The Raid marche

[BuffaloBillCody]

Greetings and salutations,
The dreaded raid Marche 120k 4 days. This is the culmination of all of Castel. One week before you graduate you have this Marche to deal with. I was really worried about this, as this is a huge distance to travel.
The first day we started at the base of a small range of mountains. Two hours of up then down then up then down. We all thought of this is the whole Marche no one will make it. But it eventually leveled out. The biggest challenge of this marche is the weight on your shoulders because we stayed in the road most of the time. After each day the cadre gives you tests on your knowledge in different areas. Such as general legion questions, topography, first aide, combat, and nrbc. They aren't that hard of questions but your tired so you got to really remember your stuff.
The last day of the marche you are tested on a combat test where you shot targets and take a prisoner. After which you run an obstacle course with alot of weight.
Once you finish that you're done! You get one week off sitting around doing nothing.
The Marche was the best one I've ever done. I guess I got stronger cause I made it no problem. My feet hurt but I had no real problems and found myself laughing and having a good time the whole time. Just pack your stuff well carry only what you need, the bare minimum. You should be fine. The fact that this is the last step is a real motivation to keep going.
All in all I find 4RE to be fun. But way too long. You could learn everything in 2 months but I guess that not everyone feels that way.
If you decide to go through with coming here just focus on your reason for coming and don't take the remassing to seriously its not that bad. The legion is a great place to learn some cool skills and meet some great people, just stay focused and try learn French asap.
Cheers, B. B. CODY

 

[Forced1987]

Greetings and salutations,
The dreaded raid Marche 120k 4 days. This is the culmination of all of Castel. One week before you graduate you have this Marche to deal with. I was really worried about this, as this is a huge distance to travel.
The first day we started at the base of a small range of mountains. Two hours of up then down then up then down. We all thought of this is the whole Marche no one will make it. But it eventually leveled out. The biggest challenge of this marche is the weight on your shoulders because we stayed in the road most of the time. After each day the cadre gives you tests on your knowledge in different areas. Such as general legion questions, topography, first aide, combat, and nrbc. They aren't that hard of questions but your tired so you got to really remember your stuff.
The last day of the marche you are tested on a combat test where you shot targets and take a prisoner. After which you run an obstacle course with alot of weight.
Once you finish that you're done! You get one week off sitting around doing nothing.
The Marche was the best one I've ever done. I guess I got stronger cause I made it no problem. My feet hurt but I had no real problems and found myself laughing and having a good time the whole time. Just pack your stuff well carry only what you need, the bare minimum. You should be fine. The fact that this is the last step is a real motivation to keep going.
All in all I find 4RE to be fun. But way too long. You could learn everything in 2 months but I guess that not everyone feels that way.
If you decide to go through with coming here just focus on your reason for coming and don't take the remassing to seriously its not that bad. The legion is a great place to learn some cool skills and meet some great people, just stay focused and try learn French asap.
Cheers, B. B. CODY

That sounds like a really good time, I’m curious to know will I be able to bring my own boots and rucksack or are the supplied boots and ruck it?

 

[BuffaloBillCody]

That sounds like a really good time, I’m curious to know will I be able to bring my own boots and rucksack or are the supplied boots and ruck it?

You got to wear what they give you to you get to your regiment. I brought my army boots and wear them when I'm in the field. I can't wear them on base though. Bring your ruck to aubagne you get it back after basic. Then you should be able to use it when you get to your regiment provided its a camo colored ruck

 

[Forced1987]

Yeah it’s an military green color, boots aren’t a deal breaker just can be an inconvenience adjusting to the new gear.

 

[Kevinza]

What type of boots did they give you for basics Cody?

