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A few questions on joining

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Hi everyone.

I want to join the British Army, but there are paperwork issues (not an interesting story). I believe that, history aside, France fights for the same things that Britain does and that's something I want to fight for. My personality is organised, outgoing and outdoorsy, so I do not think I will have a problem with military life.

But I have a few questions I couldn't find answers to, so:

1 . How does sport work in the Legion? In the British Army, everyone takes half a day a week to play their chosen sport. If they are good enough they might go play for the Army sports team.

2 . How does the outdoors work in the Legion? I hear 2e REP has a mountaineering programme and that interests me. Do you have any choice or are you just taken on this training?

3 . They say you can become a Caporal after one year but I don't believe that. How long does it usually take?

4 . The only surgery I have had in my life was that I had my toenail removed. Do I need to mention this? Bring paperwork? It causes no problem and I cannot see it causing a problem in the future.

5 . I have an IGCSE qualification in French, should I bring this? This means I understand basic French but I probably could not do the 'Gestapo' interview in French.

6 . Why do some French people join the Legion, but not as officers, when they could join the regular Armée de Terre?

7 . I do not want to be "special forces" but I am interested. Do any legionnaires go on to join COM FST?

8 . Can you keep your identity once you leave?

9 . What is the biggest difference between someone who gets in and someone who does not?
 

Le petit caporal

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Howdy the Aubagne. A lot of questions and I will attempt to reply at/as best as I can !

1. Sport : when doing basic, it's almost daily and often the same... running (sports gear or in combat). We do a few sessions of swimming. We climb ropes and do plenty of pull ups (the apero, before lunch and supper). We do several times the assault course. Give all when doing, it counts for your final note = no slacking

Once you join your regiment things change a bit (depends on the regiments, companies or platoons), operational duties (home or abroad). There might not be time for sport, due to schedule, etc! Otherwise, plenty of team sports and challenges (inter company / regiment or at times even division level). We now have (since first Gulf War) credits to join a sports club: bike, box, shooting (air carabines), absail and rock climbing etc... Even civil skydiving! Some guys, and often the wise ones, do their own thing (press-ups, pull-ups, cord and knees up mother brown, dig?
March a lot. Cleans the system, believe me. Wow it's gonna take me a full recharge of my phone just to answer you

2. Out doors works..? Not sure what you mean by that but I will try an answer. When with your regiment you will do outdoor stuff! Usually during exercises and maneuvers: running with sports kit or combats and full gear, plus the marching. 2e REP has now a 5 th company specialises in desert warfare (and another in mountain warfare). Personally, I have never heard of a legionnaire complaing of not getting enough physical activity...

3: How long does it take to become a caporal. For me it was 3.6 years. I was the oldest in my peloton (knew evrything and had done it all before). Usually it is down to you, then your section leader and eventually your captain. Either one of these 3 can f*ck you up big time, if in bad posture. Tip: volonteer asap for a speciality.

4 : A toe nail removed shouldn't be a problem but... maybe the varnish on the rest might :D

5: IGSE (ou je ne sais pas quoi d'autre) in French can only be favorable for you. Revise and revise is good advice. Telling the truth here, so pay attention!

6: They do, they won't and they can't. Not your kampf.

7 : Special forces are usually GCP (Groupement de Commandos Parachutistes) in 2e REP. Other "Spec Ops like" small units exist but it's not your concern, So I won't explain. Battery is low...

8: No you can't. Are you ashamed of being you?

9: The ones who get in and the ones who don't. Pay me a beer or two, once you are in and I will tell you more. But that's just my personal opinion of the average fkn civilian talking and asking too many bloody questions

Hope this helps

Amen
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Hi Aubagne, the name rings a bell, don't I know you from somewhere?

4 . The only surgery I have had in my life was that I had my toenail removed. Do I need to mention this? Bring paperwork? It causes no problem and I cannot see it causing a problem in the future.

I wouldn't bother bringing any medical papers. I mean who keeps medical papers about having there toe nail removed?

5 . I have an IGCSE qualification in French, should I bring this? This means I understand basic french but I probably could not do the Gestapo interview in French.

It's good that you know basic French, you should now practice it if you can. Try listening to a French news channel each day. You have the advantage of learning new volcab. and it is happening nowadays, so you should be able to follow the general drift. Also being News reporters they will pronounce it correctly and will not use any slang.
As for the 'gestapo' they will test you on your French but, no they won't give you the whole interview in French.

