nel. The applicant has been informed that: 1.His services are effective as of the date of his signing this present contract. 2. The present contract carries a probationary period of six months eventually renewable one time (une fois) by the military authorities. The probationary period takes effect from the date of signature on this present contract. THIS CONTRACT DOES NOT BECOME DEFINITIVE UNTIL THE END OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD. 3.During the initial probationary period the contract can be terminated: 3.1 Either at the request of the recruit as agreed by the military authorities for reasons of a personal or social nature or as a result of serious difficulties in adapting to the Foreign Legion during the first four months of service. In this case the final decision must have been notified by 67 the military authorities before the end of the probationary period. Or at any time, by the military authorities because of: - a pre-existing condition prior to engagement. - an inability to adjust to work which the the job entails or to serve in the ranks of the Foreign Legion. - an inability to adjust to a military way of life. 4. During the renewed probationary period this contract can be terminated by the military authorities for reasons of unsuitability for work or any inability to adjust to a military way of life. 5. At any time during the service the contract can be terminated according to the conditions laid down in article 32 of FLM no. 2500/DEF/PMAT/EG/B as modified on 4 July 1978 - notably: - on the request of the recruit for reasons of a justifiable and urgent nature, the details of which have occured since the date on which the contract was signed: - by reason of physical inability, by the military authorities regarding insufficient professionalism or as a disciplinary measure. - Considering these details the candidate has agreed to serve with honour and faithfulness for a period of five years as of this day and undertakes in the course of this contract not to take advantage of French services or qualifications previously held. The recruit has promised equally to serve within the ranks of the Foreign Legion wherever the government might 68 deem it necessary to send him, and after having read the present act has enjoined his signature; Recruit's signature. Signature of the administration Officer of the French Army or the Deputy Admininstrator. Probationary period renewable on for a period of six months starting from the date of confirmation as decided by the the Commanding Officer of the Foreign Legion. Contract: annuled - terminated - cancelled(3) - as decided by(9) on 19 Contract became effective on 19 (3) Chief Administration Officer for the French Army or the Deputy Administrator. (1) Name and surname of recruit. (2) Name of the commissioner of army ground forces or his acting local representative. (3) Delete as appropriate. (4) Once the details are known. 69 (5) Name, rank and position of the officer signing the contract. (6) If the recruit id less than 18 years old. (7) If the recruit is French and is not yet satisfied of his legal obligations, the ministry authorise engagement under a changed name. (8) If the recruit does not speak French, he will be given a reading in his language on the clauses in this act. (9) Indicate the reason. If you feel that the French Foreign Legion way of life is for you, further contracts can be signed with the Legion after the initial five years. These can be for either six months, one year, eighteen months, two years, three years, four years or five years. Whether or not the Legion accepts you for further service is dependant on your conduct during the previous years. La Vie En Tolle - Life in Jail. As a Legionnaire it is unlikely that you will experience a stretch jail during your basic training. Once you have been posted to your respective regiments however, you will find that it does not take any great crime against humanity to be sentenced to ten days in jail (The statutory period for minor offences is a ten day period). Offences 70 which might earn you a ten day spell in the slammer might be arriving late on camp after a night on the town, failing to top up the electrolyte in the vehicle batteries, being badly turned out for guard duty. For more serious misdeeds, the period of time becomes longer, up to a maximum period of forty days. Desertion carries the maximum Legion penalty of forty days but if the crime were really serious, then you would do the forty days followed by a period in a French civilian jail. This could be many years - if the crime were serious enough. Initially you would be paraded in front of the Chef Du Corps, who will be examining your case. It is up to him to decide whether or not your are to go to jail. He may decide that a period of "Consignes" is more appropriate in the case. (A period of time, normally between three and ten days, when extra corvet duties are allocated during your spare time and you are restricted to the Quartier - apart from that you would work a normal day like the rest of the section. This might be awarded for having dirt on your weapon during an inspection, generally speaking more menial offences). If the Chef Du Corps decides that you are