Moniteur 2006

The brevet of the qualification Moniteur des techniques Commando

This series of images is from a four week course ( stage ) called the moniteur commando, or also the 2ème Niveau commando . It is the second level of the various stages commando throughout the French Armed Forces, the first level being the numerous stages aguerrissement in Djibouti, Gabon, Guyane and France (see the photos from the stage commando in Gabon in of the other sections on this website).

As such, it is the first stage where one learns how to not only apply various commando techniques, but also how to teach them others and how to supervise commando training sessions.

The stage itself is very demanding, both physically and mentally, as one of the goals is to see how the stageurs behave under duress and permanent stress and fatigue. Rusticity is a vital component, with 99% of the stage being spent outdoors, day and night. In reality, the only time when one can relax is during the weekends, everyone being given Saturday and Sunday off to replenish energy and catch up on much-needed sleep.

The setting is in Mont-Louis, an ancient fortified town in the French Pyrenées. It houses the Centre National d'Entraînement Commando , or CNEC, which is tasked with forming all of the various levels of commando qualifications – moniteur, instructeur, formatteur. It has an almost medieval aura about it, with high stone walls and buildings, small windows and a labyrinth of passages, corridors and alleys. Since its inauguration as the headquarters of commando training in France, there have been many features added specific to the training of commandos, with designated areas for abseiling and rappel, a large gymnasium hall within the former church (with high walls equipped for indoor rock climbing), a boxing ring and, most importantly, four pistes d'audace , or adventure courses. These pistes are one of the most essential elements of the stages commando, and are an ideal method for training self-confidence and for pushing one's physical and mental envelopes.

I had the rare chance of being able to do this stage in the height of summer, when the weather in the high Pyrenées mountains is warm and pleasant, even during the night. Formerly, the Foreign Legion would send its candidates only in the winter, as, the legend goes, the weather and the temperatures in the months of December and January were so insupportable that only the Legion were crazy enough to carry out their training. I must say that after spending all those nights outside, living out of a backpack that one had to prepare for the entire week (provisions and water included), my hat is certainly off to those that were able to withstand the crippling cold and freezing temperatures during the stage in winter.

The credits for the photo collection here must go to one of our instructors, a reserve officer and former full-time NCO who filmed and took photos on every occasion, and put countless hours into ensuring that each one of us had many visual souvenirs of our “suffering”. Mon Lieutenant , if you are reading this, merci beaucoup .

I've divided up the many photos into sections, based on the various activities that are a part of the stage. An individual commentary is given for each section: most of the photos are self-explanatory after reading the section introduction.

Sgt. Zdenek Busek