e and Quatrieme Compagnies de Combat). Apart from their basic training as airborne infantry soldiers each and every soldier has an important role to play in the heart of the regiment. ler Compagnie. The Premiere Compagnie specialises in anti tank roles, fighting at night, in built up areas and combating snipers. 2eme Compagnie. The Deuxieme Compagnie specialises in mountain and arctic warfare and in crossing obstacles and clearance problems. 3eme Compagnie. The Troisieme Compagnie works in the area of amphibious ops and all the techniques employed in that area of soldiering. 4eme Compagnie. The Quatrieme Compagnie concerns itself with clandestine type operations such as explosives, demolition and sniping. These specialisations are not rigid but move with the times, with the introduction of new equipment and tactics learnt through experience on the ground and in combat. There also exists within the 2eme REP - "Le Groupe de Commandos Parachutistes) formally "Les C.R.A.P." (Les commandos de Recherche et D'action dans le Profondeur). 92 Le Groupe de Commando Parachutistes (Para- Commandos) These legionnaires take a prestigious place in the heart of the 2 eme REP. They are the elite of the French Foreign Legion and are specialised in all aspects of combat training from amphibious ops to mountain warfare to HALO parachuting (High altitude Low Opening parachuting where oxygen is required to facilitate the jump). An extremely high standard of fitness is a pre- requisite for a position within this unit. (Their title, incidently is due to be changed in the near future). Les Armes de la Legion - weapons Of the Legion. Le FAMAS - 5.56 calibre personal assault rifle. (Fusil D'Assault - Manufacture de St.Etienne). The weapons training that is received in basic training will enable you to strip the weapon down, name the parts of the weapon, load, unload and make-safe the weapon. You will initially rely on the instructors to clear any Incident de tir (Stoppages). These skills will be taught at a later date. The personal weapon is the FAMAS. This is a 5.56mm short range assault rifle. This is not a weapon that you can throw down in the mud, cock and fire - like 93 the Russian Kalashnikov. It's soldiering application requires a high standard of maintenance - which is exactly what it gets in the Legion. It is a favourite skill practiced by the Legion to fire from the hip and is practised frequently during basic training. This is known as "Position au genou" - it is very difficult to master and to begin with results in much wasted ammunition. The weapon also has the capabilty to fire rifle grenades. There are two methods of firing a rifle grenade form the FAMAS and both are practiced in basic training sometimes at some expense and danger to the Legion and its men. More suited to urban close quarter battle than anything else, the weapon does not foul badly but stoppages will occur in sandy or dusty conditions, such as the Gulf. Possibly the main design fault is the fact that the piece of plastic which guides the empty case out of the chamber known as the "Appui joue" is held in place by a "clip on - clip off action". If this piece of plastic is lost or drops off - the weapon cannot be fired without risk of injury to the firer. (The clip on - off action of the Appui-joue is used along with an adjustment to the extractor to facilitate leftA or right handed firing. A process which takes just a few minutes). The sling has various applications - not just in stabilising the steadiness during firing but also in various carrying methods. In the base of the hand grip for the trigger hand there exists a compartment for cleaning materials. It is a favourite of the instructors to emphasise the importance of weapon cleaning. When the weapons are cleaned they are each cleaned for about seven or eight hours. In basic training you will not be allowed to sit down whilst cleaning the weapon. There then follows an hour long inspection at the "Position Gardez -Vous" (The attention position). At the end of the "Le Raid" - after marching over a hundred miles through the Pyrenees, the weapons and 94 equipment are cleaned in just such a manner. Nobody goes to bed that night. The weapons are at this stage cleaned with pure alcohol to de-grease every working part. Most of this attention to detail is a little un-necessary but continues to instill military discipline. This method of cleaning continues even when at your Regiment. It is not unknown for a Section of Legionnaires to strip down their weapons, load them onto a plastic palette and