am I a Candidate?

[kiwi]

I am a 16 year old Male currently living in Auckland, New Zealand. For the past two years I have seriously been considering the Legion. It started as a dream but is now one of my goals in life.

What I want to know is whether my current profile would suit what the Legion are looking for. Before I leave to join (or try to join) I want to ensure I have the best chance possible. As you can imagine, it is a long way to travel and for someone my age it is even more difficult.

*NB: I do realise I can't join at 16, but I am confident my Guardian will give me consent by the time I am 17 and eligible to join.

- Exceptional Intelligence
(Tested at age 13, 3% of the World population are like me)
- Fairly Fit, Attend a Boxing Gym 5 Days a Week (for Training)
- Wear Glasses for long durations (2+ Hours) of Computer Use/Reading
(Not needed for anything else as I am Long Eye Sighted)
- Very much an outcast, steadfast but rational.
- No Medical Conditions (You can't have any to be a Fighter/Boxer)
- Eager for a Mental and Physical Challenge

Joining the Legion for me is a Free Decision, whether I am the right sort of Candidate is up to people half a world away. I really want to make it absolute certain that my chances of joining the Legion are above 50%. Providing I do leave to join and fail in my first attempt (emphasis on "First") I will hope to return home with a nice French Lady :p

[voltigeur]

Since you have at least one more year to go before joining, keep reading the questions and answers on this forum and other Legion forums. See my web site for the links.
It will give you an clear insight at the ever evolving Legion.

[Rapace]

- Exceptional Intelligence
(Tested at age 13, 3% of the World population are like me)

The best quality of a legionnaire is modesty. Not too sure this sort of statement will help you. Most appreciated people in the army often have 1 muscle (in the head) and 2 brains (in each arm) !

[kiwi]

Sorry if that comment gave you the wrong impression.

I read in an article that you have your IQ tested and felt that it would help those who want to reply make an educated one (reply).

[Mark]

When you hit 17/18 give it a go.
No one here knows what the Legion is looking for. Maybe you could make it, maybe not, just give it a go.

When I say no one knows what the Legion is looking for, I am not dishonoring the knowledge of the Anciens. I am just stating the absolute truth. None of us at Aubagne knew what was required to make the grades. Some might run well...and civil. Some might get only 4 laps...and make red. Some might get infirmatery for 5 days, make red, and have to wait another week before Castel... What the Legion wants is an absolute unknown. No one here has the ability to say if you will make it. Truth is...you're probably wont know. Sorry.

Example in my mentalix. I f'd up bad...real bad. Didn't notice that 2 pages were stuck together. After kinda fixing my dip mistake I still passed the mental exam. Why????? don't know. I expected to be civil. An engineer who knew the test intimatly, even told us before the test what we would be tested in, was sent civil. A friend of mine, a Nepal, didn't answer 70% of the answers, made green. Why??? Don't know. Even the mentalic about your mental/family behavior is an unknown. On guy sayed he prefered to be alone, prefered the simple and unresponsible life, and didn't get along with his parents (all "suposed" wrong answer) was in red when I was there.

[slimness]

One thing that i did notice at Aubagne, all those that voluntered for grape picking went rouge, bloody back killed after.

[Mark]

Slimness:
Never heard of grape picking "corvée". We had the hotel (? 4 days, never was there but the four that went there went civil). Lawn maintenance/leaf sweeping, kitchen duty (closest I got to cooking a meal was cutting up cabage). Legion barracks showers/toilet/hallway cleaning. And one corvée that involved me putting a cement mixer on the deck of a flat bed.
The worst corvée in my mind was the cuisine. I was always a slight eater, and I eat so much food there that my belly actualy hurt. But as for action cuisine corvée was the most active, and the fastest way to pass the day.

In case I forget to post this. In Aubagne the Foyer is only open Monday to Thursday. Get you body soap (soap issued to you is only good for washing you cloths NOT your body... and you will need that bar for your cloths) and cigs. Body soap costs 5 euro, cigs also 5 euro. Neat!! the cigs are from Vietnam.

Also forgot : for those of you going in December cuz its "easier". After wasing your shirt an socks an underwear, wear them to bed after wringing them out as best you can (sink). They don't dry at all under you matress, same as under the fire blanket. But they do dry out if you wear them to bed. Trust me. When you meat under that big white tarp, and stay there for an hour. Dry cloths awake are better than wet cloths to bed.