going to jail then all of your kit issued, and and all of your personal kit is listed, item by item and put away ready for your release. During the period in jail, you will wear overalls and a dayglow orange waistcoat, and a forage cap. This identifies you as a prisoner to everyone on and around the Quartier. The laces from your boots will be removed. (To prevent you from injuring yourself) Every morning there will be some form of physical training done - to the tune of a five kilometre run with Sac a Dos around the quartier. The rest of the day will be doing corvette or painting curb stones, gardening around the quartier, sweeping leaves and waiting on the Legionnaires that are doing the guard duty. 71 It is tradition in the Legion that your medals are pinned to the door of your cell. Whatever medals you have been awarded during your years of service in the Legion - they must also have been awarded to the inspecting officer. For example, if the medal is of a some valour; such as the Legion D'Honneur - then the inspecting officer must also hold that medal - even if it means coming from another Quartier. In days gone by the Legion jail was the last hell on earth. Legionnaires would break rocks in a quarry all day - or march through the jungle for one year solid in a straight line cutting and thrashing their way through dense jungle, always under the direction of the Gardes de Tolle. They would sleep on concrete slabs with no roof over their heads. Even ten years ago it was a brutal place to be. Prisoners would be beaten on a regular basis and lived in fear of the Garde de tolle. Today it is still not a fun place to be. The days start at 5.00 am and end at 8.00pm and they are long and hard. Prisoners are not allowed to smoke, work like dogs and are kept on tenterhooks until the day of their release. Cumerone - Camerone Day. On the 30 April every year the Legion celebrates Camerone Day. It was on this day in 1863 that the Legion's show of bravery was marked down in history forever. Battle weary and with their numbers being cut down until there were only ten men left, no ammunition and in a foreign country, a handful of Legionnaires 72 refused surrender against odds of nearly two thousand marauding Mexicans. The Capitaine Danjou had made them promise not to surrender, shortly before dying himself. The men were slowly being killed one by one until there were only three Legionnaires left. They faced the enemy with bayonets and prepared themselves to die with honour. The Mexicans did not kill them but persuaded a surrender under the Legionnaires terms. It is as a result of this bravery that the 30th April is celebrated with such enthusiasm every year. Camerone is as important as Le Noel - if not more so. It matters not, wherever the Legion is in the world - the 30 of April is always celebrated. The preparation for the festivities begins months in advance. Stands are built, games are devised, marquees errected. The day is not just for Legionnaires but also for a select number of family and friends of the Legion. It is the one day of the year that the Legion opens its doors to outsiders. Only the very leanest and meanest looking Legionnaires will have the honour of being on guard on this day. Their uniforms being prepared with even more care and attention than usual. The day begins with the roles reversed in every section of the Quartier. Le Legionnaire le plus jeune (The most recent legionnaire to join the section) becomes the Caporal du Jour for the day. It is he who allocates the corvette duties, and marches the section onto La Place D 'Arrne. And it is the Sous officiers and the Officiers who do the corvet. They will clean the toilets, the showers, the corridors - every job normally allocated to the Legionnaires. The day will initially start with the Sous o/iciers bringing the Petit dejeuner to the Legionnaires in their rooms. They will serve the Legionnaires their cafe and bring them their croissants (pastries). After which they will start the corvette as directed by the Caporal du jour. The tradition 73 is warmly welcomed by the Legionnaires and no-one is offended. Each Regiment may run the day differently according to the wishes of the respective Chef Du Corps. It may start with a run, ending with whiskey and black pudding and Legion songs. On returning to the Quartier there is a parade by the Legionnaires in full Tenue de Parade, followed by the festivities which have been so carefully prepared. Much wine is drunk and food consumed. It is a relaxed day and enjoyed by all. At Aubagne the Legion's Anciens (Former members) come to relive their past and to pay hommage to their family. On this day every year the wooden hand of Capitaine Danjou is on display, paraded before the Legion and its guests. This act epitomizes the spirit of the French Foreign Legion. If you are unlucky enough to find yourself in jail towards the end of April - you could be in for a reprieve. It is tradition in the Legion that if less than ten days are remaining on your sentence on Camerone Day, then you are released as a form of amnesty in remembrance of all the Legionnaires who died at Camerone in Mexico. Legion Rules. There are many rules that apply in the Legion which have been carried on from tradition. Below are listed but a few: 1. As a Legionnaire you are not allowed to leave the "Quartier" in civilian clothing except when going on "Permission". 