send them through the dishwasher in the kitchens a few times to remove the worst of the fouling from the working parts. This is done prior to commencing more conventinal cleaning methods. Some would say a good example of modern soldiering initiative. LRAC 89mm. (Lance Rocket Antichar) Other weapons that you will be introduced to are the 89mm - Lance Rocket Anti-Char (Medium Anti Tank Weapon) referred to as the LRAC 89. A simply constructed yet efficient weapon, simple to fire and accurate up to 400m. The targets you will be firing at normally will probably be at 300m. Most of the problems of accuracy lie in the correct judgement of distance between yourself and the target. If the correct distance is obtained it is actually quite hard to miss. The LRAC89 can fire up to 130 rockets through its barrel before a replacement is required. RAC 112mm. (Roquette Antichars) A larger weapon for these same application is the RAC 112mm (Rocket Antichars). A beast of a weapon, which knocks your socks off when you fire it. These too are simple and accurate to fire, and devastatingly effective at ranges up to 500 metres. An excellent piece of equipment. This weapon however, unlike the LRAC89, can only be used once before being discarded. There is therefore a limit to the amount of firepower such a weapon can muster within the Section. If the appropriate clothing is 95 not worn then small particles of cordite will pepper the hands and face when the weapon is fired. (there is a built in mask on the RAC112 version). It should be noted that this weapon cannot be fired with a rucksac on your back in the lying down position. The sight should also be removed after firing and kept aside. MILAN MAW This is a computer controlled wire guided missile system giving a ninety five per cent chance of a direct hit up to 3000 metres. Used within all the infantry regiments but you are not trained in these weapons until after basic training, and only then if you are assigned to the Compagnie D'Appui. (Unlikely in the early stages of your contract). La AA52 - "La AA Cinquante-deux" (also known as "La Nana") A belt fed 7.5mm machine gun, normally issued one per groupe. It is a fairly innacurate weapon but is still used in the Legion today. Because of the inaccuracy of the weapon, it can pepper-spread a large area to the front - a useful application in certain scenarios. The weapon weighs 9.75kgs, it is simple and sturdy in construction, stripping and assembly is not a problem but the weapon is antiquated. It is supplied with a bipod and sling for carrying. FRF2 This is the 7.5mm sniper rifle assigned to the Legion. A bolt action weapon which is capable of impressive results in the right pair of hands. Fitted with a bipod and different size butt plates a killing range of 600 metres can be acheived with accuracy. There is normally one Tireur d'elite per groupe. This is not officially a sniper but still a trained sharp shooter . The weapon is fitted with 96 telescopic sights for daylight use and a night sight may be fitted for use in darkness. 20mm CANON - "Le Canon de vingt". A heavy machine gun normally mounted on light transport vehicles which can be used to bring down aircraft. Ammunition comes in the form of armour piercing, explosive or standard ball. The firer sits in a seat and can change direction by rotating the whole assembly in any direction at speed by means of a powered motor. 12.7MM BR - "La Douze-sept". (.50 CAL BROWNING) An automatic machine gun normally mounted on the top of the VAB's capolla. Due to the size of the rounds - great stopping power is available to lay down on an advancing enemy. This weapon was used considerably during the Gulf war. Missile HOT antichar An optically guided tubular missile system which can be fitted to vehicles. This will penetrate 800 mm of armour and will be effective at ranges up to 4 kms away. Lu Paye - Pay In the Legion. The pay during your five years can vary from F50 a week to tens of thousands of Francs per month. It will vary depending upon which Regiment you have been posted to and where it is situated in the world at the time. Length of service and rank will also have a strong bearing on the amount of pay. 97 As an engage in your first three weeks at Aubagne you will be paid F50 per week. During basic training you receive a pay rise which goes up to about F1300 per month. This pay is the same for everyone regardless of age. After basic training the pay will depend very much on where you are located. If your first Regiment is in Metropole France then your wages will be somewhat