[kiwi]

When I say no one knows what the Legion is looking for, I am not dishonoring the knowledge of the Anciens. I am just stating the absolute truth. None of us at Aubagne knew what was required to make the grades. Some might run well...and civil. Some might get only 4 laps...and make red. Some might get infirmatery for 5 days, make red, and have to wait another week before Castel... What the Legion wants is an absolute unknown. No one here has the ability to say if you will make it. Truth is...you're probably wont know. Sorry.

Thank you for your advice although I was a little confused by your last comment, I assume you are saying "You probably wont know. Sorry" or are you saying "You probably wont though. Sorry" ?

[Eagle eye]

One thing that i did notice at Aubagne, all those that voluntered for grape picking went rouge, bloody back killed after. I was sent dish-washing in Puyloubier. Oh, brother, just as well as it was the "one off" job....Better go grape-picking. :D

soap issued to you is only good for washing you cloths NOT your bodyOi, sunshine, What you expect ? CAMAY moisturising soap. I used to take great pride in my "savon de Marseille" to wash pretty much everything at hand.


- Exceptional Intelligence
(Tested at age 13, 3% of the World population are like me)
- Fairly Fit, Attend a Boxing Gym 5 Days a Week (for Training)
- Wear Glasses for long durations (2+ Hours) of Computer Use/Reading
(Not needed for anything else as I am Long Eye Sighted) Wit and charm "comes" with intelligence. I guess a shape appealing to the opposite sex. Long and serious explanations for more than two hours (that's with your specs on) to a voluptuous girl before a computer next to your bed multiplies the effect of the preceding characteristics - and getting LUCKY. :)

Self-gratification can also be a shared experience. :D

YOU'VE GOT ALL IT TAKES TO GET LAID... AND OFTEN... then think about joining. Get your priorities right at your age !!! :)

[Mark]

Nope I did mean you probably won't know what the Legion wants. The chances of being civil are MUCH higher than what is being posted. Trust me!
These 1 in 12 odds are way out to lunch!
When you take the train from Fort de Nogent to Aubagne and see 10 out of 17 go civil in the first 3 hours, you start to see the odds against you! And that's after a minor selection process in Paris.

By the way, sorry for my spelling, being able to spell were you are in France isn't a criteria. And I'm not a francophone.

[ace_compton]

Mark : just because you tried to join and got sent civil, doesn't mean you should go and try and put other off trying to join. Maybe you just went thru at a bad time, i don't think seeing one selection process, you can acurately judge what happens at other selections.I have read several posts you wrote saying how tough it is.. We all know its tough, that's why we are here, trying to get some info to make it easier for us. But scaring a 16 year old out of his dream is a bit rough, let him make up his own mind.

(i dont mean to be nasty, just saying what i think. Full credit to your for trying to join though, at least you have that over the rest of us wannabes)

[ace_compton]

But remember, have a return ticket, or coin in the bank to get back home. Cuz you aint gonna make the Legion selection.

taken off another post by mark

obviously people make it thru selection, maybe kiwi will be one of those people, how would you know? dont make broad based assumptions based on your experiences. maybe you just didnt prepare enough

[kiwi]

YOU'VE GOT ALL IT TAKES TO GET LAID... AND OFTEN... then think about joining. Get your priorities right at your age !!!

That is not what I want in my life, it is not a desire, sexual pleasure is something I believe needs to be shared - not spent.

If I join next year at 17, I'm out roughly when I am 22, at 18, out roughly when I am 23. The way I see it, this is a great way to get a new perception of life, not so much a careless; but logical, rational and disciplined one.

The utmost best way to describe this is; "I need to scratch my Balls, NOW!"
Eventually the urge will go away over time, But I'm a Scratcher :)

[yatez 44]

he he Scratch on young man..Just make sure you don,t scratch something that Ajax and a brello pad won,t take off.. Who knows the French may be knee deep in a conflict buy the time you reach signing age, and the Legion may be recruiting in bistros, signing every Tom, Dick and Harry that gives a second look..Good luck Kiwi

[voltigeur]

18 is an good age as long you do not let yourself intimidated by the older and militarely more experienced guys.
During my selection time we had a former Dutch Marine Commando (he had served in the Dutch East Indies and Korea). His tales would make the hairs on your back stand on end. It turned out that during a forced march I had to carry his sac-à-dos and drag him the last seven kilometers into camp or else the cadre would have left him behind.

