Does the French Foreign Legion speak French?

What’s really interesting about the FFL (French Foreign Legion) however, is that despite amazingly tough physical and mental requirements, one cannot join unless one learns to speak French, fast, very fast. New recruits are given about 4 months to learn – operational – French. Whoever can’t do it, is asked to leave.

What do the French think of the Foreign Legion?

The Foreign Legion is regarded with a high amount of respect by the French people, they are on a whole very proud of the Foreign Legion, maybe not with the same enthusiasm by everybody, but on a whole with pride and respect.

Have the French Foreign Legion ever won a battle?

Throughout its long history since its inception on March 9, 1831, elements of the French Foreign Legion have engaged in combat on the behalf of France and its interests with distinction….Second World War.

Date	May 10 – June 25, 1940
Battle	Battle of France
Location	France
Result	Defeat

What happens if you leave the French Foreign Legion and Don’t reenlist?

Those who don’t reenlist after the first 5 years don’t have too many options. Most of the Legionnaires who leave the French Foreign Legion start receiving the unemployment insurance. This is not very avantageous for former soldiers, because it’s based on the brut salary of the last 12 months.

What is the difference between the Legion and the Foreign Legion?

The Legion is the only part of the French military that does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself. Any soldier who gets wounded during a battle for France can immediately apply to be a French citizen under a provision known as ” Français par le sang versé ” (“French by spilled blood”).

Can malgré-nous German soldiers join the Foreign Legion?

Following World War II, many French-speaking German former soldiers joined the Foreign Legion to pursue a military career, an option no longer possible in Germany including French German soldiers of Malgré-nous.

Do Legionnaires drink alcohol?

Even in a combat zone, legionnaires are drinking in their off time, and their culture of heavy drinking would make any frat-boy blush. Throughout its history, the French Foreign Legion — and the fighters who make up its ranks — were seen as expendable.