My try this Wednesday Aubagne.

[Rapace]

I would not agree upon that. Maybe both of those tests measure VO2max in some way, but they or also different. I tried both of them in many occasions through my progress of witness level and believe me they are not the same. (...)

I’m not saying those two tests are the same, of course they aren’t. I’m just saying that there’s some form equivalence. In other words the VO2max you need to reach level 7 at the Luc-Léger is roughly the same as the one to run 2,700 m in the Cooper test. Well... That’s according specialists and I’m not one, so I trust what I’ve read.

 

[Surfguy]

I got 5. I think he was also trying to say to me I’m to old and weigh to much also. 39 5’9 230lbs.

I’m not taking the p**s but you are classed as obese, you need to lose a huge amount of weight. I doubt you have time due to your age, bad luck.

 

[Geneticcz]

I don't get it. You knew the number of pull-ups required (all the requirements are online, including max weight and all that. Why would someone go if they know in advance they won't make it? Seems like a waste of time and money. It can expensive, depending where someone might be from lol.
Not personally aimed to the OP but in general do they expect an exception or they do think there's no competition anyway or do they think it's whatever and they will take anyone? Why?

 

[Theuglyfriend]

Re the pull-ups, I was told by someone with 17 years in it was three. The official site also said three. It just changed to seven I was also told they may over look the BMI if I was muscular. Time is out for me that was my fourth time trying. Any of you that never tried shut the fuck up. I tried 4 times I flew to France with my own money 4 times. At least I won’t be on my death bed thinking what would’ve been. I’m totally happy I went and I tried. No regrets about it at all. Now I’m going to travel around Europe have a good time and put this in my rear view.

 

[Geneticcz]

All the respect for going but no need to get all pissy about it. I just didn't understand why if the minimum is 7 pull-ups, someone would go with only being able to do 4 or 5. I was just legitimately asking what reasoning people have behind going like that, instead of just working out an extra month or 2 and getting to 10 pull-ups.

 

[kkillert0fu]

I got 5. I think he was also trying to say to me I’m to old and weigh to much also. 39 5’9 230lbs.

You went all the way to France to try out for the French Foreign Legion only being able to do 5 pull ups?

Don't take this the wrong way, but something tells me that deep down you didn't really want to join, and that you just wanted to be able to say you got turned away without actually having to try to make it.

 

[Theuglyfriend]

I put everything I had into storage. I told my boss I’m going away not sure when or if I’d be back I don’t even know if I have a job when I get back and I paid my rent 6 months in advance in case I got discharged during training or something. I was told 3 was good to enter 3 is the minimum for the US Marines too. 10 is the minimum for Navy Seals now all of a sudden the legion wants 7. It was out of my hands. So now go on and question my commitment.

 

[Nickfury]

Guys there comes a point where there is NO point in kicking a man who is down. If you think or know you can do better, then go do it.

He went and knows what he did or didn't do and now he will pick himself up and move on and best of all he can enjoy some time in Europe. I say get a visa for France or Spain or somewhere over there and enroll in a university program either for language or a bachelors and meet a sweet girl, get married and get the visa and work over there, once you have language and a visa you can find a a way to go to work doing the same stuff you do back in the U.S..

Here's a nice quote.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

Theuglyfriend I
if you asked we would have told you to not waste money and time. At the age of 39 you have to have a BMI not more than 26 and you should be in a physical shape better than when you had 22y.

Also about pull-ups, we talked and talked on this forum that 4-5 isn't enough for getting in. Now they officially made the minium 7, as Etoiles_mortant saw on the French version of the Legion recruiting site (but they haven't yet modified the information in the English version). Also there is push-up / pull-up confusion. It’s possible that they done with purpose. To remind English speaking folks that that is French army you’re trying to join.

Here we always say 10 to 15 minimum if you are a serious candidate, of course with arms fully extended between two tractions! What you guys thinning ? You gonna get away with some swinging on bar look alike pull-ups?

I think my friend vytautelisss failed because his pull-ups weren't properly done. That's why they asked him to do them again. They were kind enough to let him rest and do IQ test first. That's not always the case. Sometimes if guy see you don't perform correct pull-up he will stop you and ask you do start again immediately. That is not cool, you will lose 2-3 tractions that way, so do them best you can first time!

Well theuglyfriend, it does seem an awful long way to go to fail because of pull ups. As Dusa says, it has been discussed so many times on the forum, from the minimum required by the French army to the minimum required by the Legion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to rub it in but just pointing out to others that there is competition out there. It's not like going to the Olympics, but let's use them as an example. You have to have a minimum to qualify, but if you want a medal you have to be better than the others.
With all of the eastern block who are looking for a better life in the West and Africans and Asians who are just looking for a better life there is a lot of competition out there. The Nigerian women's bob sleigh are competing this year in South Korea, but no one is expecting them to take home a medal (this year). The same as someone who is 39 and heavy and can not do more than 5 pull_ups.
If you do try again, then you know what to expect and we'll all be behind you.