[Arnaude Renoir]

I'm 17 (I found out i can only join at 19 in a half, thats when i get my passport)
-I train at Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) so i definetly have no medical conditions.
-Still trying to perform well in running
-And have a very big compassion towards joining FFl it like i was destined to do it.

So Voltigeur do you think i'am a good candidate?

[Mark]

Sorry guys:
But I am only telling the truth!!! I am going back in January. But this time I am a wiser older person. Selection is much harder than you think. The dayly life under the tarp is also much harder than you think. I have read almost all of the posts and have found them to be at least, trivial, and at most an out lies.
Stuff like bring razors or toilet paper...ya right....you are stripped naked at Aubagne and no you can't use anything other than what is given to you. Do corvée and you might get toilet paper, if you get paper, hord it!!!!! Did I forget to mention the hours of absolute bordom under the tarp... Unless you get corvée????
Many people here seem to trivialise the difficulties that are met at Aubagne. But again that is why so many people get sent civil. Aubagne is very hard and boring. Understand that the Legion doesn't want you. Big time! Ask your self what YOU have to give the Legion...and maybe they might look favourably at you.

[the_13th_redneck]

Kiwi, you are also a candidate for the British Army. You might want to look at that before you think about the Legion. It's the same job, there are plenty of top of the line, illustrous units in the British Army or the Marines Commandos and the deal tends to be a heck of a lot better and you get to meet women who speak the same language as you. lol.

[ace_compton]

13th red neck, are new zealanders eligable to join to the british army striaght away, or do you have to get citizenship like the americans make you do?

[kiwi]

Kiwi, you are also a candidate for the British Army. You might want to look at that before you think about the Legion. It's the same job, there are plenty of top of the line, illustrous units in the British Army or the Marines Commandos and the deal tends to be a heck of a lot better and you get to meet women who speak the same language as you. lol.- The British Army is NOT the Foreign Legion.

- The Marine Commandos are NOT the Foreign Legion.

- The U.S. Navy Seals is NOT the Foreign Legion.

- The Foreign Legion IS the Foreign Legion.

[the_13th_redneck]

I'm just letting you know because some people may choose to go to the French Foreign Legion, unaware that they can join the UK Military.
For the questions on waiting for citizenship, I am quite sure that is not the case. As a member of the commonwealth, you are allowed to join right away.
The US military, for enlistedmen, does not require a US citizenship. A Green Card work permit will do.

[ace_compton]

i will try the legion 1st, but if i am denied then its good to know that the UK army is only a hop, skip and a jump away.
Cheers mate

[the_13th_redneck]

Yup, no problems.
Ask a UK Military recruiting center first just to be sure. But I am quite 100% certain.

[Eagle eye]

The British Army is NOT the Foreign Legion.
Kiwi, you are also a candidate for the British Army. You might want to look at that before you think about the Legion.

What we have here is a "zealot". This can be dangerous if you have 'excessive expectations' on the FFL. You'll fall flat on your face if you're not careful.

Plenty of Brits do a stint in the British Army or its reserve before joining the FFL. And there is nothing wrong with this professional path. You're looking at great traditions and pristine history in Europe before joining the FFL. Also, look into joining Saramun's legion of trogs, get a bit of nasty experience with some "lifers" in your own army, complete one contract before joining the FFL. Find out if Saramun, that is, the NZ Army, contracts those who complete a FFL contract.

Furthermore, parlez-vous français. So, go learn some French as the first hurdle before jumping into the FFL.

And you don't want to get laid at your young age ? Jesus !!!!....

[kiwi]

What we have here is a "zealot". This can be dangerous if you have 'excessive expectations' on the FFL. You'll fall flat on your face if you're not careful.


I expect Countless hours of Boredem and a lot of 'Piss Taking' Training.
Just because my opinion of the Legion is High, does not make me a Zealot nor someone with 'Excessive Expectations'.

Besides, I cannot understand the context in which you use the word 'Zealot'.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/zealot <-- Look it up for yourself


Plenty of Brits do a stint in the British Army or its reserve before joining the FFL. And there is nothing wrong with this professional path. You're looking at great traditions and pristine history in Europe before joining the FFL. Also, look into joining Saramun's legion of trogs, get a bit of nasty experience with some "lifers" in your own army, complete one contract before joining the FFL. Find out if Saramun, that is, the NZ Army, contracts those who complete a FFL contract.


