The FFL is usually made up of people who usually have a past to
run away from. Some do it simply because they want a French
passport (or any passport at all, for that matter)... Its is not
unusual to have some pple in there who have criminal records and
less than wonderful pasts...
There are some military people who regard the FFL more as glorified
merceneries who fight under the French flag, and even within the
French services, some French soldiers have the impression that they
are not fully fledged forces. They are taken care of, given a roof
over their heads, and are even given French lessons. But until they
become French citizens, they are not allowed many liberties....
They cannot get married, they can't even buy a car.... Worse of
all, they are considered 'expendable'. Like one ex-French
serviceman told me, "Why do u think the French always send the
Foreign Legion first?" The current situationin Congo is a good
example.
However, this cannot take away the fact that the FFL is
well-trained, tough and has a very proud tradition, especially for
those guys who have chosen to go in. In many instances, the FFL is
the closest thing to family that they have, and they are willing to
die for it if the need be. Just