74 2. Marriage is only permitted when the rank of Sergent is achieved. 3. Legionnaires are not permitted to live off camp. (Although some do). They go home in the evening and return by 6.00am. It is normally the Caporaux who do this since Legionnaires generally don't earn enough money, especially in France. 4. You are not allowed to own a car or a motorbike. You may own a push bike if you join the Legion Cycle club. If you do this you may only exit the camp wearing the correct Legion cycle wear. These rules do not apply to Caporaux chefs, Sergents or above. 5. You are not allowed to own a bank account or to borrow money off others. 6. Legionnaires should be addressed by their Surnames not their Christian names. 7. If allowed out for the evening - you must be back by 6.00am the following morning. If you are late; the punishment is a statutory 10 days in jail. 8. During the first 3 years you are not allowed to leave the country during permission. (Legionnaires do however go abroad using only their "Carte O'Identite" (ID card) and their "Titres de Permission" (Leave papers). An extra rule applies to the "Deuxieme REP" (2nd REP) at Corsica: they are not allowed to leave the island for the first year of their first tour at Calvi where they are based - tradition. 75 The Regiment Postings in the Legion. There are eight Regiments in the French Foreign Legion plus half a brigade based in Djbouti, Africa. On top of this there are other detachments situated around the world. At present the Legion strength amounts to approximately ten thousand men. 1 er REC. (Regiment Etranger de Cavalerie) ORANGE - France. This is situated next to a beautiful town in S. Eastern France. It is a Regt for those who like a slightly easier life. Their role is to service and maintain the tanks - the AMX 10's. They were used extensively during the Gulf war and proved extremely reliable. Operating in three man teams, a less stressful life is to be had in this Regiment. There is a more relaxed atmosphere here plus there is the advantage of actually being able to see a bit of France - which for some people never happens in the whole contract due to the hectic schedule of their regiment. The 1 REC forms part of France's Force d'Action Rapide along with the 2 REI and the 6 REG. 4 erne Regiment . (Regiment D'Instruction) CASTELNAUDARY. Nr Toulouse - France. This is where you will carry out your basic training. A small town situated close to Toulouse. Not that you would see a lot of it during your first stay here. A railway track runs through the centre of the town and that is where you will arrive before being picked up by a coach to take you to the guartier. There are two quartiers in Castelnaudary - the new Quartier was built around 1985 and is very plush. The old camp in Castelnaudary (Quartier Lepasset) is where many of the Legion courses take place. 76 The Caporaux courses (CT1), the Sergents courses (CT2) etc. At Quartier Capitaine Danjou there are three companies of E.V's and one company for trained ranks who are undertaking courses in the technical trades, mechanical trades and signals. It should be noted that the medics who do their training here will be practicing their new found skills on you, should you become injured. (Not advisable). The camp is one of the most modernised of all the Legion quartiers and is an impressive set-up. It is also situated near a town called Carcassonne, home of the French Paras where there is sometimes a ban on visitation due to the trouble that has ensued between the Legionnaires and the Paras over years. The food at Castelnaudary is of a very high standard. lere Regiment. (Regiment De Selection et d'administration) AUBAGNE. Nr Marseilles. This is the Mother Regiment of the Legion. You will start your time in the Legion here and you will end it here. This regiment deals predominantly with administration and support as well as personnel movements and maintaining all aspects of the Legion's contact with the outside world. It is also the home of the Legion Band and the museum. The Quartier (guartier Vienot) is close to Marseilles so there is a fair bit to see and do if you have the time. A large proportion of the community in Marseille are Arabs who have immigrated from Tunisia, N.Africa. Again the same sort of pay as Castelnaudary but unlikely that this would be a first posting for a "non Francophone." (Someone who does not speak French). On entering the Legion the Band is always keen to recruit new blood especially anyone with a musical background - so if you have played a musical instrument but don't want to be in the band keep quiet about your past. 77 2 eme REP. (Regiment Etranger des Parachutists) CALVI - Corsica This is the most prestigious and most professional of all the Regiments. The only Regt in the Legion to have an Airborne capability. It is here that you will also find "Les Groupe de Commandos Paracutistes (Formerly Les C.R.A.P 's - Commandos de Recherche et D 'Action dans la Profondeur) - This is the creme de la creme of the Legion - A sort of recce troop specialising in a wide range