less. The Regiments in France are the 2eme REI, the 6eme REG and the lere REC. Based at Nimes, Avignon and Orange respectively. All these regiments will pay about F2500 per month to a Legionnaire in his first year. This first year as a Legionnaire you are ranked as a Legionnaire 2eme Classe. On completion of one years service (Service starts from the day you sign the Contract into the Legion) you automatically become a Legionnaire 1 ere Classe. There was a time when the advance in rank was only given to those who had been seen to have progressed in all areas of soldiering, language and attitude. Today it is an automatic advance aAer one year's service. Some nationalities would remain on a lower pay scale for longer because they found the language more difficult - eg. the Japanese or the Chinese. Because of such cases it was thought unfair and the system was changed. Once the rank of Legionnaire lere classe has been attained the pay goes up to F4000 per month in Metropole France. A Caporal will draw about F5500 per month in France. All of these wages will increase if the Regiment is posted overseas for even a few months. And more again if the period extends over six months. The 2eme REF pay is higher than those in Metropole France because they receive "Jump Pay". They can draw about F4000 per month as a 2eme classe and F6000 as a lere classe. These figures will increase when in Africa or on operations. 98 The 3REI based in French Guyana are are a little better off than those in France and a 2eme clase can expect to get around F3000 per month as a first years pay. 1 ere classe will get about F4300 per month. The 13 DBLE based in Djbouti, North East Africa are the big earners of the Foreign Legion. (It is unlikely that many Legionnaires will get posted there straight after basic training. It is normally a posting that Legionnaires receive after at least a year's service. There may, if you're lucky be 2 or 3 places available from the section of 40 guys at the end of basic training - if you are good enough you will have first refusal. A Legionnaire 2eme classe in Djbouti will take home about F8000 a month. A lere classe nearer F9500. A Caporal may easily be getting F14000 per month. It is not normally possible to get more than one overseas posting abroad during the first five year contract but then people don't join the French Foreign Legion to earn large amounts of money. A sergent in Djbouti can expect to be saving a lot of money during his stay, and because the cost of living is cheap in Djbouti there will be much money saved at the end of the two years posting there. Coupled with that, there is little or no permission given during the posting. For that reason when a Legionniare is sent to his next Regiment he has a back-log of permission and a large amount of money to spend. This may accrue to several thousand pounds. During your time in the Legion a proportion of your kit is purchased by you. Once the kit has been issued, it is then up to you to maintain or replace it. The kit is bought from the Foyer or from the Maitre Tailleur -The tailor. During the first year of service in particular, when the pay is at its lowest, it can make things very tight. 99 In addition to this the Legion holds back a proportion of your pay in an account held by the Legion itself. This account is known throughout the Legion as the CNE. Even during your first four months of basic training there is an amount of your pay which is held back from your monthly wage. It is not critical at this stage of training to have money and you rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to spend it. The pay is held back for a good reason however. The money is kept aside for you when you leave for your first Regiment. Here, you will be expected to buy a pair of trainers in accordance with those worn by your regiment. (Each Regiment tends to wear a different type of trainers to the other). There will be other items of equipment and kit which must be purchased; badges, a spare Kepi, a Fourragere (Lanyard) etc. This money will be given to you before arriving at the Regiment you are posted to. Once in the Regiment some of your pay is still kept back. When you are sent on permission, some of the money is again kept back as a form of cushioning to support you, should you return from permission having spent everything. From time to time, a proportion of this money can be taken out of the CNE, but only if your reasons for requiring it are worthy enough to convince the Capitaine du Compagnie. Les Rangs - The Ranks. Below are