I got surprised when I met a young caucasian guy from the hospital a few days ago.I was on a visit to my physician when I stumble upon this young man. I was talking in English, Spanish and some broken Filipino language to his companion. I asked him about his tattoos because tattoos tells lots of stories and looked on it and saw something familiar on his calf, The French Foreign Legion Insignia (FFL) and the Paratrooper badges on arm.

I politely asked him, told him that his tattoos are FFL insignias. He was stunned and asked me how did I know those stuff. I told him that I read a book about the FFL History written by John Robert Young, a famous British photojournalist. He mentioned also that he loves to read some of those autobiographies made by former legionnaires who became successful later in life like Simon Murray, a successful British businessman, writer and oldest person to travel by the south pole, Christian Jennings, (writer/publisher), Jaime Salazar (writer / engineer) and a lot more.

I got to know the man, he is an American citizen from Texas who currently lives and reside somewhere in Metro Manila nowadays, along with his girlfriend / companion. We got a long on a very light conversation and shared to me some insights on what he experienced as a legionnaire in France and overseas deployment and also some aspects after retiring from the FFL and moving in the Philippines from the U.S.A. As he mentioned, Life as a Legionnaire is tough and is not about the romanticized stories seen onscreen like Beau Geste or other Hollywood inspired movies. There are times that corporal punishment could be done with a wooden stick being beaten up black and blue by the cadre or others if you make some mistakes. The legionnaires are tough as steel like SUPERMEN. However, they also feel the pressure, stress and pain from but their tolerance to perform heavy task are already innate specially in combat.

I always got dream of joining up on this league of pure machismo and adrenaline pumping action. Wherein I am person who's looking for sense of adventure and danger in life. The legionnaire life is a very regimented life as you live in more of a spartan existence in the military. To be successful in finishing the five year contract is to gain patience, perseverance, loyalty and disciplined lifestyle. Success of completing the five year contract is somewhat 50/50 and chances of legionnaires experiencing disillusionment and desertion is very high and rampant. Death among the legionnaires during combat, training exercises and even suicide are said to be high also. If you did not make the cut the ticket and expenses spend during travel will not be reimbursed by the legion it is under your own expense.

As one Filipino said, a legionnaire is 10% on his FAMAS and 90% on his broomstick meaning he is doing corvee (focusing on cleaning living quarter and the base).

For women, a legionnaire pulls a lot of attention and mystic on them. In such, their white kepi and uniform make them attractive to them.

How to join, before signing your 5 year contract, you should ask yourself are you physically and mentally prepared for the rough ride ahead think a lot of time before joining. If you are up to the challenge then get a visa in the French Embassy in Manila probably a Schengen visa (European Union Visa). Never mention to the consul that you are joining the Legion. Arriving in France from major cities like Paris, Marseilles, Toulouse (mainland France) and ask for direction to nearby French Foreign Legion Recruiting Stations like Fort de Nogent (near Paris) or in Lille or go directly to Aubagne (main legionnaire HQ). For more information visit http://www.legion-recrute.com/. You can also visit forums dedicated to the FFL at www.cervens.net for questions about from getting recruited in which this site are actually moderated and adminstered by active or former legionnaire who have done service to "Madame de la Republique" in 5 years or more.

The rate of legionnaire seeing action in combat are high. Desertion is also high among the legionnaires who do have had enough of the Legion. The legionnaires are the first one to go in combat if the French government gets involved in conflicts and they are the last ones to be out. I admire the courage of these men even if they there have been bad reputation on them in the past, they fight for their brothers / fellow legionnaire with their motto in Latin "LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA (The Legion is my Homeland)".