The NZ Army is a Joke, I would have to spend 5 years before I could apply to join the NZ SAS and even then, I have seen the training that they do. I live a few minutes away from where they commonly train and the locals constantly play pranks on them.

The SAS are super fit though, I will give them that - but its just a waste of time. If I want to Train with them all I have to do is drive up to Leigh or Omaha, they can also be found on the West Coast as well.


Furthermore, parlez-vous français. So, go learn some French as the first hurdle before jumping into the FFL.


My basic knowledge of the Language is fair, probably not enough to understand Orders, but I have around a Year to go :)


And you don't want to get laid at your young age ? Jesus !!!!....

Anyone can find a slut with fair ease. Not Anyone can join the Legion.

[Eagle eye]

All that legionnaires want to do in town and in their spare time is GET PISSED and/ or GET LAID !!!! in that order !!!! :)

[kiwi]

All that legionnaires want to do in town and in their spare time is GET PISSED and/ or GET LAID !!!! in that order !!!! :)

What man doesn't? - Whether it is top priority or not is another thing.

That raises a question I am sure has been answered before, is gang-rape (the sort you hear about in Jails) common or ever happened in the Legion? I am not gay (even though some of my last comments might suggest it) but I will snap the neck of any fucker who gets a hard on looking at my arse.
(I use the term lightly, as he might be twice my size :P)

[Eagle eye]

You have a fertile but incorrect imagination...It is limited to a verbal threat like in other armies.
Just ask the women in Nîmes and Calvi before you join the FFL.. :)

There are plenty of nice girls from good families who want to get laid too... :)

[the_13th_redneck]

Kiwi, you might find yourself in a position where your unit's training is not too differnet from the NZ SAS. What will you do then?

[kiwi]

Kiwi, you might find yourself in a position where your unit's training is not too differnet from the NZ SAS. What will you do then?

That is a possibility and I'm sure some aspects of he training will be the same.
But similar to what I said a few posts ago (in reply) to your post:

The New Zealand Special Air Service is not the Foreign Legion.

[kiwi]

There are plenty of nice girls from good families that want to get laid too... :)
Yes but I am starting to get a little worried about your little comments :p. I think my charm (hahaha) will have more effect on the ladies when I say I was in the Legion, there must be less than 50,000 woman alive today who can say they've screwed a legionnaire :P

[Eagle eye]

I think my charm (hahaha) will have more effect on the ladies when I say I was in the LegionI never said otherwise but that depends again on your charm, young man. Still, you can try your hand in the FFL. I'm trying to fathom your thought process from 'am I a candidate ?' to absolute determination to join us in a few posts. :cool: The NZ Army is a Joke, I would have to spend 5 years before I could apply to join the NZ SAS and even then, I have seen the training that they do. I live a few minutes away from where they commonly train and the locals constantly play pranks on them. I'd watch your back henceforth for you might get a burly NZ SAS tracking your IP address to play a prank on you. Try also the NZ reserve to begin with or the Saturday and Sundays to get some hands on weapons handling and field craft: somehow I don't think that's a five-year commitment. It's not a good idea to denigrate the people who stand on walls and keep the watch in the bleak early morning hours to keep your country and you safe, or to denigrate the uniform of those who defended and paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending your country since its independence so that you can enjoy basic freedoms so easily taken for granted.:eek:Yes but I am starting to get a little worried about your little comments agh, please don't worry about me but thanks for your thoughtfulness. You're most kind. :)

[kiwi]

I'd watch your back henceforth for you might get a burly NZ SAS tracking your IP address to play a prank on you. :eek:

I use to go to school up in Omaha and the SAS would often use the Cliffs, Sand Dunes and Bush for Training. There was a kid from the area who would go out with his Father at night and scratch the Soldiers Tents, Throw crap Around...etc The Father was your typical Civilian Rambo.

I doubt that the SAS will be coming after me anytime soon.

My experiance with 'Weapons' is a 'Mature' one, most Farmers over here seem to have more Guns than a single Unit in our Army.

A neighbour of mine used to be in the British Royal Airforce and is an avid Gun Collector, so as expected I spent a lot of time at the shooting range with him.

[Eagle eye]

Enough said, see you in six years' time. Have a nice trip.

[jock]

Kiwi, you might find yourself in a position where your unit's training is not too differnet from the NZ SAS. What will you do then?

mmm very interesting . So tell us 13th redneck which units in the legion might have training that is not too different from the new zealand special forces ?
You sound to me like a bit of an expert on the subject judging by the advice you are giving out to potential E.Vs.
Very interested in your comments on any similarities in legion/ NZSAS training .

