Finally...another update!

Hello, my name is Dave. And I'm a junkie. But in a good way.

Last month I took the TGV from Marseille to Paris, in order to watch the 2007 Tour de France finish on the Champ Elyéese. As I watched the péloton roar by, I was struck by fast they were moving. I mean, I had raced my bicycle on and off for over 10 years, but this was the first time I had ever really "been there" at the tip of the spear professional level, up close and personal. Let me tell you, I was getting goose bumps. Sure, I get goose bumps when I get cold...but not these full-body tingle, eye-twitching, dangerously viral, somebody gimme some Prozac, holy €3§* goose bumps like I was experiencing. If you have never had that type, I sincerely hope you're immune, because otherwise you're probably prone to doing silly things. Like riding a motorcycle on the street, riding a bicycle at faster than the posted speed limit, driving your car at more than double the posted speed limit, sea kayaking when boats stay in the harbor, joining the French Foreign Legion...the list goes on and on.

Ever since I've been here in France, I have been asked "why?" by other Legionnaires, as well as the odd civilian. And while there are a myriad of logical reasons...the bottom line, as I closely as I can figured out, is that "I don't know!". But I'm starting to realize that I seem to always be searching for the next "high"...and while experiencing it vicariously by watching others do wild and wacky stuff is a viable substitution in the short-term, there's nothing better than the real thing. Again, it makes no sense logically...it's not like I'm going to earn a living doing it (well, I guess I am right now, sort of), or even attract the opposite gender (unless chicks really dig scars...which in my experience is not true). But standing on top of the Eiffel Tower and wondering where I can get one of those cool flying suits as I'm looking down at the Seine, is from what I can gather, not a normal touristic response to the view. Maybe that's why I still haven't gone to the Louvre...I just don't think I'd enjoy it. Too static, not enough interaction.

I don't think I'm crazy. I know I'm not unique. Most of the English-speakers in the Legion are similar...for example, 100% of the ones I've met has ridden or owned at least one motorcycle. Any other correlations I leave for sociologists to figure out. Perhaps there really is no particular reason or conclusion to this post, just my one tiny little corner of the blogsphere. But maybe, just maybe one of y'all will read it, and try something that you've always wanted to.

There's a gentleman, and a great writer, who wrote this article "Vitamin X" which much more eloquently talks about this subject. Be aware though...once you try it, your life may never the same.

And that's a good thing.

Salut!

Happy Memorial Day everyone. Thank a veteran today!

Congratulations to everyone who's graduated/graduating from their academic institutions. Especially those graduating from high school...I still can't believe some of y'all are actually going to be HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES! I'm proud of all y'all, and keep up the good work, wherever life takes you next. Send me an email (see the contact page) and let me know what your plans are or post a comment on the blog.

I know it's been a little while since I sent out an email and/or update the blog...been kinda busy with the CP04 combat engineering course (all that's left are the tests this week) as well as the MINEX1 mine/ordnance disposal course. It was almost exactly a year ago when I was up in Wyoming taking the Wilderness EMT course, and I would not have thought I'd have my brain so thoroughly challenged a year later in the Legion. The modern Legion is not just brawn, it's also quite a bit of brains too.

It seems that newspaper writers randomly write about the French Foreign Legion. Not quite sure what the impetus was for this article, but it's actually pretty accurate, unlike some other articles I'v had read.

Article at the Washington Post

It does have one small mistake though...it's 14 creases, either 3.5cm width or 5.3cm width, dependant on the location. And the first time took a lot longer than 3-4 hours, mainly because it was only the second time I had ever used an iron in my life (to iron a shirt, that is). Showing up with only 13 creases would be bad thing, trust me.

