4e RE: 2025 Remise de Kepi blanc in Spain | French Foreign Legion Information

On March 6, 2025, a historic ceremony took place in Andalusia, the southernmost region of Spain, strengthening the bond between the French Foreign Legion and the Spanish Legion. For the first time, a platoon of enlisted volunteers of the French Foreign Legion’s 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) took the military oath and received the White képi outside mainland France, and alongside the Spanish legionnaires.

The historic White Kepi Ceremony (Remise de Képi blanc), marking the end of the first month of basic training, was held in Ronda, at the barracks of the 4th “Alejandro Farnesio” Tercio of the Spanish Legion (tercio is a unit equivalent to a regiment). The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both elite formations, including Colonel Jean-Dominique Montull, commander of the 4e RE, and Colonel Fernando Sánchez, commander of the 4th “Alejandro Farnesio” Tercio. The Consul General of France in Spain’s Seville, Marjorie Vanbaelinghem, was also present.

Before the ceremony, the 56 enlisted volunteers from the 4e RE completed a demanding two-day, 37-mile (60 km) “Képi blanc” march through the Serranía de Ronda mountains, symbolizing their transformation from volunteers into legionnaires.

During the ceremony in Ronda, the new legionnaires donned their sacred white kepis — a symbol of their membership in the Legion — and recited the Legionnaire’s Oath in unison.

This event highlighted the deep historical and fraternal ties between the two Legions, which share common values and traditions. The French Foreign Legion, founded in 1831, inspired the creation of the Spanish Legion in 1920, and the two units have a long history of cooperation and mutual respect.

According to Colonel Montull of the 4e RE, who has Spanish roots, this idea had been a dream of his for nearly a decade.

See more pictures:
Why did the fearsome French Foreign Legion parade in Ronda alongside Spanish legionnaires?

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