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Sep 21, 2019 Recently, I went to French Guiana in the heart of the South American jungle to train a French Foreign Legion regiment. Understand the French Foreign Legion. Before I left, I had a lot of questions since, like many of us, I didn’t really understand much about the legion outside of what I learned from shitty Jean-Claude Van Damme movies. Between 1887 and 1907, the Legion lost only 271 men killed in action in Indochina, but ten times that number perished from disease. When the French seized Madagascar in 1895, their casualties at the hands of the hopelessly incompetent Hova tribal defenders were negligible, but a third of the invasion force succumbed to fevers of one kind or another.

This article lists the principal units of the French Foreign Legion created since 1831. Legion units are only cited once, based on their respective dates of creation. A dissolved Legion unit which is recreated under the same designation will only appear once. The last section of the list re-summarizes actual Legion units in service.

XIX century[edit]

• French Foreign Legion (1st formation) - March 9, 1831
• 2nd Foreign Legion (2LE) (2nd formation) - February 3, 1836
• 1st Foreign Regiment - April 1, 1841
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment – April 1, 1841
• Foreign Brigade (unit designation in 1854 for two merged foreign regiments during the Crimean War)
• Mounted Companies (Compagnies montées de la Légion étrangère) – 1881
• Saharan Companies of the French Foreign Legion, Saharan Companies and Squadrons of the French Foreign Legion – (CSPLE, ESPLE) – 1901
• 1st Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (1^erRM 2^eRE) - 1907
• 1st Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1^e RM 1^er RE) - 1913

World War I[edit]

• 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2^e RM 2^e RE) - end of August 1914
• 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (2^e RM 1^er RE) - September 1914
• 3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (3^e RM 1^er RE) - (first called Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion entrenched camp of Paris) – September 1914
• 4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (4^e RM 1^er RE) - November 5, 1914
• Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE) - November 11, 1915

Interwar period[edit]

• 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3^e RE), ex-RMLE – November 15, 1920
• 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (4^e REI) – November 15, 1920
• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1^er REC) - 1921
• Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion in Indochina (DBLE) - August 2, 1930
• 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5^e REI) - September 1, 1930
• Foreign Legion Command (COMLE)^[1] - successive appellations and designations IILE^[2] (1931), GALE^[3] (1950), COLE^[4] (1955), ITLE^[5] (1957), GLE^[6] (1972) and COMLE^[7] (1984) - April 1, 1931.
• Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments - successive appellations and designations DCRE (1933) and DCLE (1950) – October 13, 1933.
• 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment - July 1, 1939

World War II[edit]

• Marching Regiments of Foreign Volunteers (1^er, 2^e and 3^e RMVE) - September 29, 1939, became the 21^e, 22^e, 23^e RMVE
• 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment (6^e REI) - October 1, 1939
• 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment (11^e REI) - November 6, 1939
• 97th Reconnaissance Group of the Infantry Division - GRD 97 (first called GRDI 180) – December 1, 1939
• 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment (12^e REI) – February 24, 1940
• 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13^e DBLE) (first called 13th Light Mountain Demi-Brigade) – became the 13^e DBLE on November 12, 1940
• 21st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers – (21^e RMVE) - first called 1^er RMVE – September 29, 1939
• 22nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers (22^e RMVE) first called 2^e RMVE – October 24, 1939
• 23rd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers (23^e RMVE) – first called 3^e RMVE – May 1940

Decolonization[edit]

Indochina War[edit]

• Disciplinary Company of the Foreign Regiments in the Far East (CDRE/EO) – June 1, 1946
• Passage Company of the Foreign Legion (CPLE) of the Far East- May 1, 1947
• Armored Train of the Foreign Legion (TBLE) - 1948
• Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment - Para Co. 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3^e REI) - April 1, 1948 - later designations: 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1^er BEP)
• 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment – later names and designations: 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1^er BEP) - 1948 and (1^er REP) - 1955 – July 1, 1948
• 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment – successive appellations and designations, 2^e BEP (1948) and 2^e REP (1955) – October 9, 1948.
• 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment - successive appellations and designations, 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion (3^e BEP - 1949 and 3^e REP - 1955) – November 1949
• Foreign Air Supply Company (CERA) – January 1, 1951
• 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company (1^re CEPML) – September 1, 1953

