In the morning of June 11, 2019, a senior non-commissioned officer of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) leaves the regiment and also the French Foreign Legion, after his long 40 years of service spent with this famous institution.
Major Jean-Luc Lotz (the highest French NCO rank, equivalent to Sergeant Major rank/appointment in the US + UK) joined the Foreign Legion as a young volunteer in 1979, after having watched on TV the 2e REP jumping over Kolwezi in then Zaire to rescue over 2,000 Europeans.
As he stated, initially, he had no other target in his head than to join the Legion paratroopers in Corsica. After a necessary basic training in the Foreign Legion Training Regiment (RILE) of Castelnaudary (renamed to 4e RE in 1980), the young legionnaire joined the dreamed 2e REP in Corsica and was assigned to the 3rd Company (Amphibious Coy). His amazing Legion career began.
However, Major Lotz would spend most of his career with the 2e REI in Nimes, southern France. He did many deployments. In 1990-91, he participated as a Staff sergeant in the Gulf War in Iraq, this time with the 3rd Company, 2e REI. He also served with the 4e RE, 13e DBLE in Djibouti or the 3e REI in French Guiana.
For Major Lotz, the most important thing for a legionnaire is the fidelity. As he said, it doesn’t matter where the volunteers came from, but whatever you ask a legionnaire he will execute it.
A popular NCO, Major Lotz leaves for a retirement well achieved, after an incredible career. Best congratulations and respect!
PHOTOS. 2e REI: Major Lotz leaving the regiment, June 2019.
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