 

[USMCRET]

Greetings and salutations,
The dreaded raid Marche 120k 4 days. This is the culmination of all of Castel. One week before you graduate you have this Marche to deal with. I was really worried about this, as this is a huge distance to travel.
The first day we started at the base of a small range of mountains. Two hours of up then down then up then down. We all thought of this is the whole Marche no one will make it. But it eventually leveled out. The biggest challenge of this marche is the weight on your shoulders because we stayed in the road most of the time. After each day the cadre gives you tests on your knowledge in different areas. Such as general legion questions, topography, first aide, combat, and nrbc. They aren't that hard of questions but your tired so you got to really remember your stuff.
The last day of the marche you are tested on a combat test where you shot targets and take a prisoner. After which you run an obstacle course with alot of weight.
Once you finish that you're done! You get one week off sitting around doing nothing.
The Marche was the best one I've ever done. I guess I got stronger cause I made it no problem. My feet hurt but I had no real problems and found myself laughing and having a good time the whole time. Just pack your stuff well carry only what you need, the bare minimum. You should be fine. The fact that this is the last step is a real motivation to keep going.
All in all I find 4RE to be fun. But way too long. You could learn everything in 2 months but I guess that not everyone feels that way.
If you decide to go through with coming here just focus on your reason for coming and don't take the remassing to seriously its not that bad. The legion is a great place to learn some cool skills and meet some great people, just stay focused and try learn French asap.
Cheers, B. B. CODY

Again, congratulations. Refresh my memory, did you serve in the US Military?

 

[USMCRET]

The Raid March really sounds like our Crucible in the Marine Corps. The Crucible is a four day event, a great deal of marches from training areas to training areas. On it you learn more Marine Corp History and learn more about selfless sacrifice. There is sleep deprivation and tests like you describe and fire team/squad team obstacles. at the end there is a very long march in the steep hills and mountains at Camp Pendleton and it is where a Marine is Awarded his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

 

[USMCRET]

Yeah it’s an military green color, boots aren’t a deal breaker just can be an inconvenience adjusting to the new gear.

Are you talking about Jungle boots? Those went out of service decades ago, just after or during my second enlistment in the early 90s

 

[Forced1987]

Are you talking about Jungle boots? Those went out of service decades ago, just after or during my second enlistment in the early 90s

I seen in a the documentary the guys feet split and bleeding, that’s clearly is a sign that they have bad socks and boots on. I just wanted to know if I have boots that fall within the legions guide lines, if I can wear them in place of the issued pair. I don’t expect the legion to provide me with the best boots on the market.

 

[Forced1987]

Are you talking about Jungle boots? Those went out of service decades ago, just after or during my second enlistment in the early 90s

I’m not sure if you wanted to know what boots I have or what but I have a pair of the sage green steel toe rocky s2v combat boots. I’ve had these for a while now got them on sale, I’ve had a lot of really nice boots and always buy them on sale being in frugal with my spending that being said I would spend the 259$ that they have listed as regular price well worth the 70$ they have them for now.

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

One thing to remember is that the boots are part of your uniform which means just that. Most times before going on terrain, you will be on the company parade square in front of the captain. In my day, everyone had the same kit except possibly the sac a dos backpack/rucksack, but that was covered with the same green, later cam,backpack cover. To the point that those who were left handed would have to change their rifle slings to the other side.,
If you carry your own pair of boots in your sac a dos it is extra weight and space.

 

[Forced1987]

I get it really not a big deal, just watching those poor guys with the bloody feet makes me cringe one guy said my feet hurt but I have to march. I would hate to be the only guy with comfortable boots.

 

[sexpert]

In the Sven Hassel novels they p€ssed on their Boots to soften the leather

 

[Le petit caporal]

Nh3 ammoniac, used by tanners to soften leather (smells like p$ss, tastes like piss and probally is p$ss)
In Morroco, they soak leather hides in a bassin full of pigeon sh$t
Gives a very soft and flexible leather
They gave the name to the trade, la Maroquinerie.

 

[dusaboss]

So now you got it. Problem solved. Just piss on your boots and ask couple of your friends to do the same.
P.S. Don't piss after couple beers because piss wild be manly weather. Do it in the morning when your urine is most concentrated.

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

Natural seal wax is better than anything, supples the leather and helps to waterproof it,

 

[sexpert]

Natural seal wax is better than anything, supples the leather and helps to waterproof it,

at least in the Legion you don´t Bull Boots.

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

That's true.

 

[sexpert]

That's true.

An Irish Guard showed me How to bees wax my boots properly. I always had shiny boots... Clean c@ck & shiny boots... Yes Sir