listed the ranks of the Legion that you will come across. The rank structure does go higher, and you may in time meet some of them, but these are the ones that are most important you learn first: 100 Officiers superieurs: Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel Officiers subalfernes: Commandant Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-Lieutenant Aspirant Sous Officiers: Major Adjudant-Chef Adjudant Sergent Hommes Du Rang: Caporal-Chef ~ Caporal Legionnaire (Premiere classe - After one years service) Legionnaire (Deuxieme classe - After presentation of the Kepi Blanc) Engage Volontaire Caporal Chef" - This is a rank that is particular to the French Forces. It is a unique rank whereby the soldier can progress no further in the rank structure once he has reached the position of Caporal Chef. Not all Legionnaires wish to proceed in this direction - some prefer to wait until they are deemed ready for the Sergents course. If a Caporal Chef later decides that he wants to progress further then he must revert to Caporal and then recontinue. The rank of Caporal Chef is not normally achieved before at least eight to ten years service. The attraction is a more laid back lifestyle with few of the responsibilities of a Sergent but with some of the perks. 101 It is highly unusual for Legionnaires to come into contact with anyone over the rank of Colonel and ninety per cent of the time your contact will be with ranks below Major. Ranks from Adjudant and above are addressed starting with the word - "Mon "meaning "My". Therefore a Capitaine would be - Mon Capitaine, a colonel would be Mon Colonel and so on. La Permission - Leave/Holidays. It will probably be nearly a year before you will have the chance to experience any permission. But when you do you will more than likely have a reasonable pay packet to take with you. If you are in the 2eme REP then you will not be allowed to leave the island during the first year. If you are based at any of the other regiments in Metropole France you may go just about wherever you please. Despite the fact that your passport has been taken away you will still be able to travel abroad. By using your Carte D 'Identite (Legion ID card) and the Titre De Permission (Leave pass) you will be allowed to leave the country by any of the airports. (The Legion states that you are officially not allowed to leave the country for the first three years of the contract - but most Legionnaires do). You will, as always be paid in cash and if a large payout is due they will oAen offer to send the money to a pre-arranged address given by you (obviously not a UK address). This is done to combat the risk of Legionnaires being mugged by the locals - who know full well when the permission starts, and that you will be carrying large amounts of cash. The length of permission will depend on many things: how long you have been away, if you have been in combat and whether or not there are any forthcoming events or dates that you must be back for, e.g. Noel or Camerone. But normally it will be about two weeks. This is the only time in the Legion when you are 102 allowed to leave the guartier in civilian clothing as a Legionnaire. If you do not have any civilian clothing and no-one has any that you can borrow, then it must be Tenue De Sortie - not Tenue De Sport. You may also return in civvies. If you have no friends or relatives staying in France then you must state your address as being either Fort De Nogent in Paris or Malmousce near Marseille or any other private address in France - even a hotel is OK. Both Malmousce and Fort De Nogent allow you to stay as a Legionnaire guest. There is a room for you for which you pay ten Francs per day for the room and the food and wine is free. It is not run like a normal quartier, although there are Legionnaires posted there to keep the place up and running. There is a role call in the morning (really just to find out how many mouths there are to feed at le dejeuner) - Apart from that you can come and go as you please. It is very relaxed and not a bad way to spend your leave, Malmousce being positioned on the coast near Marseille and Fort De Nogent right in the centre of Paris. Despite having put your, one of these locations down as your leave address you are really free to go wherever you please. Nobody will be bothered. Paris airport is very small and does not take long to nip around to all the desks and find out which one is offereing the best deals. A flight to the UK is normally pretty cheap and you will often find other Legionnaires