Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion, 1831-1981

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Officer Designate. Technically it is not a commissioned rank but it is still treated in all respects as one. Aspirants are either officers in training or volunteers serving as temporary officers. S/He may afterwards apply to obtain permanent commissioned status as a Sous-lieutenant. [92] One of the biggest national groups in the Legion are Poles. Polish law allows service in a foreign army, but only after written permission from the Polish Ministry of National Defence. [ citation needed] Recruitment process [ edit ] Arrival

Coming out of a difficult Indochinese conflict, the Foreign Legion reinforced cohesion by extending the duration of basic training. Efforts exerted were successful during this transit; however, entering into December 1960 and the generals' putsch, a crisis hit the legion putting its faith at the corps of the Army. [49]The Foreign Legion was created by Louis Philippe, [12] the King of the French, on 10 March 1831 to allow the incorporation of foreign nationals into the French Army from the foreign regiments of the Kingdom of France. [13] Recruits included soldiers from the recently disbanded Swiss and German foreign regiments of the Bourbon monarchy. [14] The Royal Ordinance for the establishment of the new regiment specified that the foreigners recruited could only serve outside France. [15] The French expeditionary force that had occupied Algiers in 1830 was in need of reinforcements and the Legion was accordingly transferred by sea in detachments from Toulon to Algeria. [11] [16] ERC-90 Sagaie of 1er REC during an exercise + its “bullet”– a penetrator ( small image) ERC-90 Sagaie of 1er REC in Chad, just before redeployment to Mali ( December 2012) The 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1 er REP was disbanded on 30 April 1961. [45] However, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment 2 ème REP prevailed in existence, while most of the personnel of the Saharan Companies were integrated into the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment and 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment respectively. Honorary ranks have been awarded by the French Army to individuals credited with exceptional acts of courage since 1796. In the Foreign Legion, General Paul-Frédéric Rollet introduced the practice of awarding honorary Legion ranks to distinguished individuals, both civilian and military, in the early 20th century. PVP of 2e REP during a driving-exercise in Corsica ( 2013) PVP of 2e REG during the Bastille Day parade (Image source: Wikipedia)

In the French Army, since the 18th century, every infantry regiment included a small detachment of pioneers. In addition to undertaking road building and entrenchment work, such units were tasked with using their axes and shovels to clear obstacles under enemy fire opening the way for the rest of the infantry. The danger of such missions was recognised by allowing certain privileges, such as being authorised to wear beards. On April 30, 1931, during the 100th year celebration of the Foreign Legion, orchestrated by general Paul-Frédéric Rollet, a section (platoon) of the sapper combat company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment paraded at the head of all parading troops while bearing the emblems of the pionniers, reclaiming the traditions of their predecessors. Contre les Viêts" (song of the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion after having been the marching song adopted by the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment) A legionnaire of 2e REI holding an FR F2 with the FÉLIN sight ( 2012) 2e REI legionnaires with the FR F2 in Mali, 2020.Promotion possible after one year of service and completion of the Fonctionnaire Caporal (or Caporal "Fut Fut") course. Recruits selected for this course need to show good leadership skills during basic training. Commemoration of the Battle of Camarón by the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment at the Roman Theatre of Orange. Regimental flags of the 1st Foreign Regiment and 2nd Regiments in Paris, 2003. [5] Mottos [ edit ] Honneur et Fidélité [ edit ]