just a hater of our army, Keep crying moron

    • @black_eagle_7559
      @black_eagle_7559 Před 4 lety +1

      @@andrewleonard475 the metro troops are the regulars, non foreigners, sorry, il was thinking that you have a brain, but mostly of french bashers dont know how to use it sorry for that

  • @valhalla_7778
    @valhalla_7778 Před 5 lety +5

    Admirable Work

  • @hipflask
    @hipflask Před 5 lety +6

    Awesome vid. Very informative

  • @canadiandrumer
    @canadiandrumer Před 5 lety +12

    I like the wagon fort style encampment

  • @bravoapk276
    @bravoapk276 Před 4 lety +15

    Vive la France! Thanks guys for served .We were part of NATO task forces 234 mixed up of Foreign Legions all Man were great & respected .We all were in Afghan rohilla parts most terrorist operation here .but Dueto tough French guys all went through well .Miss you all guys .👍

  • @AlternityGM
    @AlternityGM Před 6 lety +14

    While not the only elite French military unit, the Foreign Legion certainly is one of the best in the world & with a long record of experience. They're often the first to fight for France in foreign lands.Not sure when this documentary was made but looks relatively recent. It seems the FFL have new standard assault rifles. Also I'm glad they didn't adopt the digital camo pattern which is seems to be all the range nowadays. In practice, they found the digital camo isn't as effective as the more traditional camo styles.

    • @aoj-iy9fz
      @aoj-iy9fz Před rokem

      True. The regular French army uses a BDU-style pattern so it makes sense the Foreign Legion also uses it as they are not Special Forces who sometimes use MultiCam. The French Army has decided to continue shying from digital when they announced a new pattern for 2024 that is based on MultiCam.

  • @navneethetaanful
    @navneethetaanful Před 5 lety +43

    The Italian Sergeant looks so sad leaving the Legion !

  • @blaircalvin5025
    @blaircalvin5025 Před 4 lety +9

    Great reporting Claire👍

  • @gnedelcu7
    @gnedelcu7 Před 4 lety +6

    Paix!
    Nous vous remercions pour ce video
    Ce corps d'elite est vraiment une legende.
    Bucuresti, RO

  • @SgtSayWhat
    @SgtSayWhat Před 4 lety +32

    Lot of respect for the French army and Foreign Legion

  • @user-id3uj3db6o
    @user-id3uj3db6o Před 3 lety +3

    Respect from ROK.
    True soldiers, sound mind in a sound body

  • @scottcarter512
    @scottcarter512 Před 5 lety +5

    Respect !

  • @brettlaw920
    @brettlaw920 Před 4 lety +4

    Legendary.

  • @kiankoonlim6536
    @kiankoonlim6536 Před 5 lety +22

    FFL reminds me of Spartan. They are trained solely to fight enemies with strict disciplines, without fear of death and loyalty to one cause only. They deserved a lot of respect.

    • @KonEl-BlackZero
      @KonEl-BlackZero Před 5 lety +5

      The spartan "way of the warrior" is a myth but the Legion is real

    • @aesirknight9202
      @aesirknight9202 Před 5 lety

      actually, most armies are supposed to work like that .

    • @rawradio9549
      @rawradio9549 Před 4 lety +3

      @@aesirknight9202 "Supposed" is the key part of your sentence.

  • @rudeone4life
    @rudeone4life Před 6 lety +3

    Mad Respect!

  • @clown7841
    @clown7841 Před 4 lety +4

    My father always admire this fighting force.

  • @mrpeel3239
    @mrpeel3239 Před 6 lety +3

    Great segment!

  • @davidroldan9423
    @davidroldan9423 Před 5 lety +31

    Im scot english and very proud normandy french

  • @Kiwionwing
    @Kiwionwing Před 5 lety +90

    My sons friend Lorenzo died last year with them. Extremely sad

    • @blaisebravo6797
      @blaisebravo6797 Před 5 lety +58

      Lorenzo Rodriguez, South African from the Bluff in Durban. I served with him too. we played rugby for the French Army together RIP bru

    • @teller1290
      @teller1290 Před 5 lety +6

      I know it's personal but can you tell where it happened? Mali or some other terrorist pit? Sad but honorable.

    • @jivasasha
      @jivasasha Před 5 lety +2

      rip

    • @enricoroutabille7943
      @enricoroutabille7943 Před 5 lety +8

      Je suis desole , Monsieur pour la perte du fils de votre ami .
      SVP . Dites lui Merci et si je peux me permettre , dites lui aussi qu il est certainement en tres bonne compagnie et qu il peut etre fier de lui .
      Un Francais .

