Does the French Foreign Legion have any special force units?

[warrior12]

I'm new to this forum and I was wondering if the French Foreign Legion has any elite Special force units, like the U.S. Army having the Green berets and Delta Force

[californiajai]

Yes the Legion has three really. First, on a big scale the 2REP, the only parachute regiment in the Legion and by far the most elite. Second, the GCP, the "Groupe des commando parachutiste" Detached to the 2REP- this is the version Delta of america-Specializing in airborne ops and Recon. Third, the DINOPs. I am sorry i cant tell you what it stands for right now only because i dont remember, i was never DINOPs-this is the Version Navy SEAL of America--Specializing in water ops including all diving ops and underwater demolitions. Those are the units, but really every Legion has the chance to be a special ops guy by going to a "commando" school in Guyane or Djibouti. There are other commando schools but these two are the best as far as i am concerned.
Mle 187-828

[EthNeo]

I would also consider the URH (Unité de Recherche Humaine) of the 2ème REG to be one of these 'special operations capable' units.

Concerning the DINOPS of the 1er REG: the name stands for Détachement d'Intervention Nautique Opérationnel.

[californiajai]

Yes thats it...but the URH as a spacial unit???? i guess you could say that, not me, but im sure someone would. Im not a big fan of 2REI sorry. Once a REPMAN--never an Infantry man! But hell the 2REI is a Legion regiment!

Mle 187-828

[alterego]

URH belongs to 2REG not 2REI.

[californiajai]

Sorry mate....im tired and thought you typed the REI, my bad. The 2REG is new to me, sorta. I've never really caught on to it, i'm still a 6REG/1REG kinda guy you know! My mistake though. I still dont like the 2REI...LOL

mle 187-828

[EthNeo]

Yes thats it...but the URH as a spacial unit???? i guess you could say that, not me, but im sure someone would. Im not a big fan of 2REI sorry. Once a REPMAN--never an Infantry man! But hell the 2REI is a Legion regiment! I believe there was a misunderstanding. As alterego just said, the URH has nothing to do with the 2e REI. The URH is instead part of the 2e REG.

The 2e REI, an infantry regiment, is part of the 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, when the 2e REG, a combat engineers regiment, is part of the 27e Brigade d'Infanterie de Montagne. Like the regiments of the 11e BP and their GCP teams, each regiment of the 27e BIM has at least one URH team. Gathered together, these teams form the URH 27, a 'legendary' reconnaissance unit in the French Army.

I then believe that, indeed, we can consider the URH of the 2e REG to be a 'special operation capable' unit.

For more info about the URH 27, here are some words from its commanding officer, Captain Bruno Guillard:
« The variety of recent conflicts, characterized by the implication of populations and the use by adversaries or factions of urban and mountainous terrain which is difficult to penetrate, has confirmed the need for intelligence units capable of autonomy in this complex environment. Created in 1988 the URH 27, Human Intelligence Unit of the 27th BIM, responds particularly well to this new requirement. An elite joint-task structure, it possesses a unique structure for intelligence missions as it is specialised in mountainous terrain engagements and difficult climatic conditions ».

The URH 27 accounts for 135 personnel – commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and EVAT. Composed of elements of each Corps of the Mountain Brigade, 3 Research Platoons, 1 Research Group in each of the 2 Support Regiments and in the Armoured Vehicles Regiment plus an element of Command from the Brigade Staff. Regrouped on command, it can provide 18 Research Teams (ER). Its main duty is to the Brigade under orders of the General, but can also be used by superior command (operative) or on the Battalion level.

Its joint-task character enables the URH to have available skills in engineering and indirect fire control (registration, target illumination), complementary to the main mission of intelligence.

