Is the french foreign legion the toughest training army in the world?

Answer 1

Many services like to claim that status; a source of pride. The US SF/SEALs might be the toughest. The toughest training (besides actual war) is when a man has to do all of those "tough things" PLUS:

1. Learn a foreign language

2. Swim

3. Jump out of aircraft (airborne trng)

4. Hand to hand combat (unarmed killing)

The Legion probably doesn't do some of the above.

THE LEGION DOES ALL OF THE ABOVE.THEY ALL HAVE TO LEARN FRENCH THEY ARE FROM OVER 136 DIFFERENT NATIONS. 7000 MEN APPLY EACH YEAR AND ONLY 300 MAKE IT THROUGH.THEY ARE MADE TO FORGET THERE IDENTITY AND STRIPPED FROM EVERYTHING THAT IS THERS FOR THE FIVE YEARS THEY SPEND. THEY ARE MADE TO SPEND A WEEK IN JAIL WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY. PRETTY HARD GOING THEY WOULD MAKE THE NAVY SEALS LOOK LIKE CHUMPS.

Even more. So the Elite Unit of the FFL may be the 2. REP and till recently 13 DBL, they are officially not a Special Force. However about every Legionaire gets Commando Qualified. In certain areas, like jungle fighting, they are so advanced that all other NATO nations send their topteams at times to train with them. Yet, not a team matched their jungle fighters even on the obstacle course. Another example: get dropped in the jungle of french Guyana by parachute, walk the whole team home for a week. Oh, if you catch malaria, you walk! No pick-up, and sick leave. If you break a leg, you'll get carried by hand by the team.

Which by the way is NOT even their elite. Talking about combat experience. Only certain American units can compare in experience. Next is the exteme hardships. No other Army Unit makes you walk 100-120 Kilometer in full gear after Basic Training. Indeed SAS, Navy Seals, Spetnaz and Co only recruit experienced soldiers (and make them march them less). In a lot of respect those units are in certain points a lot better. But the FFL creates the best overall warriors, who are all willing to die for mission.