There’s nothing “easier” about the French Foreign Legion’s “instruction”. In every aspect, it’s more demanding than U.S. Marines Boot Camp. A few examples:

• Your orders are given in a language you probably don’t understand. Disrespecting an order often results in corporal punishment (i.e., you get your ass beaten until you understand what the caporal means).
• The lack of sleep during Legion training is extreme, comparable only to Special Operations forces selection and training. You’ll fall asleep standing up, only to be awakened by a corporal’s fist in your face.
• You’ll almost starve. After four months of basic training, all new Legionnaires look the same. The Legion calls them “chats maigres” (“lean cats”).
• No phone calls home for the first four weeks. No free evenings either.
• You’ll train almost as much at night as during the day.
• Broke your leg? You’ll get a plaster cast and continue training.

Legion recruits during their basic training at the 4th Foreign Regiment. (Picture: Defense Zone)

• Field marches with heavy packs cover distances of up to 80 kilometers (50 miles).
• You wash your own clothes—using a piece of savon de Marseille and under a strict time limit. If you fail, you may have to walk around for the rest of the day with your dirty underwear stuffed in your mouth.
• If you fail to correctly recite the Legionnaires’ Code of Honor before lunch, not only you but your entire platoon will continue training immediately—without having eaten anything.
• Complaining, being too slow, or mingling with people from your own country are serious offenses, punished by beatings.