What pace do the Foreign Legion march?

88-step-per-minute
Marching step of the French Foreign Legion The Foreign Legion has an 88-step-per-minute marching speed, in comparison to the 120-step-per-minute speed of other French Army units.

Why do Foreign Legion march with axes?

The Legion Pionniers distinguish themselves by their specific and unique dress uniform : Axe (French: Hache): serves to destroy obstacles of wood dressed by the enemy.

What does Le Boudin mean in English?

“Le Boudin” (French pronunciation: ​[lə budɛ̃]), officially “Marche de la Légion Étrangère” (English “March of the Foreign Legion”), is the official march of the Foreign Legion. “Le Boudin” is a reference to boudin, a type of blood sausage or black pudding.

What is the legion of foreigners?

Today, with a strength of approximately 8,000 men, the Foreign Legion is one of the French army’s preferred units for overseas service. It saw action in the Persian Gulf War of 1990–91 and has since been sent often to Africa, as well as to Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and Afghanistan.

How long is a marching step?

All steps in marching are variations of 30 inch or 15 inch steps. You must learn these well before you can proceed to unit drill. All marching movements executed from the halt begin from the position of attention. All marching movements, except for route step, march, and at ease, can be executed from the halt.

Are French Foreign Legion mercenaries?

The members of the French Foreign Legion, likewise, are not mercenaries. It does happen that companies offer military expertise for hire: Executive Outcomes Pty. Ltd. is one known example.

Is the Foreign Legion Special Forces?

The French Foreign Legion aren’t special forces, per se, but they maybe more closely align with U.S. Army Rangers. We are a first-reaction type force that will go in and take over an airport, for example. We aren’t doing any sort of black ops, clandestine-type missions or whatever.

How many regiments are there in French Foreign Legion?

eight regiments
Today, the Foreign Legion is composed of eight regiments, a regiment-sized half-brigade, a battalion-sized overseas detachment, a battalion-sized recruiting group and a command.

How much does a legionnaire get paid?

Legionnaires can expect deployments to austere environments and/or see plenty of combat. The Legion is currently in Afghanistan and Mali, for example. Their starting pay is roughly $1450 per month for at least the first couple of years in.

Does Foreign Legion still exist?

Legionnaires are highly trained soldiers and the Legion is unique in that it is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the French Armed Forces….French Foreign Legion.

Foreign Legion
The Foreign Legion’s grenade emblem
Active	10 March 1831 – present
Country	France
Branch	French Army

Why do soldiers turn their heads when marching?

SECTION 1.04 COMMAND RULES: (b) When marching, the commander turns his head in the direction of the troops to give commands. (c) The commander gives the command AS YOU WERE to revoke a preparatory command that he has given. The command AS YOU WERE must be given before the command of execution.