of special forces ops. They have a reputation for being the best in the Legion. The REP is made up to a large extent of Brits and Germans. With this built in cultural discipline there is firm ground for quality soldiering to be built upon. For their professionalism and their parachuting capability they are paid one of the highest salaries in the Legion - around about E650 per month for a Legionnaire deuxieme classe. (Everything is however very expensive on Corsica). There are frequent fracas with the locals and plenty of good looking German and Italian talent on the beaches in the summertime. This is also the Regiment most renowned for bullshit. In the 2eme REP there are three "Apels" per day. First thing in the morning, after lunch and at 9.00pm in the evening. The island is however a very beautiful one and if you're into physical training then maybe this is the Regiment for you. Along with the relatively high pay, the prestige and the emphasis on sport - this is a popular choice for Legionnaires leaving Castelnaudary. The uniform sports the Deurieme REP cap badge (The winged dagger) and the Fourragere (Lanyard) is red. This all adds to the attraction of the 2eme REP. The contract will last probably 2 yrs before being posted, but many opt to stay longer. This particular Regt is frequently away on detachments; normally for four months at a time. Places 78 such as Djibouti, Central Africa. French Guyana S.America. Promotion is slow and courses are harder since the competition is tougher. If you are out to be the best then the 2eme REP has a lot to offer. On arriving at Camp Rafalli in Corsica - the initial four months or so are spent on further training and doing the "Jumps course" - until you have completed this you cannot be effected to a fighting company and are consequently not regarded as a trained rank. Indeed you will probably feel exactly the same as if you were still under instruction. Further fieldcraft training and combat experience will be gained during your first year. Only after then can you consider yourself to have taken your place properly in the 2 REP. Once in "The REP" there is much emphasis on physical training and there are plenty of clubs on camp, Kick boxing, Cycling, Clay pigeon shooting etc etc. It is tradition in this regiment to be confined to the island for the first year of the first posting there. It is also tradition for the whole regiment to march across the island from one side to the other once a year - a distance of about 200kms (Very hilly, barren and rugged country). 3 REI. (Regiment Etranger D'Infanterie). F. GUYANE - S.America This Regiment is either loved or hated. Based in Kourou, French Guyana, it is a unique world of action and adventure. The pay is not the greatest in the world but there are plenty of stories to be told after a two year tour here. A lot of the Legion's work here is run from boats hollowed out of trees known as "pirogues", as are used by the natives of the country. The role of the Legion in this area is to protect the rocket sight "Ariane", to man the surveillance posts between Brazil and Surinam and to ensure the safety of the regional headquarters at Martinique. There has been a war going on in nearby 79 Suriname for some years and every now and again a body is seen floating down the river as a result of mercenary operations that go on. French Guyana consists of hundreds of square miles of tropical jungle and is extremely hot and humid. You are permanently wet and fungal infections are rife. The jungle is full of natural dangers and whether it is animal or vegetable it will either bite you or sting you. The constant noise of birdsong can also drive you to insanity. The hardest part of jungle training is often considered to be the assault course which has to be one of the toughest in the world. Pay for this Regiment is about F4500 per month. The beer is cheap and there was, until recently a brothel run by the Legion on camp (this was the last Regiment to run its own brothel). Their were four local girls who were changed once every couple of months. 13 DBLE (13eme Demi-Brigade de la Legion Etrangere) DJBOUTI - NE Africa. This unit is re-inforced by a rotating company of the 2eme REP or the 2eme REI. It's duties are to guarantee the defence, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Djbouti. Geographically the 13 DBLE is situated in a very strategic position - It has instant access to the Indian ocean and is close enough to facilitate control of the Red Sea and the Suez canal. As a Legionnaire posted in Djbouti you can expect to be on bush tours and nomadisation exercises as well as amphibious training. Soldiering in Djbouti can be tense and tribal friction is commonplace. There are constant patrols along the northern frontier of the Ethiopean and Eritrean borders. Normally Legionnaires are posted to Quartier Gabode after several years of service. This is the only regiment 80 where there is a lot of money to be made. Not only do you earn a lot more money here but you have little to spend it on, everything is cheap in this part of the world and you have no Permission during your time in Djbouti. (You do have a big back-log of permission after the tour though - so you can end up with several