The Real Legion

**Paddy22** · 28th September 2005, 21:12

It's been a while since I logged in here, but the last time people were posting good stuff about the Legion, helpful, inspiring. I looked in last night and I saw posts about rape, lack of comradery and a lot of other stuff that just depressed me.
So could some guys who know what their talking about set everyone staight about what the Legion is about, good bad or what ever just tell it like it is.
Because this board is pulling me in every direction. I want to join to make me a better person, and I'm ****ed anyway so I may as wel go out fighting.

**californiajai** · 28th September 2005, 21:22

Hey Paddy22,

Look i know this all seems daunting and difficult to wade through, But in reality that is the Legion. What i mean to say is i cannot tell you if what others are talking are true or false you see everyone in the Legion walks away with a different view point. The Legion will be what you want it to be for you, if you go in thinking its filled with losers you find losers, if you go in thinking you'll find badass momma's then thats what you will find. The legion is different for everyone, ive sais it before two guys can serve in the same company and after a few years have tottaly different stories to tell. Alot has to do with who you hang around and who you keep as friends in the Legion. Look its a military in france filled with a bunch of "everything". Go into it with an open mind and good standards. You should be just fine! I experienced nothing but good comraderie and good times (mixed with a load of road marches that will kill you and runs that will kill you and training that would kill anyone else). Its gonna be rough. you just have to go and see for yourself!

187-828

**Eagle eye** · 18th February 2013, 16:32

Further to CaliforniaJai, I'd add that you'll see different standards in fellow legionnaires. Some will fall by the wayside and you must always give a hand if it's exhaustion or a bad period. Other factors outside normal FFL physical and professional requirement is left to individual behaviour.

I saw a Scot go on a slow downhill on drugs and tried to pull him out a couple of times but ultimately I was not responsible. I always looked for a reference in command starting with the CO but if the CO wasn't fitting the bill then I'd look at the NCOs in my platoon starting with one of the sarges if not corporals. Sergeant Alladin and Haisnes and Corporal Cruze were by initial references, and later on Captain Lecerf and Colonel Jean-Claude François There were lunatics and heroes in-waiting in the platoon that I was in. I saw through all the mundane chores (there's a wide selection) and looked forward to the morning runs and deployments and shooting range days. I took the FFL a day at a time and looked for wisdom to accept things that you could not change and anything else that I could change... It's your mindset in the FFL, that's important: for example, if you don't have expectations, you will not be disappointed; or you'll need to be patient every day and never afraid...

**Old Adj** · 18th February 2013, 16:39

That must be some sort of record there, Eagle eye. Replying to a thread that is 7 and a half years old!

**Eagle eye** · 18th February 2013, 16:41

It's still relevant !!! it should have been closed off...Point Taken Adj...

..Are you in Nimes or is it a service reference..

**mm66** · 18th February 2013, 19:19

Originally Posted by Eagle eye

Further to CaliforniaJai, I'd add that you'll see different standards in fellow legionnaires. Some will fall by the wayside and you must always give a hand if it's exhaustion or a bad period. Other factors outside normal FFL physical and professional requirement is left to individual behaviour.

I saw a Scot go on a slow downhill on drugs and tried to pull him out a couple of times but ultimately I was not responsible. I always looked for a reference in command starting with the CO but if the CO wasn't fitting the bill then I'd look at the NCOs in my platoon starting with one of the sarges if not corporals. Sergeant Alladin and Haisnes and Corporal Cruze were by initial references, and later on Captain Lecerf and Colonel Jean-Claude François There were lunatics and heroes in-waiting in the platoon that I was in. I saw through all the mundane chores (there's a wide selection) and looked forward to the morning runs and deployments and shooting range days. I took the FFL a day at a time and looked for wisdom to accept things that you could not change and anything else that I could change... It's your mindset in the FFL, that's important: for example, if you don't have expectations you will not be disappointed; or you'll need to be patient every day and never afraid...

Eagle Eye- you were one of the bests when describing to this wannabe the Legion and just the correct mindset for life. Many thanks!

**Tonyus** · 18th February 2013, 20:52

Originally Posted by Eagle eye

(...) you'll need to be patient every day and never afraid...

I know that I have no clue about being a legionnaire and my ‘input’ on this matter may be as useful as a kickstand on a horse, but I found fear (a healthy dose of it) can be useful. IMHO everyone is afraid at some point and some time and controlling that fear, not letting it to overcome you is important. But (maybe) that is just me.