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Last update:
22 Jan 2010
© Zdenek Busek
Photos are courtesy of Zdenek and other members of the 2REP.
We all miss you Zdendo, but we wish you all the best and good luck in your future life.
Never give up on what you really want to do.
In every man and woman's life there comes a time of ultimate challenge - a time when every resources we have is tested. A time when our faith, our values, our patience, our compassion, our ability to persist, are all pushed to our limits and beyond. Some people use such tests as opportunities to become better people - others allow these experiences to destroy them.
Anthony Robbins, Unlimited Power.
One Legionnaire's Experience:
"... That same day I was taken to the main Legion Entrangere (LE) Headquarters at Augbane. All my possessions were taken from me. They left me with only the bare essentials - shaving cream, my Mach 3 razor, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, my Nike runners and dad's Tissot watch. Oh, they also let me keep the French phrasebook that A. bought me. All the rest was locked away deep down in the Augbane "magasin" clearly labeled with my real name, but who knows when it'll see the light of day again. ..." more...
From official French Foreign Legion recruitment office
Many times I get questions about medical and age requirements for enlisting in the French Foreign Legion. I added an official letter from French Foreign Legion recruitment office to the FAQ page.
The most frequently asked question is regarding eye sight and glasses:
Basically it is up to the medical officer in the FFL to assess each case individually and decide the eligibility of the applicant on the basis of their current needs. It means that you may not be eligible for 2 REP but still you can get into other regiments, if the Legion needs you there.
Simply put - you never know until you go ...
Robert Girardi presents Gorgeous East: A Novel
Robert Girardi's Gorgeous East follows three French Foreign legionnaires of very different backgrounds from the cliffs of Mont Saint-Michel to Istanbul's ancient alley ways, from raucous Parisian bars to the desolate Sahara. When a mission in the Sahara goes horribly wrong, one legionnaire must wage battle against a rogue terrorist group and rescue his brothers-in-arms. In this tremendous return to form, Girardi showcases his sheer love of language and luminous sense of place to deliver a masterful novel of the hearts and minds of soldiers of fortune.
The book is not about the French Foreign Legion, but it certainly makes a good reading to everybody interested in legionnaire's life.
New Armored Vehicle from Australia
Today (29 September 2009) Australia unveiled their new armored vehicle with a better mobility and a better protection against road side bombs - here are two pictures captured from the news:
Simon Murray awarded Legion d'Honneur
"The well-dressed young man was little prepared for the consequences of the naive impulse that took him to the grim Old Fort in Paris in one cold winter morning. As the massive gates swung open he was confronted by a soldier dressed in khaki, a blue cummerbund, bright red epaulettes, white gaiters, and a white kepi. The Legionnaire slammed the doors behind him.
Five short years later Simon Murray left the legendary French Foreign Legion a battle hardened veteran, a man who had plumbed the depth of physical and emotional experience." From the Legionnaire by Simon Murray.
Simon Murray, the author of Legionnaire, probably the most famous book about the French Foreign Legion was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, the highest French award, on the 14th of July 2009 in Paris. In December 2004, at the age of 63, Simon Murray and Pen Hadow set for a journey to the South Pole - a 1200 km trek through Antarctica. They reached the South Pole about two month later, overcoming 2835 m high mountains on their way - unsupported. (From Wikipedia). |
14th of July - the Bastille Day
and the 2REP is participating in the parade on the Champs Elysees. No, the Legion does not split on the roundabout, they never split - why? ...
An old postcard with name Captain Danjou
remands me the 30th of April is close - the day the Legion celebrates the bravery of their men fallen at Cameron, Mexico 1863.
Have a great day - all of you wearing kepis.
Afghanistan - war with no end in sight
The report will be about France's role in Afghanistan. They have around 3000 troops and have been there since 2001. The myth is that the French are just a peace keeping force - but there was a lot of NATO praise for them when they left the relative safety of the capital and sent 700 extra troops to Kapisa last year. More BBC ...
Col Nicolas Le Nen
27th Regiment de Chasseurs
France is already among the top five contributors to Nato operations and has almost 3,000 troops in Afghanistan. The largest contingent is in the eastern province of Kapisa, where our Paris correspondent, Emma Jane Kirby, has spent two weeks embedded with the troops for Newsnight. More BBC ...
"It will be very long, it will be very long to win the war." (Pte Beranger - Afghanistan)
Australian SAS soldier awarded Victoria Cross
MARK Donaldson has become the first Australian soldier awarded the Victoria Cross in 40 years, for his "exceptional bravery" in service in Afghanistan. Full story ...
A new plague dedicated to Australian commando units fought in WW2
by Dr. Ross J. Bastiaan has been installed in Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory NP.
Anzacs plaques around the world - have you spotted one?
I have always been amazed by people who do things with passion regardless what their reward is or what other people think of them. Such is Dr. Ross Bastiaan, a Melbourne dentist who has invested a great deal of his time and money designing and installing plaques commemorating Australians served at war.
From South Africa to Gallipoli, Flander Fields to the Kokoda Trail, more than 160 plaques tell the stories of Australians at war. The plaques are in London, Canberra, Balikpapan in Borneo, Tobruk and Singapore, just about everywhere the Australians have fought. more...
I would like to include a chapter dedicated to Australians at war into this web site and would like to ask you for a help - if you come across one of the plaques created by Dr. Ross Bastiaan - could you please email a picture of it to zdenek@iprimus.com.au (and please include the subject 'kepi") - the picture if published will include name of the author.
Thank you.