thousand pounds in cash plus three months leave after a two year stint in Djbouti - even as a Legionnaire.) On top of that every legionnaire recieves a bounty of twenty thousand Francs at the end of his tour. A Sergent can be putting away many thousands of Francs away each week whilst in Djbouti. On completion of his two years posting he will have accrued a lot of money. There are normally about one or two places allowed per Section after basic training - if you are good enough in basic training, you could be sent here directly aAer Castelnaudary. Prostitution is rife in the towns and the beer is cheap. In fact everything is cheap and anything can be bought. Life is a little more relaxed in Djbouti since there are very few that are fresh out of training. Since the area is of Muslim faith the Legion also pays heed to the local traditions and work is done on Saturday and Sunday whilst Thursday and Friday takes the form of a weekend. Every legionnaire who serves in Djbouti recieves a bounty of twenty thousand Francs on completion of the tour of duty. 5 RE (5eme Regiment Etranger) Mururoa - Tahiti, S.Pacific. This is where the Legion are responsible for overseeing the nuclear testing grounds and for representing France in the furthest corner of French Polynesia. It is a very small detachment made up of the Legionnaires of some experience. The money is not particularly great and there are long journeys at sea as well as isolation and little to occupy yourselves. They concern themselves mainly with building and road construction, security of the test site, 81 maintaining a clean water supply and good communications link. DLEM (Detachement De La Legion Etrangere De Mayotte) Mayotte - Indian Ocean. This small detachement's main duties are in construction, supply and security. It is run and maintained by Les Anciens (Legionnaires with many years service under their belt). It is for those who have done plenty of service and can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. 6 REG (6 eme Regiment Etranger Genie) Avignon - France. This regiment is based in another beautiful area of France and their job is that of engineering, bridge building, mine clearance and demolition. They were used extensively during the Gulf war to deal with mines and booby traps. They have been involved in almost every theatre of conflict that the Legion has been assigned to in recent years. The 6 REG forms part of France's Force d'Action Rapide along with the 2 REI and the 1 REC. 2 REI (2 eme Regiment Etranger D'Infanterie) Nimes - France. A large proportion of this regiment is made up of French men. Life in the 2 REI is hectic as detachments away for four months at a time are commonplace. (Either in French 82 Guyana, Djbouti or as has more recently been the case on longer operations around the world. This regiment was used extensively in the Gulf war, Bosnia and in Africa. The troops are supported by the vehicle known as the VAB (Vehicule avant Blindee - meaning vehicle that goes in front of the armoured vehicles) A superb wheeled vehicle which carries ten men. With the 6 REG and the 1 REC this regiment forms part of France's "Force d'Action Rapide". Les Metiers de la Legion - Trades of the Legion. Once basic training has been completed a period of time is normally spent as a combat soldier before specialising in any trade or even taking up further soldiering skills. Listed below are some of the trades that can be taken up, normally after some years in the Legion. Administration: Secretary, typist, accountant, storekeeper, - Signals: Radio operator, radio mechanic, Exchange operator, teletypist, - Transport: Drivers of light vehicles, lorries, buses and tracked vehicles, - Engineers: Heavy equipment operator, designer, 83 - Building: Bricklayer, plumber, electrician, carpenter, painter etc. - Maintenance: Engine mechanic, vehicle electrician, welder, small arms repair, - Miscellaneous: Musician, medic, cook, photographer, cartoon designer, sports instructor, computer operator, Military Police, any trade in connection with the printing business. Other specialist skills can be learnt whilst still operating as a combat soldier which will not alter the normal soldiering life. As a Legionnaire you may specialise as a Tireur D'elite, Milan, Mortiers, Conducteur, Infirmier, Commando. These short courses are known as "Stages ". La Tenue et L 'Equipement - Dress and equipment. Normal working uniform is not ironed in the Legion, not even in basic training. The only uniform that is ironed is the "Tenue de Garde" (Uniform worn on guard duty), "Tenue de sortie". (Uniform worn when allowed into the town) and the "Tenue De Parade" (Uniform worn when on parade). The ironing of these items of clothing appears daunting at first but once it has been done a few times it is really not too bad. The reason being is that there are fifteen creases to be ironed into the shirt; three above each top pocket, two down each arm, two across the top of the back and three more which run vertically down the back. 84 Trousers are ironed in the more conventional manner. The first time you iron your shirt - it will probably take you a good hour, but once the creases are in, it is a fairly simple process to run over them