PMC - Private Military Firms
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Back on the topic, I had a short word with a guy by the name of Arthur Arger, one of the original members of the LRDG (his son Geoff was my boss). Apparently, in 1978, he got a call from none other than David Stirling himself, asking him to help form a paramilitary group to break up some dock strikes in England. Old Arthur was pro-union himself, so the told Stirling where he could shove it!
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Just some Qns...the Foriegn Legions..it's a mecenery organisation or under the French army? Where does their loyalties lie since they recuit people from virtually all around the world? Nato?
Sorry for so many Qns, just need to clear my doubts. -
As I understand it, the FFL is operated by the French government, who loans them out to client countries, but they are not actually part of the French Army.
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Probably not.Originally posted by Jazzswing:The Foreign Legion is French in origin right? So if you had joined them you will have to be based in France and after 5 years of service you'll get French citizenship am i right? Does the Singapore govt allow their Cdos to do that?
MINDEF has no problems with reservists who happen to be working / studying overseas to serve part-time with foreign armed forces (for example, a friend of mine who was studying in the UK served as a reservist with the Royal Green Jackets - he trained once a week, two weekends a month and two 14-day field camps a year).
But if you joined the Foreign Legion, that would of course be a full time thing, meaning that you would be going to France specifically to join La Legion, rather than it being incidental to any overseas study or overseas work. Among other issues, that would be, in the eyes of MINDEF, an unjustified interference with your reservist liability in Singapore.
Of course, what the picture is if you've already completed your reservist cycle - that I'm not sure.
In any event, if someone is hell-bent on joining the Legion, what can Singapore do to stop him? He'll be in France, beyond the reach of Singaporean authorities. He won't be able to return to Singapore, but heck, after he gets French citizenship, he may not want to, anyway.
The problem, of course, arises where he, for whatever reason, doesn't manage to complete his tour of duty with the Legion - in those circumstances, he won't have French citizenship, and he'll probably be arrested in Singapore if he comes back here. His recourse may then be to apply for political asylum in a European Union state. Not sure what the odds of his success would be, though. -
Ic...so are they special operation troopers or just professional soldiers? Do they provide intelligence operations..VVIP protections like a PMC..?
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Nah, I believe their SF roles are carried out by 2REP, based in Corsica - the other regiments perform a standard infantry role.
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their training quite tough man..think its somewhere near spec force standardOriginally posted by Jazzswing:Ic...so are they special operation troopers or just professional soldiers? Do they provide intelligence operations..VVIP protections like a PMC..?
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i think Discovery Channel got make a documentary abt them..they will air it once in a whileOriginally posted by Gedanken:Nah, I believe their SF roles are carried out by 2REP, based in Corsica - the other regiments perform a standard infantry role. -
Hah..even if i can join i prob won't..more of mecenaries to me..
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I think the Legion isn't just infantry; as I recall, it also fields armour units. And I believe they also have a Spec Ops detachment.
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Good choice, jazzswing - there's much to be said in favour of civilised living!
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2 things i hate abt the FFL if u wana join them..Originally posted by subudei:I think the Legion isn't just infantry; as I recall, it also fields armour units. And I believe they also have a Spec Ops detachment.
1.) u have to learn French
2.)the uniform...oh man... -
You mean the topi? Yeah, it's criminal to have to wear a funny hat like that!Originally posted by NathanG5:2 things i hate abt the FFL if u wana join them..
1.) u have to learn French
2.)the uniform...oh man... Ah, well, their number 4 is all right. -
That's more for ceremonial purposes isn't it..Originally posted by NathanG5:2.)the uniform...oh man...
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YES...damn nutcracker!!Originally posted by Gedanken:You mean the topi? Yeah, it's criminal to have to wear a funny hat like that! Ah, well, their number 4 is all right. -
Useful information on FFL organisation:
http://www.frenchforeignlegion.org/database/data/dta050.html -
lolz..bro think we are on the same site now..Originally posted by subudei:Useful information on FFL organisation:
http://www.frenchforeignlegion.org/database/data/dta050.html -
Yeah me too.
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Is that the one that says "turn up at these French embassies, tell them you want to sign up and wait for their call"?
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Haha...yes, Google is a godsend for insomniac web surfersOriginally posted by NathanG5:lolz..bro think we are on the same site now.. -
lolzOriginally posted by subudei:Haha...yes, Google is a godsend for insomniac web surfers -
Ged, Foreign Legion still dont ask questions about one's past? Good place to go if the cops are after you. 7 years get a French passport.Originally posted by Gedanken:Just before ROD, some of the senior guys mentioned something about mercenaries who were occasionally employed by the UN for somewhat less-than-tasteful jobs. I took a look into it and checked out the Foreign Legion first, but their pay was crap, and then I looked into Executive Outcomes, but they were based in South Africa, so I thought bugger that and went off to uni instead. Got my doctorate, so I've got no regrets. -
Talking about PMC, met a brit (former SBS) recently, whose PMC company is going to operate an anti-piracy consultancy from Singapore. Wondering whether they will hire locally.
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they do now..wat u talking abt its the old legion..Originally posted by Xprobe:Ged, Foreign Legion still dont ask questions about one's past? Good place to go if the cops are after you. 7 years get a French passport.
There are detailed security checks by the BSLE (unofficially named "Gestapo") and medical examinations, along with a psycho-technical exam. This process can take anything up three to five weeks, personal items, passports, clothes are taken away. Only returnable if the candidate is unsuccessful. For the period spent at Aubagne there are many duties to be undertaken. The Legion is now very selective, long gone are the days when you would hear "if youÂ’re a criminal you get in". 15 to 30 candidates out of 500 are successful.
http://www.frenchforeignlegion.org/database/data/dta024.html -
Executive Outcomes...This firm is located in Singapore Shopping centre..the one with Planet Paradigm.