On May 16, Caporal-chef Tapanar II left the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), after more than 28 years of service in the French Foreign Legion. Nevertheless, it must be said that the Caporal-chef Tapanar II is a mule in fact and it was a mascot of 2e REI. A ceremony to say goodbye to Tapanar II took place in 2e REI’s barracks.
Tapanar II joined the 2e REI as a second class legionnaire in 1986, being a successor to first Tapanar (1984-86). The tradition of having a mule as a mascot started shortly after the 2e REI left its bases on the island of Corsica and moved to barracks at Nimes, southern France. The mascot has to remind of famous Foreign Legion’s Mounted Companies (Compagnies Montées) serving in North Africa during 1881 – 1949 and strongly participating in the pacification of the region. The first Mounted Company was established just within the 2nd Foreign Regiment.
Tapanar III will join the regiment.



