The Naked Soldier

[Peter Lyderik]

By Tony Sloane

This book is so and so. This is what happens. The writer joins up in 1989 and leaves in 1994. After Castel he goes to 2 REP, first company. Gets his wings and are off to France for a commando course. His company is sent to Djibouti for a tour, six months I think. When back in France he gets restless because the company is not sent abroad again, so he wants to go to 3 REI or 13 DBLE. Goes to 13 DBLE for two years because 3 REI is filled up. While in 13 DBLE he does another commando course, a corporal course and a medic course, besides training, training and training. Are all the time waiting for a war to happen, which never does. Then back in 2 REP, and his time is up. The book has a lot about the training and the courses, very little about regimental life, but a lot of what they do while on leave, off the base, girls, booze and having fun. The book is not worth the price, so borrow it or get second hand/on sale.

[Panhandler]

Glad to see you used your time in the clink to expand your mind.:D Good to have you back

[st george]

I haven’t read that one and thanks to your book account I properly want bother on that score, its getting to the point that the market is flooding with to many books on the Legion, all with very different views, some excellent’ but there are the winging ones that are starting to get out there and trying to paint a very black view of the Legion and while I am at it this again is true of the SAS books giving away to much information on there training tactics and in side combat preparations . When I went to try out at the Legion in '91 I went with only the knowledge that I picked up during my old army days, I would like to see the Legion go back to its old ways where you knocked on the door and that is when you learn your trade to be come a legionnaire. :cool:

[flash010]

I haven’t read that one and thanks to your book account I properly want bother on that score, its getting to the point that the market is flooding with to many books on the Legion, all with very different views, some excellent’ but there are the winging ones that are starting to get out there and trying to paint a very black view of the Legion and while I am at it this again is true of the SAS books giving away to much information on there training tactics and in side combat preparations . When I went to try out at the Legion in '91 I went with only the knowledge that I picked up during my old army days, I would like to see the Legion go back to its old ways where you knocked on the door and that is when you learn your trade to be come a legionnaire. :cool:If you had got in we might have served together you would have had a ball man the late 80's early 90,s was the last off the great times for us the new guys got a differnt view than we did as the guys from the 80's had before us. i will always remember calvi with a smile on my face and loved every min of it you wannabes your time will be your own as was mine, ex legionnaires beaus, serge, right back to volts time we will all say our time was the best i just hope you enjoy it as much as we did :) ;)

[Dane]

I was about to buy that book.. maybe I just borrow it from the local library..

[Eagle eye]

By Tony Sloane

This book is so and so. This is what happens. The writer joins up in 1989 and leaves in 1994. After Castel he goes to 2 REP, first company. Gets his wings and are off to France for a commando course. His company is sent to Djibouti for a tour, six months I think. When back in France he gets restless because the company is not sent abroad again, so he wants to go to 3 REI or 13 DBLE. Goes to 13 DBLE for two years because 3 REI is filled up. While in 13 DBLE he does another commando course, a corporal course and a medic course, besides training, training and training. Are all the time waiting for a war to happen, which never does. Then back in 2 REP, and his time is up. The book has a lot about the training and the courses, very little about regimental life, but a lot of what they do while on leave, off the base, girls, booze and having fun. The book is not worth the price, so borrow it or get second hand/on sale....use as alternative toilet paper after second-hand purchase...not one red cent to deserters who besmirch the rememberance of fallen legionnaires and the bereavement of their families especially the children....ya still don't get it with yer compulsive-obsessive behaviour with such literary NEGATIVE propaganda....join the FFL and see it for REAL.....

[MAA]

By Tony Sloane

This book is so and so. This is what happens. The writer joins up in 1989 and leaves in 1994. After Castel he goes to 2 REP, first company. Gets his wings and are off to France for a commando course. His company is sent to Djibouti for a tour, six months I think. When back in France he gets restless because the company is not sent abroad again, so he wants to go to 3 REI or 13 DBLE. Goes to 13 DBLE for two years because 3 REI is filled up. While in 13 DBLE he does another commando course, a corporal course and a medic course, besides training, training and training. Are all the time waiting for a war to happen, which never does. Then back in 2 REP, and his time is up. The book has a lot about the training and the courses, very little about regimental life, but a lot of what they do while on leave, off the base, girls, booze and having fun. The book is not worth the price, so borrow it or get second hand/on sale.Good evening,

Since I'm fed up with this civilian life and still getting sadly stuck in this middle ages desert, I think really that " naked soldier " is the right book that I've to read particularly during this boring periode and I think also that every volunteer have to read it too before crossing the FFL's gate so, please, direct me then to the correct address which will enable me to order it from...

Kind regards.

[Fabtinus]

Good evening,

Since I'm fed up with this civilian life and still getting sadly stuck in this middle ages desert, I think really that " naked soldier " is the right book that I've to read particularly during this boring periode and I think also that every volunteer have to read it too before crossing the FFL's gate so, please, direct me then to the correct address which will enable me to order it from...

Kind regards.

if you must have this book..

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

if you are lucky you can find them used and cheap here..

[Cpl K]

On the way back from Scotland last Month at the Airport,

I bought a magasine and they had a 2 page article about the Legion and
Tony Sloane.