    • @chicodecoster
      @chicodecoster Před 5 lety +13

      @@blaisebravo6797 May your Legionnaire Brother Rest in Paradise. I have lost to many Military Brothers that I served with in both the U.S. Marine Corps and in the U.S. Army. Much Respect.

  • @michealfriedman7084
    @michealfriedman7084 Před 2 lety +19

    Je me suis retiré après 20 ans au Corps maritime des États-Unis. Merci pour votre service, Beaucoup de respect.

  • @irishjw
    @irishjw Před 6 lety +34

    Thing I found funny was the Legion make sure everyone speaks French. I was standing next to a fellow soldier who complained out platoon Sargent would not talk to you unless you spoke Spanish.

  • @country3608
    @country3608 Před 2 lety +2

    Great, Great Video and you have to thank these folks in this elite Force, I've heard about them that there one hell of fighting force! 👍⭐️🏹⚔️

  • @MisteriosGloriosos922
    @MisteriosGloriosos922 Před 2 lety

    *Thanks for posting this video!!!*

  • @camiloparada9529
    @camiloparada9529 Před 5 lety +6

    I served in the U.S Marine Corps and now im getting ready to join the FFL can any others with similar experience tell a bit about how it compares?

    • @johnhansen2187
      @johnhansen2187 Před 5 lety

      I heard another legionnaire in a different video say that the legion is a little slack on inspections compared to the Marines. I think an ex Marien would find it easier than an ex-army or Airforce guy. That is just my opinion, I was never in the legion, and I'm' 86 so no chance now.

    • @elijahbarely9885
      @elijahbarely9885 Před 4 lety +3

      Bravo Bruh! I’m getting out of the U.S. Navy and after spending a couple months in my home State I’m gunna book a flight to France to join. Hopefully I see you there!

    • @billmorrison9068
      @billmorrison9068 Před 2 lety

      Two years later, how was your experience?

  • @dmjaxun9848
    @dmjaxun9848 Před 4 lety +3

    3:16 Can't believe I've been that close to the FFL base, been over that bridge

  • @dennisriblett4622
    @dennisriblett4622 Před 5 lety +2

    I Attended the #7 French Commando School at Breisach in 1977 as a member of a Platoon made up of Scouts and Infantry from E-TRP 1ST AND 10TH CAV , We were at Wiesbaden out of Fort Carson as a Strike Force and I was there for 30 months ,The Cadre were all Ex -Legionnaires ....I must admit it was a hell of a lot of Fun !

    • @barrycalvert9336
      @barrycalvert9336 Před 4 lety

      Hello Dennis, i also spent a week at Breisach around 1980 when i was in a British tank regiment attending the commando course. There was also French troops and American troops taking part.
      My lasting memories were the high rope course, and being told not to raise the union jack flag before the French tricolour on the morning parade, looking back i really enjoyed the week.

    • @gabrielmondragon7124
      @gabrielmondragon7124 Před 2 lety

      How often did you smash broads?

  • @ferdinandmiranda899
    @ferdinandmiranda899 Před 4 lety +1

    I didn't know that they're unique & diverse. Thanks for the educational & informational upload.

  • @davismathis845
    @davismathis845 Před 5 lety +7

    As an American I’d never join a foreign Military but these people got balls that most people don’t have.

    • @robertcottam8824
      @robertcottam8824 Před rokem

      But as an American, the only way for you to join a decent military is to enlist in a foreign one.
      There can't be much pride in being in an army that just loses all the time: Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Cuba, Korea...
      Best wishes

  • @Nipit-po8fl
    @Nipit-po8fl Před 5 lety +13

    Brandon fighting for democracy. Very rare situation he's in. Thanks bro

  • @exposingproxystalkingorgan4164

    This documentary video is good and very informative.

  • @AaronfromEngland1989
    @AaronfromEngland1989 Před 6 lety +4

    Respected by many the legion.

  • @tomseggie9929
    @tomseggie9929 Před 4 lety +11

    He will never feel like civilian again.

  • @PasDeBrasFR
    @PasDeBrasFR Před 5 lety +6

    Quelle fierté pour la France !

  • @flowerofash4439
    @flowerofash4439 Před 5 lety +16

    Mr. Johnny English doing his best 2:33

  • @mrznjaljubav3014
    @mrznjaljubav3014 Před 5 lety +5

    RESPECT TO FFL!

  • @jamesbulldogmiller
    @jamesbulldogmiller Před 6 lety +4

    Most Interesting!!
    and very well presented.

