i was reading somewhere not long ago the foreign legion isn't all that foreign any more. any idea what the ratio of frenchmen in the ranks of the legion is currently?

I saw a documaentary that stated only the officers and some NCOs were French, not sure how old it was though. I thought the reason for such high foreign membership was to make the unit basically expendable.

What I have read and heard is this. The only French Citizens allowed in the legion are the Officers. However at his time the enlisted ranks are about 50% French. Many Frenchmen get around the citizenship issue by faking Belgian citizenship. Max age for joining is about 39. They are probably the most effective unit in the French military because they are not inficted with the same level of political correctness that most regular units of Western Armed Forces are. Heck a female was even nurse maid through the Royal Marine Commando course. There are no females in the legion. Enlistment is for 5 years.

"Many Frenchmen get around the citizenship issue by faking Belgian citizenship" Don't alot also fake French-Canadian citizenship?

I read it was mostly Belgian but why not French Canadian? I would guess that due to geographic location Belgian documents ar easier to get a hold of. The extent to which people will go to join a unit is a good measure of it. A lot of other military organization including the regular French and US military and other Western Armies could learn from the legion what it is that creates this desire to join.

they didn't used to ask to see documents. you could tell the recruiting officer you were a frigging martian it didn't matter.

False they make an inquiry (to avoid psychopaths ).But if everything is OK you can put nationality, identity and name you want to be anonymous.

"False they make an inquiry (to avoid psychopaths )" Maybe this is just legend, I thought that one of the ideas for the Foreign Legion was a fresh start for some people with dubious backgrounds? I the check just to see if they are mentally stable? Or would say a criminal background keep you out of the Legion these days?

The clean slate and citizenship is a big plus, but as a Swedish lady of my aquaintance said, those are those "crazy" guys who want to fight. There was a woman who was given an honorary enlisted position in the legion, I think Corporal. She was a nurse who served through the entire battle of Dien Bien Phu. (My great grandfather and his brother, who were from Alsace-Lorraine, jumped the border and served in the Legion pre-WW1 in North Africa. They didn't want to be in the Kaiser's army, while their half brother stayed and served therein.)

Any Frenchman or Foreigner can join up . From 18 to 35 . When you pass the door , they take your money if you have any on you and your passport and direct you ~escort you~ to a Sous-Officier for immediat interview . The interview last 4 hours . They ask EVERYTHING from your youth to yesterday . Interview is recorded and major points checked the same day . If you are a murderer , traitor , bank robber , or considered dangerous during the interview they will escort you back to the door , giving you back money and passport . If they take you on , they keep the money (if any) as well as passport . YOU WILL SIGN THE 5 YEARS CONTRACT THAT SAME DAY . Then you strip naked and the Legion take over . They give you all personals you need , from pants to helmet . You then have your hair cut . You will stay where you are maximum a week . You do NOT leave the premises . Then a military bus transport you to "The Farm" where you begin your training . Being an ex SAS will not change anything . Everybody will run . To know more , join up . Cheers .