again. (Even after the shirt has been washed the creases lines are evident). This makes it all the more important to make sure the creases are in the correct place to start with. Shoes are polished but not bulled - footwear is never bulled in the Legion (unless you want to of course). If it is winter then Tenue D'Hiver (brown jacket and trousers) are worn. These are pressed in the conventional way. There will probably only be one iron for every ten men during basic training though, so bear that in mind - If the iron is free don't go and have a shower. It should be noted that once you have been issued your kit, any damaged or worn sports clothing must be replaced by you. Likewise the Kepi and your beret is your responsibilty. These can all be bought from the Foyer. There are two variations of colour that the beret comes in. Both are green but one is slightly lighter. Both are acceptable unless your Chef De Section says otherwise. Le Kepi Blanc - The White Eel The Kepi Blanc is the identifying symbol unique to the Legion. Many other Regiments wear Kepis too but not white. Similarly not all Legionnaires wear white Kepis; Sergents and above wear black with a red top. As do Caporal Chefs with more than 10 years service. All the ranks can be distinguished by subtle changes in their Kepi (apart from legionnaires and Caporaux). But only in the Legion is there a "Grenade a Sept Flammes" - An exploding grenade with SEVEN flames. The rest of the French Army have only six. The Kepi is worn most of the time except during excercises and active working engagements. 85 Many Legionnaires carry pictures of girlfriends or offspring in the inside base of the Kepi - this is accepted as part of the Legion tradition and is not frowned upon. Most of the Legionnaires also carry packets of cigarettes or a wallet inside the Kepi - resting on the head. Basically you can keep whatever you like in there so long as it does not affect your external appearance. When a Legionnaire is paid it is always in a set manner. This is in the form of La Presente. The money - always cash, is paid onto a table where it is swept off the table by the palm of your hand and into your Kepi, the Kepi is then swung up onto the head in one fluid movement - followed by a salute. Although it does get dirty easily; it is also easy to clean, using "Savon Marseille" (A lump of soap) and a scrubbing brush. There is also a monthly magazine issued &ee to all serving Legionnaires known as the "Kepi Blanc" which has details of what is going on in the Legion around the world. The magazine can also be sent to you after you have left the Legion for an annual fee. Le Foulard - Company shoulder signature cloth. This is a shaped piece of cloth which sits on the left shoulder. It's colour identifies each Legionnaire as to which company he belongs to. The colours remain the same throughout the various Regiments and are as follows: 1er Companie - Blue. 2eme Companie - Red. 3eme Companie - Yellow. 4 eme Companie - Green. Le Companie de Commandement et des Services (CCS) - Grey. Le Companie d'Eclarage et d'Appui (CEA) - Black. 86 La Fourragere - The Regimental Lanyard. This is a lanyard which is worn on the left shoulder with the Tenue de Guarde, Tenue de Sortie and Tenue de Parade. A different colour represents each different regiment and with each regimental lanyard is indicates the number of citations won by that particular regiment. Le Beret - Beret. The beret you are issued with at Aubagne will be green - you do not earn the beret as you do in some of the British forces; it is the Kepi that you earn. The first beret issued to you will be quite large but after three or four weeks you will be issued with a smaller one which has a much smarter appearance. They can also be bought from the "Foyer" (Like a Naafi Or American PX store). There are two very subtle colour alternatives available - people wear both. La Tenue De Combat Vert - Uniform (Green) Before you leave Aubagne your measurements are taken and kit is issued to your exact size by the storemen. Watch your kit like a hawk, name it and rename it when the ink is wearing out. If you can mark it in some subtle way so that you can recognise it from the outside - then do it. That way, if anyone robs it, you can wander around the Section quietly and find the culprit. Strange though it seems, the Legion pays little attention to personal turnout of normal daily uniform in basic training. The uniform is not ironed during basic training and any inspection is very cursory. You will be picked up for dirty clothing and the boots must be highly polished at all times. The training team will not tolerate any slackness in these areas. 