The URH 27 carries out generic missions for intelligence on general mood, zones, objectives or itineraries. When in action for controlling the adversary, the URH 27 is used especially to provide information for the anticipation of enemy maneuvers, damage evaluation, land control and destruction of distant targets. For violence control, the mobile teams deployed on the terrain carry out reconnaissance and investigative missions. Integrated within the population they are particularly useful for detecting changes in the attitude of an aggressive adversary and thus anticipate threats. The human sensor collects information to know “what is cooking” on the terrain. His accuracy is superior to technological equipment as he can see through most subterfuges, permanently observe, maintain direct contact with aggressive adversaries and the population, adapt himself to climatic conditions and finally adapt to changing situations. These capacities and indispensable human qualities are particularly developed in the URH 27 as a result of specific training in the domains of intelligence and mountaineering.

If the usual terrains on which the teams find themselves are mountainous zones and regions of rigorous climatic conditions, their thorough training means that they are operational on all types of terrain. The personnel are rigorously selected on physical and intellectual attributes. They are permanently trained for the most difficult conditions in high mountains and arctic zones. Highly qualified individually for mountaineering, each team member during peace time is accustomed to showing initiative and stress management, inherent in mountain dangers and similar to that encountered in external operations. These technical mountain skills allow the mountaineers to be totally independent on terrains inaccessible to non-qualified units, preferred by non-conventional adversaries and thus conferring unequalled investigative skills. They also aid combat units to overcome vertical obstacles, to move around and set up in mountainous areas, snowed in or not.

Engaged on more than 10 different operations theatres since 1988, this professional unit has acquired vast experience and earned a solid reputation within the intelligence world. The richness, variety and interest of these missions entrusted to the URH 27 has led to strong competition in the Corps, in particular from the young Officers and soldiers.This selection of the best is also a guarantee of operational performance. Today well established, it is getting ready to widen yet more its potential activities with missions for action and engagement support for the Corps and Mountain Brigade. There is no doubt that by going beyond a field of action which is occasionally limited, the versatility of this unit allows it to confirm its vocation as the elite unit of the Mountain Brigade and to become the reference for the Army in engagement on difficult terrain and rigorous climatic conditions.

[californiajai]

Ethneo,

Ok, you have a point. I never served with these guys while in the Legion i only knew of them in the regular French army, and although your post states that they are all that trully they were not between 96-01. They were in fact nowhere near our level. Since the overall change of the French army in 2000 possibly they may have been upgraded so i cannot say how good they are now. But from my experiences, they are not at the same level as the DINOPs or GCP. Remember when i served (except for the last year) there was no 1REG or 2REG for that matter. Have no doubt they are not a bad bunch of guys but....im a little sentimental towards the REP, bro.

Mle 187-828

[EthNeo]

Ethneo,
im a little sentimental towards the REP, bro. Don't worry, this is something that is perfectly understandable. I know for a fact that legionnaires make themselves hell of a good reputation each time they cross-train with the 'Chasseurs Alpins' of the 27e BIM.

There is actually this story going on in the French Mountain Division, about legionnaires being regarded as some kind of 'super beings' by their alpine regiments counterparts, since they happened to run a mountain course one hour faster than the guys they were supposed to learn the 'franchissement' techniques from.

[californiajai]

I know of the 27 BIM, i knew a bloke from there a cne. I did a few stages with the "CIECM" at Barcelonette, France. BASM...I remember "Chapeau de gendarme" what i pain in my arse that was! Thanks for the super human compliment, though i would have to say since i've grown older im not so super but more human.

mle 187-828

[Eagle eye]

Im not a big fan of 2REI sorry. Once a REPMAN--never an Infantry man! But hell the 2REI is a Legion regiment!Mle 187-828I can assure you the 2e REI is a good regiment especially after being united in Nîmes in 1983. It deploys en masse like in the 2nd Gulf war and has seen action in Bosnia, where it was colocated on Mont Igman with a UK artillery regiment, and more recently in the Ivory Coast. I went to Nîmes in 1996 when the CO and several officers of the UK artillery regiment were attributed the honorary rank of légionnaire de 1er classe. A good event that should be repeated with the USMC.

[californiajai]

Sorry mate but like i said...Once a REPMAN, never an Infantrie man! My love lies with the REP. I did say that the 2REI was a good regiment for the Legion.

