Just turned 35 and as the window of opportunity is closing, I aim to make my try for the Legion early next year. I have some questions though which I hope can be answered here.
First involves swimming. Is it taught in the Legion or do I need to have respectable swimming skills beyond survival swimming prior to applying? I am partial to joining the 3rd Regiment stationed in South America since the jungle is my thing and of course, swimming is key in that area with the rivers and all. Second is about money matters. As I have a family dependent on me, should I earn the kepi blanc, will I be allowed to periodically remit part of my salary to them? Third, my left arm has some slight elbow hyperextension from a fall when I was 5 or 6. Functionally though, it is almost as strong and stable as my dominant right arm. Will this be a reason for being rejected?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Well you are from the Philippines, you better know how to swim pretty well or they might laugh you out of selection!
I grew up on an island and never had formal lessons but I can swim for days and was in the water all the time. So get your water time, you don't have to be fast or pretty but be able to go for a couple KM and be able to dive down and swim underwater. The test is only like 100m swim breast stroke or side stroke and then 10 or 20 m underwater.
I am not sure the arm will be a problem, no one here is a doctor and if you have full function I would just do your best to NOT draw attention to it in the medical. Don't over flex it unless specifially asked by the doctor. I would try to only go to normal flexion if I were you.
Your biggest struggle will be that you are from the Philippines and the visa will be a bear to get, unless you already worked that out. I think family is much less of an issue for guy from developing nations since the legion knows well that you have little to no good options to support your family back home in a decent lifestyle. That alone is big motivation for you and other guys from developing nations to stay despite having family. But for guys from developed nations having family to support can be seen as more of a risk from what I saw. Though, if you have kids I might not mention that and just stick with sending money to help mom and dad or siblings...that alone is understandable, kids might still be seen as a risk.
Being 35 you have to light a fire and GO soon. Due to your age you need to be in really amazing shape, be able to run and do the pullups and pushups. You NEED to be in better shape than at least half the guys who are 20 to be considered as serious at your age. You don't need to be first, but you damn well better not be last...try to be just above the middle of the pack at all times at the MINIMUM. Also convince them you want to stay long term, not just a 5 year run (which would be great for your family if you can get EU citizenship! But don't talk about citizenship as a prime motivation in the interviews, that is secondary to being a soldier and having a career and serving with honor. ) That is far more important than the swimming since despite joking earlier I am sure you have enough swimming to easily pass the very very basic swim test in Castel.
I wish you lots of luck and hope you can get it together and get over there soon. God Speed!