French Foreign Legion

The French Foreign Legion (French: Légion Étrangère) has been a unique and distinguished unit within the French Army since 1831. It takes its name from the fact that, as an exception in French military forces, foreigners enlist in its ranks.

Membership

While most of its commissioned officers are French, approximately 10% are former legionnaires who have risen through the ranks. The rest of the Legion is made up of men from a wide variety of nationalities, with French citizens representing 25-35% of the legionnaires. The foreign volunteers are primarily European. During the mid 1980s there were large contingents of British and Yugoslav nationals.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Legionnaires can choose to enlist under a pseudonym ("declared identity") and a declared citizenship. This disposition exists in order to allow people who want to turn a page in their life to enlist. French citizens can enlist under a declared, fictitious, foreign citizenship (generally, a francophone one). After one year, legionnaires can regularize their situation under their true identity.

Related Topics:
Pseudonym - Francophone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the past, the Legion had a reputation for attracting criminals on the run and would-be mercenaries. In recent years, however, admission has been restricted much more severely and background checks are done on all applicants. Generally speaking, convicted felons are prohibited from joining the service.

Related Topics:
Criminals - Mercenaries

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After serving in the Legion for three years (out of a five year initial enlistment), the legionnaire is allowed to apply for French citizenship. Furthermore, a soldier harmed in combat for France is also allowed to apply for French citizenship under a provision known as "français par le sang versé" ("French by spilled blood").

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~