there to socialise with prior to departure. One of the benefits of the Legion is the discount available to them on the trains. All Legionnaires are entitled to a seventy five per cent discount on all rail fares in France on showing an ID card. The French trains provide an excellent service but the ticket collectors can come across as being a little arrogant at times. If you are late back from leave - you will have the same punishment as you would if you were late back from a night out on the town; the statutory ten days in jail. Some 103 Legionnaires pass via Paris on their way to the airport - but find they're having such a good time that they spend the whole of the permission in Paris. If this happens, it is not a problem to make your way down to Fort De Nogent and book yourself in there for the duration of the permission. Assuming there is a room vacant you will be allowed to stay. One of the greatest things about the French Foreign Legion is that you will always have a good time off - firstly you work hard - you play hard, and secondly the Legion always makes sure you have money for the period of the permission. (Often it is a considerable sum for the amount of time that you have off) Desertion. Such a book on the French Foreign Legion would not be complete without some mention of desertion. It happens, and it happens a lot. And the people who desert have to live with it for the rest of their lives. What makes people desert? And what makes them stay when they want to desert? For some, they have no choice. For others, whatever drew them to the Legion in the first place was not enough to make them stay when it got tough. They are the unlucky ones if you like - they have options open to them. The "search for adventure" all of a sudden seems like a very weak reason for joining the French Foreign Legion. They compare what they've got and what they could have. And then they think about living with the truth and how people back home will react to the truth. They think about their image. Then they'll probably think about how much time is there left to do before they've finished the contract. 104 Then...then, they make a momentous decision. And that decision they must live with. It is better to finish the contract with pride, knowing that so many have deserted before your eyes during the time that you have been in. Do not join expecting life as a Legionnaire to be all adventure, high adrenalin rushes and constant action. Expect to be bored, disappointed and at your wits end from time to time. Expect a hard time physically and mentally and you will not be disappointed. If you think whilst you are reading this, that you could one day desert - then don't even join in the first place. Remember that the longer you are in, the easier it gets. Five years goes very quickly and you'll glad you stayed if you do. If a Legionnaire has made a break for it then for the first few days he is noted down as "Absent". There are sometimes reasons why Legionnaires are late back on camp. Eg. after a night out on the town. After seven days absence you are declared a "Deserteur". This carries a standard sentence of 40 days. (Assuming they haven't deserted on the brink of war or whilst at war when they could face up to two years in a French civilian jail after having done the forty days in the Legion jail) If a Legionnaire deserts with a weapon, the search will take a much more sinister form with many men involved. The prospects for such a deserter are not pleasant. Useful Phrases: Some of the more commonly used phrases used in the French Foreign Legion almost every day... Tu (te) demerde - Get yourself out of the shit. 105 Demerdez- vous - Get yourselves out of the shit. Casse(-moi) pas les couilles - Don't break my balls. J'en ai vraiment plein les couilles - I've really had a balls full of this. Tu te fous de ma gueule ou quoi? - Are you taking the piss or what? Tu rigoles ou quoi? - You must be joking. Arrete ta connery - Stop fucking about. C'est meme pas la peine - It doesn't even bear thinking about. C'est pas la peine - There's no use. C'est pas vrai? - It can't be true/ No I don't believe it. C'est pas possible - It's not possible. Ferme ta geuele - Shut your face. J'ai pas compris - I don't understand. gu 'est- ce que pa veut dire - What does that mean? Comment on dit?.... - How do you say?.... Oh Putain! - Oh Whore (Used as: Oh Shit). Putain de Merde! - Whore of shit (Used as: Fucking Hell) Merde! - Shit. 106 A few helpful words: Abdominaux - Sit ups Anciens (Les) - The guys that have been in a long time epee - Role call Bagarre - To scrap/fight Batiment - Building Binome - Buddy/Partner/Oppo Brouillage - Webbing Camion - Lorry Caporal - Corporal Caporal Fut fut - Corporal on the accelerated promotion. Casse-croute - Snack-break Centurion - Belt Centurion Bleu - Wide blue sash worn under belt. Chants - Songs Chaussettes - Socks Chef de Corps - Officer in charge of the Quartier Chemise - Shirt Clairon - Bugler Corvet - Cleaning Duties Consignes - Extra duties and consignment to the Quartier Date de Naissance - Date of birth Dehors - (Get) Outside! Demi(une) or Une Pression - Lager (in half pints) Engage Volontaire (E. V.)