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The Foreign Legion resumed wearing it in 1926; initially in red and blue, and then in 1939, with white covers on all occasions. The bulk of the French army readopted the kepi in the various traditional branch colours for off-duty wear during the 1930s. It had now become a straight-sided and higher headdress than the traditional soft cap. The french foreign legion WHAT IS THE FOREIGN LEGION? As an integral part of the French army, the French Foreign Legion is a professional fighting unit using the same equipment and with the same missions as any other infantry, tank, or engineer unit of the French army.

French Foreign Legion uniforms. See the uniforms worn by legionnaires during common service duties, training, exercises, combat operations or military parades. The uniforms they wear in France, in French territories or during operations in foreign countries. Discover the uniforms of different branches within the Foreign Legion. What uniform wear the legendary Legion pioneers or the color guard? Get detailed information and well-ordered data. Many of illustrative photos included.

December 2018 UPDATE!: It should be noted that the French Army confirmed in mid-2018 a completely new French uniform (Uniform F3) would be provided to its soldiers (including legionnaires) since 2019. Once the legionnaires would have adopted this new uniform, this article would also be updated.

Foreign Legion Combat Uniform

Between the 1970s and the mid-2010s, the Foreign Legion used the French olive Uniform F1 and (since 2000), the camouflage Uniform F2 (the same cut as F1).

Since 2015, the Foreign Legion has fully adopted new (but provisional) tactical French uniforms of the U.S. Army style: Uniform T3 and its updated version, Uniform T4 S2. We can see legionnaires to wear both uniforms within their platoons, companies now (2019). First worn by legionnaires in Afghanistan (Uniform T3) in the late 2000s.

These uniforms are based on a Central Europe (CE) camouflage pattern. Separate designs of combat uniform are provided for use in temperate, desert (with a Daguet desert pattern) and tropical regions. The T3 and T4 S2 modern uniforms are designed to be lightweight, yet durable enough to be used throughout hard military activities.

The classic combat boots called rangers were also discarded from the French Army’s combat uniform. Since the mid-2010s, French soldiers are equipped with commercial outdoor boots made by Lowa, Haix, Meindl etc. We can see legionnaires to wear different combat boots within their platoons, companies now (2019). It is supposed that new combat boots made by Germany’s Haix should complete the future F3 combat uniform.

Depending on the Legion’s each regiment, company or even platoon, these uniforms have often some minor differences and modifications. It mainly concerns boots, jackets, shirts, backpacks/rucksacks or load carrying equipments.

1) France + Corsica

1a) Garrison Service Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during common military service duty and works in the garrisons located in mainland France or Corsica. They are worn also during emergencies like storms, floods, fires and other natural disasters taking place in those regions. The uniform is worn without arms.

Uniform composition – summer period:

• green beret (formal headgear, worn with a jacket or a combat shirt only)
• combat uniform undershirt or T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage)
• a) combat uniform jacket (Central Europe CE camouflage pattern):
• Uniform T3 or Uniform T4 S2 versions
• sleeves rolled up or sleeves rolled down
• name patch
• rank patch
• company identification patch (+ sometimes a platoon patch)
• b) guerrilla ripstop combat shirt (CE pattern), worn insted of the jacket:
• sleeves rolled up or sleeves rolled down
• name patch
• rank patch
• company identification patch (+ sometimes a platoon patch)
• combat uniform trousers (T3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) + green belt
• boots (casual commercial outdoor boots since mid-2010s)

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Uniform composition – winter period:

• green beret (formal headgear)
• wool watch cap (informal headgear for cold weather)
• combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage) + long-sleeved combat shirt (dark olive)
• a) combat uniform jacket (CE pattern):
• Uniform T3 or Uniform T4 S2 versions
• sleeves rolled down
• name patch
• rank patch
• company identification patch (+ sometimes a platoon patch)
• b) guerrilla ripstop combat shirt (CE pattern), worn instead of the jacket:
• sleeves rolled down
• name patch
• rank patch
• company identification patch (+ sometimes a platoon patch)
• camouflage fleece jacket or a green outdoor jacket (informal for cold weather)
• green underpants (for cold weather)
• combat uniform trousers (T3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) + green belt
• boots (casual commercial outdoor boots since mid-2010s)
• parka gore-tex + trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, for cold weather)

1b) Military Training Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during military training, exercises or military maneuvers taking place in mainland France or Corsica. The uniform is worn with arms.