8 . Can you keep your identity once you leave?

No. And it wouldn't do you much good if you could. It would be like me saying tomorrow my name is Joe Bloggs. I'd have no proof to back it up with. I could show a load of legion certificates with Joe Bloggs on but nothing would prove it's me.

9 . What is the biggest difference between someone who gets in and someone who does not?

How hi is a Chinaman?

Clue: his name is How hi ;)
 
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Aubagne,

Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about asking questions as long as they are sensible.

Did you have a specific unit that you wished to serve with in Brit Mil ?

Good luck in all your endeavours.
 
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Hello guys,I need your help. A friend of mine from Nigeria wants to join the Legion and he is asking me wich documents should he bring in order to travel to France besides his passport and ID card ? .Your opinions would be appreciated. Thanks ^
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Hello guys,I need your help. A friend of mine from Nigeria wants to join the Legion and he is asking me wich documents should he bring in order to travel to France besides his passport and ID card ? .Your opinions would be appreciated. Thanks ^
Hasn't this same question already been asked and answered?
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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No, it seems that seba 31 asked the same question question yesterday on gatorojo's thread "what are you listening to today?". So no worries there. However I'm still curios as to the answers to my questions dated July 3rd.

https://cervens.net/forum/index.php?threads/appealing-“inapte-définitif”.18840/page-3
Good to know that,I am still waiting for the answer to my letter,it's been more than 2 months already...but I am optimistic that I will go for a third attempt and finally make it in...
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Good to know that,I am still waiting for the answer to my letter,it's been more than 2 months already...but I am optimistic that I will go for a third attempt and finally make it in...
Great news. Now click on the lien and please answer the questions. The idea is clear up any misunderstanding for others wanting to join.
Thanks in advance.
 
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Aubagne,

Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about asking questions as long as they are sensible.

Did you have a specific unit that you wished to serve with in Brit Mil ?

Good luck in all your endeavours.

Yes. I would attempt selection for the Parachute Regiment, and if I failed that I would join my local infantry regiment.
 
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For question 2 I would like to clarify: Brit Mil has a scheme called "Adventure Training". You spend two weeks a year doing things like mountaineering, caving, canoeing, etc. I was wondering if the FFL did something similar.
 
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Hi Aubagne, the name rings a bell, don't I know you from somewhere?

4 . The only surgery I have had in my life was that I had my toenail removed. Do I need to mention this? Bring paperwork? It causes no problem and I cannot see it causing a problem in the future.

I wouldn't bother bringing any medical papers. I mean who keeps medical papers about having there toe nail removed?

5 . I have an IGCSE qualification in French, should I bring this? This means I understand basic french but I probably could not do the Gestapo interview in French.

It's good that you know basic French, you should now practice it if you can. Try listening to a French news channel each day. You have the advantage of learning new volcab. and it is happening nowadays, so you should be able to follow the general drift. Also being News reporters they will pronounce it correctly and will not use any slang.
As for the 'gestapo' they will test you on your French but, no they won't give you the whole interview in French.

8 . Can you keep your identity once you leave?

No. And it wouldn't do you much good if you could. It would be like me saying tomorrow my name is Joe Bloggs. I'd have no proof to back it up with. I could show a load of legion certificates with Joe Bloggs on but nothing would prove it's me.

9 . What is the biggest difference between someone who gets in and someone who does not?

How hi is a Chinaman?

Clue: his name is How hi ;)

Thank you for your answer and sorry for the late response. I only just made this account so you probably do not know me from somewhere.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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No, Aubagne, when I said the name rings a bell, it is because I have been there several times. I was just making one of my legendary puns.
 
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No, Aubagne, when I said the name rings a bell, it is because I have been there several times. I was just making one of my legendary puns.

Part of me thought you were making that joke but I guess I walked straight into that one.

...I feel like an idiot now.
 
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Why not try the Royal Marines ? Self former Royal.

Short answer is that I went down to my AFCO and they said I was a posh tw*t with too many GCSEs, so I should attempt to commission or f**k off. What it came down to is how the Army selects officers vs how the Marines select officers. As you probably know, in the Army if you pass selection and don't fail Sandhurst you will get a job as an officer somewhere. If you're not in the top 44 of Marine Officer candidates you just got told to leave and apply for something else.
 
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