Selection

Preparing before selection

The French Foreign Legion is an elite corps, ready at very short notice to intervene in an overseas operation theater or a war zone. As such, a legionnaire’s physical condition is crucial to operational capability—it is a matter of his comrades’ very lives.

To prepare properly, Major Gérald offers simple, practical, common-sense advice:

Selection dates

The French Foreign Legion recruits all year round. Accordingly, you can present yourself at any time at a recruiting post, where our recruiters are available to answer all your questions. We’re waiting for you!

The phases of selection

1. Evaluations

Where?

• At a French Foreign Legion preselection center (Fontenay-sous-Bois / Aubagne)

What?

• Motivation interviews
• Sports tests
• Initial medical examination
• Signing of the five (5)-year enlistment contract

2. Selection

Where?

• At the French Foreign Legion selection and incorporation center (Aubagne)

What?

• Psychotechnical tests (logic tests requiring no academic knowledge)
• Additional motivation interview
• Security interview
• Additional medical examination
• Personality test

Appearance before the selection board

3. Incorporation

Where?

• At the French Foreign Legion selection and incorporation center (Aubagne)

What?

• Announcement of results
• Formalities prior to incorporation
• Presentation of the contract in the Hall of Honor of the French Foreign Legion Museum

Departure for the 4th Foreign Regiment, for a 4-month training course before being assigned to an operational regiment.
In the end, the top 10 candidates in the rankings will be assigned to their preferred regiment; the others will be assigned based on available openings and the Legion’s needs.

Failure to Select?

As in any recruitment process, the selection board may decide to exclude a candidate because they do not possess the skills required by the French Foreign Legion. This decision may be final or temporary.

 FINAL FAILURE: If the selection board has issued a final failure, it is not possible to reapply. This decision is generally irrevocable. However, it is possible to send a letter (in French) accompanied by a copy of your identity document and the documents you received upon your withdrawal. The letter should be addressed to the "General Commanding the Foreign Legion" at the following address:

COMMANDEMENT DE LA LÉGION ÉTRANGÈRE

DRHLE

Quartier Viénot - B.P. 21 355

13 784 AUBAGNE CEDEX

TEMPORARY FAILURE: This decision carries a timeframe that can range from a few months to a year. Often, it concerns a temporary unavailability or treatment to be completed before being declared fit to continue the recruitment process.

The candidate is invited to complete any required treatment and to present himself again after the allotted time.

Candidates who have a temporary failure or who have never presented themselves may write to recrutement@legion-etrangere.com for further details.