Uniform composition:

• a) green beret (not allowed to wear with T-shirt)
• b) SPECTRA ballistic helmet (having replaced France’s obsolete 1978 Helmet)
• c) bush hat (allowed to wear with T-shirt)
• d) baseball cap (having appeared in recent years, not so widened)
• e) wool watch cap (informal headgear for cold weather)
• combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage)
• long-sleeved dark-olive combat shirt (for cold weather)
• a) combat uniform jacket (CE pattern, T3 or T4 versions)
• b) tactical combat shirt (green or sand), worn instead of the jacket
• camouflage fleece jacket or a green outdoor jacket (informal for cold weather)
• green underpants (for cold weather)
• combat uniform trousers (T3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) + green belt
• boots (casual commercial outdoor boots since mid-2010s)
• parka gore-tex + trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, for cold weather)
• a) lightweight plate carrier system (bulletproof vest + load carrying equipment)
• b) load carrying equipment (with or without a bulletproof vest)
• patrol pack/rucksack/backpack (mostly Camelbak Motherlode or BFM)
• NBC suit (nuclear, biological, chemical – not so often in use)

1c) Military Operation Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during military operations, military missions or guard duties taking place in mainland France or Corsica (like anti-terrorist Operation Sentinelle). This combat uniform is based on the combat uniform worn in these regions, with arms.

Uniform composition:

• a) green beret
• b) SPECTRA ballistic helmet
• combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage)
• long-sleeved dark-olive combat shirt (for cold weather)
• a) combat uniform jacket (CE pattern, T3 or T4 versions)
• b) tactical combat shirt (green or sand chest), worn instead of the jacket
• green underpants (for cold weather)
• combat uniform trousers (T3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) + green belt
• boots (casual commercial outdoor boots since mid-2010s)
• parka gore-tex + trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, for cold weather)
• a) lightweight plate carrier system (bulletproof vest + load carrying equipment)
• patrol pack/rucksack/backpack (mostly Camelbak Motherlode or BFM)
• NBC suit (nuclear, biological, chemical – emergency use only)

2) France’s Overseas territories

France’s Overseas territories are territories under the administration of France, outside the European continent. These territories include French Guiana (in South America), Mayotte, Réunion (both in the Indian Ocean), New Caledonia, French Polynesia (both in the Pacific), Guadeloupe or Martinique (both in the Caribbean) and others.

The legionnaires are deployed on a regular basis to the named territories. In the vast majority, their combat uniforms have the same components as the combat uniforms worn in mainland France and Corsica. There are only some minor differences regarding combat uniforms used by legionnaires in France’s overseas territories now (2019).

For example, the legionnaires serving in French Guiana wear a combat shirt designed for tropical regions instead of a classic combat jacket used in mainland France.

2a) Garrison Service Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during common military service duty and works in the garrisons located in France’s overseas territories. Based on the garrison service combat uniform worn in mainland France and Corsica. The uniform is worn without arms.

2b) Military Training Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during military training, exercises or on military maneuvers taking place in France’s overseas territories. Based on the military training combat uniform worn in mainland France and Corsica. The uniform is worn with arms.

2c) Military Operation Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during military operations, military missions, humanitarian missions or guard duties taking place in France’s overseas territories. For example, like Operation Harpie aimed at illegal gold diggers on the Guiana-Brazil border or like Operation Titan carried out to guard France’s (and European) Guiana Space Center (CSG).

This combat uniform is based on the military training combat uniform worn in these regions. The uniform is worn with arms.

3) Overseas deployments (foreign theaters)

Foreign Legion deployments taking place abroad, in foreign countries. Military missions or operations. Humanitarian missions. Rescue missions (in support of French nationals). Stabilization operations or peacekeeping missions. Also military exercises or joint military maneuvers abroad, in foreign countries and foreign territories.

In the majority, the combat uniforms of legionnaires have the same components as the combat uniforms worn in mainland France and Corsica or in France’s overseas territories. There are only some minor differences or modifications concerning the combat uniforms used by legionnaires in overseas deployments now (2019), to reflect particular climates and seasons.

