Groupement de Recrutement de la Légion Etrangère, GRLE. The youngest unit of the Foreign Legion. Established in 2007, the group is based at Fort de Nogent in Paris. The GRLE is directly subordinated to the Foreign Legion Command (COMLE).
The group is responsible for the recruitment process of the Foreign Legion. It also conducts an initial candidate selection, in Paris and Aubagne.
In 2018, the GRLE obtained a new regimental color of the 11e REI (1939-40) to guard it and to keep the traditions of that WWII unit.
Current structure of the GRLE
The GRLE is divided (in 2023) into 2 companies and consists of about 130 personnel.
The Foreign Legion Recruiting Group ensures the enlistment of new candidates/volunteers and manages the initial preselection process required to be allowed to start the crucial selection process of the Legion. It provides information about the Legion, it recruits volunteers and provides them with food and accommodation, it ensures their basic medical examination and establishes initial contracts with candidates. The GRLE also ensures transportation of these candidates to the main selection center in Aubagne.
In 2023, the GRLE is composed of:
- Foreign Legion Transit Company (Compagnie de Transit de la Légion Etrangère, CTLE)
- Foreign Legion Recruiting Company (Compagnie de Recrutement de la Légion Etrangère, CRLE)
Foreign Legion Transit Company – CTLE
– CTLE ensures the enlistment of new candidates/volunteers
– the company also ensures the support for wounded and hospitalized legionnaires in the Ile de France region
– it is also in charge of the transit of Foreign Legion detachments
– the company operates nine Legion’s recruiting centers (Poste d’Information de la LE, PILE)
– it is responsible for the transit of new candidates/volunteers enlisted in those recruiting centers/stations to the preselection centers located in Paris and at Aubagne
– these nine PILE recruiting centers/stations are:
Foreign Legion Recruiting Company – CRLE
– CRLE is responsible for candidate selection
– the company operates 2 preselection centers:
– in those centers, the CRLE manages an initial preselection process
– if a candidate passed the initial tests, he is allowed to join the crucial selection process
– the process required to pass to become a legionnaire is run at Aubagne
– it is managed within the Selection & Incorporation Center (CSI) of Aubagne
| NICKNAME: | — |
|---|---|
| ACTIVATION: | 2007 |
| MOTTO: | Honneur et Fidélité (Honor and Fidelity) |
| REGIM. MARCH: | Conquérir des volontaires |
| OFFIC. FB PAGE: | Recrutement de la Légion étrangère |
Location of the Foreign Legion Recruiting Group
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