NationStates Jolt Archive

This board has a relatively wide variety of nationalities, so I thought this
might be the place to ask.

Has anyone here served in the French Foreign Legion?

I've found a few personal accounts on the web, and read a few books, but I thought it would be interesting to Q&A a former or current member.

Thanks.

They're a tad scary. <.<

They're a tad scary. <.<

Because of the members being drawn from people foreign to France?

Because of the members being drawn from people foreign to France?Nah, I'm sorry, I don't have an *actual* reason, I guess. I shouldn't have posted. It was just a gut reaction upon seeing the topic, thinking "Eep, I really hope we don't have any ex-Legionnaires on here!" because the Foreign Legion just has this.... somewhat scary reputation. On one hand, they're a bit mysterious, the "stuff of legends", if you will, on the other hand they're this relic of the past that today has the shine of a rogue mercenary army. And rogue mercenary armies tend to be a tad scary, IMHO.
I may easily be completely and utterly wrong about them, in which case I'll blame it squarely on the media. <.<

Nah, I'm sorry, I don't have an *actual* reason, I guess. I shouldn't have posted. It was just a gut reaction upon seeing the topic, thinking "Eep, I really hope we don't have any ex-Legionnaires on here!" because the Foreign Legion just has this.... somewhat scary reputation. On one hand, they're a bit mysterious, the "stuff of legends", if you will, on the other hand they're this relic of the past that today has the shine of a rogue mercenary army. And rogue mercenary armies tend to be a tad scary, IMHO.
I may easily be completely and utterly wrong about them, in which case I'll blame it squarely on the media. <.<

Well, I have to admit that maybe its that very roguish mystery that I find intersting about them. I imagine most military units relish a certain "scary reputation", so you probably aren't wrong on a lot of levels.