For example, in desert regions, the legionnaires wear uniform with desert camouflage (called Daguet).

3a) Garrison Service Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during common military service duty and works in the garrisons located abroad, in foreign countries and foreign territories. The uniform is based on the garrison service combat uniform worn in mainland France and Corsica. The uniform is worn without arms.

In desert or tropical climates, the legionnaires are allowed to wear shorts instead of ordinary trousers.

3b) Military Training Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during military training, exercises or on military maneuvers taking place abroad, in foreign countries and foreign territories. Based on the military training combat uniform worn in mainland France and Corsica, with some differencies and modifications reflecting particular climates and seasons. The uniform is worn with arms.

3c) Military Operation Combat Uniform

The uniform worn by legionnaires during military missions or operations, humanitarian missions, rescue missions, stabilization operations or peacekeeping missions taking place abroad, in foreign countries and foreign territories. Based on the military training combat uniform worn in these regions. The uniform is worn with arms.

Foreign Legion Parade Dress Uniform

The parade dress uniform is reserved for parades, ceremonies, official receptions and other special occasions of the most formal level in France and overseas. Full dress uniforms are decorated with order insignias and full size medals. The uniform is also used as a guard duty uniform.

The full dress parade uniform of the Foreign Legion (called Tenue de parade) is based on the French Army’s Parade Uniform TDF (Terre de France, Land of France). It is a unique uniform that bears several traditional characteristic symbols of the Foreign Legion to distinguish itself from other French military units.

Parade Dress Summer Uniform

• kepi + chin strap
• almond-green short sleeve shirt including:
• green-and-red epaulettes
• fourragere/fourrageres (only 1er REC, 2e REP, 2e REG, 3e REI, 13e DBLE)
• sleeve rank patch (on the right sleeve)
• diamond-shaped Legion insignia (on the left sleeve) with rank + chevrons of seniority
• distinctive unit insignia
• regimental insignia
• awards and medals
• special skill and qualification badges
• trousers TDF
• blue sash + military belt
• standard black combat boots

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Parade Dress Winter Uniform

• kepi + chin strap
• almond-green long sleeve shirt + green necktie
• a coat including:
• green-and-red epaulettes
• fourragere/fourrageres
• sleeve rank patch (on the right sleeve)
• diamond-shaped Legion insignia (on the left sleeve) with rank + chevrons of seniority
• distinctive unit insignia
• regimental insignia
• awards and medals
• special skill and qualification badges
• trousers TDF
• blue sash + military belt
• standard black combat boots

Foreign Legion Pioneers Uniform

A traditional uniform based on the TDF parade dress uniform. The uniform is worn by Foreign Legion Pioneers in France and overseas during military parades and ceremonies in France and overseas.

Uniform composition:

• kepi (without the chin strap because of beard wearing)
• almond-green long sleeves shirt (TDF coat for winter time):
• green necktie
• green-and-red epaulettes
• fourragere/fourrageres
• sleeve rank patch (on the right sleeve)
• diamond-shaped Legion insignia (on the left sleeve) with rank + chevrons of seniority
• distinctive unit insignia
• regimental insignia
• awards and medals
• special skill and qualification badges
• trousers TDF
• white long-cuff leather gantlets

(gants à crispin in French)

• fawn buffalo apron model 1848

(of white color for overseas units)

• ax(e)
• black combat boots with white laces
• blouse TDF for winter time

Foreign Legion Regimental color guard uniform

A uniform based on the TDF parade uniform. The uniform worn by legionnaires in France and overseas during military parades and ceremonies.

Uniform composition:

• kepi with the chin strap
• almond-green long sleeves shirt (TDF coat for winter time):
• green necktie
• green-and-red epaulettes
• fourragere/fourrageres
• sleeve rank patch (on the right sleeve)
• diamond-shaped Legion insignia (on the left sleeve) with rank + chevrons of seniority
• distinctive unit insignia
• regimental insignia
• awards and medals
• special skill and qualification badges
• trousers TDF
• white gloves
• blue sash
• white military belt
• heavyweight green socks
• black combat boots with white laces

Foreign Legion Walking out Uniform

The uniform was worn by legionnaires in France and overseas during their off-duty freetime in garrison towns. However, in recent years, such practice has been abandoned due to security measures. The uniform is worn also for military ceremonies (e.g. awards decoration or naturalization) or during garrison service duties by non-commissioned officers in administration positions (while wearing also sweaters, a garment nearly unused by ordinary legionnaires).

