There's an ancien from the GCP from NZ who, if I remember correctly, became part of a local constabulary. Joseph might know who this person is .. I think his name was mentioned in the forum somewhere and where he went. Regarding saluting..depends where and when..same thing with sporting stripes and other "bling"..same thing as positioning within groups (Kremlinology 101..status goes first)...snipers love this stuff.
In my opinion, check it out and if you don't like it leave. I asked to leave near the end of my first year but was refused. I knew an IRA fellow, tough and smart, who asked to leave after his four month training and left. As fut-fut, there were others I was glad to see leave but with very few exceptions there were some outstanding people as well who left. A toi.
A couple of links which apply to Guyane. We took Niva/Chloroquine as an anti-malarial but we were not told it could/would cause memory loss. I did get Malaria and a few other nasty bugs one of which was a fungal spore which I had in my lungs at 46% where 8% was lethal. I was in the hospital in Corsica for over week and wasn't told why until near the end of my release for active duty. The following links are associated and I saw a few cases as well. Some of the guys who contracted this put a band aide on this wound and would wonder why the wound would get larger underneath the band aide. A cure is in the second link but there is a risk as well.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
I read a lot in the Legion about things that could possible help me and others. I saw a lot of Legionnaires reading bande-dessines (comic books). Choose. Be a pro and ahead of the curve or follow orders regardless of consequences. In the first case you'll probably be required to follow orders regardless but at least your eyes will be open to the consequences. My only suggestion is, don't be of the "strong back weak mind" stock. Aspire to strength of will and smarts..the physical conditioning is a distant third and will occur naturally and according to needs.