The Eagle Has Landed OR I've got a chicken on my shirt

Day 1 – Tuesday, March 27^th, 2007

So here I am, in the ski town of Valloire for the BSM course. The 2REG runs a mountain outpost here, both for ski as well as for climbing. During the 7 hour bus ride, we stopped a couple times to stretch our legs and buy some snacks at roadside rest stations. The looks we got were rather entertaining, as we're in our tenue de combat, kepi's, and carrying our FAMAS assault rifle on our backs...probably not something most motorists or tourists expect to see, even in France. The town itself is near the Col du Galibier and Col Telegraphé, two mountain tops that I'm sure my cycling and triathlon friends recognize. Kinda cool to know I'm on some of the same roads that the Tour de France has and will pass on. No skiing today, just getting the ski boots and ski's adjusted, as well as settling into our rooms. Tomorrow I will be surrounded by white powder.

Day 4 – Friday, March 30^th, 2007

The last three days have been a blur of activity. The result:...OK, I can ski...barely. I definitely do not have "mad skillz". And while I did make it all the down the mountain today without crashing too many times, there were definitely some "oh §"!*" moments. And ascending the mountain with climbing skins...definitely another skill I will need to develope some more. I believe the term in English is telemark skiing...and it's hard work with a 25lb backpack (they're taking it easy on us, seeing how it's the first week and all). And while I have no doubt that I will improve, it's always a bit tough starting out; especially when there's a language barrier of sorts. I'm quite sure I'm missing some of the technical . And it's not just skiing we're doing. We also went over transport of material and/or wounded in a sleigh, as well as searching for avalanche victims with a transmitter/receiver. Oh yeah, it's snowing right now...and the rumor is tomorrow we sleep outdoors, something about an igloo?!? Good times.

Day 5 – Saturday, March 31^st, 2007

After ascending with the climbing skins about 600 meters vertical, we took the ski lift to almost the top of one of the nearby peaks for our "cours neige" (course snow). Today's topic is construction of an igloo. As you can see in the pictures, it turned out pretty well. Amazingly, it was also quite warm inside, especially with 12 people crammed into a sleeping area for 3-4 people. Highly recommended for your next foray into the high country...just be warned, it is a lot of work. And yes, the Eskimo igloo is different...they use ice/snow blocks and therefore their structure is a lot firmer. And this being the Foreign Legion, where we're never do things the easy way, we took the closed ski trail down the mountain. At least when I fell, the often knee-deep or hip-deep snow is quite soft. All in all; it's been quite a week. I'm exhausted, but we get to sleep in until 0715 tomorrow, and have permission to go into town in the afternoon for a bit. Always good to have a little break.

Day 6 – Sunday, April 1^st, 2007

So I go into a bar here in town this afternoon, go up to the bar and order a beer (in French) for my friend, and the girl behind the bar replies (in English), "Anything else?" Huh? Turns out it wasn't just because my French is laced with a heavy English-speaker accent (which it is), but because the girl doesn't really speak much French either. The bar and the adjoining hotel is owned by Englishmen, and most if not all the employees are English, and as we observed and listened to the guests going in and out...pretty much all the guests are English speakers as well. Well, at least they're English...there was a group from Newcastle, whose spoken English even my English friend couldn't quite figure out all the time. And then there were the Scottish and Irish guests...I think they were speaking English, but I have NO idea. I keep running into English people here in France, which on the surface isn't that surprising; but the look on their face when they hear me speak English still amuses me every time. And I find myself starting to pick up slightly the English "accent" and phrases due to my English friend...so I just might end up speaking English with a mix of British and American/Texan accent, French with an American accent, Chinese also with a slight American accent, plus probably Russian or Polish or something with a French accent.