Walking out summer uniform

• kepi
• almond-green short sleeve shirt including:
• shoulder boards
• fourragere/fourrageres
• diamond-shaped Legion insignia (on the left sleeve) with rank + chevrons of seniority
• distinctive unit insignia
• regimental insignia
• ribbon bars
• special skill and qualification badges
• TDF trousers
• belt – grey strap + gold buckle
• green lightweight socks (in contrast to the black one of the French Army)
• black formal shoes

Walking out winter uniform

• kepi
• almond-green long sleeve shirt + green necktie
• suit coat TDF including all the standard uniform decoration attributes
• trousers TDF
• belt – grey strap + gold buckle
• green lightweight socks
• black formal shoes
• greatcoat for bad weather

Foreign Legion Physical Training and Sports Uniforms

Physical Training combat uniform

A uniform based on the military training combat uniform. The uniform is worn by legionnaires in France and overseas during military physical training (obstacle run, obstacle swimming, contact fight training etc.).

Uniform composition:

• combat uniform undershirt or T-shirt
• combat uniform trousers + green belt
• combat uniform jacket with sleeves rolled down
• heavyweight green socks
• boots or sports footwear

Sports uniform

A sports uniform worn in many variants by legionnaires in France and overseas during the sports and fitness training and activities (running, volleyball, soccer/football, regimental competition and challenges etc.). The uniform is worn also during freetime or while being hospitalized.

Uniform composition:

• company color regimental sports undershirt (or T-shirt for winter)
• white Legion shorts (with a green-and-red stripe + Legion insignia) or green pants
• company color regimental sweatshirt or green sports blouse (with Legion insignia)
• white Legion sports socks (with a green-and-red stripe)
• sports footwear or boots

Foreign Legion Special Branch Uniforms

See some examples of other uniforms used within the Foreign Legion.

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Images credit:
Légion étrangère
The French Ministry of Defence

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The page was updated on: July 18, 2019

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The ranks within the French Foreign Legion. Ordinary soldiers ranks, Non-commissioned officers ranks, Commissioned officers ranks. Foreign Legion’s ranking system is based on the French Army ranking system. However, there are some distinctions that make the Legion’s ranking system unique.

Before receiving his Képi blanc (White Kepi) and the right to called himself as the Legionnaire, an enlisted volunteer/recruit is addressed as a simply Engagé Volontaire (Enlisted Volunteer) and authorized to wear a green beret only.

ORDINARY SOLDIERS (Militaires du rang, MDR):

Legionnaire de 2e classe

Second Class Legionnaire (equivalent to Private)

He is addressed: “Legionnaire”

Recruit/Volunteer receives that designation (it is not a rank officially) after the first four weeks of the basic training (at La ferme, the farm), if he has also finished his Marche Képi blanc (White Kepi March) successfully.

Legionnaire de 1re classe

First Class Legionnaire

He is addressed: “1re classe”

Legionnaire de 2e classe receives that rank after a minimum of 10 months of his service.

Caporal (Brigadier)

Corporal

You have to address him: “Caporal”

In the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), Corporal is called Brigadier (a Cavalry tradition).
Legionnaire de 1re classe receives that rank at the end of his successfully finished Stage Caporal (Corporal’s course), a practical month- or two-month-long course for future Corporals.

Caporal-chef (Brigadier-chef)

Senior Corporal

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You have to address him: “Caporal-chef”

In 1er REC, Senior Corporal is called Brigadier-chef (a Cavalry tradition).
Caporal/Brigadier is allowed to receive that rank after a minimum of 5 years of service, if he do not want (or is not allowed) to continue as a Sous-Officier (a Non-Commissioned Officer, NCO).

