How does the 2 REP (FFL) compare to the British Paras?

[exspy]

Caporals and any other lower ranks are, Contract determine = the 1year or 2 year contract you sign up for (usually it's 6 months... keeps the dudes on their toes) Can be dismissed without further notice

I've always thought one signed on the line for 5 long and hard years with the Legion. Is that a myth?

 

[fantassin]

COL Stéphane Coevoet, former CO 2°REP and Ops officer during Kolwezi gave a lecture at the Saint Cyr Coëtquidan military academy

 

[LepetitCaporal]

I've always thought one signed on the line for 5 long and hard years with the Legion. Is that a myth?

Thats the initial contract and afterwards it is from 6 months to three years...
It is usually the Legion who propose

 

[fantassin]

@LepetitCaporal : below, a tweet to help you ID the various 4x4 currently used by the Armée de Terre

 

[Condottiere]

Thats the initial contract and afterwards it is from 6 months to three years...
It is usually the Legion who propose

Even when I was in it was rare for anyone but the handful finishing their first five year contract with the rank of “Sergent”, to be offered another five year contract. That in itself was rare without already having undertaken to sign a shorter contract renewal before going on the cadre course.

 

[Dwarf]

Even when I was in it was rare for anyone but the handful finishing their first five year contract with the rank of “Sergent”, to be offered another five year contract. That in itself was rare without already having undertaken to sign a shorter contract renewal before going on the cadre course.

That must mean they have enough signing on. Is the Legion well recruited?

 

[Condottiere]

COL Stéphane Coevoet, former CO 2°REP and Ops officer during Kolwezi gave a lecture at the Saint Cyr Coëtquidan military academy

View attachment 540697

As I recall, he was extremely well respected by his Legionnaires.

 

[fantassin]

That must mean they have enough signing on. Is the Legion well recruited?

Currently 6 candidates per position

 

[Condottiere]

That must mean they have enough signing on. Is the Legion well recruited?

Usually, very much so. Even when I was in and much more so now, the policy was to retain the Legionnaires who showed capability and potential for further promotion and/or specialist trade development. At the end of the first five year contract, most who did not fulfil such criteria or had proved themselves to be recidivist disciplinary cases (you had to have been really continuously bad as junior Legionnaires were expected to do some time in their Regimental jails during their service), were not offered contract extensions. There was always more fresh meat for the grinder coming through the door.

The problem that is developing is not recruitment per se, but the recruitment and subsequent retention of those of sufficient calibre that the Legion requires in the modern era of a technologically advanced, digitised and networked army. Especially as the number of “First World” volunteers at the recruiting centres has dropped and that of “Second and Third Worlders” has increased.

Hence the current drive to recruit more French nationals into the Foreign Legion.

Edited to add:
it is a conundrum as those who are nowadays most likely to accept and endure the restrictive terms and conditions of the Legion are “Third Worlders”.

 

[fantassin]

Usually, very much so. Even when I was in and much more so now, the policy was to retain the Legionnaires who showed capability and potential for further promotion and/or specialist trade development. At the end of the first five year contract, most who did not fulfil such criteria or had proved themselves to be recidivist disciplinary cases (you had to have been really continuously bad as junior Legionnaires were expected to do some time in their Regimental jails during their service), were not offered contract extensions. There was always more fresh meat for the grinder coming through the door.

The problem that is developing is not recruitment, but retention of those of sufficient calibre that the Legion requires in the modern era of a technologically advanced, digitised and networked army. Especially as the number of “First World” volunteers at the recruiting centres has dropped and that of “Second and Third Worlders” has increased.

Hence the current drive to recruit more French nationals into the Foreign Legion.

Another problem today is that when you call "Gurung" in front of any FFL Coy you end up with a dozen Légionnaires....

 

[fantassin]

As I recall, he was extremely well respected by his Legionnaires.

Indeed; unfortunately, he left the Army as a COL

 

[Condottiere]

Indeed; unfortunately, he left the Army as a COL

I’ve seen a pattern here with quite a few very capable and respected (especially by their subordinates) senior Foreign Legion Officers, who are not willing to “play the political game” being sidelined or leaving through disillusion with the system.

Edited to add: Just to clarify further, these tend to be the ones that have the ability to recognise a bad decision and the balls to say “With all due respect, Sir; I believe that is a detrimental course of action to take.”

 

[Cutaway]

I’ve seen a pattern here with quite a few very capable and respected (especially by their subordinates) Foreign Legion Officers, who are not willing to “play the political game” being sidelined or leaving through disillusion with the system.

As you know that's not confined to Legion offrs.

 

[LepetitCaporal]

Source France 3 Corse viastella
20 legionnaires tested positive for COVID at their return from England (that exercise)

 

[LepetitCaporal]

@LepetitCaporal : below, a tweet to help you ID the various 4x4 currently used by the Armée de Terre

Thats the ones I see here during Sentinelle
Seen several different paint jobs too
The cam
Green drab
Muddy brown

 

[Condottiere]

Source France 3 Corse viastella
20 legionnaires tested positive for COVID at their return from England (that exercise)

Et combien ont chopé la chaude pisse?

 

[Condottiere]

Pictures recently posted on the Foreign Legion's official Twitter feed with the caption that the Musicians of the Foreign Legion Band are currently attached to elements of 2 REP deployed on Op Sentinelle in the "Ile de France" area (environs of Paris); where they are alternating between conducting urban patrols as part of the Operation's Mission and a rigorous training schedule where they are reacquainted with their core skills as Legionnaires.

Day to day stuff for the 2 REP blokes, but some of the bandsmen may be getting a little frayed!

 

[Sh!ttIng dog]

probably the most insightful commentary on the FFL is Appel

A Canadian in the French Foreign Legion​

 

[LepetitCaporal]

View attachment 541126
View attachment 541127
View attachment 541128
Pictures recently posted on the Foreign Legion's official Twitter feed with the caption that the Musicians of the Foreign Legion Band are currently attached to elements of 2 REP deployed on Op Sentinelle in the "Ile de France " area (environs of Paris); where they are alternating between conducting urban patrols as part of the Operation's Mission and a rigorous training schedule where they are reacquainted with their core skills as Legionnaires.

Day to day stuff for the 2 REP blokes, but some of the bandsmen may be getting a little frayed!

We need to blow the whistle on this one and report it to Amnesty international

 

[Condottiere]

And a typical Foreign Legion Bandsman in his element.