Day 8 – Tuesday, April 3^rd, 2007

Monday was a big challenge. After spending all day on the slopes (including level "red" slopes, which is just one level below the "black" slopes, which is highest here...I'm assuming it's like the "black diamond" slopes I heard before...can someone clarify?) working on skiing skills, at the end of the day the whole BSM crew climbed up to the top of one of the peaks at 2543m, of course with our backpacks (still at 25lbs or so!). After consuming our cold (ha!) rations, we waited around for the sun to go down. Yup...we skied down the mountain at night. It was quite exhilarating, not to mention at times quite disorienting, as the moon wasn't exactly bright. Not knowing where the sides of the trail is was also quite disconcerting, especially beyond was often a vertical drop. I managed to make it down without any incidents, which I attribute to both luck as well as my improving skills. Today we climbed 450 vertical meters to about 2500m, after hitching a ride/getting towed up some of the slope behind a Legion support tracked vehicle..like water skiing, but on snow. Worked on our shooting today on skies, standing, on one and two knees, as well as prone. At 2500m the air is a bit thinner compared to sea-level, so the ballistic qualities of the bullets are different. Being mountain troops, we have to learn and practice how to compensate for that, in addition to having to adjust to the frequently faster winds, the fact we frequently have to shoot up or down a slope, and the visually-disorienting all-white background. Never mind that the regiment is deployed to Africa on more missions than anywhere else. But it's always fun to shoot. And of course we skied down after shooting, being especially carefully not crash; not because the FAMAS assault rifle is fragile, but because landing on a hard metal and plastic object with some sharp edges isn't exactly fun.

Day 9 – Wednesday, April 4^th, 2007

A pretty relaxed day...if you can count skiing in loose powder and 15-20m visibility as relaxing. At least we only skied until 1330, after which it was back to the chalet for a hot lunch and to prepare our backpacks for spending all of Thursday and Friday outdoors. Ah yes...living out of a backpack in the snow. More good times.

Day 12 – Saturday, April 7^th, 2007

It's a good thing I'm not claustrophobic, as the construction and sleeping in an igloo involves being in very small, tight spaces. With four people inside, and the temperature outside at -10°C, it was downright cozy, and even a bit too warm for me in my sleeping bag. When I woke up on Friday morning, my only complaint was that I had toToday we scouted the course for the BSM test on Monday. Together we ascended about 1200 vertical meters on snow, ice, and even rocks with ski's, and then a short and fast descent of about 20 minutes, it was back to the chalet. Very satisfying to and confidence-building, although it will still be a bit difficult on Monday for the actual test.

Day 14 – Monday, April 9^th, 2007

An early wakeup at 0430, getting all the gear ready and eating a hearty breakfast, and started the BSM test at about 0710. A litttle under3 hours later, it was finished. And despite the quivering quadriceps and blood (I face-planted on the descent), I was well under the time-limit of 3 hours and 45 minutes. A quick weigh-in at the finish made sure our backpacks were definitely over the minimum weight (I was at only about 35lbs, including water and a FAMAS assault rifle...not too heavy really). The scouting we did on Saturday was definitely well worth it, as I was able to pace my efforts. Sometime later today we're supposed to have a ceremony where the captain of the compagnie will pin our BSM badge on our uniforms. I also realized also that besides the parachutists in the 2REP, no other brand-spankin' new legionnaires in ANY of the other mainland France combat regiments (2REI, 1REG, 1REC) undergo any specialists training like we just did. Definitely something I will wear with pride.

Day 15 – Tuesday, April 10^th, 2007

We got to sleep in until 0445 today, and then climbed another 1200-1300m today...but the fat lady has sung, and the BSM course is definitely over. We went up to the Pont des Ratissieres, which at 2865m is about 200m higher than the Col du Galibiér. It was definitely hard work today, but a good ending for the course. It was definitely a side of the French Alps that most people don't get to see.

Day 16 – Wednesday, April 11^th; 2007

A simple (and thankfully very fast) ceremony today for the officers to pin the brévet ski militairé onto our uniforms, after which we celebrated with a nice lunch. We were also informed that after our CP04 combat engineering course (which starts on April 23^rd and finishes 4 weeks later) and MINEX course, we will be returning to Vallorie for the BAM (brévet alpinism militairé) course. After which we would be fully-certified (hah! Certifiable is more like it) as mountain-qualified combat engineers. It's a lot of training packed into a relatively short amount of time, but at least the excitement will never stop.

Photos below:

Do I look like I gained weight? Must be all the clothing I'm wearing!

Where are we going?

We're going THAT way?

Contact a gauche! (Contact left!)

http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=44g2c0w

Yup, I'm freezing. The smile is faked for you viewers. Trust me.

Before and after the BSM test.