  • @MrAutore
    @MrAutore Před 4 lety +8

    I wanted to join the Legionnaires as a kid but when I did JROTC in the US I realized I was not cut out for any kind of military service!

    • @Bringmeoneofthosechickens
      @Bringmeoneofthosechickens Před 4 lety +6

      Don't worry bro. They dropped don't ask, don't tell. You can still be gay and join the Army

  • @ademmalik3388
    @ademmalik3388 Před 2 lety +6

    Kudos to the French Foreign Legion..,so reminiscent of "SPQR," of very long ago.

  • @Pavlosk8
    @Pavlosk8 Před 5 lety +2

    Respect

  • @Kingleazard
    @Kingleazard Před 5 lety +14

    " La Legion Etrangere " Best army in the world. period.

  • @davidwadsworth8982
    @davidwadsworth8982 Před 5 lety +3

    Exceptional Soldiers.Long long basic, tough and so motivated.Would not like to be a bad guy and engage them in a fire fight.

  • @loganbaileysfunwithtrains606

    “It’s alarming their equipment is so old” lmao 40 year old trucks in military service are still basically brand new, guy would have a stroke to find out how old the M2 browning is

  • @mac1975
    @mac1975 Před 6 lety +14

    LPN Legionnaire une jour Legionnaire toujours..

  • @chiccomazrui9168
    @chiccomazrui9168 Před 3 lety +7

    im kenyan and when my country was mentioned i feel so inspired cause I want to join too reply if you are from E.A

    • @psychout3481
      @psychout3481 Před 2 lety

      Imagine wishing to join a French mercenary group which maintains French imperialism in Africa, especially as an African yourself. These Foreign Legions have been caught bombing Malian weddings, killing 19 and getting away with it. And here you are trying to join them? As if all those anti-France protests in Western Africa, be in be in Mali or CAR, weren't enough to open your eyes.

    • @fabs8498
      @fabs8498 Před rokem

      @@psychout3481 troll

  • @pasquinomarforio
    @pasquinomarforio Před 5 lety +10

    As a U.S. Marine, my most cherished memories of the FFL are getting into bar fights with FFL guys. We usually started by asking, "How many French divisions does it take to defend Paris?" The answer is, of course, is that no one knows because it's never been done before.
    But there was always a non-verbal agreement, never ever spoken through the years, that the fights wouldn't break bones or incapacitate each other. We all wanted to wake up the next morning prepared to fight the real common enemy.

  • @Kasyom
    @Kasyom Před 5 lety +179

    I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.

  • @sundowner998
    @sundowner998 Před 4 lety +3

    These are very good men doing a very important job.

  • @roshanthakur8081
    @roshanthakur8081 Před 6 lety +319

    I want join FFL but get France visa verry hard for Nepalese... Higher costs for visa iam a middle class family.... So for me hard but i do hard work and collect money..... I join FFL .... That's my dream..

    • @lioneliv3195
      @lioneliv3195 Před 6 lety +50

      Roshan Thakur maybe visit the french embassy in Nepal to ask them some questions

    • @roshanthakur8081
      @roshanthakur8081 Před 6 lety +21

      I already try Embassy they want bank statement , that's my problems i have no lot money

    • @thatdutchguy2882
      @thatdutchguy2882 Před 6 lety +85

      Roshan Thakur Get a tourist visa,...go to France, join the Legion.

    • @hammerdown184
      @hammerdown184 Před 6 lety +8

      PM me

    • @345675387
      @345675387 Před 6 lety +41

      Go Gurkha

  • @8aleph
    @8aleph Před 6 lety +27

    The Legion is firstand last a brotherhood of the most professional Soldiers on Earth. they owe loyalty to their fellow Legionaires.

    • @natewatl9423
      @natewatl9423 Před 4 lety

      A brotherhood of male prositutes showing "loyalty to their fellow prostitutes."

    • @natewatl9423
      @natewatl9423 Před 4 lety

      @UMBRELLA CORPORATION mercenaries are the lowest form of human life, with the exception of those who go into business to hire and sell them as groups. Or in this case France, as an archaic holdover from the 18th and earlier centuries when so-called governments or rulers either purchased
      or pressed foreigners or their own citizens into units which they then used themselves, or sold to others The most dishonest word used by the United States government in the past 20 years is the term contractors in reference to its mercenaries. What is more, the term is a contradiction of the United States Treasury definition of a contractor as the individual or business entity that contracts with another entity. These bloodthirsty armed assailants acting as agents of the United States, I am certain, do not have individual contracts with the United States but are properly termed subcontractors because of the evil doing entities, be they Partnerships or corporations, that gather them together and do in fact have contracts with the United States government.
      So much for my rant against the United States of America. As for France, the practice of creating false identities is nothing short of organized crime, but then France has shown itself as willing to sell weaponry to enemies of innocent nations or even it's so-called allies -- so why is it a surprise that they maintain a cadre of armed individuals who are willing to enter into a Faustian relationship with the laughably idealized nation of Liberty equality and fraternity? Show me another so-called nation that has had so many different changes of government and type of government since the year 1750. To be honest, I think that the reformed nation of Germany that has improved itself so well as a freedom-loving nation since VE day and denazification should be given rule over France, the so-called birthplace of modern democracy.

