French foreign legion: history of creation, features and composition

The French Foreign Legion is a legendary elite military unit that is part of the French Armed Forces. Now it includes about 8 thousand fighters of 150 nationalities. In this division, neither the place of birth, nor the past, nor the race or nation of man is important. The only ideal for all is the ministry of France.

The French Foreign Legion was created during the reign of King Louis Philip I. The new formation was supposed to perform combat missions outside the state. The command staff was recruited from the officers of the French army, and the unit was accepted by people of any nationality. At the same time, even the one who had problems with the law could become a member of the formation. The decision to create the Foreign French Legion brought a double benefit. The government of the country received another efficient unit of the army. At the same time, it was possible to get rid of the many dangerous personalities that flooded the country at that time.

After its creation, the French Foreign Legion was sent to Algeria to participate in a large-scale campaign to colonize the area. In the same period of time, a tradition arose to not ask the future legionaries of real names. Thanks to this, many people with a criminal past could start a new life under a completely different pseudonym. Even in the present times, the rules of the unit allow an anonymous set. After several years of conscientious service, the legionaries are given the opportunity to become citizens of France.

The fighters of this unit have the first rule - never give up! This tradition dates back to 1863, when three Legion fighters held back about two thousand Mexican soldiers. In the end, they were taken prisoner, but for courage and valor, they let them go with honor.

Now the French Foreign Legion consists of sapper, infantry and tank units. The structure of the unit includes 7 regiments. Among them are the famous paratroopers and special forces GCP, a semi-brigade, a detachment of special purpose and a training regiment. The initial contract is concluded for a period of five years. It is available for any man (passing the tests) at the age of 40 years. Women are not taken to the French Foreign Legion. The salary of the military depends on the length of service and increases with the service life.

In the first five years, an ordinary soldier can grow to a corporal. If he concludes a second contract, he can count not only on the citizenship of France, but also on a large pension that will be paid anywhere in the world. Officers, as a rule, become regular military personnel who graduated from the corresponding educational institutions.

In many countries of the world, mercenaries are prosecuted by law. Therefore, recruiting points exist only in France. If a person is offered to pass a selection in another part of the world, then he has faced fraud. All applicants are seriously tested. With each future legionary, a special interview is also conducted, at which he must honestly tell about his past. Testing takes place in three stages, each of which repeats the previous one.

Since its inception, the Legion has participated in many different conflicts. After the revolution took place in 1917, many Russian Cossacks, officers and soldiers entered the ranks, leaving Russia. In 1921 the Cossack regiment was even formed. After the collapse of the USSR, everything happened again. A stream of professional Soviet troops poured into the Legion, which became unnecessary for their country. Many Russian fighters are inscribed in the history of the division in gold letters.