There be some tired legionnaires there.

Me with my good Brazilian friend Socrates...yes, as in the Greek philosopher. How I got stuck with "Chin" I'll never know.

My eyes are normally not that slanty...it was BRIGHT that day!

I've ALWAYS wanted to wear a ski-mask in a menacing manner. This was the most menacing I could pull-off without laughing.

Brevet ski militaire...Brrrr!!!

Happy early April Fool's Day!

Hard to believe it's almost been exactly a year since I left my cushy (hah!) job at Desert Thunder and started on a path that's led me to where I am right now. I start my BSM (Brévet Ski Militaire) qualification soon, and right after that I start my CP04 (Combat Engineering) qualifications, and right after that I undergo another week of MINEX (things that go BOOM!) certification. In all, about 2 months of probably pretty intensive training both physically and mentally. I don't know how often or how much I'll be able to get online, or even have QL (Quartiér Libére – permission to leave the base), so I apologize in advance if you email and I don't answer right away.

The last couple of weeks have been really good for the morale. I have improved my fitness quite a bit here, as we run quite a bit, along with plenty of other physical exercises. I'm not the fastest, fittest, or strongest, but I am pretty well balanced. I am aiming to finish in the top 10 in my training section, maybe even the top 5 depending on the skiing goes, and thus enhancing my chances later on being selected for "stagés", or specialist courses. There are some pretty amazing athletes here; we have a sargent who can climb the 6 meter rope upside down, in addition to descending upside down. There's a caporal-chef with 16 years of service...I always listen carefully and try to remember everything he says; as they say, he's been "around the block" quite a few times.

I will definitely have pictures after. In the mean time, I hope everyone back in Arizona and Texas is enjoying the great spring (read: WARM) weather.

Training has begun...plus some photos

The training has started...this week we were introduced to some of the other "tools" we will be utilizing. The ANF1 7.62mm machine gun, the M2 12.7mm machine gun, PA MAC 50 9mm pistol, and the LRAC 89mm anti-tank rocket launcher. Plus, since we're in the business of blowing things up, an introductory course on explosives; plastique (it's like Play-Doh!), TNT, detonators, detonation cord, etc.. AND also an introductory course on vehicles that the regiment uses, from the VAB (4-wheeled lightly armored transport) to P4 (French Jeep...pronounced Pee-Kart. It took a little while for the internal laughter to die down). Plenty more to follow, PLUS the CCL company song "Contre Les Viets" AND the 2eme REG song "Rien N'Empeche". Rien = nothing, empeche = impedes; I'll le y'all figure out the meaning. I do have to admit that marching while singing is pretty cool, when done well. The Legion marches and sings at a very slow cadence compared with other armies (88 steps/min vs. 120 or more) traditionally, to show respect and solemnity for our departed comrades. Not quite like the singing you see in "Full Metal Jacket".

Update on the address, apparently this is the correct FRENCH way of writing it:

Legionnaire Chin Yi
CCL, Section Instruction
2eme Regiment Etranger de Genie
Quartier Marechal Koenig
84390 Saint-Christol
France

Never mind the silly accents on some of the letters. Since I'm on a French keyboard, it's actually pretty easy. But I still don't bother. Legion Française...it's definitely NOT normal Française. A lot of people have replied expressing their surprise that I've picked up French so quickly. Let me explain a bit better...I can communicate well enough in the Foreign Legion. The French spoken here is an evolution (or de-evolution) of civilian French, and spoken by foreigners, therefore when I go outside (like last weekend in Marseille), I frequently could not understand as much as I do with legionnaires. Plus there's a specific accent and speech pattern unique to Marseille. The additional motivation of doing less push-up's or squats or marché canard is quite strong; call it a survival instinct if you will.

I forgot to mention last time...I got my military driving permit, along with a civilian endorsement; which means I can drive in all of France! I took a driving test in Castelnaudary my 2^nd to last week there, and although I had some problem with roundabouts/traffic circles the 1^st time on the test circuit, I passed. Not quite sure on why exactly I have a licence, since I'm not allowed to own a car until after 5 years of service, and I don't want to be the chauffeur for an officer. Now if only the Legion lets me take the motorcycle test or course...