    • @frederic4844
      @frederic4844 Před 4 lety +2

      Natewatl
      Are you another one of these Putin’s troll ?

    • @gregmcfaul3657
      @gregmcfaul3657 Před 4 lety +1

      @@natewatl9423 we do the shite so you can sleep safe you ungrateful pos

    • @sisamusudroka3000
      @sisamusudroka3000 Před 3 lety +1

      @@natewatl9423 obvious troll is a troll

  • @timothymartino4716
    @timothymartino4716 Před 6 lety +106

    Love France from America longest Ally

    • @blackfenbldr9178
      @blackfenbldr9178 Před 6 lety +12

      Timothy Martino since the first days of your country as a free country

    • @titi710
      @titi710 Před 5 lety +7

      so why all the surrendering mocking. we don't do this like the USA didn't won a war since 1945 and recently cowrdly left the battlefield in syria.
      I dont speak directly to you but french bashing isn't worth it, it's brainwashing to me. i hope some day americans get an idea or self crtic and make their own mind aminds a wr without political influence like Trump's

    • @valmeysien9680
      @valmeysien9680 Před 5 lety +10

      @@titi710 The man you are responding to does not deserve that type of criticism. In the US many love France and many despise France. That's the way it is. Timothy Martino should not be held responsible for something he did not do nor expressed since he obviously loves France.

    • @Alexander-zt9kz
      @Alexander-zt9kz Před 4 lety

      @@titi710 US has only " lost " the Vietnam war after withdrawing because it was pointless. Every other war was won; Afghanistan, Iraq, you name it

    • @brynotar
      @brynotar Před 4 lety +2

      @@Alexander-zt9kz I'm interested in knowing what your definition of winning a war is? The Korean war wasn't exactly a victory and Afghanistan is definitely not a victory.

  • @oranjelicht
    @oranjelicht Před rokem +2

    my uncle was 18 years in the legion, one cousin 18 months and another one 3 years

  • @gaetaboss_mattj3047
    @gaetaboss_mattj3047 Před 5 lety +10

    Respect à la Légion!

    • @natewatl9423
      @natewatl9423 Před 4 lety

      Sorry, mate, but weaponised prostitution is nothing to respect.

  • @hmoobmeeka
    @hmoobmeeka Před 5 lety +7

    I regret not trying out for the french foreign legion when I was younger

  • @maxidrivemaxidrive4330
    @maxidrivemaxidrive4330 Před rokem +1

    Much respect!

  • @llorensl
    @llorensl Před 6 lety +83

    Claire Pacalin was "embedded" with the legionaries. It's a miracle that she can still walk.

  • @petemcdonald8894
    @petemcdonald8894 Před 5 lety +14

    Met some of the guys on R&R in Cyprus and having done time where they had just been serving I was impressed with their behaviour in front of civilians on holiday. Reminded me of how well diciplined the Gurkhas are. .... Except the Legion like the vodka :) - cost me :)

  • @billybeerman2657
    @billybeerman2657 Před 4 lety +4

    Well done! Vive la Legion Etrangere!

  • @liamh6225
    @liamh6225 Před 4 lety +2

    a lot of great guys there

  • @andrewgoetzsche8858
    @andrewgoetzsche8858 Před 2 lety

    Good job well done fab reporting

  • @voodoochild6741
    @voodoochild6741 Před 6 lety +13

    Excellent video. I served with the US ARMY, totally respect the Legion especially the Paratroopers.

  • @j-loosenfout67
    @j-loosenfout67 Před 4 lety +7

    If you want join the FFL, don't be afraid about learn french language, I'm french and even me, I've sometime problems to understand what they say in this video, while they're supposed to speak French! If you can say "Oui chef !" in French, so you've already done half the way to join the team ... :)))

  • @Kenzxo99
    @Kenzxo99 Před rokem

    3:37 My dad told me the same thing too come back if you want to or if you can't make it in the military

  • @noahrodriguez293
    @noahrodriguez293 Před 5 lety +2

    1:34
    Hmmm