Algerian War[edit]

After 1962[edit]

• 61st Mixed Legion Engineer Battalion – 61^e BMGL - 1963
• 5th Mixed Regiment of the Pacific 5^e RMP (ex-5^e REI) – October 1963.
• 5th Heavy Weight Transport Company (CTGP) – 5^e CTGP – May 1, 1965.
• Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte successive designations and appellations DLEC (1973) and DLEM (1975) – August 2, 1973.
• 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment – 6^e REG – July 1, 1984.
• 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment – 1^er REG (ex-6^e REG) – July 1, 1999.
• 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment – 2^e REG – July 1, 1999.
• Foreign Legion Recruiting Group – GRLE – July 1, 2007.

Current Legion units[edit]

• Foreign Legion Command; officially Commandement de la Légion étrangère – COMLE.^[8]
• Foreign Legion Recruiting Group (GRLE)
• 1st Foreign Regiment (1^er RE)
• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1^er REC)
• 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1^e REG)
• 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2^er REP)
• 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2^e REG)
• 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3^e REI)
• 4th Foreign Regiment (4^e RE)
• 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13^e DBLE)
• French Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE) – 1831

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^[1] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
2. ^[2] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
3. ^[3] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
4. ^[4] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
5. ^[5] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
6. ^[6] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
7. ^[7] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
8. ^[8] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE

Sources and bibliographies[edit]

• Le Livre d’Or de la Légion étrangère (1831-1955) (Golden Book of the Legion 1831-1955), Jean Brunon et Georges Manue, éditions Charles Lavauzelle et Cie, 1958.
• Histoire de la Légion, de Narvik à Kolwesi, (The History of the Legion from Narvik to Kolwesi), Henri Le Mire, éditions Albin Michel, 1978, ISBN2-226-00694-X
• Division Communication et Information de la Légion étrangère (Communication and Information Division of the French Foreign Legion).
• Division Histoire et Patrimoine de la Légion étrangère (History and Patrimony Division of the French Foreign Legion).
• Monsieur Légionnaire - Général (cr) Hallo Jean - Lavauzelle – 1994
• Centre de documentation de la Légion étrangère (Center of Documentation of the French Foreign Legion).

The ranks within the French Foreign Legion. Ordinary soldiers ranks, Non-commissioned officers ranks, Commissioned officers ranks. Foreign Legion’s ranking system is based on the French Army ranking system. However, there are some distinctions that make the Legion’s ranking system unique.

Before receiving his Képi blanc (White Kepi) and the right to called himself as the Legionnaire, an enlisted volunteer/recruit is addressed as a simply Engagé Volontaire (Enlisted Volunteer) and authorized to wear a green beret only.

ORDINARY SOLDIERS (Militaires du rang, MDR):

Legionnaire de 2e classe

Second Class Legionnaire (equivalent to Private)

He is addressed: “Legionnaire”

Recruit/Volunteer receives that designation (it is not a rank officially) after the first four weeks of the basic training (at La ferme, the farm), if he has also finished his Marche Képi blanc (White Kepi March) successfully.

Legionnaire de 1re classe

First Class Legionnaire

He is addressed: “1re classe”

Legionnaire de 2e classe receives that rank after a minimum of 10 months of his service.

Caporal (Brigadier)

Corporal

You have to address him: “Caporal”

In the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), Corporal is called Brigadier (a Cavalry tradition).
Legionnaire de 1re classe receives that rank at the end of his successfully finished Stage Caporal (Corporal’s course), a practical month- or two-month-long course for future Corporals.

Caporal-chef (Brigadier-chef)

Senior Corporal

You have to address him: “Caporal-chef”

In 1er REC, Senior Corporal is called Brigadier-chef (a Cavalry tradition).
Caporal/Brigadier is allowed to receive that rank after a minimum of 5 years of service, if he do not want (or is not allowed) to continue as a Sous-Officier (a Non-Commissioned Officer, NCO).

