USMC Infantry vet joining French Foreign Legion

[Matt225808]

Trust me the last year of my life I've been desperately researching them. I'm finally fed up with it and facing the facts that I have to try and join

[McT ontheRock71]

parlez-vous francaise?

[Rocky C]

I know a lot about it from my friend.
Watch your 6 Brother.
They come from all walks of life from all over the world.
The #1 ethnic group in the FFL is Russian.

[Matt225808]

parlez-vous francaise?

I used common sense to figure out what you were asking. No, hardly any. Most people don't speak French and learn during their time in the Legion (from what I've read). I've been all over the world with the Corps and based on my experiences in different countries I think I'll pick it up pretty quickly.

[Matt225808]

Yeah Rocky, everything I've been told suggests as an American I'll be pretty alone over there. I'll most likely stick with some Britts and make good friends while I'm basic. They call it "La Mafia Anglaise" the English mafia or something. I'm not too worried about fighting, happens in the Marines and I'm sure it'll happen in the Legion

[McT ontheRock71]

If you get the chance, watch a you-tube video during a Bastile Day parade. They put the Legion last in line because they march to a slower meter than everyone else. They also put the Sappers out front where they belong.

[Matt225808]

Oh I know about Bastile day, I'd be an idiot to join just to strut around wearing The Kepi le blanc for some French tang but I'd be a liar if I said I won't be in Paris doing just that if I get the opportunity haha

[USMC 2571]

lol, if that was all there was to it, getting the Kepi and parading, you could do that at home or in your backyard.......

[Matt225808]

I feel like the Marine Corps dress deltas are probably the most panty dropping uniform of any military in the world. Although I was never into wearing uniforms unless forced to for inspection or it was the uniform of the day

[oldtop]

I'd invest in The Rosetta Stone for French, if I were you, and really serious about this, just to NOT give your instructors ANY excuse to inflict "additional punishment" on you.... most Europeans seem to have 2 or more languages, French being one of the more popular next to English..... It also seems that the French don't appear to care for Americans very much, so "no excuses" might be a good motto for you...

[USMC 2571]

Good point, Top, although they don't require a knowledge of French, they in fact would be impressed that an American took the time to learn at least the basics.

[Matt225808]

I started readin up on the basics...apparently the English speaking people learn faster than Eastern European because french is similar to English and so different from Slavic language

[Eric Hood]

Good Luck!! It's really hard to be accepted. They can pick and choose. Former experience in the military is a plus. Being a Marine, you will be a very strong candidate.

[Eric Hood]

Yes, good advice. The price went down to about 200 bucks for the whole course.