Officially, the Legio Patria Nostra motto has an unknown origin, however. The private thesis of the author of this text is that we should search for the origins of the motto in the large reorganization of the Legion in 1920-1921. At the time, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Frédéric Rollet, the then commander of the 3e REI and the future Father of the Legion, made an effort to return discipline and esprit de corps into the institution (which had been considerably affected by WWI), to unite all legionnaires into a strong family with its own identity and character. Such a motto perfectly meets those ideas. This thesis is supported by the fact that the first known use of the motto is the 3e REI’s badge from the 1920s. The very first badge of the 3e REI. Designed in Morocco in 1928, it bears the Legio Patria Nostra motto. The current badge of the 3e REI, still with the same motto. Main articles: Second French intervention in Mexico and Battle of Camarón Uniform of a legionnaire during the 1863 Mexican campaign DLEM: Honneur et Fidélité and Pericula Ludus ( Dangers game – for the regiment To Danger is my pleasure of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment)

VAB ( Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé– Armored Frontline Vehicle) is an armored personnel carrier and support vehicle designed to transport infantry troops to the frontline. It is used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army units. It has been produced by GIAT Industries since 1976. The Legion has used VAB since mid-1981. PAMAS G1 is a standard semi-automatic pistol (a copy of the Beretta 92) produced by Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne, the French weapons factory of St.Étienne. French Army forces has been using it since 2000. The PAMAS G1 is currently replacing the older pistol PA MAC 50, which has been using in the French Army and Foreign Legion since 1950.

Rank Markings

FAMAS Valorisé (Upgraded FAMAS) is an upgraded, non-félinized version of FAMAS F1 designated for operational units of the French Army. It’s an intermediate between F1 and FÉLIN versions of the rifle, with a Picatinny attachment and laser designator. It has also the same modified bipod as the FÉLIN. The French Army was equipped with the upgraded rifle in the 2010s, including several units of the Legion (such as the 2e REI or 2e REP). Don’t confuse with a version called FAMAS Surbaissé (Decreased FAMAS) with the typically raised handguard being decreased and modernized. A 2e REI legionnaire with the FAMAS Valorisé ( 2018)

The Syria–Lebanon Campaign of June 1941 saw legionnaire fighting legionnaire as the 13 e D.B.L.E clashed with the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment 6 e REI at Damascus. Nevertheless, many legionnaires of the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment 6 e (dissolved on 31 December 1941) integrated into the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion R.M.L.E in 1942. Later, a thousand of the rank-and-file of the Vichy Legion unit joined the 13 e D.B.L.E. of the Free French forces which were also part (as of September 1944) of Jean de Lattre de Tassigny's successful amalgam of the French Liberation Army ( French: Armée française de la Libération), the (400,000 men) amalgam consisted of the Armistice Army, the Free French Forces and the French Forces of the Interior which formed Army B and later became part of the French 1st Army with forces also issued from the French Resistance. M2 Browning, called simply the “12,7”, is a heavy machine gun used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in USA in 1921. The French Foreign Legion has used the 12,7 since summer 1943.REP Commando Parachute Group ( GCP); Pathfinders qualified in Direct Actions, Special Reconnaissance and IMEX.

Regarding the operational aspect, the units of the Legion belong to different brigades or territorial commands of the French Army. [54] On the other hand, with regard to the administrative management (including recruitment, traditions and training), these units depend on the Foreign Legion Command (COMLE), which itself is subordinate to the Army. [55] While the Foreign Legion historically did not accept women in its ranks, there was one official female member, Susan Travers, an Englishwoman who joined Free French Forces during World War II and became a member of the Foreign Legion after the war, serving in Vietnam during the First Indochina War. [61] Women were barred from service until 2000. [63] Membership by country [ edit ] Main articles: 1st Foreign Regiment, Paul-Frédéric Rollet, and Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) Main articles: Jacques Lefort, Pierre Darmuzai, Paul Arnaud de Foïard, and Bernard Goupil Parachute company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.Régiment Étranger de Génie 1 er REG; Parachute Underwater Demolition P.C.G Teams (Combat Engineer Divers, French: Plongeurs Commando group), DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment ( French: Détachement d'Intervention Nautique Operationnelle Subaquatique). LGI Mle F1 ( Lance-Grenade Individuel Mle F1– Individual grenade launcher, F1 Model) is a lightweight close-support infantry weapon. The LGI has been using by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces since the 1990s. Main articles: Jean Olié, Paul Gardy, and Hélie de Saint Marc Marche ou Crève and More Majorum for Legion Officers, Sous-Officiers and Legionnaires of the CEPs, BEPs and REPs of the Legion. [48] Tenue of a Legionnaire of the Saharan Mounted Companies of the Foreign Legion (CSPLE). Often blue or red and worn by all the soldiers of the Army of Africa; the Legion however, officially adopted the Ceinture Bleue (blue sash) in 1882.