 

[Theuglyfriend]

Thank you Joe. I knew I was a long shot to begin with but I did the best with what I had and tried. This was the last time for me. I’m off to Munich today. I do not see any of what happened as a negative and I have no regrets what so ever you can try and fail but you can’t fail trying. Thank you all .

 

[Rapace]

(...) At least I won’t be on my death bed thinking what would’ve been. I’m totally happy I went and I tried. No regrets about it at all. Now I’m going to travel around Europe have a good time and put this in my rear view.

Probably the best thing to do, if you have time and money for that. Enjoy your tour around Europe. Knowing a bit the outside world is always a plus. Good luck whatever you decide for the future, be it trying again one last time before you reach the age limit, with the new information you now have, or calling it quits.

Guys there comes a point where there is NO point in kicking a man who is down. If you think or know you can do better, then go do it. (...)

100% agree. The guy candidly comes back to tell us about his experience, no need to trash him, although he's shown a lack of preparation.
Lesson to learn : the Legion has raised the bar. So people with an intention to join are expected to adapt...

 

[Le petit caporal]

Green, lean, mean, fighting machine! It takes all sorts to compose a unit. The All Blacks for example : don't think an instant Jonathan Lomu was capable of doing 7 pull ups... but this is the Legion, and it works in mysterious ways !
Hard luck, Dude... Hope you get over it.

 

[Rapace]

(...) The All Blacks for example : don't think an instant Jonathan Lomu was capable of doing 7 pull ups... (...)

Lomu (RIP) not capable of doing 7 pull-ups ?! You're kidding or what ?

 

[Le petit caporal]

Way too heavy... like our ugly friend.

 

[Rapace]

Way too heavy... like our ugly friend.

Come on... In spite of his weight, the guy could run 100 m in less than 11", if I remember right, and you say he couldn't do 7 pull-ups. You can't be serious, can you? But that's another topic...

 

[DCLXVI]

This is a trend.. going unprepared. Bombing simple 4+4=? Test. Not pulling your own weight. The Legion realizes it made a mistake... It took too many gold diggers, in the “surge”.

 

[dusaboss]

Come on... In spite of his weight, the guy could run 100 m in less than 11", if I remember right, and you say he couldn't do 7 pull-ups. You can't be serious, can you? But that's another topic...

C'mon if he is 100 kg of muscle on that frame, he could do 10 pull-ups as a joke.

 

[Le petit caporal]

Will come the day, when wannabes will be given an exo squelette to do their pull ups and pumps. ..aye, progressive society, and all that Jazz

 

[dusaboss]

Re the pull-ups, I was told by someone with 17 years in it was three. The official site also said three. It just changed to seven I was also told they may over look the BMI if I was muscular. Time is out for me that was my fourth time trying. Any of you that never tried shut the fuck up. I tried 4 times I flew to France with my own money 4 times. At least I won’t be on my death bed thinking what would’ve been. I’m totally happy I went and I tried. No regrets about it at all. Now I’m going to travel around Europe have a good time and put this in my rear view.

NO! I will not shut the fuck up. It's not about "oh, at least he tried" shit , especially in your case. That can be said to someone who give their best and despite that get rejected. You didn't, that is fact. Period.

I don't know what is your reasons for going there, but I'm sure you didn't want to be accepted so please don't come here and telling me to shut up. Because I'm on this forum almost every day. I know how much I won't to get accepted and how much I like FFL and this place also.

You don't need any human values to give a try. You only need cash and wish to see France. And I will certainly not respect anyone just because he did that.

First time I was 18 ( 1996) the war in Yugo had ended and I found myself in a room with ex-soldiers from either side in that small room in the fort waiting around super intimidating. You got to remember I was 18 haha I got scared and said I wanted to leave. Second time (1997) it was full of Russians and Pols a Russian kid got in my face we got into a brief scrap. Sergeant decided I was at fault told me to leave. Third time (2009) my roommates crazy girlfriend who he later got a restraining order on tried to break into our apartment through my window at 3am I jumped out of bed and broke my toe two weeks before I shipped. I went anyway and got sent home right off from the fort. I don't regret ever going or trying neither should any of you. 4th attempt well because I'm not a bitch. If I fail I'm not going to cry about it or feel sorry for myself.

Nothing against you Theuglyfriend, I just get little bit excited over this shit. I think I told you couple months ago that you wasn't serious about your first 3 attempts and now you just prove me right.

Sorry, I can't believe you that you didn't know that 5 pull-ups wouldn't be enough with your age and your BMI. That is not passable

38 years old, BMI 34.7 (=> obese), 4th try. Are you kidding or what ????

https://cervens.net/forum/index.php?threads/im-back.22080/

 

[Rapace]

C'mon if he is 100 kg of muscle on that frame, he could do 10 pull-ups as a joke.

That's exactly the message I was trying to convey... Talking of Jonah Lomu of course, not our ugly friend.

NO! I will not shut the fuck up. It's not about "oh, at least he tried" shit , especially in your case. That can be said to someone who give their best and despite that get rejected. You didn't, that is fact. Period. (...)

OMG... Really funny comment, from somebody who has been “sitting on his hands” for months, telling everybody he's going to join, and hasn't yet moved his ass to France. Man... You're making (once more) a fool of yourself...