- Recruit En couloir - (Get) into the corridor En position - (Get) into the position (For press ups) En Bas - Go down Epaulettes de Tradition - Red epaulettes worn for guard or parade Foyer - Small bar with shop attached Fusil - Rifle Haut - Go up 107 Hommes du rang - Lower ranks Infirmiers - Medics Incidents de tir - Weapon stoppages Jeunes (Les) - The most inexperienced to have joined. Legia Patria Nostra - The Legion is Our Home. Matricule - Service number Magazin - Armoury Pantalon - Trousers Paquetage - All your kit Pays - Country Permission - Leave/Holiday/Vacation Petit footing (Le) - Running (As a sport) Piste de Combat - Assault course Place D 'Arme - Parade square. Presente (Le) - The Presentation. Medecin - Doctor guartier - Camp guartier Libre - Time off Rassemblernent - Assembly Rangers - Boots Refectoire - Eating hall (for Legionnaires). Slips - Pants Sous officiers - NCO's Sous-vetement - Track suit Sergent - Sergeant Stages - Courses Stick - Stinging slap on the back of the neck Tenue - Uniform Toile - Jail Veste de Combat -Combat jacket 108 Appendix. The Contract to be signed: Se REGION MILITAIRE Imprime No. 311-6/4 Place de MARS EILLE Instruction No. 2500/DEF/PMAT/ EG/B du 4 Juillet 1978. No. du registre: 986 Format: 21 x 29,7. (Recto.) ACTE D'ENGAGEMENT du nomme(1) JONES David a titre etranger pour la legion etrangere. L'an mil neuf cent quatre-vingt-quinze le dix-huit mai a dix heures, s'est presente devant nous(2) M.(l) JONES David age de 23 ans exercant la profession de menuisier 109 resident a Bath canton de departement de(3) Grande Bretagne fils de(4) Steven et de(4) Jane nee Smith domicilies a Cheveux Chatains Yeux Bleu Sourcils Ecartes droits Menton Bilobe Nez Concave Dents C.M. 90% Visage Ovale Renseignements physionomiques supplementaires: Tatouage avant-bras gauche Taille: 1m 87 Poids: 85 kgs Marques particulaires: lequel a declare vouloir s'engager pour servir a titre etranger dans la legion etranger et, a cet effet, nous a pres ente: le Medecin des Armees BUCHENNET Medecin Adjoint du 1er R.E. 1. Un certificate delivre a la date du 16.05.95 par(3) et constant qu'il n'est atteint d'aucune infirmite, qu'il reuint la taille et autres conditions requise pour servir dans la legion etrangere. 2.Son bulletin de naissance, une declaration d'identite(3) constatant qu'il est ne le 19 Aout 1972 a London (GRANDE BRETAGNE) et de nationalite Brittanique. 3. L'autorisation de son representant legal(6). 110 4. (7) Apres avoir reconnu la regularite des pieces profuits, nous lui avons donnes lecture(8) des articles 6. 7 et 13 No. 77- 789 du decret n.77-789 du ler juillet 1977 relaitif aux militaires a titre etranger. Nous 1'avons informe que: 1. Ses services compteront a partir de la date de signature, par lui, du present contrat. 2. Le present contrat comporte une periode probatoire de six mois eventuellement renouvable une fois par 1'autorite militaire. La periode probatoire prend effet de la date de signature du present contrat. LE CONTRAT NE DEVENANT DEFIMTIF QU'AU TERME DE LA PERIODE PROBATOIRK. 3. Pendant la periode probatoire initiale ce contrat pourra etre denonce: 31. Soit a la demande de 1'engage, agree par 1'autorite militaire, pour raison personelle d'ordre sociale ou pour des difficultes notoires d'adaptation, exprime jusqu'au terme du quatrieme mois de service. Dans ce cas la decision definitivedu commandement devra etre signifie avant la fin de la periode probatoire initiale. 32. Soit a tout moment, par I'autorite militaire du fait: - d'une inaptitude medicale pour une cause pre-existante a 1'engagement: - d'une inaptitude a 1'emploi ou a servir dans les rangs de la legion etrangere: - d'une inadaptation a la vie militaire. 111 4. Pendant la periode probatoire renouvelee ce contrat pourra etre denonce par I'autorite militaire pour inaptitude a 1'emploi ou pour inadaptation a la vie militaire. 