87 Les Rangers - The Boots. The Boots issued in the Legion are very good, fitting well in most cases. The only drawback is the buckle arrangement which makes loud "Chinking" sounds as you walk. (These are normally quietened by either threading the buckle back through itself or securing it with tape). The boots are an item of clothing which receive a lot of attention in basic training. They are always polished downstairs and probably three or more times a day. Le Sac a Dos - The Rucksac. There is little carrying capacity and no waist support straps to take the load on the hips rather than on the shoulders. There are two straps which hang down the front and are very handy when on non-tactical operations to slip the nose and arse end of the weapon through. The weapon then hangs down in front of your chest. Apart from that the Sac a Dos is really pretty much as it's name suggests - a sack hanging from your back. It is not waterproof so anything inside should first be placed in a large plastic bag. (As you might have guessed wet weather is not such a problem in the French Foreign Legion). S3P - Nuclear Biological and Chemical warefare clothing. (Disposable). Standard carbon filled clothing for protection against Biological and Chemical agents. Like all NBC suits there are patches for placement of biological and chemical detector paper. 88 ANP - Respirator. For those that don't know a respirator is an airtight face mask fitted with a canister which facilitates safe breathing in a hazardous air environment. The "ANP" is for use in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare conditions. This item of kit was issued during the Gulf war and sits normally in a haversack on the left thigh secured by a long strap which goes around the leg and hooks back onto itself by means of two quick release clips. The respirator itself is of brown rubber and looks pretty antiquated. Thankfully it was not put to the test during the Gulf war, except during training excercises. Canisters and accessories are also supplied with the respirator and are replaced by the Chef de Groupe when required. Make sure yours is not damaged or dented. Le Noel - Christmas Time. All Legionnaires regardless of rank must be on the guartier on Christmas day - even if you have just returned from war. The Legion is your home and that is where you should be on Christmas day - with your family. This applies to all ranks including Sergents and above who may be married. The wifes of the Sous officiers and above understand the traditions of the Legion. As is often the case in the Legion, there is much emphasis on preparation. This will include things like "La Creche" - A model type scenario of a scene made out of papier mache, wooden and plastic - whatever. There may be backdrops and lighting used to enhance the effects. The scene may depict a combination of biblical and Legion history intertwined, accompanied by a voice over made by one of 89 the Legionnaires in the Section. There then follows a competition to see which Section has made and created the best Creche. The day is relaxed and there is plenty of food and drink. All Legionnaires receive a present, presented to them by the Capitaine de Compagnie. The presentation is made after a feast of food and wine on Christmas Eve. The present may be something like a watch, a walkman, a radio or a tracksuit. (A Legion tracksuit that is - no one may wear civilian tracksuits). Sometimes there is a gift given to a Legionnaire which is worth more than any other - that is the right to wear civilian clothes when out on the town. (This would only be a gift to a Legionnaire since Caporaux with over five years service and ranks above Caporal already have the right). It is rarely given and if ever it is, it will only be to one Legionnaire per Regiment. There will then follow a round of jokes told by all ranks followed up closely by Legion songs and Christmas carols. Well known carols such as Silent Night may be sung in up to ten different languages that evening. There is always some form of sporting competition held during the Christmas period. This is known as Le Jour Du Sport. It comprises of inter-company sports events such as the one and the four hundred metre sprint, volleyball, football, swimming, netball and boxing. There is also always the Regimental run which every Legionnaire takes part in on Christmas day - normally about 10 kilometres, with Sac a Dos. The Chef du Corps makes it his job to see in person every Legionnaire in his Regiment at Christmas time. As each Legionnaire passes before the Chef Du Corps, he will be asked how his career is going, if he is happy and a bit about his aspirations within the Legion, e.g. courses he would like to do etc. 90 Format of a Regiment: Here follows a typical format of a Legion regiment - in this case the 2eme REP. The Legion regiments consist of six compagnies; - One Compagnie de Commandement et des services. (CCS) - One Compagnie d'eclairage et d'appuis. (CEA) - Four Compagnies de combat. Each compagnie consists of four "Sections" of approximately forty men divided into four "Groupes" of ten men. La Companie De Commandement et des services. (Known as the "CCS") This company supplies the Chef du Corps with the means of regimental command, administration, the running of the regiments services such as the Foyer and the mess and acts as rear party to the camp when the regiment is away. La Compagnie d'Eclairage et d'Appui. (Kown as the "CEA ") This company comprises of two sections of Milan anti- tank, one section of 20 mm anti-aircraft guns, one section of 81mm and 120mm mortar and a recce section working from jeeps. These Legionnaires receive specialist training in all types of combat up to the highest level. 91 Les Compagnies de Combat. (Known as the "Premiere, Deuxieme, Troisiem