Mle 187-828

[DanMitsu]

But the Marines had to swim the pond before they started.. :)

[Eagle eye]

Sorry mate but like i said...Once a REPMAN, never an Infantrie man! My love lies with the REP. I did say that the 2REI was a good regiment for the Legion.

Mle 187-828No offence taken from the start. As far as I can gather, you're now a USMC officer after your FFL contract ? If so, were you a full US citizen when you joined the FFL ? How was the reception on your return to the USMC.

[Eagle eye]

In Guyana, the average time for passing the obstracal course there was 45 minutes by the legion....a visiting USA marine Detachement's time was 7 hours ! They just could work toghter I guess.Well, I reckon that any platoon that is not used to the 'planche irlandaise' (overhanging board obstacle) would get stuck for more than seven hours if it attempted the 'parcours de combattant' individually.....

[Interested Guy]

hi
just curious.
y u guys dont mention the Djibouti commandoes and the Guyane commandoes in special forces? how r these different from special forces? if they r not special forces then wat does "commando" mean?

[Interested Guy]

hi to all.
i just wanted to get this point clear.
if the GCP are the special forces of Legion then what about the commandos of guyane and commandos of Djibouti? are they not special forces? what is their role as commandos and what is the role of GCP or DINOPS? and what is the difference in training of the Guyane and Djibouti commandos and the GCP or DINOPS? And whose training is harder and more difficult to get?
thanks for ur time and i will appreciate ur replies.

[Rapace]

You don't have "Guyane commandoes" or "Djibouti commandoes" per se. What you have in French Guiana and Djibouti (more precisely in Arta-plage) are what are called CECs (Centre d'Entraînement Commando, or Commando Training Center). There are several other CECs in mainland France plus the "mother of all CECs", called CNEC (Centre National d'Entraînement Commando) in Montlouis, near Perpignan (SW France, very close to the Spanish border).
In those CEC, people from various units are tought the basic commando techniques (hand-to-hand fight, explosives, obstacle course, etc.). On top of this, each CEC has sort of a specialty, like for example jungle combat in Guiana.
At the end, each participant who successfully completed the training receives a 'brevet' (sort of badge) which is worn on the uniform. If you have a look at amicale on line (Appel des Anciens), you'll see several examples of those badges.

[Interested Guy]

Thankyou Sir for ur reply.
what i gathered from it is that these courses are basic courses while the GCP does these courses as well at an advanced level. Is it right?
and secondly how can one do all the commando courses other then being in GCP?

[Eagle eye]

At the end, each participant who successfully completed the training receives a 'brevet' (sort of badge) which is worn on the uniform.In les Rousses CEC 23 winter commando course, and as a matter of fact in any winter CEC, you will stand for fifteen minutes to attention, even in a snow storm, as the company is pinned this badge on the uniform by platoon leaders. You'll begin to look like a snowman by the end and with straightened fingers...The last hurdle. :)

[californiajai]

The Commando courses are available to almost anyone who wants to "and can" try out. Most regiments do a turn-out at one of the CEC's. The REP generally sends its cie's to both Guyane and Djibouti, at least once a year. The GCP is not a Commando unit in the sense of these Commando schools. The GCP "Groupe de Commandos Parachutistes" (formerly known as CRAPs)is a Recce-Recon Groupe. Like Long Range Survaillence units, in the US. They changed the name not really because there was a change in duties but rather the change came because of the meaning of CRAP through-out the Anglo- nations. The GCP does allow their guys to go to CEC's and such. But the most important aspect of the GCP is the "chuteur ops" aspect. DINOP's although i don't know much about this unit i do know that they are the Underwater Demo groupe for the Legions 1REG (once the 6REG). The CEC's of France and the Legion (in total 7- i think-correct me if im wrong), are just schools, basics indeed. I would recommend anyone who makes it to the Legion--go to a CEC, anyone of them.