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (Sous-Officiers)

Sergent (Maréchal des logis)

Sergeant

You have to address him: “Sergent” (or “Maréchal des logis” for Cavalry)

In 1er REC, Sergeant is called Maréchal des logis (a Cavalry tradition).
Caporal/Brigadier (even a Caporal-chef/Brigadier-chef) receives that rank at the end of his successfully finished Stage Sergent (Advanced Leader Course in US Army), a practical ca. 8-month-long course for future Legion’s Sergeants.

Sergent-chef (Maréchal des logis-chef)

Staff Sergeant

You have to address him: “Chef”

In 1er REC, Staff Sergeant is called Maréchal des logis-chef (a Cavalry tradition).
Sergent/Maréchal des logis is allowed to receive that rank after a minimum of 3 years of service as a Sergent/Maréchal des logis. Sergent-chef/Maréchal des logis-chef is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Adjudant

Sergeant First Class (US) or Warrant Officer Class 2 (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Adjudant” (or “Mon Lieutenant” for Cavalry)

Sergent-chef/Maréchal des logis-chef is allowed to obtain that rank after a minimum of 3 years of service as a Sergent-chef/Maréchal des logis-chef. Adjudant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Adjudant-chef

Master Sergeant (US) or Warrant Officer Class 2 (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Adjudant-chef” (or “Mon Lieutenant” for Cavalry)

Adjudant is allowed to obtain that rank after a minimum of 4 years of service as an Adjudant. Adjudant-chef is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Major

Sergeant Major (US + UK)

You have to address him: “Major”

Adjudant-chef can obtain this most senior NCO rank if he refused to continue his career as an officier. Usually, he has to serve more than 25 years to be able to obtain it.
He has to pass an audition/examination successfully or, if he has been serving for a sufficient time, he can submit an application for. Major is an uncommon rank within the Legion. Usually, there are no more than two Majors in a regiment.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (Officiers)

Aspirant

Officer Candidate (US) or Officer Cadet (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Lieutenant”

Aspirant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Sous-Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

You have to address him: “Mon Lieutenant”

Sous-Lieutenant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry).

Lieutenant

First Lieutenant (US) or Lieutenant (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Lieutenant”

Lieutenant is able to command a platoon (or peloton for Cavalry). For lack of officers, he could be allowed to command a company (or squadron for Cavalry).

Capitaine

Captain

You have to address him: “Mon Capitaine”

Capitaine is able to command a company (or squadron for Cavalry). For lack of officers, he could be allowed to command a battalion (or a group of squadrons for Cavalry).

Commandant

Major

You have to address him: “Mon Commandant”

Commandant is officially referred to as Chef de bataillon (or Chef d’escadrons for Cavalry). He is able to command a battalion (or a group of squadrons for Cavalry) or a half-brigade. He might act as a deputy for a regiment commander (Lieutenant-Colonel or Colonel).

Lieutenant-Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel

You have to address him: “Mon Colonel”

Lieutenant-Colonel is able to command a regiment.

Colonel

Colonel

You have to address him: “Mon Colonel”

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Colonel is able to command a regiment.

Général de Brigade

Brigadier General (US) or Brigadier (UK)

You have to address him: “Mon Général”

Général de Brigade is able to be the commander of the whole French Foreign Legion.

Général de Division

Major General

You have to address him: “Mon Général”

Général de Division is able to be the commander of the whole French Foreign Legion.

CANCELED RANKS

Sergent-major

First Sergeant (US) or Company Sergeant Major (UK)

An already obsolete French military rank, canceled in 1971. The Sergent-major served as the senior NCO within an infantry company, being a gray eminence alongside the captain. Since 1875, Sergent-majors were responsible solely for administration tasks of a company. However, a Sergent-major of the Legion was killed in action in Algeria in 1958, while serving as a Motorized Company platoon leader.

In 1928, the rank Sergent-chef was created within the French Army to replace it. Whitin the Foreign Legion, the Sergent-majors disappeared in the late 1960s.

…

© Images credit: ForeignLegion.Info

Information source:
French Ministry of Defence
Légion étrangère
Wikipedia.org
Special thanks to Joe van Raamt, a former cavalry legionnaire, for his help

French Foreign Legion Uniforms

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French Foreign Legion Farm

The page was updated on: August 03, 2020

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