In the article he says "That he spent 5 years in the SAS and saw active service in Northen Ireland, Sierra Leone, the Balkans and Afghanistan"

Says also when he left the legion in 1994 he joined the British Paras and was in the Legion for 5 years...............

The magasine is called ICE.

ON ANOTHER SITE SAYS SO I DON'T KNOW WHICH IS TRUE....


This powerful look at the French Foreign Legion explores Sloane's experiences with the brutalities, adventure, destruction, danger, and criminal encounters over his five years of service in this dehumanizing regime. Well known as the most notorious, bloody and ruthless band of mercenaries in the world, in 1998 the Legion accepted Tony Sloane at the age of 18, inviting him as an elite member of this secret and mysterious fighting force. The legend and the myths of the Legion captivated Sloane and he quickly learned that life as a legionnaire was not just about physical training, but also about pledging mind and soul to the missions and operations.


About the Author
Tony Sloane is the pseudonym of an international private security expert. After leaving the French Foreign Legion in 2003, he joined the British Parachute Regiment and has subsequently served on operations in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan.

Cpl K..........

[Cpl K]

...use as alternative toilet paper after second-hand purchase...not one red cent to deserters who besmirch the rememberance of fallen legionnaires and the bereavement of their families especially the children....ya still don't get it with yer compulsive-obsessive behaviour with such literary NEGATIVE propaganda....join the FFL and see it for REAL.....Didn't know he was a deserter ?

Tony Sloane joined the Legion at the age of 18. For five years, his body, mind and soul would belong to the Legion. While it has open recruitment and training policies, what happens once a man is fully accepted into the Legion is shrouded in secrecy and mystery. The Naked Soldier explodes the myths and legends about what it is to be a legionnaire today.

Four months of vicious basic training in the French mountains culminated in a 75 mile mountain march with full kit. Sloane passed the training course with flying colors, coming fifth out of forty men in his group, despite having no former military experience. Sloane joined the Foreign Legion's parachute regiment - one of the most elite units in the organisation. His training intensified, with courses in France, Corsica and the tiny African nation of Djibouti before he was finally posted in Djibouti for two years. He soon discovered that life as a legionnaire is not just about physical training - it is as much about a state of mind.

While the Legion was in many ways a 'band of brothers', woe betide the deserter. One American soldier who tried to desert was apprehended and imprisoned. He was beaten most days and fed very little. When he did receive food, it was thrown on the floor for him to scoop up with his hands like an animal. If you were caught sleeping on the job, you could expect severe punishment. One legionnaire was forced to do forward rolls through the desert until he collapsed with dehydration and exhaustion. He wound up on an IV drip, simply for falling asleep on sentry duty. Such punishments were known as 'beastings' and were a daily occurrence.

The Naked Soldier pulls no punches - it is a shocking, stark, harsh but compelling description of life in the most elite and misunderstood band of mercenaries in the world.

[Peter Lyderik]

Didn't know he was a Deserter ?Only EE thinks so. :rolleyes:

literary NEGATIVE propagandaI think EE hasn't read the book. :p

[Stoeng]

EE may have never read the book (who knows?), but PL never was in the Legion (everybody knows) and therefore haven’t got a clue about the subject. :cool:

[Tom G]

TG read the book and thought it was a box of shite... of course TG was "dehumanized" while a member of this "secret and mysterious fighting force".

[The Dude]

Only EE thinks so. :rolleyes:
I think EE hasn't read the book. :p...Any deserter doesn't deserve his book read, dude...ya still don't get it....JOIN and SEE the REAL and UnDISTORTED version, that is, without/with the editor's pen.....

...In the FFL, ya start with mindless and endless drab routines and cleaning chores in Aubagne and Castel and similar or worse maintenance duties and your best bet is to knucke under and become a corporal ASAP for your FFL life to become a bit more interesting.......is that how the naked soldier starts ITS FIRST PARAGRAPH on FFL life???...

[Peter Lyderik]

Prove, he is a deserter, dude. :p

[Martin Scott]

Wheather he deserter or not you two will,cease fire and not turn use this board for you personal pissing contests. End of Message.

[Eagle eye]

Prove, he is a deserter, dude. :p...I have: read my previous threads on the matter, dude...what's that crap insigna in your avatar that you're hiding your pinko credentials....a regular pinko unit in someone else's army....???

[Cpl K]

HERE IS A RECORDING OF TONY AND ANOTHER LEGIONNAIRE IN BASIC TRAINING.

First soldier: "Pass me the chocolate pudding, would you?"

Second soldier: "No way, Tony!"

First soldier: "Whyever not?"

Second soldier: "It's against regulations to help another soldier to dessert!"

[Peter Lyderik]

read my previous threads on the matterProved nothing. :p

what's that crap insigna in your avatarYou ignorant brute, that's La Coloniale :eek:

First soldier: "Pass me the chocolate pudding, would you?"

Second soldier: "No way, Tony!"

First soldier: "Whyever not?"

Second soldier: "It's against regulations to help another soldier to dessert!"What a laugh. :)

[Rapace]

what's that crap insigna in your avatarYou ignorant brute, that's La Coloniale :eek:Correct Peter. And you know the difference between the 'Colo' anchor and the Navy one ? Send a PM...
For the rest, better close the thread before it turns into another mindless squabble on unimportant matters...