Mle 187-828

[Rapace]

What i gathered from it is that these courses are basic courses while the GCP does these courses as well at an advanced level.Before entering the GCPs, it's most probable that the applicant will have already attended a commando course in one the CECs (either in France, Djibouti or Guyane). Once accepted in the GCP, the new incumbent will be sent to CNEC in Montlouis for a higher level commando course.
As mentioned by California, a GCP will of course also follow the "chuteur opérationnel" course to get his HALO/HAHO jump qualification, after which he'll get the "brevet de chuteur opérationnel" (same as the standard para wings, but with 5 little blue stars instead of the big one). This course is undertaken at ETAP (Ecole des Troupes Aéroportées) in Pau, a little bit the equivalent of the US jump school at Fort-Benning. Contrary to all other para regiments, the basic jump course for the REP recruits is held at Calvi (that's the "Promo"), but all specialised courses are held at Pau (unless this has changed since I left).

[californiajai]

No changes! Still the same.

mle 187-828

[Interested Guy]

Thankyou for ur reply.
It means a guy in the REP can do both the commando courses in Guyane and Djibouti. Nice to hear that. Good luck to all who try.
Thanks for ur time.

[usmcrecon]

A couple of points after reading the messages on Legion "special units". Both the the 1ere REG & the 2eme REGs have DINOPS units, however, it is more appropriate to compare the Navy's Commando Hubert with the USN Seals than the DINOPS. Also, a URH team of the 2eme REG is at this time deployed on actual combat ops in Afgahanistan.

[breakthrough]

Could someone please tell me what a commando unit really is? According to my little encyclopedia, commandos are elite units from army and navy (including marines) that are specialized for landing operations, such as amphibious warfare and paradrops. This definition is weird because of the fact that several air forces in the world have airborne units with paratroopers. Why aren´t these commandos? From what I know their training is supposed to be very rigorous too. Also, when speaking of the word "commandos" people tend to refer to units performing tasks such as special reconnaissance, which is considered to be the most important task of many of the world´s most enigmatic military organizations.

It feels like if the original meaning of the word "commando" has been forgotten so I would like to hear your opinion.

[BobW]

Bonjour Breakthrough,

You've posed an interesting question. I believe the best way to approach this is to seperately discuss the word "commando" and its history and then discuss the specialized forces relating to the quoted word.

I believe "commando" is from the Portugese. Counterpart words in US military history and doctrine are "rangers", eg Rogers Rangers (a colonial "commando" unit that fought on the side of the British during the French and Indian Wars. The Rangers were led by Robert Rogers (1731-1795) a loyalist. Another US word relating to "commando" is "scout" such as Indian Scout and Phillippine Scout. Another word used in US Army history and doctrine is "guerilla" as to opposition. Another related word is "pathfinder".

Some good books re all this:

"Selected Military Writings of Mao Tse-tung", Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1963.


"People's War, People's Army", Vo Nguyen Giap, Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 1962.

I do not believe the training vigor in US doctrine is more for the specialized units than the non-specialized units. My friend was a company commander and later, higher level for a US Marine assault team. The assault teams were not "commandos" or "recon" within the usual import of these terms. The training was just as vigorous and demanding. I just stired up so much I'll be busy all day tomorrow responding to posts here !

Hope you and all readers are having a happy and safe holiday.

Saluations,
BobW

[breakthrough]

Thanks BobW for your interest although the question still remains quite unanswered.

[Peter Lyderik]

Breakthrough

Here you can read about the background for the word, commando, and how it has developed into special force/elite force.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[hellheaven1987]

Well if I'm not wrong, the first "commandos" unit was appeared in south africa during the damned Boer War...

[Stoeng]

Well if I'm not wrong, the first "commandos" unit was appeared in south africa during the damned Boer War...Yes it was “Dutch” farmers that travelled by horse and were harrassing the English troops and attacking their logistics routes.

[Cpl K]

I personnaly don't think that someone that has done only 2 commando stages can be called a commando, but thats my opinion...

It takes more than 2 one month stages to become a commando.

One of the hardest commando stages you can do in the Legion is not even Legion run but run by the 33 RIMA (French Army) in Martinique...

It is a very hard commando stage, where you fight, abseil in all styles, swim over a KM fully dressed with your weapon, Obstacle courses on dry land in swamps and in even water, walk till you drop and this is the fun size.

