Foreign Legion - Recruits put to the test | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

French Foreign Legion: An elite military force composed of volunteers from around the world, known for its rigorous selection process and emphasis on resilience and commitment.
Legionary: A member of the French Foreign Legion.
Leblur (The Blues): A term used for new recruits in their initial stages of selection.
Keppy Blanc: The iconic white hat awarded to legionnaires upon successful completion of their training, symbolizing their achievement.
Cameroon Day: A significant historical commemoration within the Legion, celebrating a legendary battle in Mexico in 1863.
Pioneers Unit: A ceremonial unit within the Legion, historically responsible for clearing the front lines, distinguished by beards, axes, and leather aprons.
Selection Process: A multi-stage, arduous process involving physical, psychological, and background checks, designed to identify candidates with the necessary resilience and dedication.
Ironing: A unique and meticulous tradition within the Legion, emphasizing precision and discipline.
Resilience and Endurance: Core values tested throughout the selection and training, highlighting the importance of never quitting.
Comradeship and Discipline: Essential elements for successful integration and operation within the Legion.

Recruitment and Initial Selection

The French Foreign Legion is an elite fighting force of approximately 9,500 volunteers from diverse global backgrounds. The path to becoming a legionary is characterized by an intensive, multi-week selection process designed to assess not just physical strength but, more crucially, unwavering determination and the refusal to quit.

The "Leblur" Stage

The journey begins for aspiring recruits at the headquarters in Aubonne, France. New arrivals, known as "Leblur" (The Blues) due to their initial blue attire, undergo the second stage of selection. This phase emphasizes a complete break from one's past, with applicants permitted to adopt new identities and nationalities, fostering a stronger bond among recruits and reinforcing their commitment to the Legion as their new family. This is underscored by the classification of all applicants as unmarried and childless, signifying their undivided dedication to the Legion's missions.

Key Figures:

Age Limit: Applicants must be between 17.5 and 39.5 years old.
Acceptance Rate: Only one in five applicants meet the high standards, a significantly lower rate compared to other armed forces (e.g., German armed forces at around 30%).
Annual Intake: Approximately 1,600 new recruits are accepted annually.

Physical and Psychological Assessment

Physical fitness is paramount, with tests like the 20-meter shuttle run designed to assess speed and endurance. Beyond physical prowess, psychological evaluations are critical. A pictographic test, designed to be language-independent, assesses cognitive abilities, with a minimum score of 5 out of 20 required. Applicants are also subjected to thorough searches, relinquishing personal possessions and documents, symbolizing the forfeiture of their past lives. Background checks for criminal records and mental health screenings are conducted, with the Legion's methods for rapid information retrieval being a closely guarded secret.

Examples:

David del Solah (Chile): Inspired by a family member in the Legion, seeking a new lifestyle with discipline and focus on sport and comradeship.
Adrian (France): A 39-year-old truck driver seizing his "now or never" chance, adopting Canadian nationality for military ID purposes.
Narendraiki (Nepal): Traveled via Dubai and Malta, working as a night porter to fund his journey, driven by a dream.

Training and Core Values

Barracks Life and Chores

Upon entering the barracks, recruits are under constant observation, 24/7. Even seemingly trivial tasks, like setting up a pavilion for "Cameroon Day," are meticulously monitored. Reports on performance and behavior are compiled, contributing to their classification. This period is crucial for assessing their ability to live in a group, respect discipline, and avoid rebellious behavior, ensuring that antisocial individuals are screened out.

Cameroon Day: A Symbolic Celebration

Cameroon Day commemorates the Battle of Camerone in 1863, a legendary last stand by a small contingent of legionnaires against a superior Mexican force. This event symbolizes the Legion's core values of unwavering commitment, loyalty to officers, and the determination to succeed in a mission, even at the cost of their lives. The celebration includes a parade by the pioneers unit, historically the first responders on the battlefield, and the carrying of Captain Jean Donju's prosthetic hand, a symbol of sacrifice.

The Instruction Regiment and Farm Training

The "Reds" group undergoes four months of intensive training at the Legion's instruction regiment in Castelnaudary. This phase includes a month-long farm-based training, designed to disorient recruits, disconnect them from the outside world, and build them up as a cohesive unit. This simulates the sparse conditions of actual deployments, emphasizing the importance of fighting as a unit where nationality is irrelevant, and the bond between comrades is paramount.

Key Aspects of Farm Training:

Deprivation: No internet, TV, phones, or comfort items.
Focus: Building unit cohesion and resilience for conflict scenarios.
Dropout Rate: Approximately 10-15% of recruits quit during this phase.
Language Barrier: Learning French is a significant challenge, with grammar and specific linguistic features posing difficulties.

The Keppy Blanc March: The Ultimate Test

The final stage of selection culminates in the grueling two-day "Keppy Blanc March," a 60 km trek in full gear over 48 hours. This test is not merely about physical endurance but a profound psychological challenge, designed to instill the Legion's core values of endurance and resilience.

Details of the March:

Weight: Recruits carry approximately 40 kg, including their gear, weapon, and water.
Terrain: Involves steep climbs and descents, testing physical and mental fortitude.
Pace: A conscious decision by the Legion to march at a distinct pace, differentiating them from the regular French army.
Psychological Focus: Emphasizes the "never quits, never gives up" mentality.
Consequences of Failure: No second chances; failure to complete the march means forfeiting the Keppy Blanc and leaving the Legion. Typically, 3-4 recruits out of 33 do not complete it.

Examples of March Experience:

Alan (Croatia): Demonstrates determination and a focus on completing the mission, despite equipment issues.
Monkov (Mongolia): Faces severe foot injuries but is supported by his comrades, embodying the Legion's principle of "leaving nobody behind."
David (Chile): Experiences pain but maintains a determined mindset, focusing on the motivation of providing a better life for his son.

Becoming a Legionnaire

Graduation and Assignment

Upon successful completion of the Keppy Blanc March, recruits are awarded the coveted Keppy Blanc in a formal ceremony. This signifies their transition from recruits to legionnaires. After an additional three months of training, they are assigned to a regiment, ready to serve in France's overseas missions, NATO, and UN operations.

Contract and Benefits:

Contract Length: 5-year initial contract.
Starting Pay: Approximately €1,500 per month, with free food and lodging.
Citizenship: After 5 years of service and good conduct, legionnaires can apply for French citizenship.

The Ironing Tradition

A unique and highly valued tradition within the Legion is meticulous ironing. Introduced after World War II, it involves precise measurements (down to the millimeter) for shirt creases, with supervisors using rulers to ensure adherence. This seemingly simple task underscores the Legion's emphasis on attention to detail, discipline, and the creation of a unique identifying crease, with some legionnaires dedicating significant time to this practice.

Conclusion

The French Foreign Legion's recruitment and training process is a testament to its commitment to forging highly disciplined, resilient, and dedicated soldiers. From the initial rigorous selection that filters out all but the most determined, through the symbolic commemorations and demanding physical and psychological training, to the ultimate test of the Keppy Blanc March, every stage is designed to instill the core values of endurance, comradeship, and unwavering commitment. The Legion offers a unique opportunity for individuals seeking a new life, a sense of belonging, and the chance to serve in an elite international fighting force, where the bond between legionnaires transcends their diverse origins.