What should i pack?

[loco]

ONLY to those who've been there please:

what are we allowed to keep/bring when we join?

-vitamins, supplements and pain killers?

-5 pairs of socks and underwear? what color? green, black, white?

-martial arts gear? (i heard that they have judo clubs, muay thai, etc..., should i bring all my gear like my kimono and gloves,... or have it sent after if i make it?)

please feel free to add to this list. i'll be going in a few more months and i just want to be ready. i have read a few threads on this topic but i just need more details. thanks ahead of time!!!

[Bram]

Do a little search next time
Anyway, this is from an e-mail from the legion. all the other stuff you want to take with you, leave it at home. They give the list below, try to stick to that!!


You have to bring with you :

1) passport valid (with or without VISA), and if you have driving licences, ID card ...

2) briefs and socks for 3 days

3) a pair of sneaker

4) a vanity box: with: soap, razor (+ lather) , toothbrush, bath towel....

5) money about 40 euros ....

Do not bring with you : computer, walk-man, cellular phone, jewels, knife, credit card....

[flash010]

under wear,soap tooth brush and paste. razor and kit, any color sock as they will be bined towel, any shower gel and linkz any crap like that

[loco]

BRAM why don't you read what i wrote first next time!!!!!!!

"i have read a few threads on this topic but i just need more details"???

details??????

[Bram]

What details?? Isn't it simple?? I took that with me and it was more than enough! Ok, you probably need more money because you have to travel further but that isn't a problem.
You go to selection, they keep stuff from you in a bag or whatever. If you make it to basic you won't use your stuff, you'll be training. If you go to regiment (haven't been there but read it, anciens correct me if I'm wrong), you'll be cleaning alot and won't have so much time for yourself. The more you take the more you need to look after or could end up loosing

[flash010]

you should pay attention to what bram says he was there not that long ago

[Nickfury]

Try doing research and reading the stickies.
It sounds like you are going to summer camp or a college Dorm, not the Legion? haha...
Anyway...

... basically dont bring anything with you other than as much clothes as you will need before you join(if you intend to travel a bit before you join).
Most everything will be taken from you.

Bring:

1.)Running shoes, and maybe 2 days of socks and underwear (sometimes you stay in another barracks for a couple days before they issue you Legion Kit).

2.) your passport and perhaps some certifications, degrees, military record, special training records etc

3.) about 60-100 euros for use in the Foyer (you can keep anywhere from 40-100 euros, depending on who processes you. I got to keep 50 other guys I knew got to keep 100. Nice to have a lot of coins that you can use in the vending machines (you will rarely get a chance to do that, but if you have the change and the opportunity it is a treat). Plus they sell soda and chocolate and some other stuff in the Foyer almost every night once you turn "blue".

4.) Bring a SMALL french dictionary. They took mine and most everyone elses I know, but I saw a couple guys who had smuggled them in a pocket, etc. It helps if you have one, unless you are already fluent.

5.) I forgot to mention toiletries and shaving stuff...but most of my time I was a "Blue", as soon as you turn Blue they take EVERYTHING from you except for running shoes and your Euros. You keep NOTHING (unless you were smart enough to smuggle in a dictionary like I suggest, and maybe a pen, you CANNOT find a pen, trust me, i looked)

Once you are blue you get ridiculously small briefs and they give you soap and one razor and ONE towel for your whole stay...I was there 3 weeks and they only allowed me extra underwear in my last few days, never did get more socks...lucky it was dead of winter, ...) hehe

DOnt bring vitamins or pills or other shit, especially not training gear...this isnt summer camp....
BUT perhaps you can have things sent to you later...or just buy it...I wouldnt worry about that.

Your first thought should be just getting accepted, then of passing castel, then of adapting to the Legion...I just talked to a guy who got out of castel a few weeks ago, about 20% fail to finish Castel (and only 1 in 10 or less actually make it TO castel).

The guys who fail to finish Castel are due to desertion, asking to go civil, and medical reasons (as per my friend who just graduated Castel).

There you go...
Good luck
Regards,
Nick

[steve]

ive been told to take nothing of value or anything you are worried about loseing....you are dealing with world class scali-wags haha...like bloody magpies half this crowd..they steal anything that is shiny haha...even the steam of your sh~t haha[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Eagle eye]

ive been told to take nothing of value or anything you are worried about loseing....you are dealing with world class scali-wags haha...like bloody magpies half this crowd..they steal anything that is shiny haha...even the steam of your sh~t haha

...Correct...nothing that you can't lose and replace fairly quickly...this is the case until you're a corporal and have some respect but even then I kept nothing of value until I was in the BOI (like passport) but only in the last year....

[flash010]

just fecking go man and enjoy the adventure. and make the world turn

[Mise]

Everything my son brought was returned to him before he was posted to his regiment. 1 t-shirt, 1 pair bottoms, rabbits and caics + 1 well worn bag.

[BASHIR]

Legion acceptance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was emailed this information from the Legion recruitment office:

Your eyes must correspond to the criteria following minimum:
- without correction: either [7/10 and 2/10], or [6/10 and 3/10], or [5/10 and 4/10]
- correction in dioptres: for the short-sighted ones: -10/for the hypermétropes: +8
- Teeth: it is necessary to have minimum 60% of teeth.

All you need to do is to come to a Legion recruiting post, whatever your nationality or your country of origin, in mainland France foreigners from outside the EEC are required to have a valid passport (with or without visa) to enlist. No recruiting is done in other countries.

