French Foreign Legion

Career opportunities in the Legion

If you have good potential, are motivated, hard working and serious, the following careers are possible.

ENLISTED MAN'S CAREER	N.C.O.S. CAREER	MAJORS	Years of service
LEGIONNAIRE			1 / 6
CORPORAL Possible after 2 years of service	SERGEANT Possible after 3 years of service		1 / 6
SENIOR CORPORAL Possible after 6 years of service	STAFF SERGEANT Possible after 3 years in rank of sergeant		7 / 14
	ADJUDANT Possible after 3 years in rank of staff sergeant		7 / 14
	REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR Possible after 4 years in rank of adjudant	MAJOR Either after passing the examination or being appointed without the examination.	14 / 25 years and more
	OFFICER'S CAREER 10% of Legion officers started their career as legionnaires and worked up though the ranks.

A legion career is based on merit. Any legionnaire can build a career not on school diplomas or professional or civilian qualifications, but by taking military or technical examinations throughout his service.

All the N.C.O.S. in the French Foreign Legion began their careers as simple legionnaires.

N.C.O.S. count for 25% of the legion today.