I’m Aron, the founder and writer of LegionStories. I help people who want to join the French Foreign Legion understand selection and life as a legionnaire.
LegionStories is an unofficial website. I served in the French Foreign Legion from 2012 to 2020 and continue to keep my knowledge of the Legion up to date thanks to my current job and friends.
My service in the French Foreign Legion
I completed basic training at the 4th Foreign Regiment in Castelnaudary. After that, I joined the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment, or 2e REG, in Saint-Christol.
During my first four years, I served as a legionnaire and then as a corporal. In 2016, I completed my non-commissioned officer (NCO) course.
My speciality was signals. I worked as a radioman, also called a signaller. My training also included a high mountain team leader course and advanced signals training.
During my eight years in the Legion, I took part in these operations:
- Sangaris in the Central African Republic.
- Harpie in French Guiana, for six months.
- Barkhane in Mali.
That experience is what I draw on when I write about training, military jobs and daily life in the Legion.
Why I started LegionStories
When I joined in 2012, I knew very little about the Legion. I wanted to join, but I did not understand how selection worked. That nearly cost me my place.
During selection in Aubagne, I found out that I had to run at least 2,600 metres in the Cooper test. I was used to checking my pace on a treadmill. In Aubagne, I did not even have a watch. I only just passed. I was the last one to make it.
I wish someone had explained the process before I arrived. What tests would I take? How should I prepare? What happened after I walked through the gate?
That is why I created LegionStories. I want you to have the information I was missing, in English you can understand even if it is not your first language.
The Cooper test is part of my story from 2012. For the tests and preparation advice that apply today, read the French Foreign Legion joining guide.
The selection interviews I went through
During my selection interviews, I was asked:
- Why do you want to join the French Foreign Legion?
- Why didn’t you join your own country’s army?
- How long do you want to stay in the French Foreign Legion?
I describe how those interviews went in my stories about the tests and interviews in Aubagne and the background-check interview candidates called the "Gestapo".
These are questions from my own selection. Think about your reasons for joining and answer in your own words.
What you will find here
I write about selection, physical preparation, basic training and daily life in the Legion. You will also find articles about pay, careers, regiments and traditions.
My stories follow my early years, from deciding to join to life at 2e REG, learning my job as a radioman and arriving on my first operation in the Central African Republic.
Some articles explain official information. Others share my experience and practical advice. I make that difference clear so you can understand where the information comes from.
I keep the language simple and the advice direct. The aim is to help you understand what you are getting into and prepare seriously before you travel to France.
If you are thinking about joining, start with the joining guide. You can also browse my articles.
Prepare with Legion Training
I also helped create the Legion Training app. It gives you practical exercises to work on as you prepare to join.
- Practise logic and IQ-style questions.
- Follow fitness workouts and practise the Luc Léger test.
- Learn useful French vocabulary.
Read the guides here to understand the process, then use the app to put your preparation into practice.
Join the conversation on Reddit
I am also the head administrator of the French Foreign Legion subreddit. You are welcome to join the community, read the discussions and ask questions.
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?