Have fun all you wanabee commando's.

CPL K.......

[Stoeng]

I personnaly don't think that someone that has done only 2 commando stages can be called a commando, but thats my opinion...Please, Please, Please !!! :o Can I be a real Commando ?? I have done 3 Courses (Mont-Louis, Pont-St-Vincent and Arta):D :D

[Cpl K]

You like me know the real story, all us ex legionnaires are not living warriors who can kill with our hands not using the Opinel...

It's in the head that counts.

Me I drink most weeks with Legionnaires and sometimes when they are drunk (Yes some legionnaires do drink) they start to get angry and say watch out im a Legionnaire etc..... I reply im scared ouuhhhhh, they don't understand my reaction has I now have long hair and not everyone knows my past. They think im just some Irish guy that works near Marseille...

These are the guys that give us good ones a bad reputation, luckily every now and again a nice Irish guy puts them back into reality and shows them the real world with a couple of slaps...

Also im lucky the President of CCH is a very very good mate.

On this yes you can be Commando I'll send you your certificat with the Kinder Egg.

F.U.C.K I must be a jungle warrior I was in the section of ADC GEFFRIAUD in Guyane and for every official visit to Guyane we had to show people how the obstacle course worked at Regina.

Have a nice evening Mon Adjudant....

CPL K.....

[Stoeng]

F.U.C.K I must be a jungle warrior I was in the section of ADC GEFFRIAUD in Guyane and for every official visit to Guyane we had to show people how the obstacle course worked at Regina.Oh Yes !!!

Do you remember him laughing? GrrrGrrrGrrrGrrr:D

[Panhandler]

Me I drink most weeks with Legionnaires and sometimes when they are drunk (Yes some legionnaires do drink) CPL K.....

Too Funny!


Subtle Irish Humor:D

[kuhlmann170852]

:D
One of the hardest commando stages you can do in the Legion is not even Legion run but run by the 33 RIMA (French Army) in Martinique...


This is the nice joke:D

---------------------
@Charles
Yes me too I hace 3 commando courses.Can I be commando with you?:p
But next year we make a commando strike in D.::cool:

Kuhlmann

[Stoeng]

@Charles
Yes me too I hace 3 commando courses.Can I be commando with you?:p
But next year we make a commando strike in D.::cool:

I am ready when you are:D :D

[hannibal]

I am ready when you areI suggest swimming across the Hormuz Strait. The one who first reaches the shores of Iran respectively the Arab Emirates (or Oman) is the winner. Let me know when you start so that I can fly to Bander Abbas... This will be the fourth and fonal commando course which will determine who will led the commandos. And to pay the beer at the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel. :D :D

[Stoeng]

I suggest swimming across the Hormuz Strait. The one who first reaches the shores of Iran respectively the Arab Emirates (or Oman) is the winner. Let me know when you start so that I can fly to Bander Abbas... This will be the fourth and fonal commando course which will determine who will led the commandos. And to pay the beer at the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel. :D :D

No problem Hannibal, you are welcome even if we have to carry you back on the plane.:D

[hannibal]

No problem Hannibal, you are welcome even if we have to carry you back on the plane.Thanks for caring, but something tells me it won't be me or Oliver who would be needing the carrying. ;) Just be sure to leave your address in Teheran open, so that we will know on which plane to put you. We don't wish you end up the next morning in Port Moresby, do we??? :D :D

[atilahunski]

How many members are there and do I need to have previous experience in any of regiment to become a member?

[Legion0715]

Atila,

Worry about getting through Selection before you worry about Special Operations. The Legion turns away ALOT of people who want to be "just" a Legionnaire. They then turn away ALOT of legionnaires who want to be commandos. Assuming you can survive both of those cuts, you then have to be capable of operating as a Commando.
Going through Commando training gives you the right to call yourself a Commando, but it is only by operating with Commando teams/units that you actually are one.