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (Sous-Officiers)

Sergent (Maréchal des logis)

Sergeant

You have to address him: “Sergent” (or “Maréchal des logis” for Cavalry)

In 1er REC, Sergeant is called Maréchal des logis (a Cavalry tradition).
Caporal/Brigadier (even a Caporal-chef/Brigadier-chef) receives that rank at the end of his successfully finished Stage Sergent (Advanced Leader Course in US Army), a practical ca. 8-month-long course for future Legion’s Sergeants.

Sergent-chef (Maréchal des logis-chef)

Staff Sergeant

You have to address him: “Chef”

In 1er REC, Staff Sergeant is called Maréchal des logis-chef (a Cavalry tradition).
Sergent/Maréchal des logis is allowed to receive that rank after a minimum of 3 years of service as a Sergent/Maréchal des logis. Sergent-chef/Maréchal des logis-chef is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Adjudant

Sergeant First Class (US) or Warrant Officer Class 2 (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Adjudant” (or “Mon Lieutenant” for Cavalry)

Sergent-chef/Maréchal des logis-chef is allowed to obtain that rank after a minimum of 3 years of service as a Sergent-chef/Maréchal des logis-chef. Adjudant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Adjudant-chef

Master Sergeant (US) or Warrant Officer Class 2 (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Adjudant-chef” (or “Mon Lieutenant” for Cavalry)

Adjudant is allowed to obtain that rank after a minimum of 4 years of service as an Adjudant. Adjudant-chef is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Major

Sergeant Major (US + UK)

You have to address him: “Major”

Adjudant-chef can obtain this most senior NCO rank if he refused to continue his career as an officier. Usually, he has to serve more than 25 years to be able to obtain it.
He has to pass an audition/examination successfully or, if he has been serving for a sufficient time, he can submit an application for. Major is an uncommon rank within the Legion. Usually, there are no more than two Majors in a regiment.

French Foreign Legion Weapons

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (Officiers)

Aspirant

Officer Candidate (US) or Officer Cadet (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Lieutenant”

French Foreign Legion Craps Guide

Aspirant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Sous-Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

You have to address him: “Mon Lieutenant”

Sous-Lieutenant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Lieutenant

First Lieutenant (US) or Lieutenant (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Lieutenant”

Lieutenant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry). For lack of officers, he could be allowed to command a company (or squadron for Cavalry).

Capitaine

Captain

You have to address him: “Mon Capitaine”

Capitaine is able to command a company (or squadron for Cavalry). For lack of officers, he could be allowed to command a battalion (or a group of squadrons for Cavalry).

Commandant

Major

You have to address him: “Mon Commandant”

Commandant is officially referred to as Chef de bataillon (or Chef d’escadrons for Cavalry). He is able to command a battalion (or a group of squadrons for Cavalry) or a half-brigade. He might act as a deputy for a regiment commander (Lieutenant-Colonel or Colonel).

Lieutenant-Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel

You have to address him: “Mon Colonel”

Lieutenant-Colonel is able to command a regiment.

Colonel

Colonel

You have to address him: “Mon Colonel”

Colonel is able to command a regiment.

Général de Brigade

Brigadier General (US) or Brigadier (UK)

French Foreign Legion Craps Guide

You have to address him: “Mon Général”

Général de Brigade is able to be the commander of the whole French Foreign Legion.

Général de Division

Major General

You have to address him: “Mon Général”

Général de Division is able to be the commander of the whole French Foreign Legion.

CANCELED RANKS

Sergent-major

First Sergeant (US) or Company Sergeant Major (UK)

An already obsolete French military rank, canceled in 1971. The Sergent-major served as the senior NCO within an infantry company, being a gray eminence alongside the captain. Since 1875, Sergent-majors were responsible solely for administration tasks of a company. However, a Sergent-major of the Legion was killed in action in Algeria in 1958, while serving as a Motorized Company platoon leader.

In 1928, the rank Sergent-chef was created within the French Army to replace it. Whitin the Foreign Legion, the Sergent-majors disappeared in the late 1960s.

…

© Images credit: ForeignLegion.Info

Information source:
French Ministry of Defence
Légion étrangère
Wikipedia.org
Special thanks to Joe van Raamt, a former cavalry legionnaire, for his help

French Foreign Legion Craps Rules

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French Foreign Legion Craps Tournaments

The page was updated on: August 03, 2020

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