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

My kepi blanc, with my epaulettes de tradition, ceinturon bleu, cravate vert, and the 2 good luck charms my cousin Elaine sent me. Legion colors are green and red...the colors of Christmas. The epaulettes de tradition and ceinturon bleu are used on our guard dress uniforms. The kepi blanc is sacred to the legionnaire...NEVER touch the white part, and NEVER touch a legionnaire's kepi without asking for permission first.

Me in front of my home for the next 3 months. Yup, the words are in French. This partly explains why I picked up French quickly.

Some photos of photos from my kepi blanc "ceremony", when I officially became a legionnaire.

Finally an update!

Finally got the time to update the blog a bit. Here's the email I sent out recently to friends and family, will try to add pics soon.
***

Bonjour from 925m above sea-level, at the base for the 2e Regiment Etranger de Genie (the 2nd Foreign Engineering Regiment). Slight change in my snail mail address from my previous email, it's actually:

Legionnaire Chin Yi

2e REG - CCL, Section D'Instruction

Caserne Marechal Koenig

St. Christol, France

84390

Some info on what's happening in my life...I'm scheduled to be in the instruction section until early/mid June, a bit longer than normal because some of the training staff and legionnaires will be doing vigipirate/anti-terrorism patrols at a major city in France for 3 weeks, and also because the combat company I will be assigned to is currently overseas on a mission, and won't be back until then. I'm scheduled for military skiing and alpinism qualifications and CP04 (combat engineering) qualification. It's going to be a full schedule of classes, in addition to all the physical activity the 2REG likes to do. I have been told because of my swimming ability, I may have the chance to be trained additionally as a combat swimmer/diver, although that probably won't happen for at least 1-2 years, after I get some operational experience. Don't know about that in any certainty, as the specialty path I've asked for from the beginning is training as a medic. Medics trained for combat are always needed, and as Legion engineers are practically always on a mission somewhere, it may give me more opportunity for missions overseas.

I'm doing well...and my French has improved quite a bit. I'm currently at French level 3, where level 5 is the max (native French speaker). I think I started at level -1. At least I haven't gotten in too much trouble in the last month due to my misunderstanding my orders in French...which is always good. I'm hoping to be at level 4 by the end of my first year in October. Punishment in the Legion ranges from physical activity (push-up's, pull-up's, etc.), extra corvée (chores), to jail for serious offences. And while technically getting punched/kicked is no longer allowed, let's just say that when someone shows up with a black eye or bruises, the reason is usually that they fell down the stairs or ran into the door.

As the 2REG trains pretty hard during the week, at 6pm the workday ends, and even a lower-level legionnaire such as myself can usually do whatever we want, even go to bed early. The work week ends at 3pm on Friday, and as long as we're back on base for roll-call at 5:50am on Monday, we have the weekend free. I spent most of this weekend in Marseille, in a part next to the Mediterranean Sea called Malmosque just 2-3km from Vieux Port, in a hotel operated by the Foreign Legion for legionnaires, with a comrade from basic training. The crazy thing is that when we got up on Saturday, there was an additionally legionnaire in the room (there are 3 beds) who came in the middle of the night, and his French had an American accent. And sure enough, he's American, been in the Legion for about 2.5 years...and he graduated from Arizona State University! It's truly a small world. Currently I'm sitting at a net cafe in Avignon, killing time until the regiment bus comes here to take us back to St. Christol. It's been a good weekend, I had to opportunity to buy a laptop computer, digital camera, cell phone (although international phone calls are quite expensive, so I will continue to call using public phones and phone cards), and some necessities. But the main thing was the semblance of normality...interacting with civilians, eating at restaurants, etc..Don't know where I'll go next weekend yet, maybe Lyon or Paris...really no idea right now. Pictures and more stories coming soon I hope...the next 3 months promises to be quite busy, but I'll try to get online as much as I can.

Hope everyone had as good of a weekend as I did.

Take care,

Dave