I expect the NZSAS play a mean game of paintball

[jock]

Kiwi, you are also a candidate for the British Army. You might want to look at that before you think about the Legion. It's the same job, there are plenty of top of the line, illustrous units in the British Army or the Marines Commandos and the deal tends to be a heck of a lot better and you get to meet women who speak the same language as you. lol.
Which illustrious unit were you in . Personally Iam a timed served Royal Marine as well as that I completed 5 years in the Legion . Just asking cos you seem such an expert on the ways of elite military units , such as the NZ SAS etc . Did you pick up your wealth of military knowledge during your time in the painballing team ?

[the_13th_redneck]

There you go again.
A lot of those British units do have a great history behind them.
I think I admited that I know didly squat about the NZ SAS.
Just telling a guy about alternatives and options that many don't know about. I thought you guys recommended people against joining the Foreign Legion in most cases. So I tell a guy that he could join the British Army and you get pissed off about it?

[jock]

who said I was pissed off .
You wanted make little snipes at me in the forum so iam just acting acordingly .

[kiwi]

There you go again.
A lot of those British units do have a great history behind them.
I think I admited that I know didly squat about the NZ SAS.
Just telling a guy about alternatives and options that many don't know about. I thought you guys recommended people against joining the Foreign Legion in most cases. So I tell a guy that he could join the British Army and you get pissed off about it?

Redneck, I apreciate the effort, but I am not interested in joining the NZ SAS or British Army. If I wanted to, I would of "focused" on doing so a long time ago, I've know of them since I was a little kid.

When I found out about the Legion almost two years ago I never thought that I would become this fixated with it. Reading the History, the Culture, Fighting for France...etc All these things appeal to me.

I think that there are two types of people who join the Legion (and are accepted), but I might be wrong -- Those who want to Escape and those who want to Find. The motivation to run, and the motivation to seek.

You can call me young and stupid, with not a lot of life experiance, but I doubt there is a Legionare alive today who regrets being one.

[legion hopefull]

Nice thinking Kiwi.

Its good that you have a dream and have the courage to fallow dont let anyone talk you out of doing this, its people with your mind-set that make it in and make the legion great. im joining in January maybe il see you around sometime :)

[kiwi]

Maybe :) look out for the New Zealander

[john]

ok, i was going to wait for someone else to say this, but it hasnt happend so ill say it myself. you are 16, you are a kid, instead of saving your money for france save it for a nintendo game. even if you get your mommy to pack you a nice lunch with a note saying you can join the legion, why would they take you ? do you really think your young mind can handle the stress of combat ? yeah, its all fun and games now while you watch the videos and such dreaming of wearing that white kepi, but you havent even tasted a soldiers life. you say the NZ army is shit ? how would you know, i mean at 16 im sure you are quite the veteran. have you ever stood in a trench all night waiting for a contact that never came while it pours rain and you havent slept for days ? im sure a lot of guys in the RNZR have, and im sure they wouldnt like some little shit saying that they are garbage. when the shit hits the fan the kids will be the first to high tail it out of there, its a proven fact. act as tough as you want now, it wont do you any good when you are walking out the gates in tears because the legion wants someone with maturity and life experience. i know you are a boxer, and you think that makes you tough, but i did my time in the ring and it doesnt mean shit all. so you can fight, that doesnt make you a man.

wait a few years, try the NZ army, they arent as bad as you think, could be worse you could be in the canadian army.

[kiwi]

wait a few years, try the NZ army, they arent as bad as you think, could be worse you could be in the canadian army.
No, No, and Yes, it could be worse.

Spin as much "Just a Kid" crap as you like, I am going to be a Legionnaire!

WRITE IT DOWN ... LE! GION! NAIRE!

I apreciate you expressing your opinion John, but I am not the stereo-type 16 year old you have pictured in your mind.

[john]

ok, im sure you arent, i mean not every 16 year old gets it into his head to be a legionnaire, BUT how is the gestapo going to know that ? why would they pick someone as young as you, when there are hundreds of eastern europeans who have seen action, americans who have seen action.....well you get the point. its the same as if a 40 year old went, yes on paper they say that he is still in the aceptable age bracket, but chances are 1000 to 1 that he will get past stage one at that age.

i applaud you for your determination, its great to see, but you have to be realistic here, wait a couple years, try the army even if its the territorials, it will go a long way in helping you to reach your goal.

patience is a quality every soldier must obtain.

