kkillert0fu
Active Member
I want to make one thing clear: this is not a political discussion.
Whether you support or oppose the current US presidential administration is not what this thread is about. Mods, if you can do me a favor, please make it so that this thread does not descend into a discussion about that.
Now, on a personal note, I am still waiting on word from the US Army about whether or not my waivers will be approved. It's taken a while. Processing for the US Military with any kind of legal or medical issue is a pain. And it really comes down to the fact that people at all levels need to justify their jobs, which makes these processes very difficult. If certain processes weren't difficult think of how many people would be out of a job. It is what it is. Eventually an answer will come down. And at that point I will either do it or move to plan B.
What I intend to raise in this thread is something that has become a grave concern of mine and has made me question my desire to join the FFL should that become an option for me. And whether or not I personally do it, I feel as though this is an important conversation to be had for any American who has a desire to be in the FFL. If any active or former legionnaires, not just Americans, can respond and address my concerns at length, I would greatly appreciate it.
But basically, it has become very clear that anti-American sentiment is on the rise globally. People around the world view ALL of American society has having elected our current presidential administration, and they don't like it. Never before has there been this much genuine disdain around the world for America and Americans in general.
How does this relate to the French Foreign Legion?
My concern now is that Americans, to put it simply and bluntly, will have a target on their back. Just for being American. It doesn't matter who you are or how distanced you might be from it all, or how competent and professional a soldier you may be. The fact is you will be viewed as an American, plain and simple. And especially when you place an American among a bunch of these guys from impoverished countries with absolutely nothing to lose. I mean, you couldn't find a more clear definition of what it means to have nothing to lose than in a room full of FFL candidates. So with that mindset, and with this ingrained contempt towards Americans nowadays, I truly feel as though an American right now might be doing himself more harm than good by entering selection. And should he make it, even being in the FFL.
Take myself for example. I'm a middle class dude who grew up on the beaches of California. There's going to be a hundred guys in selection who are harder than me. And while that in itself doesn't scare me, all it's going to take is a couple of guys with an already established grudge to get me alone in a room, and some really bad shit could happen to me. Or say I'm on deployment in Mali, on patrol somewhere, all it's going to take is some guy aiming his FAMAS just a slight degree to the right, and boom, I'm dead. Something that he has longed to do. And what's it on him? Who would ever know his real motivations when he could easily say it was a misfire on his part and he never had any intention of a friendly fire incident? Sure, he'll get in trouble or disciplined or whatever the process is after an incident like that. But at the end of the day, what's it on him?
All because of this increasing frustration people around the world are having towards Americans. So in their mind they could easily act out on it and it would be nothing on them. And yet, could have some really grave consequences for me or another American.
So look guys, I'm just laying this out there. If not for myself, than for other Americans to at least consider. You can tell me I'm being dramatic, or that I'm just making another excuse not to go. I don't care. Because it's been on my mind. Especially because the decision for me entering the US Army might actually come down fairly soon, despite what I said at the beginning of this post. Which means I could potentially have to start seriously considering if the FFL is actually going to be my plan B. It's been a long time goal of mine, pending other things in my life don't work out, you guys know that. And never has it been more real of a possibility for me than it is now. But, having said that, I truly feel as though we are in a time, in this specific present time, that an American can't just be traveling around all willy-nilly anymore. If that changes in a few years, great. But right now, it is what it is, and it's not going to change overnight.
And I'm asking for some guidance on whether or not my concerns are valid. If anyone has any other insight that can't be shared publicly, please send me a PM.
Whether you support or oppose the current US presidential administration is not what this thread is about. Mods, if you can do me a favor, please make it so that this thread does not descend into a discussion about that.
Now, on a personal note, I am still waiting on word from the US Army about whether or not my waivers will be approved. It's taken a while. Processing for the US Military with any kind of legal or medical issue is a pain. And it really comes down to the fact that people at all levels need to justify their jobs, which makes these processes very difficult. If certain processes weren't difficult think of how many people would be out of a job. It is what it is. Eventually an answer will come down. And at that point I will either do it or move to plan B.
What I intend to raise in this thread is something that has become a grave concern of mine and has made me question my desire to join the FFL should that become an option for me. And whether or not I personally do it, I feel as though this is an important conversation to be had for any American who has a desire to be in the FFL. If any active or former legionnaires, not just Americans, can respond and address my concerns at length, I would greatly appreciate it.
But basically, it has become very clear that anti-American sentiment is on the rise globally. People around the world view ALL of American society has having elected our current presidential administration, and they don't like it. Never before has there been this much genuine disdain around the world for America and Americans in general.
How does this relate to the French Foreign Legion?
My concern now is that Americans, to put it simply and bluntly, will have a target on their back. Just for being American. It doesn't matter who you are or how distanced you might be from it all, or how competent and professional a soldier you may be. The fact is you will be viewed as an American, plain and simple. And especially when you place an American among a bunch of these guys from impoverished countries with absolutely nothing to lose. I mean, you couldn't find a more clear definition of what it means to have nothing to lose than in a room full of FFL candidates. So with that mindset, and with this ingrained contempt towards Americans nowadays, I truly feel as though an American right now might be doing himself more harm than good by entering selection. And should he make it, even being in the FFL.
Take myself for example. I'm a middle class dude who grew up on the beaches of California. There's going to be a hundred guys in selection who are harder than me. And while that in itself doesn't scare me, all it's going to take is a couple of guys with an already established grudge to get me alone in a room, and some really bad shit could happen to me. Or say I'm on deployment in Mali, on patrol somewhere, all it's going to take is some guy aiming his FAMAS just a slight degree to the right, and boom, I'm dead. Something that he has longed to do. And what's it on him? Who would ever know his real motivations when he could easily say it was a misfire on his part and he never had any intention of a friendly fire incident? Sure, he'll get in trouble or disciplined or whatever the process is after an incident like that. But at the end of the day, what's it on him?
All because of this increasing frustration people around the world are having towards Americans. So in their mind they could easily act out on it and it would be nothing on them. And yet, could have some really grave consequences for me or another American.
So look guys, I'm just laying this out there. If not for myself, than for other Americans to at least consider. You can tell me I'm being dramatic, or that I'm just making another excuse not to go. I don't care. Because it's been on my mind. Especially because the decision for me entering the US Army might actually come down fairly soon, despite what I said at the beginning of this post. Which means I could potentially have to start seriously considering if the FFL is actually going to be my plan B. It's been a long time goal of mine, pending other things in my life don't work out, you guys know that. And never has it been more real of a possibility for me than it is now. But, having said that, I truly feel as though we are in a time, in this specific present time, that an American can't just be traveling around all willy-nilly anymore. If that changes in a few years, great. But right now, it is what it is, and it's not going to change overnight.
And I'm asking for some guidance on whether or not my concerns are valid. If anyone has any other insight that can't be shared publicly, please send me a PM.
. Seriously you will not have problem if you present yourself as a smart, quiet, modest and determined aspirant. No bragging or big mouthing. Keep out of any disputes with others. Be the Grey Man and keep your own counsel. However you must demonstrate the 'want factor' and demonstrate keenness at all times.