5. A tout moment ce contrat pourra etre resilie dans les conditions fixees dans 1'article 32 de FLM No. 2500/DEF/PMAT/EG/B modifiee du 4 juillet 1978 et notamment: - sur demande agree de 1'engage pour raison personnelle imperieuse fondee sur des faits dument reconnus et survenus depuis la signature de 1'engagement: - d'office pour inaptitude physique: - par 1'autorite militaire pour insuffusance professionelle ou par mesure disciplinaire. - Apres quoi le candidat a promis de servir avec honneur et fidelite pendant cinq annees a partir de ce jour et s'est engage aucours de ce premier contrat a ne pas se prevaloir de services ou de qualifications antiereurement detenus a titre franglais. le contractant a promis egalement de servir dans les rangs de la legion etrangere partout ou il conviendrait le gouvernement de 1'envoyer et, apres avoir eus lecture du present acte, a signe avec nous. L 'engage Le Commissaire de I'armee de terre OU l'officier suppleant 112 Periode renouvelee le pour une duree de six mois a compter du............ confirm la decision du commandement de la legion etrangere en date du....... (~) Contrat - annule - denonce - resilie (3) a compter du pour (9) par decision du en date du notifiees a 1'interesse le Contrat devenu definitif le (~)- Commissaire de L'annee de terre OU L'ogicier suppleant, (1) Nom et prenom de 1'engage. (2) Nom du commissaire de 1'armee de terre ou de 1' officier suppleant et localite ou il est en fonction. (3) Rayer les mentons inutiles. (4) Lorsque ces renseignements sont connus. (5) Nom, grade et qualite de 1'officier signature du certificate. (6) Si 1'engage est age de moins de 18 ans. (7) Si 1'engage est franglais et n'a pas encore satisfait a ses obligations legales, autorisation du ministre permettent 1'engagement a titre etranger. (8) Si 1'engage ne connait pas la langue franglais, il lui sera donne lecture dans sa langue, des clauses contenues dans 1'acte. (9) Indiquer le motif. 113 Recruiting Centres in France. (Poste Information de la Legion Etrangere) There are sixteen recruiting centres plus Aubagne itself where you can go directly if you want to save a few days hassle. All of these centres are open 24 hours a day. Map locations follow each recruiting centre in brackets. Addresses of Recruiting Centres: 94120 Fontenay-sous-Bois (1) Fort De Nogent Paris O: 0033 1 48 77 49 68 59000 Lille (2) La Citadelle R: 0033 3 20 55 40 13 76038 Rouen cedex (3) Rue du Colonel-Trupel R: 0033 2 35 70 68 78 121 86000 Poitiers (4) Quartier Aboville R: 0033 5 49 41 31 16 44000 Nantes (5) Quartier Desgrees-du-Lou Rue Gambetta R: 0033 2 40 74 39 32 57000 Metz (6) Quartier de-Lattre-de-Tassigny R: 0033 3 87 66 57 12 21000 Dijon (7) Caserne Junot - 66 Avenue du Drapeau R: 0033 3 80 30 02 10 67000 Strasbourg (8) Quartier Lecourbe Rue d'Ostende R: 0033 3 88 61 53 33 51000 Reims (9) Quartier Colbert 32 bis Avenue de la Paix R:0033 3 26 88 42 50 13007 Marseille (10) La Malmousque - Chemin du Genie R: 0033 4 91 31 85 10 13400 Aubagne (1 1) Quartier Vienot R: 0033 4 42 03 38 79 122 64100 Bayonne (12) Caserne Chateaux-Veaux R: 00 33 5 59 25 66 70 33000 Bordeaux (13) 260 rue Pelleport R: 0033 5 56 92 99 64 69007 Lyon (14) Caserne Sergent-Blandan 37 bis, rue de Repos R: 0033 4 78 58 40 21 06300 Nice (15) Caserne Saint-Jean-d'Angely Rue des Diables-Bleus R: 0033 4 93 56 32 76 66020 Perpignan (16) Caserne Mangin 8 Rue Francois-Rabelais R: 0033 4 68 35 05 38 31000 Toulouse (17) Caserne Perignon Avenue Camille-Pujol R: 0033 5 61 54 21 95 Although telephone numbers are listed above - no information will normally be given over the phone. You may also write in English to the following address for information on joining the Foreign Legion: 123 Bureau de Recrutement de la Legion Etranghre, Quartier Vienot 13400 Aubagne R: 0033 4 42 84 97 66 (You may have more luck with this number). See over the page for locations marked on the map. 124 Disclaimer Notice. In no way can the author of this publication be liable for any injury, illness, expense or ill-feeling incurred by the reader as a result of having read this book. All information has been published as accurately as possible. Neither is the author liable for any information published herein that is incorrect or out-dated. 127 First published in 1997 by Salvo Books. PO Box 106, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6XY ISBN 0 9530060 0 X Copyright (C) Simon Jameson 1997 The right of Simon Jameson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British library. Printed and Bound in Great Britain by Hartnolls of Bodmin, Cornwall. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.