French Foreign Legion

The French Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère) is under the direct command of the President of France. In modern times it is run by French officers but the rank and file are all foreigners. Volunteers that join the Legion have the option to adopt a new name under the rule of anonymat (being anonymous). That original requirement has been modified in recent years so a volunteer can decide whether to keep his given name or adopt a new one. Legionnaires serve for a term of 3 years after which they can ask for French citizenship. If a Legionnaire is wounded, he is entitled to gain French citizenship without any waiting period. There are no women in the Foreign Legion.