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 overseas 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.
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).
Between 2015 and 2020, the Foreign Legion fully adopted new (but provisional) tactical French uniforms in the U.S. Army style. It was the Uniform T3, worn by legionnaires for the very first time in Afghanistan in the late 2000, and its updated versions that were better adapted for foreign theater operations: Uniform T4 S1 (less popular) and the widely used Uniform T4 S2. None of them was preferred. Thus, we could see legionnaires wearing all the three uniforms within the same company.
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 have been offered commercial outdoor boots made by Lowa, Haix, Meindl etc. That’s why we can see legionnaires wearing different combat boots within even a platoon. It is supposed that new combat boots made by Germany’s Haix might complete the future combat uniform.
Since 2020, the Legion has adapted the completely new French uniform, Uniform F3. First, in overseas operations; later, in late 2020 and early 2021, the legionnaires started to wear the new uniform also in their garrisons in mainland France and Corsica. Nevertheless, even in late 2021, the uniform policy wasn’t unified; thus, we can still see different uniforms worn by legionnaires in their garrisons. However, the most common non-operational uniform within the Legion now is a guerrilla combat shirt, used in various types.
Depending on the Legion’s each regiment, company, or even platoon, the common combat uniforms show often some minor differences and modifications. That mainly concerns boots, jackets, shirts, backpacks/rucksacks or load carrying equipments. There are usually two reasons for this: the commander’s preference, or the legionnaire’s personal preference (if he got permission).
1) France and 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 F3 or Uniform T4 S2
- sleeves rolled up or sleeves rolled down
- name patch
- rank patch
- company identification patch (exceptionally 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 (exceptionally a platoon patch)
- combat uniform trousers (F3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) and green belt
- boots (casual commercial outdoor boots)
Uniform composition – winter period:
- green beret (formal headgear)
- wool watch cap (informal headgear for cold weather)
- combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage) and long-sleeved combat shirt (dark olive)
- a) combat uniform jacket (CE pattern):
- Uniform F3 or Uniform T4 S2
- sleeves rolled down
- name patch
- rank patch
- company identification patch (exceptionally 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 (exceptionally a platoon patch)
- camouflage fleece jacket or a green outdoor jacket (informal for cold weather)
- green underpants (for cold weather)
- combat uniform trousers (F3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) and green belt
- boots (casual commercial outdoor boots)
- parka gore-tex and 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:
- headgear
- a) green beret (not allowed to wear with T-shirts)
- b1) 1978 Helmet
- b2) FELIN ballistic helmet (within the Legion, it replaced France’s obsolete 1978 Helmet, rarely used now)
- b3) F3 ballistic helmet (used since 2020 to replace the FELIN helmet)
- c) bush hat (allowed to wear with T-shirt)
- d) baseball cap (rarely used, mainly among instructors at shooting ranges)
- 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, F3)
- 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 (F3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern), with a green belt
- boots (casual commercial outdoor boots since mid-2010s)
- parka gore-tex and trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, for cold or rainy weather)
- a) lightweight plate carrier system (bulletproof vest and load carrying equipment)
- b) load carrying equipment (with or without a bulletproof vest)
- patrol pack/rucksack/backpack (mostly Camelbak Motherlode or BFM)
- NRBC suit (nuclear, radiological, 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:
- headgear
- a) green beret
- b1) FELIN ballistic helmet
- b2) F3 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) and a green belt
- boots (casual commercial outdoor boots since mid-2010s)
- parka gore-tex and trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, for cold weather)
- a) lightweight plate carrier system (bulletproof vest and load carrying equipment)
- patrol pack/rucksack/backpack (mostly Camelbak Motherlode or BFM)
- NRBC suit (for 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 nowadays.
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 with a chin strap
- almond-green short sleeve shirt including:
- green-and-red epaulettes
- fourragere/fourrageres (only 1er RE, 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 and chevrons of seniority
- distinctive unit insignia
- regimental insignia
- awards and medals
- special skill and qualification badges
- trousers TDF
- blue sash and a military belt
- standard black combat boots
Parade Dress Winter Uniform
- kepi with a chin strap
- almond-green long sleeve shirt and 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 and chevrons of seniority
- distinctive unit insignia
- regimental insignia
- awards and medals
- special skill and qualification badges
- trousers TDF
- blue sash and a 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 the beard)
- 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 and chevrons of seniority
- distinctive unit insignia
- regimental insignia
- awards and medals
- special skill and qualification badges
- trousers TDF
- white long-cuff leather gantlets
- fawn buffalo apron model 1848
- ax(e)
- black combat boots with white laces
- blouse TDF for winter time
(gants à crispin in French)
(of white color for overseas units)
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 and 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.
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 and chevrons of seniority
- distinctive unit insignia
- regimental insignia
- ribbon bars
- special skill and qualification badges
- TDF trousers
- belt – grey strap with a 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 and green necktie
- suit coat TDF including all the standard uniform decoration attributes
- trousers TDF
- belt – grey strap with a 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 and a 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 with the 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: September 09, 2021