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

Échec à la sélection?

Failed selection?

As with any recruitment process, the selection board may decide to remove a candidate from the process because he does not demonstrate the aptitudes required by the French Foreign Legion. This decision may be definitive or temporary.

DEFINITIVE FAILURE: This means that the command of the French Foreign Legion has determined that, despite the candidate’s qualities, he does not have the aptitudes required to become a legionnaire.

This decision is irrevocable, with no exceptions, and the candidate permanently leaves the selection process.

As such, it is pointless to present yourself again or to request in writing another opportunity to apply.

However, it is possible to request confirmation of your status by writing an email to recrutement@legion-etrangere.com.

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.