[ace_compton]

but you havent even tasted a soldiers life
posted by john.


Did you 'have a taste for a soldiers life' when you 1st started?
No, that would be impossible, everyone starts somewhere.
Give the guy a break.

[Mark]

Age dont seam to be an issue in the Legion.

Saw a 40 year old make rouge (sorry red) he was French..opps sorry from Montreal Quebec Canada.

He made red with no other endearing fact other than he was Canadian.

Did he have to go through lots of shit??? Yep..Compared to Castle???

The one in 1000 chance....well we all get that chance! Same as the 17-40 year old.

Soldiers life??? Mang now thats a flipin question and a half!

Brits/Auzies/Canuks/Yanks..sory if I forgot some.
Man you all are gonna laff at the "baraks" life. No shit. No nead to iron your bed. Hell no 45 digre sheets. Bed some how learns to fly. But still not an issue. Matress is light. Corvie is an excuse to move around, no nead to be HM clean!
But you will learn "Africa" clean!
You will learn Indo-China sweaping!
Corvie isnt just a chore. Its a way of being...kinda Zenish

None of this will make sence unles an Anchien translates.
I do know thow Joe/Beau knowes the simplecities of sweeping every morning.

[the_13th_redneck]

Well yeah I get your point. I was just telling him.
Good luck to ya mate.

Redneck, I apreciate the effort, but I am not interested in joining the NZ SAS or British Army. If I wanted to, I would of "focused" on doing so a long time ago, I've know of them since I was a little kid.

When I found out about the Legion almost two years ago I never thought that I would become this fixated with it. Reading the History, the Culture, Fighting for France...etc All these things appeal to me.

I think that there are two types of people who join the Legion (and are accepted), but I might be wrong -- Those who want to Escape and those who want to Find. The motivation to run, and the motivation to seek.

You can call me young and stupid, with not a lot of life experiance, but I doubt there is a Legionare alive today who regrets being one.

[john]

Did you 'have a taste for a soldiers life' when you 1st started?

actually yeah i did, first i joined the reserves, then i joined the regulars, i took things slow. i took small steps to make sure that i wasnt making a mistake, did a tour overseas and got the feel for the army life. ive said it before and ill say it again, its all fun to sit here at your computer desk and imagine yourself with the kepi blanc, but imagine it while you are sitting in a trench half full of water while its raining and you havent slept in 4 days, then come back and lip off about how you are going to be a legionniare.

[kiwi]

actually yeah i did, first i joined the reserves, then i joined the regulars, i took things slow. i took small steps to make sure that i wasnt making a mistake, did a tour overseas and got the feel for the army life. ive said it before and ill say it again, its all fun to sit here at your computer desk and imagine yourself with the kepi blanc, but imagine it while you are sitting in a trench half full of water while its raining and you havent slept in 4 days, then come back and lip off about how you are going to be a legionniare.
Show me the Trench!

Sitting in a Trench with 4 days of no sleep does not qualify me for the Legion, it only qualifies me by your own opinion. I understand what you are saying John, I might just consider joining the NZ Army at some stage.

The thing which makes me want to 'disregard' your opinion all togeather is you only use yourself as an example. "I done this, I took it slow, I did that" etc... No offence, but you are not the model for all Wannabe Legionnaires.

Understand that what is good for you, may not be good for me.
Non-the-less I apreciate your comments, they have made me think more about it and re-inforced my decision for wanting to join.

[john]

good enough, best of luck to you, now lets end this thread since it has been exhausted.

[Beau-Sheep]

When I did Aubagne there were about one hundred of us, they took thirty. All I can say is this, guts and drive, guts and drive!!! Keep your mouth shut but be the keenest teddy there, work harder than the rest, run faster than the rest, still keep your mouth shut!

If you fail well at least you had the courage to try, do not take it hard if they dont take you, its the Legions way of saying "try harder"

[Charles Lovelace]

Beau,
Excellent first rate sound accurate advice. But like Jock who served a long time after me, both we and you served with the toughest units in the British armed forces. Our experiences taught us to hang in there. Instructors yelling 'bags of guts, come on men you can make it' and being amazed at one's own achievements. It comes down to 'mind over matter' like initial SF selection.
I have seen men marching in their sleep to the rhythm of other men's boots.