Hello Mate,
I've served in both the Foreign Legion (joined at 18 for five years) and the British Army (through the ranks to LE Officer) and I'm now a private contractor in Afghanistan.
Contrary to your first reply, the Legion is actively engaged in Afghanistan and has been for years. Legion Regiments form one of the two GTIAs (Battle Groups) the French have deployed in Kapisa Province and they are seeing combat - just that the Anglo-Saxon press does not report much about the French.
The Legion also undertake Peace Enforcement duties on a regular basis in Africa, which means lots of nasty little engagements the rest of the world doesn't hear about. Then when an intervention Operation arises, Legion units are the instruments of choice for the French Govt. Recent Ops include Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo.
if you want to do something different, learn another language; learn how to cope with and lead men (no women in the Legion apart from a few attached French Army admin NCOs) of different nationalities, colours, creeds, classes and cultures (racists are not welcome) and become psychologically hardened then join the Legion first. Mind you - you might not get in. It's only 8,000 strong and the standards are high.
Legion units are not only based in France, but in South America - Guyane Francaise, Africa - Djibouti and the Indian Ocean - Mayotte. It wasn't too long ago that there was also a regiment stationed in French Polynesia. They train and deploy all over the world.
The first year is hard and you get your will-power tested to the nth degree - lots of bullshit until you prove that you got what it takes. Harder mentally than physically - the physical you build up.
In the Legion you have Infantry, Cavalry (Light Armour), Engineers and Paras. You will do Desert, Jungle, Mountain and Amphibious training. You have the opportunity to specialise not only in all the above fields and on the various weapon systems, but also as a Medic, Signaller, Clerk, Cook, Pioneer, Musician and many more. But first and foremost every Legionnaire is an infantryman who is prepared to assault the enemy and carry out his mission to the end. To do a "Camerone".
At selection you are tested for your ability and suitability. You may be selected for accelerated promotion and if you excel in your training and duties, you may make "Caporal" within two years and "Sergent" within five. A foreigner can even aspire to an Officer's Commission, but you have to climb the ranks and excel at every opportunity. The competition is fierce, but those officers are highly respected in the Legion. The Legion is what you make of it. The pay is not bad either (after the first year) and you're not taxed until you get your civilian status back (normally after five years). As you live on camp, your money tends to get mostly spent on booze, cigarettes and women. You can put a good bit away if you are that way inclined, but most good lads concentrate on having a good time. Forget about leave in your first year (especially if you're on Corsica with the Paras) but after that if you don't get at least a month off every year, then there's something wrong.
If after five years (the minimum contract) you decide to return and join your own or the British Army, then you will have a sound and exceptional grounding on which to base your future career.
Finally, the Legion looks after its own and honours its side of the contract if anything happens to you. The camaraderie remains forever, whether you just did five years or thirty-five.
I wish you well.
Legio Patria Nostra & More Majorum
Mitch
