I entered the room and found myself in a well-arranged office. I saw military photos, maps, different tank posters all over the wall. At the table there was sitting a spindle, tall, blond haired, middle-aged guy with a complete library behind him. I was ready for the interview.
As I mentioned in the previous article the office called Gestapo by the candidates (officially DSPLE) after the secret police of Nazi Germany.
My interviewer was a German sergent-chef (SCH) and he started the background check.
He was asking me in German and English which was a bit confusing at the beginning to answer the same questions in two different languages. He passed me on a drug test, asked like 10 times to tell him:
- How often I take drugs
- did I ever rub a bank,
- do I have a credit etc.
He wanted to know everything about me (are you sure, you are not gay?) and about my family…
- What are they doing,
- how much money they do and,
- how old are they,
- since when are they married.
Everything about my siblings, grand-parents. He asked some questions even of my friends. Normally, if you give them your e-mail address they check your Facebook page and everything they can find on Google of you. If they find something, they are trying to convince you, they got those informations from some special agency.
Once, without any sign, the sergent-chef started shouting on me
that I must tell him what the real reason is I want to join the Legion. Meanwhile, another man entered the room and started to ask questions on my native language.
Get ready for the
French Foreign Legion
IQ tests,
Training
plans,
french
Vocabulary
and more.
Download Legion Training for free!
So one was shouting on me and the other one was interrogating in the same time. Nowadays, I prefer to say that I kept my calm but actually I wasn’t able to say anything else than repeating the same answer I already told them at the beginning.
His next question was a cold shower.
He asked me how my uncle is going. I didn’t say a word of my uncle during the whole time I passed in France. He even knew his rank in the police. I didn’t expect this type of questions.
At the end, the last 30 minutes was already okay. He told me that next week he wants to see me in military uniform. For the first time since I arrived to France, I was a bit more confident.
After the interview I went to eat and heard a story of another guy who passed his interview at the Gestapo in 20 minutes.
He got the same questions like everyone else but gave a never heard answer.
– Why did you come here? – asked the adjutant.
– Because the caporal-chef told me to come over. – said the guy.
He was between the firsts to get in.
We were around 50 left from ~150 at the end of the week. 14 of us went to Castelnaudary.
That day I officially became an Engagé Volontaire.
During the next years of service somebody told me that the 2 happiest days in the French Foreign Legion are the first when you enlist and the last when you leave. It’s a bit extremist pronouncement but actually it’s not too far from the truth.
The next week, after some further medical tests, we finally left by train to Castelnaudary. The 4th Foreign Regiment, the “school” of the French Foreign Legion.
Hi,
My son walked into the Fort De Nogent a month ago so I presume he’s progressing. My question is when should I expect to hear from him again?, his mother is a bag of nerves & worried sick.
Hey, it depends on his platoon chief, but generally it’s around 10-12 weeks since he left
6 weeks for me, that was back in 1980
Cheers 👍
Hi Aron.
My name is Pawel. I am thinking of going to France and trying to participate in the selection. I am in good physical shape, but already 36 years old. Does this age give little chance?
I would be very grateful if you could write about medical tests. As much information as possible.
best regards
Hey, I’ve already wrote about the medical tests here: https://legionstories.com/medical-tests-french-foreign-legion/
Your age isn’t an issue, since the age limit is 39,5, so you can give a try.
Thank you.
This is very helpful information.
So, if anything with the spine is wrong, there’s no chance of it going?
I ask this because sometimes I feel something in the lower part. It does not bother me on a daily basis and in sports, but there is something there.
Best regards : )
a) An Ideal interview with “gestapo” usually means short interview or long interview?
I have already read some histories from persons that took more than 1 hour, even 2 hours and didn’t pass.
b) They want to break you down, but what happens if they “fail” in this process? Will you pass?
Well I really liked reading it. This tip offered by you is very helpful for correct planning.
How’s it going Aaron? I’m partner owner in an ecommerce store but I really want to be in the FFL. My concern is that my involvement with the business would come up on the background check. Are they able to find out about this kind of stuff?
Hey, launch a search with your name in Google. If you find it linked to your business they’ll find out as well.
check Gestapo the Background at 3 Chapter Background the at check Chapter 3 Gestapo
I’d like to start blogging but I have no idea which website to use? Which ones are the best?.
hello can I join the french foreign legion with a felony of a arson no problem with police officer