You can come every day of the year in an office recruiting post, however recommend to come during the week from 8 h at 17 h to make easier administrative tasks.

You have to bring with you :
- Passport valid ( with or without VISA ), and if you have driving licences, ID card,
- Briefs and socks for 3 days,
- A pair of sneaker,
- A vanity box : with : soap, razor ( + lather ) , toothbrush, bath towel,
- Money about 40 euros,

Do not bring with you :
- Computer, walk-man, cellular phone, jewels, knife, credit card,

Don't forget to read the attached documents,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]



TERMS OF REFERENCE
The selection and incorporation are permanent. After your arrival in a station of recruitment, you will be cabin and nourished free.

1. To make application form, you must present in an stations of recruitment whose addresses are reproduced on Internet site of Division recruitment of the foreign Legion : [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

2. After a first medical examination and a series questions in a station of one duration recruitment from 1 to 3 days, you will be possibly authorizes to subscribe one five years duration an unconditional contract (5) minimum.

3. You will be then directs on the Center of Selection d’Aubagne, close to Marseille, to be subjected there to operations of selection and average lasted orientation from 1 to 14 days :
- medical and sporting Controls, psycho technical tests.
- Security and motivations interviews.

If the candidature is approved at the time of the weekly commission, you will be built-in. In the contrary and whatever is the reason, you will be immediately returned to the civil life. If recruitment is opened to the men from 17 to 40 years (parental authorization for the minors certified by the French state, therefore the Embassy of France for the foreigners), the candidates between 18 to 30 years have however much more chances to be selected.

QUESTIONS - ANSWERS

1. Documents :
For residents of countries outside the EEC it is necessary to be in possession of a valid passport. The recruiting office cannot offer any aid for obtaining documents. No letters of intent or pre-enlistment can be sent and no financial support can be given for transportation. It is explicitly understood that no guarantees of enlistment are either given or implied. All selection tests are effectuated in France. As a general indication, about 1 of 7 volunteers eventually succeed in the tests.

2. Medical aptitude :
Medical aptitude is determined ONLY by the medical corps of the French army. No foreign certificates are recognized.

Minimum visual acuity :

* uncorrected: minimum 0,5 for each eye
* corrected: or [7/10 and 2/10], or [6/10 and 3/10] or [5/10 and 4/10] (total: 9/10 with the two eyes)

Correction in dioptres :
* near-sighted: -10
* far-sighted: +8

3. French language :
It is not necessary to speak French in order to enlist. French language classes are provided during basic training.

4. Selection tests :
All candidates pass a summary athletic ability test "Luc-Léger". Principal : two lines are marked on the ground. The distance between the lines is 20 meters. The candidate runs back and turn between the lines for as long as possible following an imposed rythm. Every minute the rythm accelerates by 0.5 km/h. There are of course other standard tests. However, in order to preserve equal opportunities, their nature and content cannot be revealed.

5. Dossiers :
It is not necessary to prepare an enlistment dossier. Valid identity papers or passport (see above) are the only required documents. However, providing more supporting documents increases the chances of enlistment.

6. Pay :
Legionnaires receive the same pay as soldiers in the French regular army. The pay scale is determined by rank, years of service and postings. Bonus pay is awarded according to missions. As an example, basic monthly pay (excluding postings and bonus) is ??? euros for a legionnaire 2nd class and 1556 euros for a staff sergeant. Food, lodging and equipment are provided at no extra charge. Legionnaires who have served for a minimum total of 15 years qualify for an army pension payable either in France or abroad.

7. Diplomas :
No scholastic or professional diplomas are required. Qualifications increase the chances of acceptance however whatever the qualifications ALL legionnaires begin their careers as simple soldiers.

8. Specialization :
Legionnaires are trained first and foremost to become elite combat soldiers. They can also with time become specialized in a large variety of other fields (administration, health care, maintenance, computer science, transmissions, public works etc.). These other specialties can facilitate their eventual return to civilian life.

9. Contracts :
The initial contract is for a period of 5 years and is not negotiable. The legionnaire can continue his career with subsequent contracts of 6 months to 3 years until reaching 15 years service or even more if his rank and service record so permit.

10. Advancement :
Advancement is obtained according to merit. Legionnaires are promoted not according to their prior qualifications but by virtue of the qualifications they obtain during their successive contracts.

11. Documentation :
Documentation and brochures can be obtained by writing to the following address :
1° RÉGIMENT ÉTRANGER
DIVISION DE RECRUTEMENT DE LA LÉGION ÉTRANGÈRE
BP 38
13998 MARSEILLE ARMEES

12. Enlistment forms :
No enlistment forms can be sent by mail or by internet.

13. Leave :
During basic training (16 to 20 weeks) no leave time is given except for an occasional week end. Annual leave is established according to time in service.

1 year : 20 days
2 years : 35 days
3 years and more : 45 days

Leave may be taken anywhere in mainland France. Requests for taking leaves in other countries are subject to special conditions.

14. Naturalization and citizenship :
French citizenship is granted by the French government, not by the Foreign Legion. Foreigners may apply for French citizenship after ??? years of service. Provided that the legionnaire has a good service record the Foreign Legion can facilitate the administrative procedure. Legionnaires who do not wish to acquire French nationality have the option to obtain the status of resident alien.

15. Prior military service ?
Many legionnaires have prior military service in their home countries. This is not however a necessary requirement for enlistment.