[John777]

Yes it was “Dutch” farmers that travelled by horse and were harrassing the English troops and attacking their logistics routes.Yes and the Boers were fighting like that for more than a hundred years before the war started. Churchill was in the Boer republics as a journalist during the war and both him and Montgommery was in favour of starting a Commando unit in the UK after what they saw during the war.
Interestingly Churchill was captured during the Boer war, but luckily for the UK and THE WORLD, he escaped.

[Surfguy]

I've bumped this old post rather than start another and get moaned at for not searching old posts :). Do current posters consider the Legion to be Special Forces or an Elite force ? whats your definition of SF / EF ?

[Hroflr Grimm]

Stoeng's favourite topic.. lol

[BillClinton]

Yes and the Boers were fighting like that for more than a hundred years before the war started. Churchill was in the Boer republics as a journalist during the war and both him and Montgommery was in favour of starting a Commando unit in the UK after what they saw during the war.
Interestingly Churchill was captured during the Boer war, but luckily for the UK and THE WORLD, he escaped.

I'd just like to throw in that Breaker Morant is a great movie that concerns the Boer war.

[dastim]

Where could I find images of their (URH27 / GRH2) insignia/beret badges?

Thanks

[Kronenberg]

Off subject - but what became of John777 the SA cop who didn't make it? Good guy. Anybody know what became of him or if he's OK?

[Tonyus]

Last I heard (read) he was OK. I think he mentioned that he has a good job that pays well and he enjoys doing.

[Kronenberg]

Last I heard (read) he was OK. I think he mentioned that he has a good job that pays well and he enjoys doing.

Oh GOOD. He is a cool guy - deserved a break... Thanks :-)

[3stripedwoodentop]

If i get into the Legion i want to join Dinops.

[flymantobe]

Off subject - but what became of John777 the SA cop who didn't make it? Good guy. Anybody know what became of him or if he's OK?Yeah, he is working security now in the Middle East. The last time I heard he was in Djibouti. Solid honest guy... He's doing good for himself now.

[dastim]

Current info on URH2 pulled from 2eme REG site and babelfished.

The Group of commandos of mountain of 2nd REG. (GCM2) was created at the same time as the 2nd foreign engineering regiment (1999). It belongs to the grouping of the commandos of mountain (GCM) who belong to the 27th B.I.M. the GCM 27 is a modular unit consisted regrouping, under the same authority: the general ordering the 27th B.I.M. the main mission of the GCM2 is the acquisition of the information d' military interest by the observation in privileged medium, the mountain and/or the rough ground. The modes; action are very different according to the type of conflict in which the unit is committed. Deep patrols with foot or in the vehicle are carried out behind the lines of the enemy force. Moreover, of the teams; observation employed on the ground for autonomous missions during several weeks. The GCM2 has particular missions like the information on the deadlines, opening routes, on the bridges, cuts or obstacles, on the covered with snow, the watery zones (man alone on the surface, by infiltration in kayak or palmage). The badge represents a bordered blue star d' however in the center of which a white owl directed with sinistral is place. The star takes again the symbolic system of the sections of scout-skiers, elite units of the troops of mountain, the owl is the emblem of the research unit. The Group of human research (GRH2) changed name in 2007 for GCM2. For any order, to address a mail to the section head SRIO (section of Information and offensive intervention

[oldbreed]

..The legion,brit.royal marine comandos.red devils,french marines are elite units ,,all the publicity that the navy seals ,SAS,.U.S. special forces recieve makes people think you have to be in the upper bad azz category!!..When you have motivated troopers ,it is easy to upgrade them,,The U.S.Marines do this now,when a battalion goes on a 6 month deployment, often commando skills are taught to at least one company,, this can be done with any elite motivated force,including the Legion..
..The 82nd airborne,the para regiment ,and the 2nd legion REP are elite ,,& easily blend in ,when a SAS,or Seal team needs a larger force...I have trained goverment military,Navy & Marine & contract soldiers,the more you are trained on the hard hot anvil of discipline & military skills, the better you will be ,STAND PROUD..any man who was infantry,,.leg or para,a goal for the new recruit to achieve before moving up !!
former weapons & tactic instructor(abn)