I wouldn't base anything off of a documentary or even anything you read. The process changes daily. I had guys who I was with go through an entirely different process than I did. The only thing you can be certain about is nothing except that it will be difficult. Don't worry about anything else except being sent home. Don't waste energy on the gossip or the way you are treated and most of all if you come across someone being negative about the experience stay away because that negativity is contagious when you are starving and weak. The best thing you can do for yourself is walk around saying "I love the way that this sucks" keep telling yourself that and eventually you will. No matter what happens DONT GO CIVIL BY CHOICE! That is the worst thing you can do to yourself! Be prepared, mentally & physically. Bonne Chance!
Hey man! Greetings from Costa Rica.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write this post. Although i know all experiences are different and the process changes; your post was incredibly informative and clear. Good job buddy! I personally think you should be super proud of yourself for the mere fact of going there, try and make it that far... just that takes a lot of courage! Kudos!
I'm 24 years old, 6.3 ft & 195 lbs, Muay Thai amateur fighter (Purple belt in BJJ as well) very good physical, medical, spiritual and mental health, couldn't finish college (due to economical difficulties), poor when it comes to material possessions (i'm somewhat minimalist so i own exclusively what i need, i don't really care about material possessions to be honest). Stable job, my family is spread all around the continent, no car, no house, no kids, no wife, no credit, no attachments whatsoever, nothing to lose and everything to gain... i've been a hustler/fighter since the very day i was born (when coming from a rough environment in a 3rd world country you really have to) and i have my reasons to join the Legion, and i like to think i will make it through!! However i have some questions and doubts that i like to have answered by someone that was actually there or someone that is currently there... questions that might be answered before in another post, yet i'd to ask them again so i can get the most update data.
I'd like to thank in advance for any info provided.
1.Is it mandatory to have your head/beard shaved by the time you show up to the front gate ? Or is it possible to keep you hair cut and beard throughout the selection process and have it cut when finally selected ?
2.Let's be optimistic for a second and think one made it through the selection process... is it possible at all to get a musical instrument (guitar) and play occasionally? If so, at what point during the training process can you actually have access to a musical instrument?
3.Does the Legion have any problem with tattoos on visible spots, such as fingers, hands, neck? None of them offensive, sings of any kind, or symbols, or with any religious content of course...
4.Okay, so... they just assign you a random name right after you come in? Or how does it exactly work? Can you get your name and last name back at some point?
5.As up to date (11/18/2015) Does the fact that France is "at war" against the Islamic State, will influence on the recruitment process in any way? Considering that they might need more people to protect and attack and for future threats, thinking in a long term fight scenario of course. ((i was absolutely determinate about joining the Legion way before all of this happened, and this war won't change anything to me, i'm still going in and do what i have to do))
6.My mother tongue is Spanish, but i also speak Portuguese and English fluently... which language should i use at first and keep using until i manage to learn French? For interviews and such i mean ...
I'm quite aware of the fact that it is pretty likely i get rejected for any reason, however i am very optimistic and confident, that really helps!!
Thank you very much again and for any kind of help you can provide.
Regards
What kind of contract work is that? IT stuff?
